Perimenopause Help

Question by GBR: Anyone else in early-mid thirties and think they’re starting perimenopause?
I’m 33. I’ve always had very regular periods up until I got pregnant with our daughter (born last April). Since then I’ve been a hormonal mess. I got back on the pill to help even things out again, and have been having very irregular periods since giving birth. I have 2 periods a month – and this has been getting gradually worse (not better) over the past 4 months or so. I had an ultrasound to check for fibroids or polyps – none found. I just went today to get blood drawn to test for thyroid issues…
In talking with my Mom today, she told me that she started perimenopause in her early-mid thirties, and was completely done with no periods by the age of 42. The things that I described to her (night wakes with sweats; irregular periods after many years of regular ones; mood swings; etc) sounded very familiar.
I can’t help but think that I am much too young for this to be happening. I guess I was just looking for a little support from others in similar places in their lives.

Best answer:

Answer by sokokl
I have not gone thru perimenopause yet but I have met some other women who have. I have the link to a site that may help you find even more information. If interested in checking it out please e-mail or IM me off site. Please put in the subject line “women’s health site”.

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Question by cgibson7578: What can I expect starting estrogen therapy?
I’m 49, close to 50. Had my uterus removed 4wks ago. Just started taking low dose estrogen. I know it’s suppose to help the hot flashes, but what else?

Best answer:

Answer by sabrinaelder
First of all, you can read this if you want to know:

Estrogen, in pill, patch, or gel form, is the single most effective therapy for suppressing hot flashes.

The term estrogen therapy, or ET, refers to estrogen administered alone. Because ET alone can cause uterine cancer (endometrial cancer), a progestin is administered together with estrogen in women who have a uterus to eliminate the increased risk. Thus, the term estrogen/progestin therapy, or EPT, refers to a combination of estrogen and progestin therapy, as is given to a woman who still has a uterus. This method of prescribing hormones is also known as combination hormone therapy.

The term hormone therapy (HT) is a more general term that is used to refer to either administration of estrogen alone (women who have had a hysterectomy), or combined estrogen/progestin therapy (women with a uterus).

All forms of hormone therapy (HT) that are FDA-approved for therapy of hot flashes are similarly effective in suppressing hot flashes.

What are the side effects and risks of hormone therapy (HT)?

Women can experience side effects during hormone therapy; these can be divided into more minor side effects, and more serious side effects. The more minor side effects are more common than the serious side effects, and are generally perceived by women as annoying.・These symptoms include:

headaches,
nausea,
breast pain.
It is still controversial which of these side effects are due to the estrogen component as compared to the progesterone component. Therefore, if side effects persist for a few months, the doctor will often alter either the progesterone or the estrogen part of the hormone therapy (HT).

Contrary to common belief, recent research has confirmed that women who take commonly prescribed doses of hormone therapy (HT) are no more likely to gain weight than women not taking hormone therapy (HT). This is probably because menopause or aging itself is associated with weight gain, regardless of hormone therapy.

(endometrial cancer): Research shows that women who have their uterus and use estrogen alone are at risk for endometrial cancer. Today, however, most doctors prescribe the combination of estrogen and progestin. Progestin protects against endometrial cancer. If there is a particular reason why a woman with a uterus cannot take some form of progesterone, her doctor will take sample tissue from her uterus (endometrial biopsy) to check for cancer annually while she is taking estrogen. Women without a uterus (including women who have had a hysterectomy) have no risk of endometrial cancer.

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My mom is 49 years old and has been having sudden anxiety/depression. She describes what sounds to be like a hot flash combined with sudden anxiety and panic. She went to the MD and was tested for elevated estrogen/progesterone/luteinizing hormone, but all were within normal limits. IS it possible to be starting menopause without having elevated hormones?

since I started my period at the age of 12 my periods have always been 13 days , Now for the last 3 months they have lasted 5 to 7 days . could I be starting to go through menopause? Other women I have talked to have said this is what happened to them then one day they had no more periods .

And how old were you ?