I've asked this purposely on chat and not in the menopause section in the hope I may get some replies from ladies who have been through everything and are now post menopause.
I'm 51 (and a half!), still have a cycle and have been struggling with a myriad of peri symptoms since around the age of 45. I am finding chronic issues that I've struggled with for decades (IBS, functional dyspepsia and mental health issues) have all been greatly exacerbated by peri and life isn't much fun atm. None of it is being helped by the fact I have extra life stresses such as caring for my mum who suffers with dementia. I appreciate that doesn't help my symptoms at all.
Two years ago I had a uterine ablation which failed and following this found out I actually have endometriosis and adenomyosis. My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer this year too (since found out several.if her cousin's have/had BC) so I've been advised, by two endo specialists, not to take hrt as it can worsen the endo and any extra bleeding causes me to experience excessive pain due to the ablation failure.
So I am having to go this 'naturally' and although I know things will never be quite the same I am currently just living with the hope that things can and do get better once the rollercoaster of peri has settled.
Does it? 🙏