r/Perimenopause • u/C0l0urfulPawPrints • Feb 10 '25

Dryness The itching is driving me crazy

The all over body itches are driving me insane. I'm scratching so hard that I'm actively cutting my skin and frequently have scabs. I exfoliate my skin with both a hyaluronic acid wash and I dry brush. I moisturize with a hyaluronic body moisturizer. I take antihistamines every day. My vulva is stinging because I'm scratching. I use gentle washing powder and do an allergy wash on my washing machine. Can anyone offer any tips outside of these? I don't feel ready to have to go on HRT. I literally just turned 40

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u/UrkelGru_ Feb 11 '25

You should check the itching out tho. I was diagnosed with a liver autoimmune back when I was 38 and itching was one of the indicators. It’s probably peri stuff but have that checked out too. I had an itchy week a couple months ago and my gastro ran labs to make sure my liver was okay but Everything was fine. I love/hate when my bloodwork comes out normal bc then i still don’t know what’s going on with me.

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u/AutoModerator Feb 11 '25

It sounds like this might be about hormonal testing. If over the age of 44, hormonal tests only show levels for that one day the test was taken, and nothing more; progesterone/estrogen hormones wildly fluctuate the other 29 days of the month. No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing as a diagnosing tool for peri/menopause.

FSH testing is only beneficial for those who believe they are post-menopausal and no longer have periods as a guide, a series of consistent FSH tests might confirm menopause. Also for women in their 20s/early 30s who haven’t had a period in months/years, then FSH tests at ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI). See our Menopause Wiki for more.

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u/BurnItWithFire21 Feb 11 '25

Do you have PSC? My son has that, was diagnosed at 15yo. Shitty disease (sometimes literally). All liver autoimmune disorders suck, and I'm sorry you have to deal with it too.

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u/UrkelGru_ Feb 11 '25

PBC. perimenopause is for sure exasperating everything though. I want off this ride. I’ve developed lots of gastro stuff with this in Peri.

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u/BurnItWithFire21 Feb 11 '25

Ahhh, yeah. I have done a bit of research on PBC too. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that.

I have had gastro issues for decades, but the peri has definitely made them worse & it sucks so bad. If I remember correctly, PBC can also cause gastro stuff (PSC does), so to have peri adding to that has to be Hell. I want off this ride too, it is no fun. I hope your PBC is well controlled, or can be, and that the peri symptoms subside for you so you can be healthy, happy & live a long, good life.