QuestionI will be 40 in a few weeks. I recently had a D & C due to years of irregular bleeding. I had a normal cycle right after my procedure. I skipped the next cycle and am currently skipping what should be my 2nd cycle. I have strong hot flashes and night sweats. I am thirsty and frequent urination. I have a stressful job and a HUSBAND. Oh, did I forget to mention he pisses me off frequently also. I have a 12 year old (strong willed) and a 19 yr old that is going away to college.(we recently made him leave the nest) I am extremely hormonal these past 2 weeks. Normally I don't take my frustrations out on my family. I hope this is all a symptom of perimenopause.
AnswerOh Tracy,
I am totally LOL... I'm right there with ya, girl!
OK, seriously now - the hot flashes and night sweats, along with the menstrual irregularities/skipping of periods, leads me to believe that perimenopause is a very viable possibility. Now, you are not shriveled up and barren at 40, so if you have had any unprotected sexual encounters since the last regular period then you cannot dismiss pregnancy all together. (I know - I'm biting my tongue right now!) But it IS a possibility if that is the case. So you will need to test for pregnancy if you suspect that may indeed be an option that must be addressed.
Otherwise, a little information on perimenopause - Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when you start to notice menopause-related changes--plus the year after menopause. Perimenopause is what some people call "being in menopause" or "going through menopause." But menopause itself is only one day--the day you haven't had a period for 12 months in a row. During perimenopause, your ovaries start to shut down, making less of certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone), and you begin to lose the ability to become pregnant. Women normally go through perimenopause in their 40s to early 50s, but some women start perimenopause earlier, even in their 30s. When perimenopause starts, and how long it lasts varies from woman to woman.
Your only symptom may be your period stopping, but you may have other symptoms, too. Menopause-related symptoms you might have during perimenopause include:
-Changes in pattern of periods (can be shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, more or less time between periods)
-Hot flashes (sudden rush of heat in upper body)
-Night sweats (hot flashes that happen while you sleep), often followed by a chill
-Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
-Vaginal dryness
-Mood changes, feeling crabby (probably because of lack of sleep)
-Trouble focusing, feeling mixed-up or confused
-Hair loss or thinning on your head, more hair growth on your face
I hope all of this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and less stress!! :-)
Brenda
