So glad I found this sub!
TLDR: after years of frustration that my ADHD is getting worse after learning to manage and improve my symptoms, plus medical gaslighting by 2 docs, I'm finally seeing a menopause specialist this afternoon!
Diagnosed with ADHD at age 32 and after finding the right combination of coping/ management and medication, I saw a lot of improvement. At age 38, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and an aggressive autoimmune disease. Saw improvement with treatment, but then fatigue, insomnia, and brain fog got dramatically worse. My sleep doctor, who is a neurologist and helping to manage my ADHD, asked if I might be in perimenopause. I was like, "I don't know. I didn't even know I could be at my age." After lots of research, I started recognizing other symptoms, so I brought it up with my gyno, who said I am too young to be in peri.
Fast forward a year and a half; my gyno left the practice, so I was referred to a urogynecologist 50 minutes away. (I need to have a partial hysterectomy to repair a prolapse). Urogyn also said I'm too young to be in peri. I was so discouraged! My brain is a bag of cats. I'm more irritable, my PMDD is worse, ADHD symptoms are way worse than they've ever been. I have other peri symptoms as well, which honestly I could deal with if it weren't for the brain fog. I just want my brain back! (Other symptoms: new onset menorrhagia, worsening acne, worsening hirsuitism, period becoming more regular with days of spotting before and after, vaginal dryness and burning, and breast tenderness).
I did some more research and stumbled across this sub. The wiki has so much helpful information! And everyone's stories and experiences have been very validating.
(In case anyone's curious, complications include 2 sleep disorders, autoimmune disease, migraine, PCOS, and ADHD).