Seriously, how many pluses are there physically about turning fifty? Pretty much the only one women all look forward to is the end of periods. Ok, so we may have some hot flashes and some mood swings too. And to be honest, the mood swings I really don’t care about because it affects the people around me more than me.
But if that’s all I have to put up with, it sounds worth it to me if it signals the end of my monthly visitor. Well, surprise, surprise, there are more perimenopause symptoms than what TV has led me to believe and my mother never told me about that suck even more.
Perimenopause Symptoms
Sleep disruption.
I would kill to be able to sleep like a teenager again. I go weeks without sleeping properly. I actually believe this is the reason for most mood swings. I can’t seem to get a solid few hours without waking. And then it’s nearly impossible to fall back asleep, until it’s close to alarm time of course. I’m used to my husband’s snoring but a creak on the floor downstairs wakes me like a five alarm fire bell.
Bloating and Cramps.
Oh yay! I’m not actually getting a period but still get the bloating and cramping. Thank you uterus.
Heavy sudden periods.
At least when I was regular, I knew approximately when to expect my period and be prepared. But now, I can go three months without getting one and then all of a sudden have a huge whoosh as my insides empty out. And believe me, ain’t no size pad gonna be able to handle that.
And of course, you are totally caught off guard. The old adage still stands btw, if you are planning a vacation or have a physical scheduled, that is when you will get it.
P.S. Don’t let your supply run out yet and keep that spare in your purse too.
10 Freaking Years.
Perimenopause Symptoms can start as early as 30 and last anywhere from a few months(who are those bitches) to 10 years. Yes, you read that right. WTF!
Weight Gain.
The beginning of the middle age spread. Weight gain, apparently, is a common perimenopause symptom. All that work to stay active and eat right my entire life and now my body decides to do double time against me. Give me a break!
I am finally at a point in my life when I can slow down a bit. Great. Now let’s throw in a slower metabolism and hormonal changes to really pack on the pounds.
And this list is just for starters. Facial hair? I just figured out that the bearded lady was only an average woman going through menopause.
Many women experience a multitude of perimenopause symptoms. It’s no wonder they have mood swings. The rest of you are just going to have to deal with that. We deserve to be cranky.
See WebMD for more information about menopause and perimenopause symptoms here.
Feel free to share your experiences with this special time in your life.
MONICA
Friday 7th of April 2023
Thank you for sharing. I had no idea and had no one to even talk about these matters. My mom acts like that is foreign too her and changes the subject. I am 52 and I am not sure what is going on with missed periods and the sudden hot feeling all over my body. I appreciate your information and guidance.
Lizan
Thursday 17th of February 2022
Anyone experiencing high blood pressure with the premenopausa am dealing with that
Jackie
Saturday 17th of July 2021
Hello, I’m 52 and started experiencing chronic mood swings in my early 30’s. To the point that those in my “line of fire” thought I was either losing my mind or may be bi-polar! After seeing a wonderful OB-Gyn in 2017 where she diagnosed me as being “Mid-Menopause” at the age of 48, and answering many of my questions for the last 10 years of my psychotic behavior along with severe forgetfulness and losing, on average, two pairs of prescription glasses per year, buying multiple pairs of readers from Walgreens, and every other symptom that comes with peri-menopause forward, if it’s a symptom, I’ve had/have it! It’s been 2 years since my full hysterectomy and the symptoms have not subsided, only intensified. I was told that women who’ve started their periods in their mid teens (14 yrs and up) and have had an easy/light period all their lives would most likely have a very hard menopause with all the bells n whistles, compared to a woman that gets her period at a younger age of 12-13 yrs old and younger with heavy periods lasting 5-7 days with cramps all their lives were most likely to have an easier menopause with less symptoms. I started my period at age 15, not a single cramp, ever, very light periods that lasted 2-3 days for 30 years. (never even knew what a cramp felt like until menopause) Then I had a full hysterectomy due to Pre-invasive cancer of the uterus and suddenly every symptom associated with menopause hit me like a ton of bricks! Hot flashes are so bad they hit me like I’m being “electrocuted “ that’s the only way I can describe the feeling when they hit me, this happens at least 20x’s every night as I’m watching tv or trying to sleep. I was diagnosed with “Combined Chronic ADHD” at the age of 11 due to Sexual abuse at the ages of 4 through 10, Chronic /Severe PTSD At the age of 38 due to extreme physical abuse from the age of 19-26 from my ex husband. Now I’ve acquired many allergies and most or all of them are to things I’ve been in contact with my entire life or have consumed a lot of over the years. e.g., Until recently, I’ve consumed on average, a gallon of 2% milk daily, now I can only have a small glass every other day, I can no longer touch anything with latex, as in paint, waxes, gloves, and multiple other items. My life work has been painting and remodeling for the past 30 years, “A woman’s Touch painting & designs” Basically anything and everything that I have been in constant contact or have consumed on a daily basis is off limits to me. I’ve had horrific blisters covering my legs and arms since May 2020 and was just recently diagnosed with contact dermatitis. No creams, antibiotics, steroids or shots were working until I knew the blisters were connected to my menopause, inflated allergies, stress, anxiety, hot flashes, and all the other symptoms that I got stuck with! On top of all that, A woman going through Peri-menopause/Mid-Menopause and full blown Menopause with Combined chronic ADHD like I have, or any form of Mental disability, are likely to get hit with more severe symptoms and/or, every menopausal symptom a woman can possibly be hit with, and then some! We’ll, I can confirm this theory!! I get anxiety so bad just by thinking about having to leave my house for an appt I may have a month from now! I’m always trying to find excuses to cancel family gatherings, Dr’s appointments, and my latest cancellation was just today, I’ve had airline tickets to go see my daughter and granddaughter in Texas for the last 3 months and was scheduled to fly down there 07/21/21 and I just canceled and made up a lie to my daughter because I can’t take the anxiety for the next few days until the flight. I will have deep remorse after the 21st has come and gone, then I’ll be dealing with the depression associated with that also.. it’s a non-stop nightmare of a constant vicious cycle. When does this subside or slow down? What can I do to help with the symptoms I’m struggling with? On top of all this, I lost my sister recently due to cancer of the uterus, and lost my brother from a brain aneurysm in 2018. I’m falling deeper and deeper into a depression I’m afraid I won’t be able to get myself out of. Anyone else experiencing this kind of menopause? Any advice or personal experiences of your own would be greatly appreciated! I’m at the end of my rope and ready to throw in the towel. P.S. I have a boyfriend that insists this is all in my head, accuses me of being on drugs, because I’m either “sleeping too much, or not sleeping enough” He offers no help and refuses to educate himself on my issues and even insisted he go with me to my last Gynecologist appt to “speak with my Dr about my issues” During the appt he followed me into the exam room, basically insisted to my Dr that I was on some form of drugs, which really upset her at this point, she looked at him very sternly and told him I’m perfectly normal with all he told her, and to get prepared for a long bumpy ride because this could go on for the next 10 years! At that point I requested that she do a drug panel screening on my urine AND my blood so that he couldn’t say later that I somehow faked the urine test. One week later my results were in, both the urine analysis and the Blood screening. Not even as much as a Tylenol or baby aspirin were found in either screening! I was negative for any drug known and not even alcohol were in my blood/urine. After all that, I’m still being harassed on a daily basis as to why I’m so forgetful, moody, bad insomnia, or chronic sleeping habits, and so on. I’ve had 3 more tests since then and all have been negative for everything. I’m even afraid to take my prescribed medications of iron, vitamin D, Potassium, and Wellbutrin for the hot flashes bc then he’ll insists my symptoms are due to my medications. I stopped taking my Stratera for my ADHD back in 2018 due to his accusations and it has been affecting me horribly. What can I do to prove to him that what I’m going through is all part of menopause and not me doing anything illegal? I desperately need help and have needed help for the last 3 years, I cannot handle this on my own any longer. Thank you in advance and I apologize for the long story. Jackie from California.
Megan
Wednesday 21st of April 2021
I’m 36 and started experiencing this last year. Hot flashes, insane cramping and acne 5-7 days before my period, shortened period, crazy mood swings, and NOW my breasts are shrinking. There’s not much there to begin with. I’m really saddened by it and feel alone since no one else I know that’s my age is dealing with this. Drs haven’t been willing to do hormone testing, they all say I’m too young to start Peri.
Elena Peters
Wednesday 21st of April 2021
I would go see another dr. My friend started around your age. Finally got a doctor to agree and test and lo and behold, she was right.
Kim
Wednesday 6th of January 2021
Hello I am 47 and have no idea what I am experiencing whether it is peri or straight on meno. Last year or so have had the heavy periods, brain fog, and moodiness and no desire for well you know....! I have a dr that is so hard to get into see and especially with the pandemic on... I refuse to go emerg! And as of last month I have been on blood thinners for DVT. My body is doing a number on meSo I am happy to have come across this blog to hear I am not going crazy!
Elena Peters
Wednesday 6th of January 2021
Rest assured you are not! I’m glad you found the post useful.