Menopause

[Poptart4]

There have been alot of stories in the press about celebrities going through menopause. The latest being Lisa Snowden. See Daily fail.

At this point I will hold my hands up and say I now very little about menopause even though I'm a women in her late 30's. But these horror stories are really scaring me. Does every women going through the menopause go through hell? Is this what I have to look forward to? And do these symptoms (memory loss, depression, rages, sweats... God knows what else) eventually stop?

I can't believe no one has ever talked to me about menopause before. It wasn't even mentioned in school.

Estrogen Daisy.. the mirena or progesterone tablets are only given in HRT to keep the uterus lining thin, which reduces cancer risk.

@UrbanSpaceboy

Yes looking back the sleep was a big giveaway for me. I'd never had sleep issues before.

I wish I'd realised that that was what was going on before I ended up near demented, shouting at everyone in sight and bleeding like a stuck pig.

Thanks to lovely lovely hrt I'm almost fit to be out in public again but Jesus it was a nightmare.

This ^^ especially the 'bleeing like a stuck pig'.

The first GP to prescribe me HRT (after a long battle with him) acted as though he'd never prescribed HRT before. In a practice of 12,000 patients, where he was a senior partner. He had to go and ask another GP in another room, and between them they mixed up Conti with Sequi.

Fecking unbelievable.

Anyway the estradiol (oestrogen) helped a lot. It's not as wonderful an effect these days since I've had my ovaries and uterus removed - but I'm still grateful for it.

And if people were discussing their experiences of dementia would you accuse them of ‘droning on’ about it? You should reflect on why you would be so patronisingly dismissive of women talking about their common experiences of menopause. Internalised misogyny is a good place to start.

No actually I wouldn't I would join in the discussion. Your comment to me about my 'mummy' was very patronising so maybe you need to do some reflecting.

@lollipoprainbow, then what was the need to describe women as droning on? Women's health is still neglected by the NHS. We have suffered for decades because we were just expected to get on with things. If we had shut up and gone away things would have never improved. Why should women not be educated by the real life experiences of other women?

No, the patronising was started by you, Lollipop, who came on a thread which couldn't be more clearly titled to pooh pooh anyone thinking there should be more discussion around menopause as "droning on".

Totally uncalled for.

One thing I would flag to any woman is the varying of understanding among GPs. We have two in our practice, saw the first in September to complain about hot flushes, tiredness etc. As I have had a hysterectomy he ordered bloods, said my oestrogen was fine and sent me off with advice to use the Headspace app.

Three months later - and no better - spoke to the other GP who said that I was over the age of 45 and having symptoms it didn't matter what the bloods said, he would treat the symptoms and offered a trial of HRT.

Totally conflicting approaches and this is what many women are up against, having to fight tooth and nail with doctors.

[quote Ponoka7]@lollipoprainbow, then what was the need to describe women as droning on? Women's health is still neglected by the NHS. We have suffered for decades because we were just expected to get on with things. If we had shut up and gone away things would have never improved. Why should women not be educated by the real life experiences of other women?[/quote]
Totally agree.

Women have been told just to deal with it for years. It's a very positive thing that woman's health is now being talked about and taken more seriously.

Hopefully gps start to take this more seriously too. I am so grateful that my gp is fantastic and describes herself as an advocate of womens health. It's so sad to read other women have huge issues at getting their gp to take them seriously,

60 and post menopausal. Physically a walk in the park, mentally a nightmare, terrible anxiety, mood swings, brain fog.

Does HRT improve libido?

It’s not hellish for everyone, I think the point is that it should be more publicised that particularly low level symptoms like anxiety brain fog, mood changes etc can be hormone related and eased by treatments rather than thinking we’re going mad and being fobbed off by GPS or put on anti-depressants as a matter of course.

I was told in my mid-thirties that my symptoms simply couldn’t be menopause but only a few years later my periods ended and that was that. I feel those years that should have been some of my best were wasted with terrible mental health when if the GP had tested my hormones and got me started on HRT, all could have been well again in a matter of weeks.

@crossstitchingnana you need a mix of HRT & a very low dose of testosterone. I am on oestrogen spray, progesterone & testosterone as well as topical oestrogen for vaginal atrophy

I had to get the testosterone privately as although it’s prescribed for menopause in other countries, the NHS won’t prescribe for menopause here.

@DramaAlpaca, hi, what supplements do you take? Thanks

The point about GPs is really interesting because if you watch the documentary you find out that NONE of them get trained in menopause. Any training they do on it is entirely voluntary. Shocking right!

More shocking was mine offering me anti depressants when what I wanted was HRT. She said they had to offer them even though we know low mood etc is nothing like actual depression. At that point I wasn't sure what was worse! Minimising depression or minimising menopause .

Anyway, the point is if you want HRT you stick to your guns, it absolutely changed my life.

@daisybrambles

I’m 46 and have a Mirena coil but I think I am still having symptoms-insomnia, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings and a few others which at times make me feel really low. Should I go and see my GP? Could I need something else as well as the coil?

I have the coil, but that releases a form of progesterone only. Talk to your GP. I had tests done and was prescribed estrogen patches as well. I don't need testosterone

[quote Theeyeballsinthesky]@crossstitchingnana you need a mix of HRT & a very low dose of testosterone. I am on oestrogen spray, progesterone & testosterone as well as topical oestrogen for vaginal atrophy

I had to get the testosterone privately as although it’s prescribed for menopause in other countries, the NHS won’t prescribe for menopause here.[/quote]
This is interesting. When I spoke to my GP after my initial three months on HRT he said he could prescribe testosterone if my libido didn't improve. I was a bit surprised as I didn't think GPs could offer it.

@lollipoprainbow I'm guessing you aren't at menopause stage yet so let's hope you 'sail through' yours eh ? Also if your mother didn't 'drone on' about it how do you know it was easy for her ? Women have been conditioned to keep quiet about this and other issues for years so perhaps she suffered in silence.

I remember my mum going through it and she ended up on HRT because of her horrific hot flushes which made her life a misery. I roughly knew what to expect and had done a bit of reading and research but there is really only a big focus on a few physical symptoms and we're all different.

CounsellorTroi - 53 and similar here. Physical symptoms have been mild/moderate and manageable with exercise, diet and some supplements.

Mentally has been a whole other ballgame. Major anger issues, brain fog and mood swings which are only just starting to become less prevalent. Nobody also tells you about the weird stuff like becoming allergic to perfumes I've worn for decades and the itchy skin - and I don't have dry skin at all.

I'm really glad it's finally becoming more openly discussed and taken seriously. If a quarter of the male workforce left paid employment because of a natural life stage there would be questions asked in parliament and clinics on every high street!

@lollipoprainbow

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I'm delighted for her and I hope you'll be the same. However if you are not at least you know you have options.

Many women really suffer- me being one of them. I lost my career and will probably be on HRT for life now.

[quote lollipoprainbow]@Ionlydomassiveones I'm 47 my 'mummy' is very poorly with dementia, now who's being vile ????? [/quote]
No-one's being vile about your mum. I'm very sorry hear that she's suffering. It's an awful disease

You came on here to complain about a thread you had no need to join.
You didn't mention your mother's dementia in your first post either so not being psychic (another menopause symptom?) how would anyone have known till you brought it up later in some attempt to excuse your attitude.

Now go and find some vinegar for that chip.

Thanks to Kerryleigh and three little dots for replying

Nobody said anything to me either apart from commenting on hot flushes which DM definitely had.
I recently quit a job because I was being forced out anyway, I was struggling at work due to menopausal created health issues. I am now on HRT and things are improving, I got a better job too!😁

I thought I knew a fair amount about menopause but I didn't know anxiety was a symptom. I had something happen that I thought caused this anxiety and it would have been a great help if I had known. Certainly never mentioned in school. We need to be educated but I'd rather not be told all the time by celebs. I'd prefer actual doctors and regular women.

I’m the same age as you OP and it’s terrifying isn’t it? Thing is I’ve suffered with anxiety, migraines and brain fog for years already. My period are still regular as clockwork so far.

Peri at 39. Completed menopause at 40. No problems, no hrt. Sorry!!

It’s a bit of a lottery I think …. a little like childbirth in that you can do everything ‘right’ and still have a shit time of it.
Nothing worse than those women who just got lucky but put it all down (smugly) to having rubbed almond oil on their perineum or drunk weasel tea.
Fwiw I did not ‘sail’ through childbirth but did through menopause. No weasel tea was partaken.