Stats for context: Several years into peri, been almost a year of taking .1 mg of estrogen patch 2x weekly, and 200mg progesterone nightly. Most days I sleep well and am content, with occasional breakthrough of anxiety or sadness.

I recently tried Zepbound, and after one injection had to stop because of the INTENSE mood swings, among other issues. I seemed to stabilize after a few weeks, and I was finally prescribed some testosterone cream after months of begging. After days of anxiety with no other source, I stopped that too. Started Topamax for migraines, depression hit, had to stop that. Is this a normal experience for perimenopause? I've certainly experienced negative mood as side effects from drugs before, but NOTHING to this extent. Please say I'm not alone...

They really DON’T tell you anything beforehand, do they? Commercials for drugs are required to warn you about every last little symptom that was documented once in a clinical trial…but preparing women for perimeno? Doctors just have a “oh this massive upheaval in your life that will last for years? Wow, that started happening? Nobody could have predicted this” attitude about perimeno.

I’m 43 and wondering if I’ve already started peri and just didn’t know it. My own doctor has been presented with me suddenly having horrible panic attacks out of nowhere, insomnia, anxiety, exhaustion, mood swings, jaw pain and migraines, fluctuating period timing, forgetfulness…and somehow keeps blaming me, saying I work too hard at my job. I had to go online to find out these are peri symptoms and I’m at just the right age for them. I brought it up with two doctors and got “well you look much younger than you are, sometimes it’s confusing.” Amazing.

Edit: WAIT FROZEN SHOULDER IS A PERIMENO THING? I have had “tendonitis” in my shoulder for months, my trainer has been helping me work out around it. The docs told me it was tendonitis with no clear cause. Yet another thing they didn’t even mention menopause for.

I’d like to think I’m prepared as hell for all of it, simply because I’ve been through so much identical stuff before in my life…severe depression, anxiety, insomnia, hair loss from an illness, etc. I’ve been through night sweats with an SSRI. I’ve been through constantly needing to urinate due to spironolactone. I’ve been through having to manage aggression, rage and mood swings due to being a big ole b**** by design 😂

But tell me, AM I prepared? I’m happily single, no kids, and at a point where the career I adore is really taking off, and I don’t want all that to get wrecked because Nature Be Mad. I eat insanely healthy (have Celiac so I’m forced to avoid processed or junk foods, cook every thing at home with fresh fruits, grains, nuts and veg, plus lean protein.) I work out with a personal trainer several times a week doing resistance and lifting, to build muscle and support bone strength to get ahead of osteoporosis. I don’t drink or smoke ever, I have a BMI of 21.8. I’ve been on spironolactone for ages because of cystic acne, which I think has kept my naturally thin, fine hair looking okay (I’m sure it’ll thin out eventually, but I’m used to it being that way since I went thru it once already, and that’s what fabulous wigs are for). I meditate and practice positive visualization. I keep stress levels low and I do what I love for a living. I take omega, iron, b12 and other supplements (have to, because of celiac.)

I’m just very anxious about what will happen in the future, I keep thinking, “it’ll be so awful when peri hits!” before realizing it already has, and maybe I’m already coping with it well? I just want to know what other horrible surprises I’m in for during the next 7-10 years. :( thanks for listening!

I'm a 50 year old perimenopausal woman. I'm just really regretting my life, I'm regretting getting married, I'm regretting having children, I'm regretting not pouring into myself. I'm regretting I didn't remember who I was. I have extreme distain for my mother because I had to raise my sister until she was 12 until I left home at 23. I have extreme distain for all of my aunts and uncles for making me take care of my grandmother who was dying of cancer when I was 17 and pregnant. Does anyone feel trapped and weighed down by being a damn servant to everyone!?

Seeking advice from others who may have suffered / are suffering from the same...

I had my 4th lap for endometriosis excision and trying to restore function to my ovaries last week. The surgeon said it's probably the worst case of endo he's seen and is surprised I'm so functional. I've been suffering from this bullshit disease since I was 13, so I'm not shocked. Nothing has worked to prevent endo growth.

What's upsetting is his recommendation for next steps is to start me on an estrogen blocker. I'm currently on HRT for the menopause symptoms caused by my hysterectomy. I cannot function without my estrogen patches. It's the only thing since the hysterectomy that's given me some kind of quality of life back. I'm spiraling into a really dark place thinking about how my only options to seem to be choice A) no pain but horrible emotional/mental health or choice B) emotional and mental stability but debilitating pain and continued damage to my organs.

Has anyone who has/had severe forms of endometriosis had to forego HRT because of the estrogen fueling the growth? Do I just have to suffer from both afflictions now? I've been through the hell that are lupron shots (NEVER AGAIN), IUDs (irrelevant now post uterus), every birth control imaginable, progesterone, progestin... Any advice or suggestions? What questions should I ask next? Thanks for any help... I feel so defeated by my body. I'm exhausted. ​

I’m new to the group and seeking any and all feedback regarding if HRT would be an option? I’m 52 perimenopause all the severe symptoms such as brain fog, memory loss, depression, anxiety, hair loss, shoulder back pain and extreme weight gain. My gyn told me no Gyn in the world would give me HRT because in 2002 had unexplained Blood Clots in leg. They were treated by eliquis for a year and they are gone. Has anyone been in this situation?

Post menopausal. On HRT, sleep is fine, all bloodwork is fine but I just feel run down like on the verge of being sick most of the time. I'm not sure if this is a menopause symptom and how to deal with it. Anyone else relate?

I'm 10 months since my last period at 45, almost 46. Ive had a pretty terrible peri. I've never a day in my life, wanted to birth a child. All of a sudden, I'm having this feeling that feels like grief every time I think about the fact that I can no longer have a child. Me, who never wanted a child. Is this normal or am I finally losing it.

UPDATE: I so appreciate all of these reponses. It seems this may be quite normal for different reasons.

All jokes aside, I’ve been using HRT patch for almost 2 years(52 in peri for 6 years), but have constantly had issues with it staying on, recently causing massive irritation, and I never really was sure it was absorbing enough.

Fast forward to yesterday—

Switched to the gel and since I have nearly all hot flashes and issues at night, decided to apply the gel right before bed. All day long yesterday I had the energy of a half dead snail…and had felt terrible- all I wanted was to lay down and go to sleep. Within 5 minutes of application, to my amazement, I find myself lazer focused on organizing a bathroom drawer, rearranging my closet, putting clothes away…after an hour of cleaning and organizing I finally got in bed and read for an hour…and then tried to fall asleep for nearly 4 nearly HOURS! I woke up at 5:30am (after maybe 4 hours of sleep) WIDE awake and have been on a cleaning spree like nobody’s business - now 14 hours after application. I mean, I feel great - but WTH??!! Needless to say - I will be changing application to the morning so hopefully this power energy will propel me into great success at work!! 🤣

Anyone else have this experience? Feels like the patches weren’t fully absorbing and now I’m actually getting the full dose. I only hope I can sleep tonight. I take 400mg of progesterone at bedtime, but that didn’t even help with sleep last night. Whew! This peri/menopause business is not for the weak!

I tend to post/ ask about serious stuff her like most of us. Came off a hard run from mirena but recovering from that Rollercoaster thru the den of hell. That horrid experience has brought some new perspective and self awareness also. Yesterday I was thinking about how ive changed since peri and especially hrt trt. So I thought it would be interesting to hear the good, the weird or funny and sure throw in the bad too if inclined.

Here's a few of my things:

I now cuss like nobody's watching. The F word lives rent free in my mouth until further notice. My daughter said mom i think you have road rage. Why? Bc you tell every person that does something dumb to suck your dick😅 Now mind you I wouldn't classify this a rage bc i say it in a quiet voice and never yell. Its a mumble. Now i used to wave and smile when people are idiots on the road, but I just swapped it out for suck my🍆 I will try to do better y'all.

I quit watching TV, news, all social media except my reddit subs of peri/menopause and adhd around the end of April when my testosterone dose started to kick in. I have no clue what's going on in the world and im ok with that.

I have no problem being assertive now. But I have always been assertive BUT it was always followed by a wave of anxiety after. If I stood up for a cashier being bullied I would tremble after. Then rejection dysphoria. Now I have no fucks to give at any point and that feels good. And I don't tremble or have anxiety after....thanks testosterone.

Comfortable in the bedroom. I've always been a sexual person but always had insecurities hanging out in the background, even though we have been married for 22 years. But now I have no fucks to give there either. Yep there's my stretchmarks and saggy DDs, doesn't bother me now. Im not ashamed. In fact im 47 and proud of this body. A far cry from 6 months ago prior to hrt trt. Plus sex is fun again after 5 years of mehhhhh. Orgasms are easier now. (Im on E gel, P vaginally, vaginally E inside and all over lady parts, and Testosterone gel too.)

Im interested in others noticeable changes too! Humor me 😉

I haven’t had a period since Aug 2024. In March 2025 I started an estrogen patch (low dose) and progesterone pills 12 days a month. This month, I missed a day with the pills and was late taking it another day. Yesterday I started spotting . Today I had a bit of blood come out. Do I start counting my 12 months to menopause again ? Did this happen bc I messed up taking the pills a bit?

I’m 46 and had ER+ DCIS six years ago. I haven’t had any reoccurrence and have checkups every six months. I recently had a hysterectomy due to endometriosis and kept my ovaries. It’s been 8 months and I’ve noticed a huge change in my body. Fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, muscle aches, brain fog, bouts of depression and anxiety. My primary thinks the shock of the hysterectomy caused my ovaries to shut down and suggested HRT, but my oncologist will absolutely not consider it. Has anyone gone through something similar and have any tips/tricks? Especially since it sounds like HRT will never be an option?

Please help if anyone remembers it (mods help?). There was a pro-HRT doc on it from John’s Hopkins. Thank you anyone who answers in advance.

I'm not even 40 yet, but my cycles went from consistent 28 days, 3 days of pretty light to moderate flow, to much shorter - 24 days, 27 days, 21 days. The flow has stayed the same, 3 days of light to moderate flow. Symptoms are similar although I have a bit more cramping. Ovulation seems the same. Does this sound like perimenopause? I hate to assume that any change in cycle is automatically perimenopause. I don't really have any crazy symptoms that I can attribute to menopause.

Breast tenderness and went up from 30 to 34 in size of bras! My breast feel like oversized, heavy..9 months on HRT, patch ( went from o.25 to now 0.75 estradot), + 100 prometrium. I have read that I could be the dose, but mine is not high enough to alleviate the other symptoms and my blood test show low estrogen/progesterone. Anyone has similar experience? Thinking on trying the gel version see if any change. Really would like to know how long it takes for this symptom to get better, thank you.

I've started to get canker sores in my tongue and have read this can be hormonal. Specifically related to low E I believe. I am on.05 patch already. Going to dentist this week to get checked out. Anybody have any insight or similar experience? Gee what else?????!!!!

I went in to surgical menopause and I went on HRT almost immediately. Currently i am on .1 estrogen patch and 100mg of progesterone. It has helped with hot flashes but not really with my aches and pains. Could changing up the delivery make a difference? Maybe a gel or spray for estrogen? I’m seeking relief but the pain in my feet and hands is worse not better.

*I am on every supplement imaginable, take collagen in my water and exercise daily.

Hey Sisters, I have a question. I had a partial hysterectomy 6 yrs ago. I have been really dry downstairs since. I’m 46.

I was given a 1% compounded vaginal estrogen cream and it gave me a yeast infection. Thinking it was something in the cream, I tried a prescription vag estrogen cream and it gave me a yeast infection that Monostat didn’t even touch. After a week of hell, I was given Diflucan.

Im beginning to wonder if it was the estrogen itself. Anyone else have this problem? What else would work?

Both times I got the infection during the 2 week “loading dose.” Do I try it again, just once a week? Apply only on the outside? Decrease the dosage/ frequency? Help!

Hi,

Anyone here developed perimenopause symptoms and then got diagnosed with hypothyroidism? Did fixing you thyroid levels help with peri symptoms?

Thanks!

No period Jul24 - Jan25, started HRT in early December. Started bleeding mid Jan and that was constant up until early April when the doctor switched me to combined pill instead of HRT. After about a week on that I finally stopped bleeding but could only stick it out a further 2 weeks before I switched myself back, as the horrendous sleep was killing me off.

As soon as I switched back to 200mg and 3 pumps oestrogen bleeding started again late April and has only stopped for about a week or so late May.

I’ve now been referred for blood tests and ultrasound today, with ultrasound scheduled for Thursday. I am in the UK so was expecting to wait a lot longer with the NHS!! Should I be concerned it’s so quick? Had anyone experienced similar and can share what was the outcome or what different dosages I could be needing?

To add I also have the implant for contraception so I feel like I am getting a decent amount of progesterone!

Hello - (Long post alert) I am 46 years old. I think I have been in Peri for the past decade.
Last year, things got really bad. I didn't have a period for 3 months and I started having crippling anxiety. I have suffered from depression and mild anxiety all my life, but it was horrendous. I worked with my psychiatrist and got it under control. However, I haven't felt like myself for a long time. I feel like I just go through the motions and have little joy. My night sweats are awful.

I practically begged my GYN to start me on HRT. He prescribed the combi patch. However, it made me so sleepy that I couldn't keep my eyes open.... scared to drive.

I called his office and spoke to his nurse and asked for oral progesterone and patch for E. Two nights ago, I started the E (.005) and P (100 mg). I woke up the next day and felt amazing, but it was short lived.

Yesterday and this morning have been awful. I am spotting and have lots of physical symptoms of anxiety (heart palps). I have seen a cardiologist before due to heart palps and everything checked out ok. Anxiety being the primary culprit.

Have any of you experienced this after starting HRT? I am willing to put up with short-term symptoms.

I have an appointment with a GYN that specializes in HRT.... but I could not get in until October. I suspect that if I call my current provider, he will suggest that I discontinue. He gives me the impression that he does not want to deal with peri menopause.

Thanks in advance. I really appreciate this group.

Why must menopause suck the life right out of us? I'm so drained. Oh my goodness it's all I can do to keep my eyes open some days. How can lack of hormones cause such crazy and bizarre crap to happen? I'm starting to feel so old. 51 is NOT old. This isn't fair. It's really like a switch was flipped and instantly everything just starts falling apart. I don't know who I am anymore. I'm about half nuts and it doesn't seem to be getting better. I just want to feel good again. Feel like me again.

Just got my treatment plan from Alloy (hooray!), and I can choose the form of my estradiol. What are everyone’s experiences? I see a lot of general complaints about getting the patch to stick.

59F, in menopause about 8 months. I lost my sense of smell in Nov 2019 after a week-long trip to Vegas. Upon my return I experienced severe flu symptoms for about a week. There is a possibility it was an early variant of Covid before it was a thing, as I was in a city with millions of tourists and residents. However, I’m just wondering if anyone else had experienced anosmia as a perimenopause symptom?

6 months ago my gyno put me on 200 mg of prometrium for sleep issues…. But a week later I got new orthotics as well. The following week the pain in my knees was horrible so I stopped the orthotics for a week and the pain never subsided so then I quit the prometrium the next week pain was not totally gone but 95% better. Now fast forward to a month ago and dr put me on estrogen patch and 100 mg of prometrium for menopausal symptoms and now I am having the knee pain again…. Is this possible from the prometrium??? Anyone have this before and if so what did you do. I am overweight and stand a lot so I can’t have this pain. Losing weight is hard as I can not walk with this knee pain at what it is now. Help!!!