To ask if after menopause it gets better?!

[MrsMouse03]

Currently having a bit of a tough time with everything.

Menopause symptoms really getting me down. I constantly feel like I'm really sweaty especially my face which is so embarrassing.

Also my memory is awful. I can't even remember names of objects sometimes.

I haven't had a period for 9 months now.

Please tell me it gets better!

I am not there yet as still having periods but 10 years ago I started with brain fog, anxiety, sweaty face (god didn't even connect that until I read this thread), night sweats, raging mood swings and various other physical issues. I do think I might be coming out the other side though because the last year I have felt so much better.

@picklemewalnuts

What about the aches and pains?

No aches and pains, but I regularly do pilates and yoga. I also agree with weaverbird.

am on the other side too. Better not to have heavy painful periods. Way better.

Sure I forget things, but I live with a 15 year old DD and so I observe she forgets a lot more than I do

I had probably two bad years of extreme hot flushes then a couple more years of milder symptoms.
That's it, no weight gain no mental deterioration and of course no periods. The periods weren't an issue anyway as I'd had a mirena coil for years.

The big thing though is that life is no longer ruled by hormones, I never have to think about whether my mood or judgement is impaired by hormones, I don't want to kill someone every month.

I had breast cancer at 47 and was plunged overnight into false menopause. The meds were for 5 years. Awful sweats and flushes, tired, painful joints, forgetful, put on loads of weight...and yet I definitely detected the moment my “real” meno started during that 5 years, I’m 60 now and still get the odd flush or bad night, wouldn’t be allowed to take HRT anyway with having had cancer. It gets loads better, yes, and for the record I have two friends who kept on with the HRT but have dreadful symptoms without it. Whilst not every woman has a rough time in meno, it seems to me that those who do, will still have that rough time after the HRT finishes, with the shock to their body of suddenly losing oestrogen. Maybe better to try things like Sage, Red Clover oil etc or there’s an anti depressant (I think it’s called Clonidine) that can help with the flushes.

Emeraldshamrock, you now don't have to stop HRT.

I was lucky to be seen at a menopause clinic, so was given different options. Thanks to Brexit I'm now on patches and a coil. HRT protects the heart and bones. It isn't just fot the symptoms of menopause. For some women they will suffer symptoms all of their lives, even if they don't take HRT.

@Ponoka7 That is good to know it takes the dread out of it.

So much misinformation about HRT on one thread... you don’t need to stop it in your 60s. Certain types of HRT can be taken into your 80s and beyond, even if you’ve had breast cancer before. It’s moved on a LONG way since the risky stuff of the 1980s and 90s.

I recommend evening primrose oil capsules, biggest you can get .

Thanks everyone your replies really help. I'll try some of the suggestions and try to be kind to myself.

Sounds like there is better on the other side which is good to know

Just popping in to say yes, it gets better.

HRT works for me and it's such a relief that the horrendous heavy periods and flooding I suffered in my early 50s is over forever. I don't have to avoid wearing light coloured trousers, or try and work out if my period is going to wreck a holiday or make my working day miserable. Happy to stay on HRT as long as I can. I get round occasional memory lapses by writing everything done and my anxiety has definitely lessened. I feel pretty good, despite the current Covid worries. Taking early retirement from teaching has helped hugely!