Post menopause is brilliant.

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

For me, going through the menopause was truly awful Horrendous. I had horrendous night sweats, poor sleep, fogginess, forgetfulness, I felt quite sad, unattractive, meek, etc etc.

But bloody hell. I am through all that now. I remember things without lists. My good humour has returned. My skin & hair are in excellent condition. I say what I mean. I don't care if people think I'm outspoken. I feel attractive again. I'm truly liberated. It's amazing.

And I don't even have a beard of honour.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I totally agree, but yes was horrendous. just posted on another thread I had a new born as well.

I wish that my hair was in good condition though and yes, I have the beard of honour.

You are right about returning humour and I have always said what I mean.

I'm glad you are finding it liberating, I must admit to loving white trousers and shorts in the summer. Ahhhhh!

[scarletforya]

Good news! I'm looking forward to not bleeding half to death every month!

[TheFarSide]

Thanks for this. There's so much negativity about the menopause and being an older woman, so it's good to know life isn't necessarily a total downward spiral.

[pinkfrocks]

I think everyone has different experiences. some women - like my mum- have never got rid of sleeplessness, flushes and any other manner of nasty things. She was menopausal at 53 and is now late 80s. I asked my consultant about this and they said some women never get rid of the symptoms caused by loss of oestrogen.

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

I was plunged into the menopause within 6 months of having DS3 (DC4). I went to my GP 4 months after DS3 was born, saying I felt all wrong. But he's a shit GP and in spite of it being the only thing I've ever consulted him for in 10 years (other than I'm pregnant visits), he didn't follow me up.

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

I sleep really well now. And I need at least 8 hours a night.

[Gunznroses]

OP hope you don't mind me asking, but how old are you? Just trying to get an idea of how long the going through menopause stage lasts.

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

I'm about to turn 51.

[Pagwatch]

I'm 53 and post menopausal and it is great.
There are negatives but the positives are awesome.
I am very happy with life. I've never taken anything for it. I had some interrupted sleep which is better if I don't drink as much. I have to take exercise - have to for my mental health and for my sleep and everything else.
But it's been very easy. My mum had a nightmare so I was not looking forward to it but it was a breeze.

[Muskey]

I have posted on another thread about menopausal symptoms. I have been having really bad symptoms for about a year although have had minor symptoms for three years prior to that. Does the fact that they are getting worse means that I am nearly at the end?

[Arrowminta]

What's a beard of honour. I think I've gone through it all now, without any medication. In a strong light I have a fine covering of down. Is that it?

[Muskey]

I think it's hair on your throat or just more facial hair than normal

[blueVW]

I'm still getting a few flushes and insomnia. But for the first time since my teens, I have no mood swings and I feel mentally stable. My last period was 6 months ago, so still not officially post-menopausal.

[Mini05]

Op so how long has it been from start to you say post?

I'm 57 and still have aching hips, waking up 3-4 times night(and I need my sleep) forget words I want to say!! Just can't think of it, forget how to spell simple words,.

So this comes to an end? Everyone I know my age still have some from of symptoms

[Arrowminta]

No throat hair but I've had a fine covering on my face since early 30's.

The thing I've noticed since I've hopefully come through it is at 54, that I laugh a lot. I don't cry much either, so that's hopefully a bonus.

In photo's I can still look like a young girl with the right angle and want to say 'f--k you' aging :)

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

I would say 4-5 years from start to feeling like a fully functioning human being again.

[Momagain1]

Oh, pink. Your mom needs HRT. Be prepared to get you some.

[RandomFriend]

how do you know when the menopause is over?

[Gunznroses]

That sounds good! Life begins at 51, I'm beginning to wonder wether my aching hips have anything to do with it. I've also started waking up at 4am, but this morning it was 12:00am and didn't get back to sleep till 3:30am, no idea why I wake up. Looking forward to the menopause and hope it's an easy ride.

[Arrowminta]

I haven't slept well for years, but go longer now.

I went peri at around 47. Then it kicked in at 50 (periods stopped) and think I'm through it nearly 5 years later. I was an early starter, period at 11, pubes and 9 so maybe a bit earlier than others.

I didn't like the anxiety feelings that sometimes overwhelmed me but they don't last long.

I also ignored the flushes rather than my friend who was always drawing attention to them, I found it embarrasing :)

[iwantavuvezela]

Thanks for that OP, just what I needed to hear, hoping to be post menopausal really soon!

[pinkfrocks]

Mom- I don't think so, thanks! She's almost 88 so bit too old to start now.

I think it's important to differentiate between the short term symptoms of meno- flushes, sweats and all the other things - and medium -long term risks and illnesses such as osteoporosis, (very relevant for anyone with an early menopause before 45), ditto heart disease, and loss of tone of pelvic floor. Some of these creep up 5-20 years post meno. Oestrogen has a protective effect and the latest report from the International Menopause Society said that women who start HRT within 10 years of menopause have reduced risk of heart disease as well as other serious illness.

[TyrannosaurusBex]

Thanks for a positive message from 'the other side', OP. I'm 45 and pretty sure I'm peri, but my GP won't hear of it (I went to school with her!)

[Arrowminta]

You can have a blood test for FSH (follical stimulating hormone) If it's into overdrive, you are starting menopause.

I'm no doctor but had the test and it established it.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Random

I just felt different like coming out of another time in my life.
It's hard to explain really.
Everybody is different though and have different experiences.
I was lucky and didn't have very many symptoms.
I hadn't noticed how altered my mind had been until I had finished iyswim.