Health - Syracuse,UT

I was told I was in perimenopause when I was 41. My periods were also all over the place and when I got them they were super heavy and last forever. I did some research and for now what is working for me is getting back on the pill (Yaz). I know there has been some controversy with Yaz but for me it works. I was also having horrible meltdowns mid-cycle and between the Yaz and other natural supplements I am taking I am about 80% better with those symptoms. I saw a naturopath and am taking a variety of supplements to help with this. So for now that is what is working. Everyone is different and not everything works for everyone. I would suggest talking to your GYN, a naturopath and doing your own research as well. Christiane Northup has some great books out there. Good luck and you are not along going thru this at a young age.

I would get a second opinion just to be sure this is what is going on. 40 seems young to be in perimenopause. What can it hurt to check with one other doc. I have a couple of friends that are experiencing (one is 50 and the other is 52) this and they were not put on birth control either. I would check into it further.

Good luck!

My advice is to get off of the bcp. It is bad news. See a naturopath or a chiropractor who can help you. I am on natural progesterone, and it has done wonders for me. The bcp are so bad.
I almost forgot: go to oasisadvancedwellness.com and do a search for perimenopause. Dr. Lanphier has excellent articles on this. I use her Oasis Serene with great results.

I think I may be as well (just turned 41). I have very irregular periods (sometimes 18 days sometimes 40) but was always very regular until last year. I went to the dr but she said I was too young for it, ran a bunch of tests and everything came back normal so I too was put on birth control. When I got a period during the middle of bc, I went off them (didn't want them to begin with!!). I agree with the pp about natural progesterone. I'm going to look into it too.

You are NOT too young to be in perimenopause. "Peri" just means the time leading up to Menopause. Your hormone levels will probably fall into "normal" range, but your body is beginning to change. I'm reading (and loving) Christiane Northrup's "The Wisdom of Menopause." It is extremely helpful in knowing what to expect, what's "normal," when to see the doc, what tests you have to ASK for.

PS...My regular doc immediately put me on YAZ, which I HATED!!! It was 10x worse than irregular periods! BCP are only there to control the timing of our periods (during this phase) and can be VERY dangerous over 35, epecially if you smoke. There are plenty of alternatives to get you through to menopause without severe symptoms.

PPS...I'm 40 and noticed this slight changes begining this year. They are not severe enough to me for anything other than monitoring right now. Feel free to contact me and chat about what we're going through.

Best of luck.