Menopause - Aibu?

Everyone is different, it wasn't until my periods stopped at 54 that I had any symptoms that I felt had an impact. I'd have hated to waist my 40's worrying about menopause.

When I went through it there were all the scares about HRT and cancer so did not have any. My worst symptom was very heavy, excruciating periods, I literally could not stand or speak the pain was so intense . Some sweats and flushes but nothing major. It began when I was 47 and I had my last period (thank god) when I was 51 which I think is pretty standard. No brain fog, in fact I went back to college in the evenings, got more qualifications and was promoted at work. I see all the stuff on Instagram and if I was a young woman I would be bloody terrified, there are accounts on there that make out it is the end and you will physically crumble and mentally collapse. It has also been monteised so you need to be aware that there are lots of products out there and some may not be in any way useful or helpful. I am glad it is spoken about and out in the open now and there is hopefully more help out there

Everyone is different. In continually highlighting the menopause they have inadvertently made everyone petrified of a completely natural process.
Some do suffer, some have completely no symptoms.
Some benefit from HRT, some don't need it.
See how I goes, if you do find yourself suffering then speak to a GP.

I think the perimenopause bandwagon has overtaken the my anxiety bandwagon.

So I’m on hrt but I never had any mood swings /mh issues during peri ( in my thirties I had anxiety and depression) I had achey joints, fatigue, memory fog, insomnia, night sweats. Hrt has helped loads.

It is not worth dreading. Some people sail through it without even realising they are hitting menopause until their periods stop. Most people have mild symptoms. Some have severe symptoms. I’m in the latter camp and can’t take HRT. It’s shit. But I’m glad I didn’t spend several years worrying about it before it happened.

HRT definitely helps.

Have you had hormone related poor mental health (e.g. was it worse in puberty, after kids when not on hormonal contraception?).

My MH has never been tip top but was noticeably worse during hormonal upheaval (my teen years were hell and I got postnatal depression and anxiety) and perimenopause has absolutely slapped me down. HRT has recently kicked in and I feel tonnes better.

I think it's good to be aware of it. Took me 6 months to realise what was going on and another 6months for the GP to take me seriously.

I’m 53 and coming through the other side of it now and can honestly say that it’s not been awful. I’ve had hot flushes and unpredictable periods for a while but otherwise I actually feel better now than I had for years previously so it’ll be what it’ll be but it’s not awful for everyone

just wanted to add, not felt the need at all for HRT. Just eat proper food and kept active.

It's different for everyone. The best thing to do is be aware of your body and mood without obsessing about it. If you are coping well or symptoms are minor then that's great! If you are struggling or symptoms are bad, go to your GP and get help, there are plenty of remedies out there.

Don't waste precious time worrying about something that might be a non event, or something that can be resolved.

Best of luck in your 40s and I hope you enjoy a new relationship!

My other advice is simply your life in prep - automation, routines, declutter. I am very grateful for having done that.

I’ve always struggled with anxiety and depression, and am properly in the menopause trenches now in my early 50s.

It’s, obviously, different for everyone, but I do wonder if I’m better equipped to deal with menopause than someone who hasn’t experienced these problems. I’m already medicated and am very aware of changes, warning signs etc. I also know where to go for info, advice etc, and am open to suggestions from medical professionals as to what can help.

Don’t assume it’s going to be terrible OP, you may find that your past mental health struggles are the very thing that equip you to weather the menopause storm.

I had a Mirena coil for horrendous periods, for about 15 years. My periods stopped so I no idea what was going on, so I managed to go through the menopause without noticing!
We’re all different.

Highly recommend reading The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver. It was recommended to me and its great. Have a GP appointment on Monday and this book has helped me prepare for it.

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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 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.

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