Read Dr. Gunter the menopause manifesto and yes, get a new GYN if you can. Good luck

Anonymous wrote:to the PP, ask to see another provider.

I tried but when I called to make an appointment with another provider on the SAME team as my PCP, I was told that active duty members can only see another provider for urgent appointments, and that routine or non-urgent visits need to be with your PCP. I don't mind paying for out-of-pocket for a visit to a civilian provider and I know my prescription will likely be covered if it is on the Tricare authorized list of meds. However, the civilian provider will likely order labs to check where I am in the perimenopause stage, and those labs are expensive. That's the part that has caused me to delay. I realize this is not cancer or something serious but I'm struggling.

to the PP, ask to see another provider.

Anonymous wrote:Perimenopause is like pregnancy, in that there are a MILLION sources of information. When I wanted to figure out perimenopause I got overwhelmed. My trusted ob/gyn was a bit of a disappointment because she kind of brushed me off, I listened to too many podcasts and I went round and round. I guess my point is to try and find one good source and trust that for your advice re: vitamins, HRT, lifestyle changes. Good luck!

I receive care from the military and my PCP completely ignored me when I asked about HRT. I'm having hot flashes, insomnia, some brain fog, dryness, etc. At this point, I'm thinking of paying out of pocket and seeing a civilian provider because I'm so uncomfortable.

As other posters have said, there's a lot of good resources out there. If you are on Insta, I like The Galveston Diet. The MD who created it offers some suggestions for fighting some of standard perimenopause complaints... weird periods are just the tip of the iceberg. Be kind and gracious to yourself...I'm still working on that.

OP -- you have had just one weird period? I mean... these happen sometimes. It could be perimenopause, or it could be a number of other benign things that interfere with your cycle. I wouldn't freak out about it just yet. See how it goes over the next few months and bring it up w/ your gyn at your next appointment.

I went on low dose birth control and it's amazing. You can stay on it until 50. People also say IUDs do the same thing. You might be putting off the inevitable, but why wouldn't you?

Have you considered an IUD? It will solve the endless period drama, and gives a low dose form of hormones which is (HRT). My doctor suggested it. Listen to the podcast by Heather Hirsch (or youtube) she talks a lot about the options for perimenopause.

I'm almost 46 and my periods became more frequent (used to be one every 35-42 days, now every 20-28 days) in the last year. I just added a Calcium gummy to my life. Actually, four of them, per day.

My PCP put me on HRT to help get me through perimenopause and transition into menopause. It's not true that they're only for full-blown menopause.

You might search in the Health forum for posts there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nearly 50 here and have never ending crime scene cycle that can last two weeks. Then just a couple weeks break and a lighter one. Then six weeks of nothing and then heavy. This has slowly been getting worse since my mid 40s. Just met with gyn who offered me birth control. I said no and asked about other options. She said hrt will only be for once I go through menopause. Good luck. No need to panic. This is a natural part of life. I fully intend to do hrt one day though. Relax, continue with weight loss. BC high insulin makes Meno symptoms worse.

I'm the poster from here. Meant to add, with the crime scene periods I did start iron. My iron is ok but on low side. My gyn said to do the iron to be more proactive.

This is helpful, thank you! Iron is a great idea, I have been absolutely WIPED OUT for a week now.

Perimenopause is like pregnancy, in that there are a MILLION sources of information. When I wanted to figure out perimenopause I got overwhelmed. My trusted ob/gyn was a bit of a disappointment because she kind of brushed me off, I listened to too many podcasts and I went round and round. I guess my point is to try and find one good source and trust that for your advice re: vitamins, HRT, lifestyle changes. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Nearly 50 here and have never ending crime scene cycle that can last two weeks. Then just a couple weeks break and a lighter one. Then six weeks of nothing and then heavy. This has slowly been getting worse since my mid 40s. Just met with gyn who offered me birth control. I said no and asked about other options. She said hrt will only be for once I go through menopause. Good luck. No need to panic. This is a natural part of life. I fully intend to do hrt one day though. Relax, continue with weight loss. BC high insulin makes Meno symptoms worse.

I'm the poster from here. Meant to add, with the crime scene periods I did start iron. My iron is ok but on low side. My gyn said to do the iron to be more proactive.

Nearly 50 here and have never ending crime scene cycle that can last two weeks. Then just a couple weeks break and a lighter one. Then six weeks of nothing and then heavy. This has slowly been getting worse since my mid 40s. Just met with gyn who offered me birth control. I said no and asked about other options. She said hrt will only be for once I go through menopause. Good luck. No need to panic. This is a natural part of life. I fully intend to do hrt one day though. Relax, continue with weight loss. BC high insulin makes Meno symptoms worse.

This is going to sound so stupid because I'm 44 but oh well -- my period this month has just been a total nightmare. It's lasted twice as long and has left me absolutely wiped out and there have been a host of other issues I won't go into detail about. Finally in desperation I googled my symptoms and realized I must be in perimopause. Yes, I am an idiot because it really hadn't occurred to me. My period has been like clockwork up until now and in my mind I'm still blissfully in my 30s. So OK, it's here it's happening.....now what do I do? I don't have any women I can talk about this with. I will obviously talk to my gyno at my next appointment butane there other things I should do? Do I need to think about HRT?Change vitamins? I'm in relatively good health altho I'm working on losing about 25 lbs I've put on during the pandemic, but it is coming off. I walk 3 miles a day 4 times a week and do HIIT 3-4 times a week.

I don't know I guess I'm panicking a little -- what do I need to do to make sure I stay healthy? What changes do I make now to keep from experiencing a huge drop-off in the next couple of years? I don't need to be forever young and to be clear I'm not vain or beautiful or anything, I just want to feel good.