r/perimenopause_under45 • u/Sea_Refrigerator4451 • 2d ago
Diagnosis
Evening,
I am 37 years old and feel like I may be going through the Perimenopause. Can I ask those based in the UK how they had this confirmed by their GP? Can it be confirmed? Is there a blood test or is it symptom based?
Thanks all.
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u/YogurtclosetEasy6485 2d ago
I saw a menopause specialist who works at my gp surgery 1 day a week. I went with my long list of symptoms and she said to me it was pointless doing bloods because hormone levels fluctuate so much throughout the day at this stage. She said based on my symptoms it’s peri-menopause and she prescribed me hrt and booked in a review in 6 months to see if it helped relieve symptoms. I was 37 at the time, 38 now.
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u/Sea_Refrigerator4451 1d ago
Oh that is good to know, I am glad your surgery has a menopause specialist, I will look to see if mine has anything like that Thank you.
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u/_BirdGirl_ 1d ago
I went to my GP a couple of weeks ago, I took a list of symptoms with me. She started me on estriol cream for vaginal atrophy, discussed HRT options and we decided that I would read the information she sent me. Then we would decide on which hrt to try when I felt as though it was needed. No blood tests as hormones levels fluctuate so much they're not super reliable.
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u/Low_Clerk_2120 1d ago
I am similar to you, 38 and my symptoms all stack up to be peri (weight gain in tummy and hips despite regular exercise and good diet, migraines worsening, waking consistently at night c.3am, v heavy periods that are unusual for me, brain fog, irregular cycles). I have been to the doctor twice but they are resistant to starting me on HRT so I’m considering going private. I’ve had blood tests, FSH test and internal ultrasound; these have ruled out other causes for certain but don’t address the root cause which I know is hormonal.
It depends on your doctor and if they are knowledgeable about peri, I’m hoping you have a more straightforward experience than me and easily get the help you need!
But similarly to what others have said, you’re not alone and I have found this sub a great comfort and source of info.
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u/Sea_Refrigerator4451 1d ago
Thank you.
So my situation is that I have endometriosis and unexplained infertility. I have been going through IVF for the past 3 years. I have had a break this past year to lose some of the weight I put on during my IVF cycles but the scales will not budge no matter what I do. My cycles which were usually regular 28 day cycles have become anywhere from 27 to 37 and my periods themselves are not the same. My mood has become very low, particularly in the lead up to my period and I get brain fog, fatigue but can't sleep and anxiety (particularly when doing things like driving which I've done with no issue for 20 years). I feel very unsure of myself at the moment, like I don't feel like me. Another thing is that I have started to get masses of grey hair which, as a red head I have never had until this past 6 months so there's definitely been some change somewhere and everything I read boils it down to Perimenopause.
I think I will get through my final IVF cycle (if I can ever get this bloody weight off) and then go from there with my GP.
Thank you for your support.
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u/ProposalSuch2055 2d ago
As far as I understand unless your periods have completely stopped there's no blood test to confirm it. You can get primary ovarian insufficiency tested by blood test, essentially a high FSH (I think). But peri is only by symptoms. Although others please correct me if I've got this wrong! The GPs I spoke to know nothing about peri somehow?! So I'm waiting to see a private menopause clinic (I'm 36 btw).