Perimenopause symptoms/discussion

Hey ladies,

I’m starting to seriously wonder if my body is actually heading toward menopause.
I’m turning 37 soon, and I’ve been dealing with periods since I was 12. I've had four pregnancies and three births under my belt.

Over the last year, my cycle has basically gone off the rails. For over 20 years, my cycles were always long—we're talking over 30 days—but lately, they've dropped to 26, then 24, and my last one was only 20 days.😳
I had a Mirena coil put in 7 years ago, so I can't say for sure what's happening with the heavy bleeding, though I will say the bleeding itself has lasted longer because of it, even if it's way lighter than before. Now I'm constantly stressing over whether I should just have it taken out or leave it alone.

And man, the symptoms are hitting me hard. I'm talking endless sleepless nights, night sweats, irritability, those insane mood swings, zero libido, struggling like crazy with weight gain, and my skin, nails, and hair are all looking pretty rough...

You know how it goes with gynecologists... it's such a hassle. I just want some actual answers. Is my reproductive system naturally shutting down (even if it feels a bit early) and heading down that one-way street, or is this just a temporary phase? Or is it something I actually need to monitor and get treated for?

Emily Ortiz27 said:You know how it is with gynecologists... I just want to know if my reproductive system is heading down that one-way street for good (even if it feels a bit early), or if this is just a passing phase that needs monitoring and treatment...

Honestly, you're definitely in perimenopause, and there’s absolutely nothing weird about it. Once you hit 35, hormones start their slow decline, and women begin noticing all these shifts.

The reason your cycle is shortening is because your progesterone levels have dropped, and those night sweats? That's classic estrogen deficiency.

I managed to sort some of it out using herbal teas. During the first half of my cycle (up until ovulation), I drink sage tea—just two or three spoons a day—and the sweating stopped completely. During the second half, I switch to Vitex tea; it helps lengthen my cycle back to a solid 28 days since Vitex stimulates progesterone production.

But listen, you have to be incredibly disciplined about drinking it regularly. If I skip even a single spoonful, the symptoms start creeping back. When I stay on top of it, though, I sleep like a baby.

Anyway, I hope that helps at least a little bit. Good luck!

I’m starting to suspect I’ve officially entered perimenopause, mostly because the hot flashes have finally made their debut. Honestly, though? They don't really bother me; if anything, I find them somewhat charming—it’s like a sudden burst of warmth right when I’m feeling chilly, which is a relief since I’ve always been someone who freezes easily.
What actually has me concerned are the other symptoms, specifically how this hormonal rollercoaster of estrogen is fueling the growth of my fibroids...

I am 46 years old, and lately, I’ve noticed that my leg joints start aching quite significantly during my PMS window.
This has been going on for about half a year now. It has actually forced me to scale back my workouts, which has been a pretty difficult pill to swallow mentally.
For the past two months, I have been taking collagen powder; I read somewhere that you might feel some relief after just 7 days, but for me, nothing seems to change.
The older women I work with suggest that these issues are more closely tied to menopause, noting that they began experiencing similar bone and joint pains around that stage of life.

Are there any women here in a similar age group or situation who have successfully managed to resolve these issues?

You really need to hit up a doctor to check if you’re dealing with any underlying inflammatory issues or autoimmune stuff. If they’ll let you, ask them to run a Vitamin D test, or just go get one done yourself—it usually runs about $67. Low levels can be a total trigger for joint pain, at least that was the case for me.

I’ve been on Estrofem for 4 years now since I went into menopause early after having a hysterectomy. Honestly, this medication is a lifesaver; I’d rather take it than deal with the chaos of hormonal shifts, even if it means my life might be a bit shorter.

For fighting joint inflammation, you’ve got options like Dexedrine, Advil, Voltaren, or Anacin... but obviously, you need a doctor to call the shots on that.
As far as supplements go, you could give Osteo Bi-Flex a shot.

Hey there!

Dealing with perimenopause now that I'm hitting my early 50s... what a trip.
Besides the night sweats and all that other stuff, has anyone else been hit with massive mood swings, anxiety, or those random heart palpitations? How did you guys handle it? Did you end up seeing a therapist or psychiatrist... or just went to the OB-GYN to talk about hormone replacement therapy?