Am I Too Young for Menopause?
- Victoria Harris
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
You’re not crazy. You’re not overreacting. And you’re definitely not alone.
If your doctor brushed you off when you asked about perimenopause, hear this loud and clear: your symptoms are real, and they matter. YOU matter!
The Signs You Can’t Ignore
🔥 Hot flushes, aching joints, unexplained swelling, persistent bloating? That’s not ‘just aging.’
⚡ Anxiety, exhaustion, confusion, forgetfulness, stubborn weight gain? Your hormones are shifting, and your body is asking for support.
🌙 Sleepless nights, night sweats, 3 AM wake-ups? You’re not imagining it.
Perimenopause can shake up every part of your life, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. You deserve to be heard, supported, and given real solutions—not dismissed.
The Truth About Perimenopause and Early Symptoms
For years, women have been told that their symptoms are “just in their heads.” But recent research from the University of Virginia confirms that perimenopause can start in your early 30s. This further highlights the lack of understanding and support offered by many healthcare professionals.
When Was the Last Time Your GP Truly Listened?
Ask yourself:
When was the last time your GP gave you as much time as you needed?
Were they empathetic toward how you felt?
Did they ask about your lifestyle, diet, hydration, or exercise?
These are all critical factors in assessing health and disease risk. Yet, for many women, their GP simply doesn’t ask.
And let’s be honest—when was the last time you looked at your GP and thought, “WOW, You look great, you are super healthy"
Why I Have a Hard Time Trusting Many GPs
Let’s talk about what’s really going on.
The Shocking Reality of GP Training
Earning a medical degree in Australia takes 4-6 years. Yet, despite this extensive training, research shows that nutrition education in medical school is shockingly inadequate. Many medical students report only a low to moderate understanding of nutrition—even though they recognise its critical role in health.
This means an 18-year-old personal trainer may have more knowledge about nutrition than your GP!
The Business of Medicine
Let’s talk numbers:
Full-time GPs in Australia earn an average of $365,000 per year.
While they don’t receive direct commissions for prescribing medication, pharmaceutical companies pay Australian GPs millions of dollars annually, which research shows influences prescribing behaviour.
Between 2019 and 2022, pharmaceutical companies paid Australian GPs over $2.1 million, with individual payments ranging from $409 to $1,470. Studies consistently show that doctors who receive payments from pharmaceutical companies prescribe more medications.
Real Stories: Dismissal and Frustration
Most of my clients have had negative experiences with their GPs—especially when it comes to the female reproductive system or when they try to take an active role in their health.
They have:
Been rejected when requesting blood work
Been told they are “too young” for menopause
Been dismissed, unheard, and unsupported
Been prescribed generic HRT doses without proper evaluation
Felt like they were going crazy
Been left without proper care
To ensure my clients achieve the best possible outcomes with their GP, I provide them with relevant resources and coaching.
A Personal Story That Hits Close to Home
Recently, my husband requested specific blood panels from his GP. We routinely do our own blood work every three months, but this time, I wanted to check hormone and homocysteine levels—tests that only a GP can order.
The Backstory
Three months earlier, his blood work showed high cholesterol and elevated iron and ferritin levels—possible markers of hemochromatosis, a genetic iron disorder. Given his clean diet and active lifestyle, these results were not expected.
His GP’s immediate response? Prescribe statins. (Cholesterol medication)
When my husband said he wanted to try improving his markers naturally, the GP dismissed him, saying, “Diet and exercise won’t make a big enough difference. Studies show only a 10% impact.”
Then, in an almost unbelievable statement, the doctor said, “Yes, cholesterol meds are linked to Alzheimer’s, but without them, you won’t live long enough to get Alzheimer’s—so just take them.”
Excuse me, what?!
My husband refused the drugs. Instead, he worked with me to adjust his diet and lifestyle in an attempt to improve his Cholesterol and lower his Iron. Unfortunately this kind of treatment is far too common.
Three months later, he returned for follow-up blood work.
The Results? Proof That Natural Solutions Work
Thanks to targeted nutrition and using functional blood work analysis:
His cholesterol returned to safe levels.
His iron and ferritin levels normalised.
We uncovered high Vitamin D and elevated liver enzymes, which we are now addressing.
This is the power of taking an active roll in your own health, By testing, assess & optimise we can avoid disease and feel great.
The Takeaway: You Deserve Better
I’m not saying all GPs are bad. I’ve worked with some amazing doctors and gynaecologists who truly care about their patients. But they are the exception—not the norm.
If you’ve been dismissed, unheard, or told to “just deal with it,” know this:
Perimenopause is real—and it can start in your 30s.
You don’t have to suffer in silence - there is heaps we can do that will reduce or eliminate your symptoms to have you feeling great again.
Your health is worth fighting for - no one knows your body better then you and the biggest advocate for your health should be yourself!
It might be time for a new approach?—one that you DESERVE and actually works for YOU!
