Peri-meno and bloating

I am new to Peri but I had to be put on meds Friday because of back to back anxiety attacks. Mmy period lasted from Jan 31 to around Feb 10 and I haven't seen any sign of another yet but the anxiety attacks we're horrible and this gas and bloating is awful as well.

Yes! Me too. That's what initially brought me here. I went to the OB/GYN a year ago and they found nothing wrong other than perimenopause, not to mention by the time my appointment took place all my bloating symptoms were gone. I was very worried something like ovarian cancer was the cause but over the last 16 months it goes away for days or weeks or even a few months then comes back for a few days -which is not indicative of cancer. I thought oh no here we go again last week. I get bloating, back ache, funky pains like my period is coming only it never does. Then I'll get breast tenderness and then that goes away but still no period. Combined with hot flashes, heart palps and mood swings and now even acne. It doesn't happen all at once either so I know I'm on a hormone roller coaster. I've been using a combo of lots of sleep, gas-X, fennel tea, ibuprofen, and Omega oil supplements. It helps only a little.

Oh yes- exercise helps a whole lot! I swim about 3-4 days a week and I feel great during and after I swim but a few hours later or the next day it might be back. I also use topical magnesium for the heart palps. I have Xanax now for any anxiety, which is a new thing for me too and not fun, but luckily it doesn't seem to happen too often.

Hello I am nearly 49 and showing peri menopause symptoms for a few months now Mr Dr did hormone tests testosterone and prolactin both normal and the lab wouldn't process FSH AND LH as I had to be under 45 years old to be diagnosed peri ? I thought that was strange !! So I know I am as periods all over the place I was due two weeks ago it started ok but day two nothing but spotting and still are weeks on!!! Can you tell me what hormone tests they did for you ? Many thanks Michelle xxx

its partly down to slow digetstion, which inturn causes constipation thats what causes the bloat and fluid retention, all like we would normally get near our cycles, after eating try lying flat to help food go through better, only for about 30mins after main meal, as if your working your not going to be able to do that, then if you get the bloating, and gas, drink plenty of water to keep stools soft, and try some gentle walking to keep bowels moving, otherwise you could try a very gentle laxative, or diet to help with constipation, you may find that if you dont manage to shift the bloat and constipation, you will end up with severe runs, as it causes symptoms similar to IBS, so stay off gluten whilst you have these symptoms, switch to  brown bread, pasta and rice, instead of the white stuff just make the symptoms much worse otherwise, and during peri you can end up having symptoms a lot longer than you would normally associate with your cycle but it will ease at some point, like everything else, but when thats the 64 million dollar question isnt it!!

I've been going through a really bad bloat period. Where I am bloated most of the time. I am putting it down to peri. I am 53 now and I think they don't do peri tests on women over 45 as most have naturally entered peri at that point. So, there would be no point in validating it? 

I had a bad day today as I feel as though I can't wear any of my usual clothes, I look flipping preggo. It's really hard to look preggo when you are 53!

I get down about it as I feel like once losing ones middle (waist) there is no point in even trying to look nice or dress. I get gassy or water retention. I haven't seen a Doctor about it because I used to bloat like mad when I was PMS (Still do as I still have irregular periods) so I read somewhere whatever symptoms you got when you got PMS get worse during peri and last longer. Like a perpetual PMS

When I have the energy I try and drink green smoothies, they do help. I also try and eat something with a protein in, every three hours, four maximum. It's hard as you feel 'fat' when really it's disension. I feel for you.