UK women with PCOS, perimenopause, thyroid, or general "my hormones are a mess" stuff, would any of you be up for a chat?
Posted by This-Rip4411@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Hi everyone,
I’ve been dealing with hormonal health issues for quite some time now, and it’s been a pretty frustrating experience overall. A lot of my tests have come back within the “normal” range, but I still don’t feel quite right day-to-day — things like energy levels, weight fluctuations, and general wellbeing have been off for a while.
What’s been most difficult is figuring out what to do next when everything looks fine on paper but doesn’t feel fine in reality. It sometimes feels like you get stuck in a loop without clear direction.
I was wondering if others here have gone through something similar, and how you approached it. Not necessarily looking for specific advice, but more interested in hearing about people’s experiences — whether it was changes in routine, mindset, or just how you navigated the situation and found something that worked for you.
It would be really helpful to hear different perspectives, especially from people who’ve been in that in-between stage where nothing is clearly “wrong” but something still doesn’t feel right.
Thanks in advance
Defiant_Put_7542@reddit
Hearty recommendation for this doctor: https://drbeckyharrismenopause.com/
I decided to go private after yet another terrible incident with the NHS system trying to be believed about my PMDD symptoms.
She believed me.
We tried a couple of things, the second thing (Qlaira) worked.
I hardly needed any appointments.
I am so grateful to have this under control.
And weirdly it also seems to have cleared up the IBS that I was struggling with too.
CosiDuci@reddit
I am 46 and stated the progesterone-only pill two month ago because I always felt extremely stressed out, had no sex drive, irregular period etc, symptoms of either 1, stress 2, perimenopause 3, adhs 4, depression 5, hypothyroidism etc etc. just so many symptoms that could be caused by anything or nothing. Since I started the pill I have been bleeding or spotting about 50 days out of 60, which sucks. But apparently you have to hang in there, side effects may or may not go away after 3-6 months. My go said I can’t take the combined pill because I have migraines with aura, but according to some (official) sources you apparently can.
VincentVan_Dough@reddit
Heya. PCOS and peri here. For PCOS, I have cysts all over my ovaries, infertility and sky high androgen levels. Been in peri for about 6 years now. I’ve managed both through diet, IF and exercise for about 30 years. Am doing pretty ok. What would you like to know?
knightsbridge-@reddit
Sure.
I'm 35, and was diagnosed with PCOS in my early 20s.
Losing weight helps a great deal, though it's harder than usual because of the insulin resistance side.
I requested Metformin from my GP and was granted it, which seems to help with my energy levels and keeping my periods stable - though Metformin is a bit of a weird drug, since it's hard to tell if it's doing anything at all!
Quiet_surprise79@reddit
I'm going through it! Lots of hormonal symptoms, no answers for over a year. I'm currently dealing with it by buying the combined contraceptive pill online and lying to get it (not supposed to take it because of another condition making me high risk for blood clots so my GP won't prescribe it, but I'm on meds to prevent clots and no one will prescribe a HRT patch (which is safe) because no one wants to diagnose me with perimenopause because I'm under 40, even though pelvic scans haven't given any other answers).
The mishandling of it by my original GP caused me to move to another GP, but their answer is to have my fourth or fifth round of blood tests and then get put on a waiting list to speak to a menopause specialist. I will do that at some point but in the meantime, I'm going to try the combined pill. If it fixes the symptoms I'm having, I will go back and beg them for HRT on the basis that it's dangerous for me to be taking the combined pill but if it's working, I need oestrogen. The progesterone-only pill made certain things worse, and had a negative impact on sleep and mental health as well.
It could be endometriosis or adenomyoisis for me, but it hasn't been picked up on ultrasounds. It could be peri, but my blood tests always seem to be fine. It could be an issue with how my body responds to the hormones, but endocrinology won't see me because my hormone levels are fine. Gynaecology couldn't find anything wrong.
Keep going back to your GP. Ask them what happens next. Ask them for treatment and see what they suggest. If you haven't seen a gynecologist, ask for a referral. If you haven't had a pelvic ultrasound, ask why that hasn't been considered to rule out anything obvious.
I hope you get answers soon. I had the blood condition I mentioned discovered and diagnosed while trying to find out what is happening with my hormones. I joke that they will literally diagnose you with anything before taking women's health seriously.
Nearby-Purpose5268@reddit
Women’s healthcare is so shitty, it feels like we never get taken seriously.
I went in for a blood test after feeling fatigued for months, hair falling out in clumps and feeling dizzy at work. Had some blood tests done and told I was fine. I looked at my results in the NHS app and my ferritin was 20. This is classed as normal in the NHS range of 10-204 but upon doing some research is not normal (even in some other NHS trusts!) and anything under 30 seems to class as iron deficiency. Started taking iron tablets from the pharmacy and felt better within a few weeks.
If I’d not looked into it myself I’d have been stuck feeling rubbish for god knows how long.
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
Spent my entire adult life battling with this, always told I was fine and never officially diagnosed with anything. Husband works for an American firm who offer health insurance and it was only due to being sent to a private gynae that I was diagnosed at 37 with PMDD and endometriosis and I had a hysterectomy at 38.
Im 41 now, and have still not been seen by the NHS gynae by GP wanted me to see for a "second opinion" before my hysterectomy....3 years ago 🤣
porksandrecreation@reddit
I have hypothyroidism. My old GP was no help at all, just put me on birth control and would occasionally give me tranexamic acid to try stop my never ending period. I had one period that was so heavy I was going through a tampon and a pad in less than an hour and was told it was normal. I had another GP tell me that they didn’t know why my period was going on for literal months and did nothing. I changed GP surgeries and requested a female GP and she’s been so much better. I have normal periods again for the first time in 5 years! I’m still not 100% normal with my hormones or anything and the fatigue and weight loss is the worst but I think finally having a GP who listened to me and understood what I was going through and is actively trying to help has absolutely changed everything for me. Also, trying to not put myself down for things that are out of my control because of my hormones.
OodRiday@reddit
Have you had your parathyroid hormone (PTH) checked?
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mycatiscalledFrodo@reddit
Endometriosis and now in perimenopause. You just hsve to keep pushing, be the annoying patient and ask them to add to your notes when they refuse a test, also keep asking questions. I was told my bloods were normal, in Britain we can access our results on an app so I knew they weren't, I had to say "what about my iron levels " to be told "they are a bit low, you should take supplements " and so on. If i hadnt had had access to my results I never would've known.
CrossCityLine@reddit
Please, as per rule 2 do not give or offer any medical advice.
LegitimatePieMonster@reddit
Peri and hypothyroid (following radioiodine).
Tbh the diagnosis with Graves disease was a relief after the symptoms I had. I genuinely thought I was going insane/going to die.
I feel really off when my thyroid levels are in the lower end of the range so try to keep them in the upper part of the range. But I try not to dwell on it all too much.
I keep very active - so gym, long (15mile+) hikes. I eat very healthily and I have my routine which I try to keep sacred. I've also created a home environment that gives me peace, space, and time to have a healthy mix of active/rest. I think all these things help.
Fine_Analyst_4408@reddit
I was diagnosed with PCOS at 18, almost 20 years ago. I've never done any treatment because I don't want children (in my case I consider it a pro). The best things I've done to improve my symptoms is exercise, swap out dairy for plant based options and cut down to the daily recommended limit for sugar. I still really struggle with weight loss but I feel a lot better and I found out that oat milk is freaking amazing in coffee.
Great-Enthusiasm-720@reddit
I am at this point too. I'm kinnda lost.
A few days ago, after several years I finally saw a gynecologist with a specialist interest in menopause I I finally feel seen!
Adenomyosis and peri menopause are doing a number one, I feel like I have lost my mind, one minute. I feel fine the next minute. I'm uncontrollably sobbing. This will last for some period of time and then I might feel okay again or I might get rage. It's a terrifying roller coaster and I'm ready to get off!
kittykat7931@reddit
Yes! Right here! Perimenopausal, adenomyosis and questionable thyroid. Got a good GP who listened but an uphill battle. I’ve also found some over the counter things that help and am in a couple of other really supportive groups.
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