Menopause - Aibu?

Yes, HRT helps.
How old are you now?

Don't believe the hype....!!

And, by then, you'll have grown up a little, too.

Despite everything you see online and in the media, it is not an automatic death sentence or life limiting experience.

Yep, many people have awful symptoms, but there is help available. And what you almost never read or hear about is that many women actually get through it without major trauma.

Im through the menopause (surgically induced at 40), in a new relationship of a few years that started after menopause and honestly, best sex life ive ever had. I cant take HRT either due to previous cancer. Dont worry too much!

Try not to worry too much. I’m going through it now and have also suffered with my mental health, mainly anxiety. I’m also a single mum. Yes, my moods have suffered and I’ve been having some lows. However, as soon as I started to struggle I saw my GP and am now 2 months into HRT. Only this week my 21 year old (not particularly observant son) said to me that he thought I was in the best place emotionally he’s seen me for ages. I definitely feel more on an even keel. My advice would be, when the time comes, don’t struggle on your own there is help out there. My GP has been amazing.

It affects everyone differently, but knowledge is power! And if you’re aware of the possible symptoms you can seek support and hrt etc early instead of struggling.

I think terrified is a bit extreme. Some people have no symptoms at all.

I had awful periods in my early 40's resolved by taking the mini pill (which stopped them all together).

I started with other symptoms around 50. Vaginal itching worsened and was caused by dryness. Topical vaginal oestrogen has helped.

At 53 I started to struggle with sleep, in particular cortisole spikes, anxiety, palpetations and frequent nightime urination. HRT has resolved these. I do still have some brain fog but it is better because I am sleeping better. I do feel more anxious about things (social anxiety in particular) but can usually talk myself down. There are other weird things like strange skin sensations and itching, hair loss etc. I am hoping the HRT will continue to improve these but if I get to the 6 month mark I may ask to increase my dose if I am struggling with anything.

I have not had any mood swings or anger. I am single and I feel good.

Menopause (and peri) is definitely a thing and some have it worse than others but there are things you can do/take if you get symptoms. It isn't all bad, I promise.

It doesn't affect everyone in severe ways. It is useful to be informed about possible symptoms as they are so varied and easily dismissed as other things. The good news is that HRT exists and can make a huge difference to your quality of life.

Not everyone gets symptoms. I had none

It's just another life phase. Nothing to be scared of! If you start having symptoms, get referred to a menopause clinic/menopause nurse an start HRT. I'm 45 and have more energy now than in my early 20s. Peri and menopause is not a death sentence or the end of your life!

You need to avoid these social media posts that are giving you anxiety! I’m 45 and perimenopausal. I did get more emotional initially but have found the right HRT (patches for me, I tried the gel too) has been a game changer. I have occasional brain fog moments but I’ve learned to laugh it off, it’s annoying but no one is dying because I forget a conversation mid way or because I forgot to put chicken in my chicken pie. The night sweats are horrible, I’ve never been a sweaty person and I wake up dripping; I shower more so that deals with that. I developed acne so have changed my skin care routine.
As a poster above said, it’s another life phase. Luckily we are living in a time where we have options to help. It’s not even in the top ten worst things that have happened to me! 🤣 @Ydoapp find out about it through the NHS or other reputable source rather than social media and you’ll feel better.

You’re not even 40, don’t start worrying about it yet! I went into peri about age 46, and it was rough, mainly because of anxiety, for a few years. Once I was fully menopausal at 52, things settled down a lot. Right now (mid 50s) I’d say I’m the happiest I have ever been as an adult, mainly because I do not care what anyone else thinks of me. Everyone is different, but for me it was a bumpy, but temporary, ride :)

Too young at 40 to be worrying. It affects everyone differently but it isnt a disease.

I am 46 and cannot have HRT. My top tips are start strength training to build muscle mass now as muscle mass helps with the synthesis of hormones. Eat good amounts of protein, stay hydrated and try and get sufficient sleep. Beyond thst if you need therapy for past issues get thst sorted. Beyone that I am quite like the perimeno rage as it fuels me to get things done. The flat feeling is the hard one but I find as long as I mix things up to have variety going on and keep mentally busy it is okay. It can have some peaks and troughs but generally it will change a bit then be stable for a while so its not all terrible.

The good balances out the bad and most of the bad bits are fixed with HRT. I am less emotional and less caring. DH loves it he says I’m more fun the don’t give a xxxx version of me. The sweats etc and lack of sex drive was fixed in a week with HRT. Don’t panic

I get this as I had horrendous anxiety when I was pregnant and was dreading it. Noe it’s here I started hrt last week. There is a lot of support nowadays. When my mum went through it I remember her crying a lot

I'm going through it now, close to the finish line, and it's been somewhat of a non-event after all the hype.

It’s has no impact on me so far apart from heavy periods. I’m on HRT, but a couple of my friends haven’t even bothered.

I'm 52, not on HRT and I'd describe my experience as mild. A few hot flushes, maybe a bit of brain fog. Definitely nothing to be terrified of!

HRT helps me a lot . Make sure you're getting enough vitamins, evening primrose helps and magnesium. Larger doses than the RDA.

I’m hoping I’ll give less fucks at some point but can’t see it yet @endofthecorridoor

I'm nearly 51 and a single mum since getting divorced 10 years ago...been on HRT since 2022, symptoms mostly insomnia, mild but frequent anxiety (not induced by anything in particular which has been a pain in the arse), and being a bit achey of joints - but I am a fatty so 🤷🏼‍♀️.

I also have AdHD and have been on and off Cipramil for years.

Tbh, menopause has been an absolute revelation - yes there's some crappy bits but overall I'm more at peace with my life than I've been in years.

I have my own home, a fabulous daughter, adorable cats, am about to change my job to a completely new role in a sector I've wanted to work in years...and I have a lovely FWB 😁.

The finances and weight/fitness could do with a bit of work and it's harder than when you're younger to sort the latter out, but overall menopause and 'mid-life' have thus far massively exceeded my expectations!

I sailed through the menopause first time - I didn't really know it had happened until I stopped having periods completely.

Unfortunately I've been receiving treatment for cancer which involves stopping the production of all remaining oestrogen and I'm having a second menopause. That isn't great. But even after one's ovaries stop producing oestrogen and you go through the menopause, it is still produced in the liver and fat, so most women still produce some. Hopefully that will be sufficient to allow you to go through it with minimal discomfort.

This
Sick of it being mentioned everywhere and being this terrible time
we have always been a slave to our hormones
take hrt and look after your health, all good