Menopause - Aibu?

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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, 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.