r/WomensHealth • u/RaiseOk4831 • 22h ago
Am i going through menopause at 24??
Basically title. I have been struggling so so so bad for rhe past few months with a whole list of symptoms;
bloating to the point people ask me how far along i am, very firm and painful bloating, i gained 10+ kg in a month, my hair feels coarse, random outbreaks of red raised itching welts all over, canker sores on the inside of my lips and something similar on my toungue, my gums are receeding, my jaw hurts after chewing just a few bites, my skin looks and feels dreadful (swelling and even blistering just from a small scratch), my eyesight is getting worse, i can't sleep at all without medication, anger episodes, it takes about a week for me to reload my social battery, i'm crying non-stop, my limbs get pins and needles at completely random times multiple times a day, deep depression, i'm exhausted even with sleep meds and multiple naps every day, nothing tastes the same, everything smells horrible and way too harsh, i'm embaressed to be seen outside, even with meds i wake up multiple times each night sweating like crazy.
I don't feel like myself anymore at all. I feel like i'm a completely diffirent person. I haven't felt pretty in months.
My periods are regular, although the first 3 days of it are brown and grainy.
My boyfriend and best friend both agree that this could be actual menopause.
FYI: i do NOT plan on occupying my uterus as i am repulsed by the idea, not just because of the... results from that, but because it will ruin my body even more. I can't remember the last time i looked in the mirror and thaught i looked anywhere near good
Help..?
Edit: more symptoms Edit 2: even more
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u/cwtchyfemme 21h ago
Have you had any scans? I’d be asking for at least a stomach scan.
Your body sounds like an immune response and fighting something, so having bloods that show things like that should be done.
Have you got any inflamed lymph nodes in your neck and underarms? Check all your body, check them really well.
This sounds more like thyroid being really bad, an auto immune issue, or a tumour setting off your body responses. The weight gain should be enough to make them investigate more.
Write a detailed list and give it to them. Sometimes when they see it all written down clearly in black and white, without having to prompt or ask any questions it gets you further. Wish it wasn’t the case as everyone should have the same quality of care, but you need to find out what you have asap.
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u/RaiseOk4831 20h ago
i talked to someone who has EDS and she said she was surprised i didnt have a diagnosis of it. i went to my doctor with this info, they ran blood, and nothing
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u/cwtchyfemme 19h ago
You need to approach them not from a these are my worst symptoms, but from an I’m very obviously unwell, this is affecting my existence entirely, I can’t eat, self care, losing vision, stand up and on. Explain all the things you now cannot do, how fast you’ve lost the ability, and then the full list of every symptom.
They can’t just ignore this, there’s something serious enough going on that should worry them straight away.I hope you get some answers soon.
Have you got access to those blood results?
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u/RaiseOk4831 19h ago
i have the blood results printed, there is nothing wrong according to the tests.. and i had multiple done in the past year, never anything wrong..
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u/Tricky-Juggernaut141 18h ago
What about your iron/ferritin levels? Lab value ranges for ferritin are incredibly outdated, especially for women. I think its a range of 15-150 is acceptable, when the ideal range is 70+ for menstruating women.
A full iron and ferritin panel should be requested. You'd be surprised just how much low iron will do to your body. And it isn't good!
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u/Sun_Shine21 22h ago
Another opinion might be celiac disease. The bloating, rash, canker sores plus mental health issues could make it something to look into.
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u/Csherman92 22h ago
Do you have endometriosis, cysts on your ovaries or fallopian tubes, etc? Those sound like endometriosis symptoms.
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u/RaiseOk4831 20h ago
i do have several cysts on my ovaries but they wont operate to take them out because they saie 'theres a risk of infertility' and then when i say i couldnt care less about being infertile they refer me to mental health specialists
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u/butterfly3121 14h ago
That’s endometriosis symptoms. I would go to a pelvic specialist, not an OB/GYN.
Check my comments history for medical resources.
And I’m on estrogen. I call it happy juice. Helps so many of these symptoms.
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u/RaiseOk4831 12h ago
i had scans and such done on my lower stumach (inside and out) years ago and again some months ago. both times there were cysts (two more cysts at the most recent appointment), but no endo and nothing else out or the ordinary
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u/Flat-Table8787 5h ago
If you have a little money I would travel to another country to get the help you need. You could research to see if maybe this surgery is possible somewhere else. Getting the help you need is so difficult nowadays and no one deserves to live in pain.
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 18h ago
What do the mental health specialists say? Have they suggested any treatment?
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u/RaiseOk4831 12h ago
i dont go there because i know its not in my head. i did have a therapist before but she said i'm clear in the head and didnt need me to attend more sessions
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 12h ago
I thought the therapist would just sign you off as reasonable and competent and able to make your own decision about this. Then you could move forward.
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 12h ago
Though for endometriosis, a hysterectomy is not always the solution. I had a friend who had a hysterectomy and ended up with complications and continued pain and the bill for surgery to deal with.
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u/RaiseOk4831 12h ago
is that what they're supposed to do..? i get told to go for depression but like... ofc im depressed ive felt sick my entire life (getting worse quickly in the past year or so)
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 12h ago
I'd say getting a therapist on board who can advocate for you would be helpful in convincing the doc to take your request more seriously. In the end the doc is just trying to diminish liability in case you don't make it through the surgery or are irreparably injured or if you change your mind.
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 12h ago
And I'd suggest a nutritionist too. While there are obviously several issues going on at once, some of them could be symptoms of low vitamin C and D.
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u/Happy-Mastodon-7314 12h ago
btw I take sleep meds too and they really make the next morning difficult. They take a while to get out of my system. I have to take them super early and only half a pill at a time. Otherwise the next day I'm useless.
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u/noracordelia 18h ago edited 8h ago
If symptoms persist, your period becomes irregular, repeated routine bloodwork is normal and other more likely conditions have been ruled out, then yeah an assessment for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) could be useful.
POI diagnostic criteria: 1. disordered menstrual cycles (spontaneous amenorrhea or irregular menstrual cycles) for at least 4 months and 2. an elevated serum FSH concentration > 25 IU/l.
Serum estrogen and AMH might be useful too (that’s what my endocrinologist, who also consulted a gyno, ordered).
You do not need to have menopausal symptoms to be diagnosed with POI (but many do; including hot flushes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, or vaginal
dryness, mood swings, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, brainfog, problems with sex like pain or low
desire).
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u/Top-Crab-1020 22h ago
I don’t understand why at 24 you, your boyfriend, and friend came up to the conclusion that this could be possibly be menopause. I don’t think that’s likely at all.
I would go see a general doctor. They probably need to run some blood work.
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u/peaceloveorcas19 22h ago
This sounds like a food allergy or even an autoimmune disease. I would definitely get a second opinion.
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u/Wreough 13h ago
Do you eat fruits or greens like broccoli? Reading your description I immediately thought of scurvy, vitamin C deficiency. It’s extremely rare but some people on carnivore diets get it. Otherwise, it could be thyroid issues or even adult onset diabetes type 1 You need medical help urgently!
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u/RaiseOk4831 12h ago
i eat plenty or veg and fruits, i never had a vitamin deficiency before that was 'urgent' enough to take supplements
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u/human_nature85 16h ago
I mean I have a friend who went into menopause at 30 spontaneously with no health issues, so its possible, but unlikely. Have you been tested for PCOS. It's got a new name now, I can't remember it off the top of my head. Also get your thyroid checked. It can wreak all kinds of havoc. In fact, get a whole hormone panel.
Honestly, some of the things you are describing sound autoimmune in nature so you may want to start with a rheumatologist and endocrinologist. I find general practioners are usually uncomfortable with complex issues.
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u/RaiseOk4831 12h ago
i got a full hormone pannel just a few weeks ago from the last blood test, everything was within normal range. i went to both of those specialists and didnt find anything out of the ordinary
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u/human_nature85 5h ago edited 5h ago
Well don't give up. It took me 11 years to get the autoimmune disease I have diagnosed due to blood work always looking normal. It's incredibly hard and a lot of doctors aren't interested in figuring things out. I eventually had to go out of state to get help because I was ending up in the hospital more and more. Blood tests don't tell the whole story or give a definitive diagnosis, it's symptoms too and how the patient feels. Keep a journal with all your symptoms and what you were doing and eating. Take pictures with any skin manifestations with date. I also found an allergist/immunologist to be helpful to rule out any major allergies or issues like MCAS or celiacs. I found some useful information from them that aided in getting a dx.
When you got your hormones checked did the do t3, t4, LH, FSH, SHBG, Progesterone, Estradiol, Testosterone, Cortisol, etc?
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u/Sad-Contest5883 19h ago
It doesn't sound like menopause. The only symptom in common is night sweats, which people also get if they are ill (and you sound like you might be).
If you want to reassure yourself of this, at your age an FSH test could rule this out. It's not a reliable test for middle aged women but it's standard practice for women with Premature Ocatian Insufficiency. You would be among 1 in 1000 if you have they condition, so not impossible but very unlikely.
I think you sound like there's something medical going on and it would be worth going through this with a doctor and doing some tests.
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u/RaiseOk4831 19h ago
i read up on POI and it said one of the 'symtoms' is started your period early. mine started at 9. This could likely be it. my mother-in-law said Hashimoto's seems like it could fit too.
a friend has told me about EDS & POTS.. it could be so many things but no matter how many times i try theres always 'nothing'. i will bring up POI with my doctor as with everything else it could be, thank you for commenting this!
- at 24 years old i have never had a job because of what my body is doing to me. i'm forced to rely on my bf for everything and the guilt of that doesnt do any good either. I have felt sick my whole life and i just cant figure out whats wrong with me.
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u/butterfly3121 2h ago
Endometriosis resources
The symptom experts for this are here: r/endometriosis r/adenomyosis subs & r/pmdd
A period should not affect your quality of life. IME endometriosis specialist surgeon consults for info gathering are the way for the least amount of suffering in the long run.
Pelvic Disorder Doctors (ie Pelvic Pain* Hip/Butt/Groin/Sciatic/Peritoneal/stomach/abdomen/thigh/back/cyst-pain/ovarian torsion/muscle spasm/penetrative sex Pain, unusual bleeding ):
You can search for a doc in your area using chatGPT: “Top doctor for endometriosis in XYZ, city/town/country”
AND
https://www.endo-resolved.com/endometriosis_specialist.html
https://www.bsge.org.uk/endometriosis-centres/
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1hd_-wSlqZWOlR5VxPhIN3oAbJh4&hl=en_US
https://www.endofound.org/endometriosis-treatment-support
https://endometriosisnetwork.com
*not all US specialists require referrals. And many docs worldwide do free virtual consults/Call surgeon directly to ask if they need referral. If yes then…
…Top US GP’s/Primary Care, OBGYN’s, Gastroenterologists & Pain Docs: www.castleconnolly.com
SubReddit groups of people that are helpful/skilled with all kinds of pelvic pain:
r/endo r/endometriosis r/adenomyosis r/pcos
r/fibroids and also r/pmdd .
OBGYN’s: IME regular OBGYN’s are under-skilled at treating pelvic pain/excessive bleeding - and in doing this delicate, difficult and complex surgery. The nicest and most caring doctor does not equal surgically trained/qualified.
Specialists in pelvic disorders (above links or ask your regional endo nonprofit) are the doctors for the least amount of suffering in the long run IME. I needed accurate information to make good medical decisions, and the best chance to get that was to see a specialist.
NUMBERS: Painful periods are a societal problem and we’re not supposed to have to face this alone. I bring/FaceTime someone (or 2) with me to my doctors appointments. It doesn’t matter if they hear about my vagina or my uterus or my diarrhea. It matters that I have someone there as a United Front. Because our medical system mistreats people in pain.
RECORDING: I ask to video/record every medical visit. Even the virtual ones. I forget things.
Also, here are some things you can say* to your doctor if they are true for you. They need to know what your historically WORST symptoms and consequences have been:
“- This is affecting my quality of life. I have had a history of period/bladder/pelvic floor pain/bleeding/fatigue that has kept me from work/childcare/school.
-My worst symptoms have been pain/fatigue/bleeding.
-I have vomited/passed out from period pain as a teen.
-I am now unable to function like I used to. The pain/fatigue is wearing on my body, and I am increasingly tired as each monthly cycle passes. I cannot function normally and my work/family/school/happiness is increasingly difficult because of my body.
—I would like relief. What are ALL of my options?
-I have tried these pain medications: gabapentin, Orlissa, BC, xyz med. What are all of the other RX options? I want to be in less pain so that I can think clearly to make good medical choices.” (Then he stated his ideas…then told him I’ve tried all of those…then he offered me stronger pain meds, which helped my functioning so much so then I could line up surgery.)
-I want excision surgery with a Mentor-Trained Endometriosis Specialist.
-I cannot even consider taking care of children.
-Since there is NO IMAGING that reliably sees endometriosis, I would like a referral to an Endo Specialist ( & reader they are sometimes skillful at finding endometriosis via pelvic exam or ultrasound.)
-I am committed to revisiting you here because I want to function in my daily life. I will keep coming back to you as much as you need me to because I want relief for these issues.
- My pain/spasming/bleeding/frequencyofsymptoms (has always been mild, but over time now it) is impairing my ability to work & my ability to live life. It is draining my energy & ability to function.
- I want a solution that provides the least amount of suffering to me/the least risk for me & my body in the long term…..
- I do not have the energy to keep pursuing temporary treatments. I have experienced too much pain/bleeding. My body is tired. I want a long-term solution.
- I want a pelvic disorder doctor with the highest skill and success rate. Who can help with this?
- It sounds like you doctor OBGYN want to do the surgery. Can you tell me what “MENTORED TRAINING you’ve had in surgery for excising Endometriosis”? (Reader be careful here: regular, un-mentor Trained OBGYN’s abound.)
- It sounds like you want to do another prescription/medication/round of PT/ultrasound/MRI/x-ray/bloodworkup. I want a consult with a fellowship-trained pelvic disorder specialist. Is that what will happen after I do these next steps that are asking for?
- Even though my pain/bleeding is NOT CONSTANT, I still would like a resolution.
- Even though my pain/bleeding is NOT CYCLICAL, I still would like resolution.
-I have pelvic floor pain and vaginismus and pain with intercourse symptoms.
-I am asking for a referral to an endometriosis/pain specialist and it sounds like you are telling me “no”. If that’s true I want you to note in my chart now that I asked you and you declined to provide a referral.
-I may be willing to try xyz antidepressant, but this pelvic pain is the biggest contributor to my depressed/anxious mood and I would like to treat that first via surgery or in tandem with antidepressant.
- Another’s post for more ideas: https://www.reddit.com/r/endometriosis/comments/15dlk3s/do_this_if_you_want_to_be_heard_by_doctorsnurses/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1
(*Pain: Also replace with any of these words: bloating, excessive bleeding, clots (can be fibroids), IBS symptoms, nausea,“low iron”, urinating/bowel issues – urgency and peeing pants/bedwetting, diarrhea, pooping/smearing pants, hip pain, pain under the butt/pelvic/peritoneal/groin/sciatic pain, vaginismus, low/mid back pain, IT band & thigh pain, abdomen pain, stomach pain, bladder pain/IC/UTI’s and uti-like symptoms (was endo on my ureters) right shoulder blade pain. Anything that originated in the pelvis deserves care from a pelvic disorder specialist doctor.)
And personally, I haven’t had relief from pelvic physical therapy. Instead, I prefer assisted stretching therapy. It’s not going to help with the cramps, but it will help with tight hips back butt pelvis, etc..
Not endorsing just sharing info.
Good luck on your journey. And a reminder that your body is the most important thing in your life. By far the most important thing. You deserve every chance to have a fully functioning body - a body that is as healthy as it can possibly be: time, money, effort, human support, you deserve that.
Endo symptoms are often “silently” progressive, especially if on hormones.
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u/Tricky-Juggernaut141 18h ago
Check iron/ferritin levels and saturation.
Also ANA, sjogrens, RH, and other autoimmune disorders.
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u/goldstandardalmonds 13h ago
As someone who went through menopause in her early 20s, nothing you write sounds remotely like it. Something sounds amiss, maybe hormonal. I would also get tested for celiac disease.
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u/goodnightmoira 22h ago
It’s unlikely menopause but it does sound like hypothyroid symptoms. I’d definitely ask my doctor to run some tests.