To ask if there's anything GOOD about the menopause?

[scampimom]

Think I'm approaching menopause, and have made an appointment with the doctor to check, and maybe talk about possible treatment. But the more I look online for info about menopause the more depressed I get. It appears that what I have to look forward to is getting even fatter, losing the thickness of my hair, bones like porcelain, skin like leather, foof like the Sahara, sweats and tiredness, rage, sadness and sagging.

Does anyone have any positive experiences? The only positive things I can find all seem to centre on being in your 50s and having children who are grown up, thereby allowing you freedom to suddenly take up rock climbing or ashtanga yoga or cruise the world. But I'm early 40s and my DD is 4.5, she'll not be moving out much before I retire.

Tell me there's an upside to being a middle-aged dollop with a face like beetroot every hour or so?

My migraines went too, which was an unexpected bonus. I didn't start getting them until my periods began, so I suppose it's logical.

Those of you who are suffering with horrid periods etc arent actually menopausal yet, you are peri menopausal. Menopause means end of ladt period I think. So take heart, it should get better.

My advice when menopausal.
Ditch memory foam mattress. Too hot, too sweaty.
Get mattress covers that you can take off and wash. Saves getting sweaty mattress Two if you need time to dry .

Baavet duvet. Now you may still get hot using it BUT it does feel less sweaty, its far lighter, it feels like a blanket but with the warmth of a duvet. Tucks in like a blanket round the ears and feet but no bulk.

High cotton count sheets and duvet covers. They feel cooler.

Moisturise. You may find you need something di ffrent from that you've used before. I find Palmers Cocoa butter wonderful.
Use sunscreen

Take multivitamins. Make sure you get enough Calcium, Vit D, this is the time we start loosing it from our bones B 12 is supposed to help with insomnia.
Get a kindle with backlight, for something to do when insomnia hits.

Same with mp3 or similar and headphones. Nothing like thrash metal for soothing you at 3 am, well in my case, this may vary but give it a go.

Use cotton underwear

If you get heartburn visit GP and get lansoprazole prescribed.

Realise contraception isnt a worry anymore

You can now wear purple
www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/warning

My periods got lighter and then just stopped ( apart from
One a year later )
Very limited hot flushes - felt hot but didn't go red etc
No night sweats
No insomnia
Better as no pmt now which was terrible for years .
Feel quite fit .
Slightly more tired .
Hardly noticed anything negative at all exept dryer skin on my nose . That addressed by the ordinary skin care .
Don't even have to use body moisturiser .
Feel better as not a slave to pmt .
No meds at all .

Menopause is like mother natures last laugh...

Started at 43. HRT was horrendous. Hot flushes etc now in full swing.

Young dc so no choice but get on with it.

Its horrible. None of my peers are you going through it so no one to talk to.

Hundreds of years ago we would have dropped dead a few years after, so having a healthy old age is something to look forward to!