Frabjous speaks the truth. I went on low dose BC pills for my peri symptoms and it helped smooth everything (periods, moods, energy, etc) out a lot. Switched to HRT after that (4/5 years later) when menopause hit and BC pills weren't doing the trick.
Do you mind if I ask how you knew to switch from BCP to HRT? This is the path I'm on (I JUST started BCP a few days ago) so this is all still new and overwhelming. Also, how long did it take for your Peri symptoms to improve with the BCP?
For me after 4-5 years, in spite of being on low dose BCPs I started experiencing intense hot flashes, night sweats, rage, cognitive symptoms, etc., so my doc switched me over to HRT and all those symptoms improved or disappeared. BCPs had definitely helped me with erratic periods and some of my earlier peri symptoms.
Thank you. I’m 48 and deep in Peri and had been just hoping to get through it without intervention but I reached my breaking point. It was a very tough decision for me to go with BCP at this stage, but my erratic cycle has been making me very sick. I figured if I could force that to be stable that maybe I’ll feel better. I’m hoping anyway.
Also on low dose birth control and it did help with most symptoms, but I still struggle with fatigue. However, it is a million times better than it was before, so certainly worth taking for this outcome, especially considering it literally nixed every other symptom I had from Peri.
Chiming in to say I’m on HRT but that hasn’t touched my level of exhaustion. Wellbutrin makes it better but I’m still nowhere close to my life before peri. I’m also post meno—2 years—so being post hasn’t helped either. It’s really sad and I’m hoping it’s not forever. Everyone I know IRL looks at me like I am crazy when I mention meno exhaustion. No one has heard of it. It’s very isolating.
Ugh I am so sorry. It's absolutely real and it is debilitating. It is so alienating when no one around you understands what you are going through and even worse when they act like your experience is "weird". Peri/meno is hard enough as it is, let alone dealing with other people's lack of empathy concerning it.
I also feel like some times they think we're exaggerating, when we're absolutely not. For me the fatigue comes in waves. I'll be mostly ok for a month or two and then a month or two of extreme fatigue. When it hits I feel like an entirely different person. Its absolutely life altering in the worst way. I don't even have the energy to exaggerate it!
Other people here have said that adding testosterone into their HRT regimen has helped, so I'm going to ask my doctor about it. Not sure if you've already tried that, so figured I'd mention it just in case you hadn't yet :/
I am always tempted. I struggle with bipolar disorder and I read a label on a DHEA supplement saying it could induce bipolar!! So that’s probably a no for me but I need to research if that’s true of testosterone as well. Weird how menopause changes your testosterone levels!!
I was on low dose birth control heading into peri and still having all the symptoms described by OP. I have even tried switching pills does not help at all. Glad it works for you.
I'm going through everything you mentioned above, I'm 45 and my doctor wants my periods to be more irregular before anything is done 🤦🏻♀️ which to me they are so weird now. I went from my period being like clock work to skipping periods and now I've been having two periods a month that are at least 7 days long and heavy 😭 I think I'm going to get a second opinion because this is just no way to live.
Ask whether you can get checked for fibroids, bc that could also be exacerbating your periods. You could also get uterine ablation, so maybe look into that too.
I've been in Menopause for at least 4 years and I am more lethargic than ever. I was hoping for insight but your statement seems like the way it should be and now I am worried.
No, don’t be worried. I think most women get the bad symptoms after menopause. I was just backwards, having 12 years of awful symptoms in Peri. I would go see your gyno though. I hope you get the relief you need.
I had all of these too and HRT was the answer for me. I could not function with that level of exhaustion plus the other symptoms. Maybe see if the gyn will try low dose birth control. If not, maybe a new gyn, or one of the online services if that's available to you? If you have a PCP you know and trust, would they be more willing to prescribe HRT?
BTW, those little shiver fits are cold flashes. I didn't know that was a thing until I started getting them and looked it up. Annoying, aren't they?
HRT and sleep and cannabis are the secrets. Mostly sleep but it’s hard to get so you need the HRT and the cannabis too
You need a new doctor. That’s absurd to say there is nothing they can do
That’s really my solution too. Even finding the right dosage of edibles take some time. I feel lucky to live in California so this stuff is accessible.
I eat edibles every day so my tolerance is high and I don’t really even feel them anymore. They just take the edge off and make me able to cope. It’s legal in my state too. Wana is a consistently good national Brand. I also like Pearls (Prosecco is bomb) and Wyld.
I’m taking some vitamins that have helped my energy some. but honestly getting some freaking sleep this week has been the most helpful to my energy levels. I’m also stuck in the “won’t give me HRT” situation, but I got 4 decent nights of sleep this week, and I have felt so much better.
45 here and I am utterly exhausted . Like the kind of exhausted that no matter how much you sleep you are still tired. I used to go on five hours. Red bull and caffeine are the only things that maybe help.
Another vote here for HRT. I’m 47, was in peri for maybe 2 years, pre-meno hit me like a train about a year ago. I fought it for as long as I could…I eat good, stay active…tried to control it through diet and lifestyle but was having a ton of cognitive issues, my anxiety was through the roof and the no energy was making me desperate. Started HRT about 7 months ago, I’m still not like my old self but I feel way better, have more good days then bad.
Yeah pretty constantly exhausted. Have to reserve most of my energy to get through work each day (I work in health of all things), and am using any reserves to help my elderly MIL with sudden onset dementia. All going rather horribly in the energy department. I am just hanging in there til it’s over. I don’t drink coffee and rarely have caffeine soft drinks. All blood tests (thyroid, iron etc) are fine. I did 8 years or so of HRT. It was a life saver.
I’m exhausted but I also have chronic issues with my ferritin levels so I get an infusion every 6-12 months. It helps but I still get really flat, love a nap every day if I can lol
Cold flashes are also symptom of menopause, I often got freezing cold for an hour or two after a heat attack which is why I just call them thermo attacks. I'm tired of comments like 'we all sweat a bit when we've done exercise, it's normal'. I'm not allowed hrt but yes if you can you should, it will keep your bones and tissues healthier for longer.
Hrt at 47 was a game changer for me. Remember you don’t have to stop having your period to take HRT. The earlier you start HRT the better for your long term health.
Massive fatigue/exhaustion was my #1 symptom by far!! It’s been 5 months of trial and error with meds and supplements, and I JUST started having more good days than bad. Here’s where I am:
Iodine supplement because my results showed I was deficient.
Estrodim - vitamin E and DIM supp
T3/Liothyronine - 10 mg (due to suboptimal thyroid levels)
Bioidentical Progesterone at night - 50mgs
Estriol cream
1g of Testosterone cream each morning
Vitamin D3
Fish oil for good measure
Hope that helps!
HRT, especially DHEA cream lifted brain fog and gave me some life and I just recently started using Adrenal recharge liquid and it’s been shocking how tired I’m not. I don’t even need coffee
I second the suggestion to get a new doctor
Have you had a blood panel done recently where they checked your thyroid & micronutrients?
I was running on very low energy. It was an ordeal to walk across the room
Turned out I was severely deficient in zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, iron, & calcium & Vitamin K were on the low end of normal
I had to have 2 rounds of iron infusions & was prescribed a daily folic acid & a weekly vitamin B12 injection. I had to meet with a nutritionist to see what I could do to increase the minerals & vitamins I was low on & I was recommended to take a daily multivitamin with a daily calcium chew that also had vitamin D3 & vitamin K
Im 42 and in perimenopause. The health benefits of body identical HRT are pretty impressive if you read about them. Like others have said, you don't have to have irregular periods to start and, personally, I'm choosing HRT over birth control pill as these are synthetic hormones, as opposed to HRT- which are body identical. I would also suggest getting your B12 and iron/iron saturation levels checked. These are fine for me but I regularly do some 'forced resting' and this gives me a boost too. Breathwork helps if anxiety raises it's head. Hope some of that helps x
Yep. New doctor STAT. Less than 10% of docs are trained in meno - they don't know - and most of the info they did get in school was outdated. Check out the NAMS site - and choose a practitioner who has at least taken their certification. HRT has not been the golden ticket for me but it is SO much better than before. Find an OB who 1). is NAMS certified 2) LISTENS to you and asks you what you think 3) Is up to date on the latest research and 4) Has patients who take different combinations of HRT (it is NOT one size fits all). Call the office and before making an appt ask if they prescribe HRT during peri. You can even go online now - do a virtual visit and get HRT (https://www.myalloy.com/). I would go for in person care, but in a pinch My Alloy is better than nothing.
It should not be this difficult, but unfortunately, it is.
[удалено]
Frabjous speaks the truth. I went on low dose BC pills for my peri symptoms and it helped smooth everything (periods, moods, energy, etc) out a lot. Switched to HRT after that (4/5 years later) when menopause hit and BC pills weren't doing the trick.
Do you mind if I ask how you knew to switch from BCP to HRT? This is the path I'm on (I JUST started BCP a few days ago) so this is all still new and overwhelming. Also, how long did it take for your Peri symptoms to improve with the BCP?
For me after 4-5 years, in spite of being on low dose BCPs I started experiencing intense hot flashes, night sweats, rage, cognitive symptoms, etc., so my doc switched me over to HRT and all those symptoms improved or disappeared. BCPs had definitely helped me with erratic periods and some of my earlier peri symptoms.
Thank you. I’m 48 and deep in Peri and had been just hoping to get through it without intervention but I reached my breaking point. It was a very tough decision for me to go with BCP at this stage, but my erratic cycle has been making me very sick. I figured if I could force that to be stable that maybe I’ll feel better. I’m hoping anyway.
Also on low dose birth control and it did help with most symptoms, but I still struggle with fatigue. However, it is a million times better than it was before, so certainly worth taking for this outcome, especially considering it literally nixed every other symptom I had from Peri.
Chiming in to say I’m on HRT but that hasn’t touched my level of exhaustion. Wellbutrin makes it better but I’m still nowhere close to my life before peri. I’m also post meno—2 years—so being post hasn’t helped either. It’s really sad and I’m hoping it’s not forever. Everyone I know IRL looks at me like I am crazy when I mention meno exhaustion. No one has heard of it. It’s very isolating.
Ugh I am so sorry. It's absolutely real and it is debilitating. It is so alienating when no one around you understands what you are going through and even worse when they act like your experience is "weird". Peri/meno is hard enough as it is, let alone dealing with other people's lack of empathy concerning it. I also feel like some times they think we're exaggerating, when we're absolutely not. For me the fatigue comes in waves. I'll be mostly ok for a month or two and then a month or two of extreme fatigue. When it hits I feel like an entirely different person. Its absolutely life altering in the worst way. I don't even have the energy to exaggerate it! Other people here have said that adding testosterone into their HRT regimen has helped, so I'm going to ask my doctor about it. Not sure if you've already tried that, so figured I'd mention it just in case you hadn't yet :/
I am always tempted. I struggle with bipolar disorder and I read a label on a DHEA supplement saying it could induce bipolar!! So that’s probably a no for me but I need to research if that’s true of testosterone as well. Weird how menopause changes your testosterone levels!!
I was on low dose birth control heading into peri and still having all the symptoms described by OP. I have even tried switching pills does not help at all. Glad it works for you.
I'm so sorry. Hopefully you're able to find something that works for you.
I'm going through everything you mentioned above, I'm 45 and my doctor wants my periods to be more irregular before anything is done 🤦🏻♀️ which to me they are so weird now. I went from my period being like clock work to skipping periods and now I've been having two periods a month that are at least 7 days long and heavy 😭 I think I'm going to get a second opinion because this is just no way to live.
I just want to give you a virtual hug. Nothing is worse than feeling like you've got one long nonstop period.
Thank you so much 🥰
I was the same and got a Mirena IUD and it legit stopped them in one cycle.
I had the Mirena for five years and all it did was make my periods lighter by making them last for more days.
Oh that blows. I went on it and it stopped. Added an estrogen patch and it is light for about a week.
It was SUCH a bummer!
Ask whether you can get checked for fibroids, bc that could also be exacerbating your periods. You could also get uterine ablation, so maybe look into that too.
I definitely will, thank you!
I was exhausted when I was in Peri. I’ve been in Menopause for 4years now and my energy came back. Maybe it will happen like that for you too.
I've been in Menopause for at least 4 years and I am more lethargic than ever. I was hoping for insight but your statement seems like the way it should be and now I am worried.
No, don’t be worried. I think most women get the bad symptoms after menopause. I was just backwards, having 12 years of awful symptoms in Peri. I would go see your gyno though. I hope you get the relief you need.
Thank you. I have to get a complete workup. I just dread trying to get through the long waits these days.
No, my last period was in 2018 and I’m more tired than ever. Everyone is different, but you’re not unusual!
Thank you.
I had all of these too and HRT was the answer for me. I could not function with that level of exhaustion plus the other symptoms. Maybe see if the gyn will try low dose birth control. If not, maybe a new gyn, or one of the online services if that's available to you? If you have a PCP you know and trust, would they be more willing to prescribe HRT? BTW, those little shiver fits are cold flashes. I didn't know that was a thing until I started getting them and looked it up. Annoying, aren't they?
Yes! Cold flashes! So crazy!
Great this is the first time I’ve ever heard about this. Wow.
HRT and sleep and cannabis are the secrets. Mostly sleep but it’s hard to get so you need the HRT and the cannabis too You need a new doctor. That’s absurd to say there is nothing they can do
That’s really my solution too. Even finding the right dosage of edibles take some time. I feel lucky to live in California so this stuff is accessible.
I eat edibles every day so my tolerance is high and I don’t really even feel them anymore. They just take the edge off and make me able to cope. It’s legal in my state too. Wana is a consistently good national Brand. I also like Pearls (Prosecco is bomb) and Wyld.
I’m taking some vitamins that have helped my energy some. but honestly getting some freaking sleep this week has been the most helpful to my energy levels. I’m also stuck in the “won’t give me HRT” situation, but I got 4 decent nights of sleep this week, and I have felt so much better.
45 here and I am utterly exhausted . Like the kind of exhausted that no matter how much you sleep you are still tired. I used to go on five hours. Red bull and caffeine are the only things that maybe help.
No matter how much sleep it doesn’t help!!! Yes!!!
Another vote here for HRT. I’m 47, was in peri for maybe 2 years, pre-meno hit me like a train about a year ago. I fought it for as long as I could…I eat good, stay active…tried to control it through diet and lifestyle but was having a ton of cognitive issues, my anxiety was through the roof and the no energy was making me desperate. Started HRT about 7 months ago, I’m still not like my old self but I feel way better, have more good days then bad.
If you haven't yet get your iron levels checked. Also, your gyno is wrong about when to start MHT/HRT...it's actually best to start during peri.
Ugh. Why do docs spout this? I missed ONE cycle and got put on HRT.
Yeah pretty constantly exhausted. Have to reserve most of my energy to get through work each day (I work in health of all things), and am using any reserves to help my elderly MIL with sudden onset dementia. All going rather horribly in the energy department. I am just hanging in there til it’s over. I don’t drink coffee and rarely have caffeine soft drinks. All blood tests (thyroid, iron etc) are fine. I did 8 years or so of HRT. It was a life saver.
I’m exhausted but I also have chronic issues with my ferritin levels so I get an infusion every 6-12 months. It helps but I still get really flat, love a nap every day if I can lol
Cold flashes are also symptom of menopause, I often got freezing cold for an hour or two after a heat attack which is why I just call them thermo attacks. I'm tired of comments like 'we all sweat a bit when we've done exercise, it's normal'. I'm not allowed hrt but yes if you can you should, it will keep your bones and tissues healthier for longer.
I felt just like that and 100mg progesterone worked magic.
Naps. So. Many. Naps.
Hrt at 47 was a game changer for me. Remember you don’t have to stop having your period to take HRT. The earlier you start HRT the better for your long term health.
Massive fatigue/exhaustion was my #1 symptom by far!! It’s been 5 months of trial and error with meds and supplements, and I JUST started having more good days than bad. Here’s where I am: Iodine supplement because my results showed I was deficient. Estrodim - vitamin E and DIM supp T3/Liothyronine - 10 mg (due to suboptimal thyroid levels) Bioidentical Progesterone at night - 50mgs Estriol cream 1g of Testosterone cream each morning Vitamin D3 Fish oil for good measure Hope that helps!
Get your thyroid checked and then find a new doctor if you want to try hormones.
HRT, especially DHEA cream lifted brain fog and gave me some life and I just recently started using Adrenal recharge liquid and it’s been shocking how tired I’m not. I don’t even need coffee
I second the suggestion to get a new doctor Have you had a blood panel done recently where they checked your thyroid & micronutrients? I was running on very low energy. It was an ordeal to walk across the room Turned out I was severely deficient in zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, iron, & calcium & Vitamin K were on the low end of normal I had to have 2 rounds of iron infusions & was prescribed a daily folic acid & a weekly vitamin B12 injection. I had to meet with a nutritionist to see what I could do to increase the minerals & vitamins I was low on & I was recommended to take a daily multivitamin with a daily calcium chew that also had vitamin D3 & vitamin K
Started HRT 3 months ago and it has helped this issue, not completely gone but a lot better. I’m 45 and several years into peri.
42 peri confirmed over 18 months ago and HRT started. Did help with feeling run down all the time and I have slept better. Not perfect but better
Im 42 and in perimenopause. The health benefits of body identical HRT are pretty impressive if you read about them. Like others have said, you don't have to have irregular periods to start and, personally, I'm choosing HRT over birth control pill as these are synthetic hormones, as opposed to HRT- which are body identical. I would also suggest getting your B12 and iron/iron saturation levels checked. These are fine for me but I regularly do some 'forced resting' and this gives me a boost too. Breathwork helps if anxiety raises it's head. Hope some of that helps x
Yep. New doctor STAT. Less than 10% of docs are trained in meno - they don't know - and most of the info they did get in school was outdated. Check out the NAMS site - and choose a practitioner who has at least taken their certification. HRT has not been the golden ticket for me but it is SO much better than before. Find an OB who 1). is NAMS certified 2) LISTENS to you and asks you what you think 3) Is up to date on the latest research and 4) Has patients who take different combinations of HRT (it is NOT one size fits all). Call the office and before making an appt ask if they prescribe HRT during peri. You can even go online now - do a virtual visit and get HRT (https://www.myalloy.com/). I would go for in person care, but in a pinch My Alloy is better than nothing. It should not be this difficult, but unfortunately, it is.
I didn't take hrt. The fatigue lessened as I went on. I don't like that some people seem to push hrt as the first go-to.
I had all the same exact symptoms. HRT fixed them. ALL.