Aa
Perimenopause symptoms?
Hello,
I will turn 42 tomorrow. For the past couple of months I have been wondering if I am getting perimenopause symptoms. My periods have always been regular 28-day cycle. That hasn't changed but the length of my periods has shortened substantially, like I only bleed for about 3 days when before it was at least 5 and periods are much lighter overall. But at the same time, my PMS symptoms have worsened. After I had my daughter (a week after turning 37), my PMS symptoms worsened but it seems they have gotten even worse now. I have breast pain that is off and on in both breasts the day before ovulation and then on and off breast pain about a week or so before my period is. That is new, I never had breast pain with PMS before. It's not stabbing pain, just kinda achey and it's in both breasts but not always at the same time but on and off. And it's not everyday before my period just intermittently (I asked my OB/GYN about that and he said it was cyclical and normal). I am due to begin my period next week, and yesterday my breasts hurt and then last night I had terrible leg cramps in both legs before bed. That was new - is that a perimenopause thing, leg cramps?
The other new thing is my skin is breaking out more. I've been lucky to have clear skin most of my life except for the occassional pimple or 2 right around my period. Well, a few months back, my face starting breaking out a lot, all over! I got an acne wash and new oil-free moisturizer and now that is under control. But now I am getting pimples on my chest and even my breast - I actually posted in another forum about a breast pimple because I was worried about it but it's def. a red pimple with a head on my breast (not on the nipple or aerola) and I have 2 more on my chest that look red and trying to break through the skin. I had 2 other tiny ones on the same breast that I put acne treatment on right away and they went away but this one did not and formed a head. It's just weird and I wondered if these new breakouts could be hormone related?
Other than those symptoms, I do have some emotional ones as well. I've always had the typical PMS emotional roller coaster symptoms but they've definitely intensified and my anxiety has gotten worse (like me worrying the pimple on my breast might be breast cancer, really worrying).
I am just wondering if this sounds like the start of perimenopause symptoms and if others have experienced similar things around my age? Can doctors test for perimenopause or just menopause?
Thank you for any reponses.
I will turn 42 tomorrow. For the past couple of months I have been wondering if I am getting perimenopause symptoms. My periods have always been regular 28-day cycle. That hasn't changed but the length of my periods has shortened substantially, like I only bleed for about 3 days when before it was at least 5 and periods are much lighter overall. But at the same time, my PMS symptoms have worsened. After I had my daughter (a week after turning 37), my PMS symptoms worsened but it seems they have gotten even worse now. I have breast pain that is off and on in both breasts the day before ovulation and then on and off breast pain about a week or so before my period is. That is new, I never had breast pain with PMS before. It's not stabbing pain, just kinda achey and it's in both breasts but not always at the same time but on and off. And it's not everyday before my period just intermittently (I asked my OB/GYN about that and he said it was cyclical and normal). I am due to begin my period next week, and yesterday my breasts hurt and then last night I had terrible leg cramps in both legs before bed. That was new - is that a perimenopause thing, leg cramps?
The other new thing is my skin is breaking out more. I've been lucky to have clear skin most of my life except for the occassional pimple or 2 right around my period. Well, a few months back, my face starting breaking out a lot, all over! I got an acne wash and new oil-free moisturizer and now that is under control. But now I am getting pimples on my chest and even my breast - I actually posted in another forum about a breast pimple because I was worried about it but it's def. a red pimple with a head on my breast (not on the nipple or aerola) and I have 2 more on my chest that look red and trying to break through the skin. I had 2 other tiny ones on the same breast that I put acne treatment on right away and they went away but this one did not and formed a head. It's just weird and I wondered if these new breakouts could be hormone related?
Other than those symptoms, I do have some emotional ones as well. I've always had the typical PMS emotional roller coaster symptoms but they've definitely intensified and my anxiety has gotten worse (like me worrying the pimple on my breast might be breast cancer, really worrying).
I am just wondering if this sounds like the start of perimenopause symptoms and if others have experienced similar things around my age? Can doctors test for perimenopause or just menopause?
Thank you for any reponses.
Hi There
Everything you mentioned here, except for the leg cramps, is familiar to me and my menopause symptoms.
Leg cramps can be caused by being dehydrated, by not getting enough calcium, by sitting too long without moving... probably alot of things. I never heard of them specifically associated with menopause.
If you are having night sweats, that might be possible for dehydration.
Yes there are hormone level tests that will tell them you are menopausal. I think the docs can be dismissive about these symptoms, mostly because ALL their patients will be going through it. I did not find the docs placations helpful anyway... They wanted to feed me hormones. I found the support of women who had experienced it, much more helpful, and less expensive.
Menopause came, for me, in my early 40's. Then I got pregnant. It was high risk, because I had had an endometrial ablasion (roller ball cautery). I had acne issues during that pregnancy. Flakey, weepy on chin around mouth. I used monostat, finally, in frustration, and it cleared up.
As for the pimples, I would think that with all the changes that a womans body goes through, that pimples would be from changes in the skin, and hormone changes.
Acne comes in the teens because of hormone changes... Stands to reason that when they change in menopause, pimples would be possible.
The hormone changes can cause wiskers to grow on a womans face and chest. Stands to reason the glands (I think they are called sebbaceous glands) experience change, too.
My BGF is Italian, she had wisker issues. She has olive skin, and dark hair. I am English/German, I do not have wisker issues, but I am fair skinned, and never really had acne as a kid. I have always had dryer skin than most.
I must say that if a pimple comes up on me, I tend to notice it, because they are rare.
So you may be fixated on it, as opposed to it being a giant, red, oozing, flashing, screaming pimple (LOL).
I always had breast pain with my period. I always had pretty bad PMS. The doc told me that serious breast issues don't usually hurt. It stands to reason that with hormone changes, you might get that as a symptom.
So, with all that unpleasant stuff happening, you can look forward to having no more periods. It is a weird change, that is amazingly freeing. I have noticed the hormone fluctuation decrease very gradually. So after a time, I suddenly realized that my life was so much easier without that monthly ... mess.
I also noticed a time when I had more energy, (Increased relative testosterone) and I don't really care much anymore for alot of sex. I appreciate the other intimacies more now. It is too bad men don't go through it.
Then the dopey pharmeceutical companies made Viagra.
So, you have women at 50-60 that don't really want it that much any more. And men having a decreased ability, are being given a pill so they won't leave the menopausal women alone, when nature tells him to. And having that pill gives them an excuse to keep chasing when it is not appropriate.
Hope the info helps
Everything you mentioned here, except for the leg cramps, is familiar to me and my menopause symptoms.
Leg cramps can be caused by being dehydrated, by not getting enough calcium, by sitting too long without moving... probably alot of things. I never heard of them specifically associated with menopause.
If you are having night sweats, that might be possible for dehydration.
Yes there are hormone level tests that will tell them you are menopausal. I think the docs can be dismissive about these symptoms, mostly because ALL their patients will be going through it. I did not find the docs placations helpful anyway... They wanted to feed me hormones. I found the support of women who had experienced it, much more helpful, and less expensive.
Menopause came, for me, in my early 40's. Then I got pregnant. It was high risk, because I had had an endometrial ablasion (roller ball cautery). I had acne issues during that pregnancy. Flakey, weepy on chin around mouth. I used monostat, finally, in frustration, and it cleared up.
As for the pimples, I would think that with all the changes that a womans body goes through, that pimples would be from changes in the skin, and hormone changes.
Acne comes in the teens because of hormone changes... Stands to reason that when they change in menopause, pimples would be possible.
The hormone changes can cause wiskers to grow on a womans face and chest. Stands to reason the glands (I think they are called sebbaceous glands) experience change, too.
My BGF is Italian, she had wisker issues. She has olive skin, and dark hair. I am English/German, I do not have wisker issues, but I am fair skinned, and never really had acne as a kid. I have always had dryer skin than most.
I must say that if a pimple comes up on me, I tend to notice it, because they are rare.
So you may be fixated on it, as opposed to it being a giant, red, oozing, flashing, screaming pimple (LOL).
I always had breast pain with my period. I always had pretty bad PMS. The doc told me that serious breast issues don't usually hurt. It stands to reason that with hormone changes, you might get that as a symptom.
So, with all that unpleasant stuff happening, you can look forward to having no more periods. It is a weird change, that is amazingly freeing. I have noticed the hormone fluctuation decrease very gradually. So after a time, I suddenly realized that my life was so much easier without that monthly ... mess.
I also noticed a time when I had more energy, (Increased relative testosterone) and I don't really care much anymore for alot of sex. I appreciate the other intimacies more now. It is too bad men don't go through it.
Then the dopey pharmeceutical companies made Viagra.
So, you have women at 50-60 that don't really want it that much any more. And men having a decreased ability, are being given a pill so they won't leave the menopausal women alone, when nature tells him to. And having that pill gives them an excuse to keep chasing when it is not appropriate.
Hope the info helps
i would say that your not but im not a doctor because when i have my period i only go three days and stop and it is a light flow im just 16 and i have had a period for 7 years if i was you i wouldnt worry about it untill you start getting the hot flashes and the other symptoms of preminappose
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Menopause Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
