To think you get your 'spark' back post menopause?

Thank you I will. I do take B12 although a recent full blood work only really showed low ferritin, 27 I think so GP said was fine 🙄
I take an iron tablet and vitamin d every day too. Have done for several months but it’s not really made any difference. I take the iron with 1000mg vitamin c, although admittedly, it’s a low dose of iron.

O ... K .... I'm 50 and this is more or less the exact opposite of what I want in my future

Please read my posts above and look at getting your levels of B12 and folate checked (vit d and iron as well)
Poor methylation can lead to high histamine levels in the body. There is a lot of research on this. You may have a mutation of the MTHFR gene and need to take methylated supplements but get proper bloods done first and get everything up to ‘optimal’

I’m on patches - 75mg and progesterone tablets every night 100mg.

I have googled histamine intolerance funnily enough. That’s why I’m back on the fexofenadine but it’s not done much. I should try a low histamine diet but it’s so restrictive and I didn’t think Christmas week was a good time to start! I’ve cut out coffee and cows milk for now but no real improvement. I think I might ask for HRT gel next time, in case I’m not absorbing it properly.

What type hrt are you on and have you looked at histamine intolerance at all?

I chose not to take HRT. I feel like me but I don't care less about what people think of me. It's been liberating.

Agree with PPs - being post-menopausal is terrific. I feel strong and confident and my libido is still there (it’s never been high but it’s thrumming along nicely). I think my body likes being free of the risk of pregnancy.

I give GIGANTIC fucks about my adult DC. And my dog. And my close friends.

Very few fucks available for anything and everything outside of that. I have leant right out at work. I just do what I’m paid for and rather enjoy it. If it starts getting remotely stressful I take a step back or look to offload something.

I used to get so angry at stupid things. Someone cutting me up at a roundabout, not moving their bag off a train seat, the bin men didn’t come, a sibling cancelled plans. It’s this sort of shit that just barely warrants an eye roll now. I have stopped wanting to control the world. I just take care of myself and my immediate family now. Everything else can fuck off.

Re hrt, not everyone is prescribed. That's entirely normal.

Re spark, yes definitely although it's kinda different but not in a bad way

I think it means less worrying about what others think.

I guess this is sarcasm? Because I can't see why this is a good thing

To add to what I have already posted, your body needs certain raw materials to make estrogen.

A friend of mine started getting irregular periods and thought it was Peri. She got bloods done at the GP who said they were all normal and she would just have to put up with it.
Turns out, although both her ferritin and Vit d levels were in ‘normal range’, neither were in the optimum range. She started taking higher strength iron (the usual ORC dose of 14mg isn’t strong enough) and vitamin D and not only did her periods settle down, her PMS symptoms were significantly improved for the first time in her life. She is also 40

I’m on hrt which has helped a lot. Why not try it?

And watch this for a different perspective:

This is me, loving life on the other side.

I fully intend to live it to the fullest.

A gain: I have a lot of self confidence. I dont really care what people think of me.
Doesn't mean I am rude or abrasive.
I just don't worry about what people think of me as most people aren't thinking about me

Sorry if it has been said OP but are you absolutely certain it’s Peri?
I tend to think that so many health conditions are attributed to Peri if you’re a woman over the age of 40.
Have you had any blood tests done recently? If not, can you get any? If not through GP, try a private company that will test you if you can afford it (plenty of postal services online)
Try and test for as much as you can but definitely- Ferritin/Iron, Vitamin B12, Folate and Vitamin D and regardless of what your GP says about them being ‘normal’ make sure you look at the levels yourself and get them to ‘optimal’

All of these deficiencies can cause fatigue, irritability, hot flushes/night sweats as well as various other symptoms.

I had all of the above. Got private bloods done and have been working to get my Ferritin, B12 and folate up optimum (had low levels of all three) and the difference is like night and day. I’m 40 and no longer believe it’s Peri.

There is a whole host of research on carriers of a MTHFR gene mutation which inhibitions the absorption of B12 and Folate meaning you have to take methylated versions of these. Look at research done on Methyl Folate as a supplement (readily available to buy) and its effects on some of the symptoms. Also, look in to getting B12 injections if your levels are low (some pharmacies will do this for £30)

Dont resign yourself to feeling terrible for the next decade if you don’t need to x

It looks like the biggest gain for us women is " the never giving a fuck about anything ever again." How wonderful! The rest of it is shit though.

This gives me hope thanks for sharing

I got my mojo back when my exh left me, turns out that was the main issue not peri. 5.5 years later still not gone through menopause but life is amazing.

My honest truth, look at your whole life situation rather than assuming hormones

No worries! 😊Btw I also enjoy nature. Just not gardening.

Apologies, I’ve misunderstood.

Did you misquote or misunderstand my post @JoanOfArchers? I do a lot of stuff- travel, socialise, hobbies. I like meeting people. I emphasise this because I want women to know being flat is not always the case.

What I don't want to do anymore is stuff for my family. Luckily they don't need me as much as they are grown.

I never knew this was to do with menopause, I just thought it was me, I’m 54, still have the mirena coil fitted so haven’t had periods for over 12 ish years anyway.

The thought of doing anything leaves me feeling flat, I get no joy out of doing anything anymore. Used to love trips to London and we’d go quite frequently, not interested now. I don’t want to go abroad, I don’t get any feelings of excitement about travel the way I used to. I work with a couple of women who constantly go out to socialise. It wears me out at the thought of it, I just can’t be bothered 😕

The only things that fill me with joy are the garden birds and anything animal related. Think it’s more human interaction I have a problem with! 😆

I disagree (without taking away from your own experience)

I didn’t take HRT but am definitely full of energy, sleep well and am very calm now age 59. My forties were full of absolute rage and what I can only describe as teenage emotions and mood swings.

Yes, there is a full life with joy and happiness but you do have to make any changes that are contributing to your emotional state. I got divorced and moved to a tiny house by the sea. Others take up running or make new friends. For some, HRT works brilliantly and they feel great again.

Please don’t think this is the “end” though. It absolutely isn’t. It’s a new beginning. I’m definitely the happiest I’ve ever been, aside from those early baby days which I found blissful.