Could I Be Going Through Menopause?

[MsSweetCheeks]

I have been having a lot of changes in my cycles. They are really irregular. Since the beginning of this year my periods started off being 2 weeks late and then lighter than normal. Then my last period was at least 2 months late. Then it starts and I didn't even realize it. All of a sudden I notice blood all over my pants and then last night barely a drop. Now, today it is starting to flow normally. Even the last 3 years before this I have noticed a lot of changes in my cycle. Either starting early or late. Sometimes really heavy. I do find I have a lot of the symptoms of pre-menopause. I'm constantly hot and sweaty. I tend to have trouble sleeping. I've been more irritable. Decrease in sex drive. The thing that baffles me is that I'm only 36. I know it does happen that a person can start going through premenopause this young.

[XUfan]

I'm no doctor, but it sounds like perimenopause to me. When I started going through it, I found this website: Menopause, perimenopause, postmenopause and womens health at ProjectAWARE It's been very helpful! I will admit, that when I read the "35 symptoms of menopause" I could only think, "Oh, that will NEVER happen to me!". I was wrong! I've experienced most of them...and it's not over for me yet!

[MsSweetCheeks]

Any time I read about the symptoms, I have most of the symptoms, but I question it because I'm so young. I know it does happen that a person in their 30's starts going through it.

[XUfan]

That's why I mentioned perimenopause. It can start in your 30's...leading up to menopause later.

[MsSweetCheeks]

I do have the majority of the symptoms in that list you gave me. I never realized that my really bad sinus and allergy problems could be from perimenopause. Also, I constantly itch. I always thought it was just allergies, but I've never seen anyone as bad with allergies and sinuses as me. I even showed that list to my husband and he was like you fit almost every symptom on that list. I'm always sweaty.

[shelleyf]

I am pretty sure I am going through it. I am 40 years old. I can be freezing one minute and sweating another. I have some of the symptoms mentioned and it is awful. I talked to my Dr. about it and she said I could be menopausal. I do have my periods. The weird thing is that I used to not be regular and the last few years I am like clockwork, lol I used to go a few months without having one and then it would come out of nowhere. Then I would get one every month and a half or so. The last few years before I started getting it the same day every month I was getting one every TWO weeks, and it making me so upset. It was like I was always on it almost. Now it's every month for around 4-5 days, and it is broken up. I will have it for 2-3 days and then it will go away for a day or two and then come back for the next couple days, how much fun is that??? I feel your pain and will be praying for you and XUfan too (well I always pray for you C.) The things we go through of being a woman.

[gctattoo]

I'm 37 and I've been premenopausal for a couple years now. My period doesn't fluctuate too much, but it has changed. Although I still have a rough estimate of when it's due and don't actually skip months, it's always a surprise whether it'll be a few days early or a few days late. The wacky inconsistent flow issues have been with me for several years now. It used to stop almost completely for a couple days in the middle and then it'd come back. That hasn't happened recently. But it's been replaced by several days of spotting at beginning and end with super heavy flow in the middle for a day or two.

I'll occasionally get hot flashes. And I can't remember anything! That's actually a sign of premenopause as well. They say once you hit menopause, your memory comes back. Until the senility sets in. Argh!

[3timesoccermom]

Where did you see the part about allergies/sinus?

I do have the majority of the symptoms in that list you gave me. I never realized that my really bad sinus and allergy problems could be from perimenopause. Also, I constantly itch. I always thought it was just allergies, but I've never seen anyone as bad with allergies and sinuses as me. I even showed that list to my husband and he was like you fit almost every symptom on that list. I'm always sweaty.

[jenrose]

Rene it's number 24 on the list of 35 symptoms

[3timesoccermom]

Oh, ok, thanks Jen - I was looking in the wrong place. I don't see HOW allergies could possibly be associated with menopause! Anyone know?

I can't believe men, in addiiton to never having periods or giving birth, get a free ride on most of that crap too.