@alwaystriving770 perimenopause is very real! and each woman is different - when she starts, her symptoms, duration, when she reaches menopause - which is just a moment in time, every thing after this time is called "post menopause". In other words perimenopause is no joke for a lot of women - me among them 🥴😵‍💫

A little of my story ... I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids in my early 40's. Hysterectomy was recommended by an endometriosis specialist but my gut told me to get a second opinion on the hysterectomy recommendation - long story, I got a second opinion and I didn't get the hysterectomy in my early 40's. Perimenopause (and menopause) has its share of 'crazy' - I believe caused by the hormonal fluctuations and our individual genetic code has a big part to play, too.

Fast forward to today ... 56 years old and post menopause on HRT for 3 years - with daily back pain and feelings of unwellness. I annually see a gynecologist who manages my HRT and she asks the right questions at every visit ... "how are you doing, do you have any bleeding" ... she opens every visit with these two open ended questions.

It's important to be open and honest about how you are doing and feeling and about your bleeding with your doctors. Two months ago my gyn asked these questions and after my response she advised me to have a trans vaginal ultrasound to help identify my pain source - no bleeding for me, which told her something, too, and gave her another path to also consider - "adenomyosis".

The ultrasound showed I have a uterus full of fibroids - two > 5cm in size and another calcified - neither of those are operable due to location and can only be removed via hysterectomy. Also, my endometrium is thickened and my ovaries weren't detected. It's what the ultrasound didn't show her that caused the most curiosity. She wanted more testing ... a hysteroscopy with dilation to explore further.

Just yesterday, I had a hysteroscopy to help make an informed decision for next steps ... the endometrium was scraped, a couple fibroids were removed along with a polyp - everything was sent off to pathology. Follow-up with gyn in two weeks and we'll map the next phase.

I believe my point in sharing all of this with you is this ... my path, like the one you and so many woman are on right now has not been easy. We need healthcare providers that WILL & DO listen to us. But most importantly 'we' are the most important advocate when it comes to 'our' health. Speak-up, speak loud if you have to until your healthcare provider(s) listen. Take good notes, go to every appointment prepared. Our bodies speak to us every minute of every day and it is our responsibility to listen. My final advice ... consult with your gynecologist and ask if further testing eg. a pelvic ultrasound or an MRI is warranted to help rule out certain conditions. In my case it's cancer that I'm hopeful to be ruling out. Be well and know you are not alone. 💜