Please tell me actual menopause is better than peri

[Thebrandnewdeal]

Urgh I’ve been in peri for the last 4 years now (I’m 44). Periods all over the shop, cycles can be as short as 17 days and then I might not have a period for 3 months. My skin is crap, my moods are all over the place, it’s impossible to predict when a period might arrive (and it’s usually at the most inconvenient time). I hate it.

How bloody long does this shit go on for? And is life better on the other side of it? I feel I need something to look forward to.

I am in menopause and feel pretty good. On HRT.
There is hope!

I’m not on HRT, but I do take a supplement which has really helped. The only real symptom I have is the irregular periods (and the PMT that comes with them). Like for the last week I’ve been getting really pissed off at everyone, never thinking my period was due because my last few cycles have been 50+ days and I was only on 20 something…then today I got my period and I was like ohhh that’s good, turns out DP and DC aren’t massive wankers who do everything wrong, I was just hormonal. That’s the bit I don’t like, I just don’t know if I’m coming or going these days.

How long after menopause is finished can you carry on taking HRT for?

It's much better post meno with hrt! A lot of the anxiety, palpitations, hot flushes, dread - gone.

But I'm 62, in the last third of my life now, just entering the elder stage and starting to notice my skin, jowls, figure, hair, etc all heading downhill. Mum (85) said last week she wished her grandmother had warned her what to expect. I feel she's doing this for me ...

So be careful of your diet - your digestive system & teeth have been doing that job a long time now and may not be able to deal with your younger excesses of food and booze.

Nutrition and water matter.

Exercise. Stay strong, supple, stretchy, keep stamina up. Walk.

Be vigilant for changes and be assertive about getting GP appointments and treatments.

Socialisation matter too. Friends, family, fun, experience, creativity.

I was peri for 10 years, periods every 21 days! The menopause though was a breeze. A few months of the occasional hot flush, 10llb weight gain which eventually fell off, periods which one day stopped and never restarted. I wasn't on HRT as my doctor felt it was a cancer risk. It does and will get better.

Why don't you talk to your GP and get HRT now? HRT will help with all the symptoms you describe.

I'm now in menopause and ok. I've been on HRT for about 2 years and plan to take it for a while yet... Don't suffer unnecessarily. Get yourself sorted. I didn't have problems with my periods in Perimenopause but have friends that did. They all found HRT helpful. I take it to control hormonal migraines. It's doing a good job.

You can take HRT as long as you like. Some women take it forever.

Yes it is. Way, way better. And I never tried HRT. The time I badly needed it, GP kept fobbing me off saying I didn't. Then suddenly, periods stopped. Mood swings vanished. Energy returned. Foggy brain cleared. It was like a massive burden lifted. And the greatest joy of all is, you suddenly stop caring what people think of you. You still care about loved ones but flaky friends, bitchy colleagues etc no longer occupy headspace.

I think when the youthful 'like me like me, aren't I pretty, admire me, have babies with me' fog lifted, that's when the mature 'and what the fuck is this??' kicked in.

I became angry, assertive, more likely to state my opinion and raise my voice. I'm in my wise woman years. Been there, done that, have something to say. And a lot of people don't like this. Hence the 'Karen' thing.

I am 8 years post menopause and I feel better now than in all of my reproductive years. No hormonal shifts causing mood swings , bad skin and ovarian pain. I care less about other people’s opinions. Furthermore , I am more focused and ambitious.
The downsides:- hair is thinner and I am prone to joint pain. However, a few months ago, I started supplementing with a small quantity of topical oestrogen and progesterone , which surprisingly has alleviated the above symptoms.

Can you take the contraceptive pill? This can mask the symptoms of peri by giving a regular dose of hormones and regulate the 'period' and also clears up skin ( it did mine)

Do you mind me asking how old you are @cosietea ? I’m 40 and still on the contraceptive pill and don’t know if it could be masking some peri symptoms

I am 42, came off the pill at 40 and had irregular periods and awful skin so went straight back on it. I take the pill back to back so don't actually get a period ( through choice) no PMS and skin is clear

I mean masking peri symptoms is a bonus, right? Whatever makes the whole process easier.