"Menopausal" symptoms causing issues with exercising

[Crankin]

No, you are not! I started having peri symptoms in my late 30s . They abated for a couple of years, but by the time I was 45 I was in the throes of it. I was 48 when I had my last period, but for the 2 years before, I went 11 months without one, had one, and then stopped again for 11 months, and had a final one in June 2002. My mom had died by then, but I knew she was suffering with symptoms all through her late 40s and stopped at age 50. My aunt said she stopped cold at age 46, with no symptoms or warning.
What scares me, is that around here, many people don't even consider having kids until they are 35, 40, or 42. While I never wanted more than 2 kids, I would have been very close to the age where I started having problems if I had had a third. While I don't endorse having kids at a super young age, I had enough problems having my two at age 29 (well 3 weeks before my birthday) and 31.5. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had waited until 35.

[OakLeaf]

+1 you're not too young ... but be grateful your doctor recognizes it for what it is! Perimenopause started in my mid to late 30s also, and when the gynecologist and breast oncologist had no clue about my extreme breast pain and swelling, I got shuffled off to everyone from infectious disease to cardiology. Seriously. Finally had to figure it out for myself, like most of my experiences with the medical industry.

Menopause itself didn't start for another 12-14 years or so after that. That hasn't been bad at all. A few spates of very brief hot flashes (i.e. a few seconds' relief from being freezing all the time), rarely have them at all any more. I'm staying active, and since I didn't start running until I was in my late 40s I'm getting faster from experience, faster than I'm getting slower from aging, though I've read that the real physical declines don't start until later, like in the age group I'm in now.

[Catrin]

What the others said, you are not too young. Agreed that it is good your doc recognized it for what it was, no unnecessary wild tests or stressors from worrying about what might be going in. I had a full hysterectomy (including ovaries) in 2008 at 48, and from what I can tell I've NEVER had one real hot flash. At least not as I've heard them described, and I've never taken hormones of any kind. I do get a little, and I do mean a little, warm occasionally at night but it is very minor. No sweating or anything. I've the hopes that since I've no estrogen - that I can't get an estrogen based cancer. Given my mom's history that is a comforting thought - don't disabuse me of that notion if it is incorrect

[shootingstar]

No, you are not! I started having peri symptoms in my late 30s . They abated for a couple of years, but by the time I was 45 I was in the throes of it. I was 48 when I had my last period, but for the 2 years before, I went 11 months without one, had one, and then stopped again for 11 months, and had a final one in June 2002. My mom had died by then, but I knew she was suffering with symptoms all through her late 40s and stopped at age 50. My aunt said she stopped cold at age 46, with no symptoms or warning.
What scares me, is that around here, many people don't even consider having kids until they are 35, 40, or 42. While I never wanted more than 2 kids, I would have been very close to the age where I started having problems if I had had a third. While I don't endorse having kids at a super young age, I had enough problems having my two at age 29 (well 3 weeks before my birthday) and 31.5. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had waited until 35.

A sister of mine had her first child @40 yrs. She has 2 now -both healthy. She attests that she has less energy in general now compared to late 20's or so. As a doctor, she knew the risks that she was taking.

I'm amazed by some folks here who had perimenopause symptoms..kind of young. Wow.