question about menopause

[Loretta S.]

It's a natural transition, but that doesn't mean that mother nature doesn't need a little help now & then. There's no reason to be miserable if you can get help.

[sund]

Originally Posted by PhyllisG

To be reassuring--I went thru menopause with really very little discomfort. Hot flashes was about it and that was only when I was stressed. I really never experienced difficulty sleeping or night sweats. I did gain weight tho! My family might have another opinion about irritability but I never really focused on it that much. Maybe I was just lucky.

Ditto.

[annabelle2]

Very interesting thread. I have been wondering if my Peri is beginning. I am 48, still have regular cycle but I have night sweats and they are getting worse. I suffer from insomnia but I also have an anxiety disorder that causes the same symptoms and I cannot tell which is which. I don't have big mood swings but my PMS seems to be worse - I feel like I have to cry almost the whole week??? I think most of the symptoms will be liveable for me I am just praying that I will be one with no uncontrollable weight gain!!!!! The middle is already my tough spot! I do occasionally have my cycle in 3 weeks instead of 4.

[nancy156]

I find it odd that a lot of our mothers suffered so much less with menopause symptoms then we do. I wonder why that is? Is it what we're eating? The hormones given to our food supply? Just curious.

My mother doesn't remember menopause at all. "I just stopped getting my period" is all she shares with me. I am 50 yo and have been suffering since about the age of 45. I couldn't take it anymore. I'm on Premarin and can live again. I tried going off of them a while back and I immediately had symptoms all over again. I also had thinning hair which really concerned me. I guess I'm vain but I don't want to be one of those older women I see walking around with barely no hair. My hair is much better on HRT.

My gynecologist (who I love and trust) recommends I stay on HRT for a long time. I have the beginnings of osteoporosis (osteopenia) with all of the strength training I do. I'm on a very low dose and I've decided not to think about its possible consequences/side effects. I can't enjoy life with hot flashes, night sweats, thinning hair, yada yada yada so HRT is is.

I feel is also helps with that middle-age spread that we see. I don't know, but I think keeping estrogen in the body a little longer helps slow down the aging process - at least I hope so!!

[Kathryn]

Originally Posted by nancy156

The hormones given to our food supply?

That definitely factors into it, IMO. But I don't think we can discuss it on the forum.

[Debbie S.]

There is a blood test that your doctor can have done that shows if you're in menopause. My doctor had this done during my last physical. I feel much better knowing that I'm in full menopause, than just guessing that I was.

[mtnmom]

Originally Posted by Debbie S.

There is a blood test that your doctor can have done that shows if you're in menopause. My doctor had this done during my last physical. I feel much better knowing that I'm in full menopause, than just guessing that I was.

On the radio the other day, I heard advertised a test you can take at home. The site is www.menocheck.com. I'm not affiliated with menocheck in any way! I've never even purchased the test, but I think I might for my own curiosity. It's supposed to be available at major drugstores. Has anyone used this?

[Kimberly33]

Originally Posted by Kathryn

That definitely factors into it, IMO. But I don't think we can discuss it on the forum.

Thanks, Kathryn, I think that *would* be violating guidelines.

[Aline]

Originally Posted by nancy156

I have the beginnings of osteoporosis (osteopenia) with all of the strength training I do.

Nancy, what kind of strength training and other exercise do you do and at what age did you start? My sedentary mother has osteoporosis but I'm counting on exercise to counteract what I've inherited. I'm 48, have worked out most of my adult life, and so far no symptoms other than slightly irregular periods this year.

Agreed, very interesting thread.

[ooty]

I find it odd that a lot of our mothers suffered so much less with menopause symptoms then we do. I wonder why that is? Is it what we're eating? The hormones given to our food supply? Just curious.

I never thought about this aspect. But as I was reading this thread and every time I hear this mentioned, I wonder the same. I have never heard of this in India. Everybody just says, it stopped, it spots occasionally, oh it has been gone for a while...no more of that headache, ...never any side effects. I wonder how many just put up with it quietly.