Perimenopause. Anyone who's been through it or is going through it, please share your experiences.

I got through it. Didn't even notice it, to be honest. But some people suffer a lot. It's very individual.

What are your symptoms? How old are you? I'm 47 and I don't feel anything yet. Actually, I think I've become more sexually active instead.

it's all still to come..

My mother had a really tough time with it. She started taking hormones and it went away.

I'm 56. You could say I didn't even notice. It's been a year and a half without periods, they just stopped and that was it. Occasionally, I'd get hot flashes at night. But I was even glad about it in winter, when the bed is cold—it warmed me up. And it was the same for my mother and sisters.

This is me asking the question. Everything is a nightmare for me. A year ago, I had a cervical conization due to leukoplakia and dysplasia. I was extremely anxious. And due to stress immediately after the surgery, issues started. Now, according to the tests, they’re saying it’s perimenopause. On top of that, I have terrible cervical osteochondrosis, which I’ve been treating endlessly for about five years, my weight has shot up—I wasn’t exactly slim to begin with—joint problems, headaches, and my blood pressure is all over the place. I’m 48.

So, I've been living a nightmare for almost four years now. And it's a nightmare on two fronts: endless bleeding for several weeks at a time, very heavy, followed by hospital stays and procedures; and second, severe menopausal syndrome, which also takes a toll on every part of my body. I already have heart complications. And I can't take hormone replacement therapy. I see friends my age continuing to live and work, while I've been completely knocked off track. So much for menopause...

Author,

What else is bothering you? I also get cystitis and bacterial vaginosis, and I'm practically treating it constantly. Weakness, laziness, poor sleep, fears, anxieties.

I'm having hot flushes. They're driving me mad. At 42, I had to start injections to induce menopause. I've had three so far, with two more to go. Life has become a series of hot flushes, and all my bones ache.

I had cystitis and bacterial vaginosis, treated it. Depression, anxiety, insomnia had to be treated with medication by a psychiatrist. Headaches unfortunately didn't respond to treatment. What scares me most is the blood pressure and arrhythmia. My blood pressure can suddenly rise, then suddenly drop, even though I've been hypotensive all my life. Of all the symptoms, I consider hot flushes the most harmless, especially compared to life-threatening bleeding. I don't even think about my appearance - hair loss is colossal, a few strands cover my shiny crown. I treated that too without success. Now I've given up on it.

I went through perimenopause easily because I didn't even realise what was happening to me; I visited a bunch of doctors, and they all said everything was fine. It started when I was 41, and now at 44, I'm in menopause—when they told me, it was a shock. Plus, I can't take hormones because of my fibroids; they only prescribed Ovestin cream. What can you do? I've already come to terms with it. All sorts of ailments have cropped up: neuralgia, osteochondrosis, colds, and even my teeth have started to deteriorate. But I've lost weight—thank goodness, I was 54 kg, now I'm 50 kg, my legs have become like matchsticks, and I have to change my entire wardrobe.

I've been in perimenopause for seven years now. It started at 42 after an embolization procedure. I only realized it was perimenopause a year later because my cycle remained regular. Right after the surgery, my health suddenly deteriorated. I experienced severe weakness, apathy, insomnia at night, and daytime drowsiness as if I'd taken sleeping pills. I had night sweats and would get up to use the toilet two or three times a night. My blood pressure started fluctuating, and I developed arrhythmia. I went from doctor to doctor searching for a cause until a physician told me it seemed like perimenopause had begun. The first two years were especially tough, then it eased up a bit. For these six years, my cycle remained regular. Now, in the seventh year, I've had two delays of a week each. I've become acquainted with hot flashes—so far, they've occurred for 2–3 days at a time, twice. But they really scare me. I couldn't sleep at all at night because of them. When you're hit with heat every 15–20 minutes, sleep is impossible. Two or three sleepless nights are manageable, but what will happen if they become constant? On the bright side, over the last six months, as my cycle started to become irregular, my overall health has improved. That extreme weakness is gone, the night sweats have stopped, and strangely enough, the arrhythmia has gotten better too. Maybe the worst is yet to come? But these past six years have been incredibly tough for me. My mother started experiencing severe symptoms eight years before menopause, but after her periods stopped, she felt better. I hope the same happens for me. Because if it gets any worse, it would just be unbearable.

Oh, it's a nightmare, I've started having hot flashes, a total nightmare, I'm walking around angry. I started taking Klimafemin Ginocomfort, it normalises hormonal balance and controls all these menopausal symptoms. I've been taking it for a month now and feel much better, at least I'm not snapping at people anymore))

I am 47 years old and feel absolutely dreadful. I experience hot flashes every hour, so intense that sweat streams down my face in rivulets if I don't wipe it away. During these moments, I'm overcome with such weakness that I feel the urge to lie down, even if I'm sitting, and my mind immediately goes foggy. I have constant dizziness, a state akin to being drunk, worsening memory, and I haven't had a period in six months. Cysts have appeared in my breasts—one was inflamed and had to be drained by aspiration. All this despite having consistently led a healthy lifestyle: I don't smoke, don't drink, weigh 50 kg, and am 167 cm tall. I've tried taking Menopace and Qi-Klim, but they haven't helped.

I am 48 years old. Symptoms: I start feeling really unwell, then I shake, followed by feeling hot, but thank God it doesn't happen too often. Tachycardia (take Glycine), high blood pressure (ear massage or vinegar compresses on the feet), low blood pressure (cocoa, chocolate, warm socks). Basically, I'm all over the place!!! It happens about 6–7 times a month. My periods have started coming every 2–3 months. A year ago, I was running 5 km three times a week, working out at the gym, etc. Now I can't do anything at all! This has been going on for two years now. I took Qi-Klim, it helped, but then it stopped working. I switched to Estrovel—I've been taking it for a year, but I realise it's not helping anymore either. Hormones made me feel pretty bad—I started having suicidal thoughts, and I decided I'd never take them again. The doctor is surprised that hormones affect me like that. But it's true! I tried taking sedatives—Sympathyl, Grandaxin—but they only made things worse, with more frequent hot flushes. The only thing that helps me is Valocordin! 30 drops, and within 20 minutes, the hot flush disappears as quickly as it came! It's classified as a narcotic in Europe! Herbs like red clover and red brush don't help. I've been suffering for two years now, waiting for these stupid periods to finally stop! I'll throw myself a party when they do! I feel encouraged by the grandmothers on the street because I realise there is life after menopause))) They're still alive!!! So, it's different for everyone! I'll endure it, do minimal exercises, and practice Qi Gong (gentle movements). Hang in there, sisters!

I am 43 years old. I had my FSH, estrogen, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone tested. One doctor said it's perimenopause, another said it's just a cycle irregularity. Sometimes my period is delayed by about 8 days, other times it comes a week early. But my hair, my hair, where are you going? It's falling out terribly. Otherwise, nothing else really bothers me. Which hormones did you test to determine perimenopause?

How are your hair? Same problem here.

Anti-Müllerian hormone - that tells us the ovarian follicular reserve, FSH and oestradiol. They're enough to diagnose 'ovarian depletion syndrome' - menopause.

I wrote above about my symptoms. As a result, I'm going to the gynaecologist and will be taking hormones, because it's impossible to live like this!!! It's overwhelming and unbearable!

I went to the gynaecologist. The result)))—since there was once a polyp and it was removed, I cannot take hormones! They said there's a high probability of growing it again! Take Grandaxin (by the way, note—it really helps, or any other calming remedy, just stronger than over-the-counter ones) and phytoestrogens! That's it!!! The main motto—do no harm!

This is a nightmare. I've been bedridden for two months, with blood pressure and pulse issues. It's something terrible. When will it get easier? While my period is ongoing.

It all started in August. A nightmare. I'm 53. Periods are still coming. I've experienced all the horrors. Blood pressure, pulse, etc. I was flat on my back for 2 months. My husband fed me and did everything himself—cleaned up, etc. Now it's the 6th month of this horror. I'm waiting for it to get a bit easier. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

It started at 39, by 40 I was like a seriously ill person—I couldn’t go to work, an ambulance came every day, I stopped driving. There were terrible headaches, high blood pressure, tachycardia, and insane panic attacks. I spent a year getting tests, checked everything, went through a vascular treatment course, nothing helped. It only dawned on me that perimenopause had begun when, on a friend’s advice, I bought Remens, and miracle! It started helping me. Now I’m 44, my condition has more or less normalised, but my former health and energy are gone! It’s absolute hell!

And I don't even know what I have, most likely perimenopause too, also started around after 40, my cycle shortened around after 36, instead of 28 days, became 21-23 days with clots, then I started noticing feeling unwell, around after my period, and a couple of days before menstruation it's a bit better, and now on days 11-12 my temperature rises to 37 and drops as soon as my period starts, I really feel this temperature... the first phase passes without a temperature, but I'm sleeping on my feet, and as soon as the temperature starts, the sleepiness goes away... anyone else have a temperature in the second phase? By the way, there's very little blood

I'm 45 and have been living in hell for 1.5 years... Thought at first my nervous system was failing, psychotherapists, psychologists, sedatives... no result. Periods have been almost absent for about 5 years, endometrial hyperplasia developed, already two cleanings. Panic attacks, don't leave the house alone, blood pressure spikes, heart palpitations, extrasystoles. Horror, quiet horror... Can't find a competent gynaecologist, when will this hell end.

And how did you realise it's related to menopause? Did you get your hormones tested?

Hormone tests don't show menopause (it's not even menopause yet), but based on the absence of periods and the results of the clean-ups, the gynaecologist said it's perimenopause and climacteric syndrome.

Lyudmila, hang in there, treat the symptoms symptomatically, for the panic attacks definitely go to a psychotherapist, they will help, treatment should be at least six months, that's how it was for me and still they don't completely go away but it's very smoothed out, take up Iyengar yoga, a very useful thing. Everything will pass, you just need to get through this period, if anything write on WhatsApp 89614799197

I'm 52. And it's also a horror show, head feels like cast iron, dizziness, heart palpitations, disgusted by food, can't even cook, like morning sickness. Plus cervical osteochondrosis won't leave me alone. Being treated by a neurologist. Periods are still there, but the cycle is messed up. At first couldn't understand what was wrong with me, now I get it.. It's that! Wishing everyone patience! It'll pass someday.

Girls, is there anyone who has been through this hell and can cheer us up, that this will pass and we won't die ))).

I have the same temperature

Hello Lyuda, if you have a home phone, please call me back at 75266.

Hello, Lyuba. I'll call back, just leave your details and number. Which city and number do you have?

Lyuba, please clarify your number and which city you're from so I can call you. I live in Minsk. With the digits you wrote, I don't know where to call.

I lived through this nightmare for seven years. Fluctuating blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart pain, severe weakness, apathy, constant drowsiness, night sweats, and running to the toilet several times a night. Yet my cycle never became irregular. Six months ago, I experienced my first delay, and on top of all that, hot flashes started every 15–20 minutes. During the day it was manageable, but at night, because of the hot flashes, I almost stopped sleeping (only getting 2–3 hours a night). My nerves were completely frayed, and my health began to deteriorate even more. I couldn’t take it anymore and started hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I endured it for seven years, but the sleepless nights finally broke me. Now my condition is significantly better, though it’s still not like it was before perimenopause. I don’t know what to do next. HRT isn’t a long-term solution, especially since it’s contraindicated for me. But I’m afraid to stop it—I’m terrified of that hell returning.

What a horror... it's just a nightmare. How in the 21st century there's nothing to make a woman's life easier. And what HRT are you taking? I started taking Remens and the gynaecologist insists on the Mirena IUD, I have endometrial hyperplasia and without hormones, a complete absence of periods.

Remens is not HRT. I take Climonoorm, but I have fibroids and mastopathy, which are relative contraindications. It lowers FSH and the ovaries start working again. At least that's how it is for me. I don't like that it makes my breasts hurt, they've always hurt in the second half of my life anyway, but with it they somehow hurt more. On the plus side, I've started sleeping and my heart has calmed down. Life has become more cheerful. I understand it's not a solution. Sooner or later I'll have to quit anyway. My mum was also all over the place for several years, she says when the periods stop it'll get easier, but she hardly had any hot flushes. And I had them very often, so I don't think it'll get easier straight away. At work, the ladies have been struggling with these hot flushes for several years already, but they apparently have stronger nerves, they don't interfere with their sleep.

What's your temperature, is it going down, and how are you feeling? I thought I was the only one like this and that I had some terrible illness, I haven't had my hormones tested, I went for an ultrasound and a gynaecologist check-up a couple of months ago, they said everything was fine.

I've also developed itchy skin and occasionally scratch. There are also some allergy-like pimples on my face. I take antihistamines for a few days, and then it goes away. Generally, I manage by taking Remens and Menopace vitamins for a couple of months, and it gets better. For depression, I take an antidepressant (Selectra) for a few months. That's the only way I've been living for almost three years now... I'm 44.

Well, a year ago after having a polyp removed, I started having problems. After sex, there's bleeding, and about seven days before my period, there's spotting. I've seen neurologists, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, all within normal limits. And also, either cystitis or urethritis, I can't figure it out, constant discomfort, urology is normal too. Is this already menopause? I'm 43 years old.

Angela, I also had cervical conisation, and my problems started two years later. Could you share your symptoms? Contact number 89196909141 WhatsApp. Thanks in advance.

Hello! I am 47 years old. One month my periods are more or less normal, and the next month they come on time, but it's just two drops. Less than one day. Could this be due to perimenopause?

Good afternoon! My perimenopause began a year and a half ago. I am now 41 years old. It is progressing very severely. Initially, I experienced terrible PMS before my periods. Then came severe headaches. To this were added blood pressure fluctuations, panic attacks, hot flushes (more often at night), nausea, and loss of appetite. It feels as though the restructuring is affecting all my organs. At the same time, neurosis and a depressive state have appeared. I have consulted gynaecologists. At first, they prescribed Mastodynon and herbal remedies. I did not feel any result. Then I turned to a homeopath. I took homeopathic preparations for several months, but there was no improvement. Hormone therapy was not prescribed for me because I have migraine with aura. I consulted a psychotherapist, who prescribed the antidepressant Cipralex and Stresam. I felt even worse. They were discontinued. Some time ago, I went back to a gynaecologist with a request to select a therapy for me. They prescribed a treatment – Utrogestan and Divigel. I have started taking Utrogestan vaginally. Not yet Divigel. I am waiting for my period. Alongside this, I am taking Omega D3, Vigantol, and iron. If anyone else is going through this stage severely, please write!

Good afternoon! I also had my hormones tested - FSH, OESTROGEN, LH, basically everything, all within normal range, but I feel awful. Then the doctor advised me to get tested for anti-Müllerian hormone. Mine is below normal, and I was diagnosed with perimenopause.

I'm 44. Three years ago, I gave birth to my only son. During the caesarean section, 11 fibroids of various sizes were removed.
A few months ago, the nightmare began. Everything hurts—my joints, head, right upper abdomen, heart palpitations. I've been going to doctors—they find nothing. A couple of days ago, dizziness and weakness started. During the day, I get chills. And last night, I woke up in terror—the entire upper part of my body (from head to groin) was burning like fire. I wasn't sweating. Then it subsided. After a while, it happened again. I went downstairs (my son and I live in a country house), trembling all over, unsure whether to call an ambulance or do something else. It was night, and I was alone with my child. Suddenly, I heard, "Mum!" My little one was coming down the stairs, having lost me. I lay down with him and gradually fell asleep. This morning, there were a couple more of these heat episodes. Now, I just feel dizzy.
I had tests done the day before yesterday—everything is perfect. I also have a lump in my throat and burp air. The day after tomorrow, I'm going for a gastroscopy.
Girls, what do you think—is this the start of menopause? I'm so scared, it's just awful...

Goodness, I've been suffering like this myself since I was 42... Goodness, when will it end? I've always suffered from panic attacks, but now it's just the absolute pits.

Very much like perimenopause. I have the same symptoms. I've been living with this for two years. Can't find the right therapy at all. The nervous system suffers a lot. See a gynaecologist, they'll prescribe tests. After the results, I think you'll determine what you have.

I had a low-grade fever for half a year without it dropping, then it got a bit easier.
I had a burning sensation in the left side of my head, cervical osteochondrosis, I lost consciousness, my blood pressure was pounding. At night I was wet, as if cats had peed on me, sorry, but that's how it was. If you wash your hair, it's still wet in the morning. I didn't want to live.
A psychiatrist helped.
I'm 46, it started at 45.
It's all in our head, the psychiatrist said I couldn't handle it on my own, I dealt with it, took antidepressants, barely got off them, but my eyes opened a bit.
I went through all the examinations possible. They didn't find anything, just a bunch of old flare-ups.
If anyone wants to chat, my WhatsApp number is +79204481637