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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Menopause at 38... am I alone in this?

    Related Topics
    Depression Menopause Mental Health
    I have recently discovered that I have perimenopause and I am struggling with this concept and at the moment I am on a constant rollercoaster with my mood and emotions.

    I feel very alone at the moment and struggling with the thought of having no kids. At the moment my friends has abandoned me as they couldn't deal with my changes and emotions with the mood changes and the up and down of mania.
    In a dark spot at the moment :(
    answer this question

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    Dr Barry Wren

    Endocrinologist, Gynaecologist

    Dr Barry Wren was one of the original founders of the International Menopause Society in 1976 and subsequently founded the Australian Menopause Society, becoming its … View Profile

    About 1% of women enter their menopause prior to the age of 40 years. Some do so because they have had a surgical intervention involving their ovaries, some because of chemotherapy destroying the eggs in the ovaries, but a large number of women experience premature menopause because their ovary has run out of eggs. If there are no eggs left in the ovaries, then the ovary is incapable of producing any estrogen, progesterone or androgen. As a consequence, all the cells which are dependent on these hormones, (but particularly estrogen to maintain normal function) begin to decline and undergo atrophic changes. Cells dependent on estrogen are found in the vagina, uterus, bladder, pelvis, bone, arteries, skin and brain. In order to maintain normal function and prevent rapid deterioration in physical, mental and sexual function it is important to see and discuss  future management with a gynaecological endocrinologist. To determine whether you have any eggs left in your ovary, a hormone estimation of your anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) may indicate whether you have and viable ova still present. The appropriate use of HRT may reduce the psychological upset you are presently experiencing and over the long-term may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. heart attacks, dementia and various forms of cancer.

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    Jean Hailes for Women's Health

    Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a leader in women’s health, supported by funding from the Australian Government. We provide trusted and easy-to-understand information to … View Profile

    Premature ovarian failure/insufficiency (which, if permanent, constitutes an early menopause) before the age of 40 occurs in about 1 in 100 women  - That's many thousands of women just in Australia, so you're far from alone.
    Along with the physical changes that occur during menopause, women who experience this change early in life may also experience changes in mood and emotional wellbeing.
    Common initial reactions to a diagnosis of early menopause may include shock, disbelief, numbness, sadness, fear, anxiety and determination.
    Longer term reactions may involve depression, anxiety, stress, perceived loss of control, lower self-esteem (e.g. re roles and purpose in life), grief, motivation to make changes, acknowledgment of life change, and lifestyle changes. Seeking information and support is important in minimising the possible emotional distress of an early menopause.

    Check out our Early Menopause website and, if you're struggling, seek medical help.

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  • lyndyloo

    HealthShare Member

    Hi there
    thanks you for replying to my post and it has helps alot but however Is there a support group for women my age?
    Many of my friends are not experiencing this and at times I feel quite alone. I live in Melbourne and have search on Google for support group and it came up with nil results.

    If you could point me in the right direction that would be great.

    Many thanks

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  • Kathmil

    HealthShare Member

    Hi lyndyloo

    I am 38 and have been having a very similar experience as the one you describe. I would welcome the opportunity to speak to someone going through the same thing. 

    Do you have an email address that I can contact you on?
    kathmil

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    Anonymous

    Hi, I almost cried when I read your post as I am also 38 and experiencing EXACTLY the same feeling. I also live in Melbourne and have been trying to find a support group with no success. I would very much like to speak to you, I'm finding it hard to talk to friends about what I'm going through but I just feel they just don't understand the grief, the ups and downs and the triggers. It would be nice to speak to someone going through the same thing so I don't feel like going mad. If you would like to chat or email me I would love to talk to you.

    Ros

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    treen sam

    HealthShare Member

    Hi ros!

    i'm in the same boat. I cried too. i'd love someone to talk too. who knew one could feel so alone.

    I haven't found any supposrt groups in sydney either, but there is a Early Menopause specialist at the RPA hospital i'm going to check out, so I'll keep you posted about that experience.

    Hope you are doing ok today. I had a bit of a rollercoaster day, hoping for some calmer thoughts tomorrow.

    Treen

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    Dr Carolyn Ee

    Acupuncturist, GP (General Practitioner)

    I'm a Sydney GP with a special interest in women's health especially menopause and TTC ( trying to conceive). I specialise in acupuncture, and am … View Profile

    Hi lyndyloo, I am sorry to hear about your experience, and your feelings of grief at your diagnosis. I have read that premature ovarian failure, or early menopause, can and does fluctuate and there are cases of spontaneous improvement. You asked about a support network, which I am sure will benefit you greatly, and I found this link on the Jean Hailes Early Menopause website (which is a wonderful resource). http://www.aemn.com.au/ It is the Early Menopause Network and may be exactly what you are looking for. Good luck

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    Anonymous

    Sorry to hear that you are going through this, I had a scan last week that says that i am Postmenopausal at 37 yrs i have't had period for well over 10 years never has any gyno ever told me that maybe i hit menopause early and never was there a conclusion to why they have stopped completely and i also have endometrial thickness of 17mm which if i am postmenopausal that's quite thick and dangerous but anyway back to you just go do the relevant tests and keep asking questions until they find that you are exactly premenopausal.

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    treen sam

    HealthShare Member

    omg. i started at 38, i'm now 43 and in full menopause. None of my friends are. got 2 friends the same age who have just given birth.

    I don't have children, i never wanted too, but i really feel a sense of losing my youthfulness. i'm single so i guess that doesn't help.

    I was so emotional reading the other womens responses, i too feel so alone.My family live a long way away and i am the only female in my workplace (think about that, just boys/men my entire working day!), so i don't have anyone to relate to AT ALL. Hence, why i am here.

    I live in sydney anyway, I'd love to chat with any of the other ladies that responded as well. It's taken me a long time to reach out, i'd love to feel i something in common with someone.

    thanks

    Treen xx

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