Fucking menopause can fuck right off

[FlemCandango]

I am lying on the sofa exhausted by the effort of moving a pile of clothes. Because menopause decided that my already heavy and painful periods don't quite hit the spot so last night I had that lift scene from The Shining as my period. Now I am an anemic shell of a person in a cardi on the sofa. Trying to summon the energy to make some tea. I was meant to be shopping with my daughter's, but that isn't happening. Fucking menopause.

I have had some good advice on another thread this one is purely my ranty pity party.

HRT has been a game changer for me too. Still early days but can feel a difference already.

Yup, haven’t slept properly for years. Can’t digest food/drink like I used to so cannot rest or play. Can only work.

55 and now officially post menopausal (just). It has been a hellish two years, the tiredness has eventually lessened, the weight gain has been impressive, my joints are still painful and the hot flushes wake me at least once a night. I asked my sister if she was having flushes, she said that she just ignores them!!?? I refused HRT on the grounds that I am very good at growing lumps and bumps (very rare benign breast lump, pre cancerous moles and several ovarian cysts). It has also left me feeling very old and I feel like I have lost who I once was.

I’d been on the pill for heavy periods for years but obviously had to stop when I went on HRT. I was not prepared for that at all. I’d not had a period for near on 20 years so that was a hell of a shock to the system.
Been on the HRT for over a year now and it’s bloody miraculous stuff. I put up with the periods, mostly because it means the urge to murder people is a lot less on the HRT than off it. 😂

@HowDoYouOwnDisorder No just bone loss in jaw because of periodontal disease exacerbated by menopause - physically I am ok (at the moment) because I am always lifting and cycling - If I had symptoms that really interfered with my ability to function day-to-day and work, I would try HRT but I would rather focus on diet/lifestyle - I work in healthcare and hate medication with every fibre of my being - there is almost always another way to deal with a health issue that has less of a long term detrimental effect on the body - trust me, what alleviates one thing causes systemic problems somewhere else …

@Chicca1970 that makes sense to me

I am very pill-averse myself

But I do fear osteoporosis as my mum had it so badly and suffered from it

I try to avoid it through diet and exercise myself, am also trying to fight meno through long walks, weights and playing tennis

Let's see how far we get 💪

I've tried lifestyle changes to beat the symptoms but nothing has made much of a difference.

I gave up caffeine at the start of this year - it stopped the flushes for 6 months but they've come back worse than ever now

I run 5k a couple of times a week

I go to the gym

I walk at the weekend with DH ( we usually usually 6 or 7 miles)

I lost two stone in weight through dieting last year.

I've given up eating bread - that helped with bloating at least.

I'm hoping for some HRT when I see the doctor next week. At 52 I think I've waited long enough before seeking medical help for my symptoms.

@HowDoYouOwnDisorder Absolutely! I read that 6 prunes a day is proven to increase bone density - it’s hilarious but I’ve been doing this - a lot can be avoided & improved through diet.

My downfall is sugar - really trying to knock that one on the head - I work with people from the 4 corners of the World and very few Asian and African women I’ve worked with experience menopause like we do - I think more of a positive attitude - to view it as ‘freeing’ rather than ‘the end of womanhood’ and also to really pay attention to diet and lifestyle, respect your body and go with it …

@AngelsWithSilverWings Wow what you’ve been doing is amazing - let’s face it, hormones are powerful things and they can be unpredictable and life changing.

I think in middle age us women have a whole lot going on that can exacerbate stress and therefore menopausal experiences - ageing parents, dealing with bloody teens and young adults, work related politics and expectations.

I had a much harder time hormonally from 16-25 years - at the peak of my youth I suffered with acne and heavy painful periods - I prefer what I have now to be honest - almost I miss the beauty and carelessness of my youth! 😂😂

Lie on the sofa and have your ranty bloody panty pity party.

Let every bugger know you are lacking in strength and vitality and tell them in no uncertain terms why.

No more hiding this shit. We all need to be upfront about it.

It’s a fucker for sure. I had period from hell after not having one for over 6 months. It’s was a complete bloodbath & coincided with a weekend away - thankfully it had eased off by the time we got there but the previous 48 hours were horrific. Never had one like that before even w a uterine polyp!

Totally with you, I am seeing the doctor next week to try to figure out what next. I am autistic/adhd and menopause plays havoc with adhd and executive functioning whilst my sensory with the overheating is absolutely messing me as well :( I can't make my brain focus on all the medication options at the moment. I know they have mentioned the mirena coil, I know HRT can be added in as well but there seem to be so many options! I feel like I am losing my marbles, one min I am wanting to divorce my husband, the next I am crying at my work stuff and I feel utterly incompetent when I am told I am not at all. It is horrendous, I feel 16 again, I am even back to almost passing out from periods. Just urgh!

I've got enough on my plate without dealing with the pigging menopause. This will literally tip me over the edge. Big hugs op 💞

HRT! I’m sleeping and my mind fog has improved!

Long term it can also help decrease the risk of dementia and osteoporosis.

What form of HRT are you , @MerryChristmasTree ?

Brain fog and lack of sleep are my biggest issues. And fear of dementia is my biggest worry.

I have the desogestrel pill and the Evorel patch. I’ve been prescribed it for about 4 months now. I’ve also been reading the Davina menopause book which has been enlightening.

Thank you. How long did it take for you to start feeling the benefits?

And do you have 'periods' with the desogestrel pill?

Sorry for all the questions!

@MerryChristmasTree Snap! Although I’m on Cerazette (dif brand, same drug). And Evorel Conti. So I don’t get periods and I feel so much better on the HRT. I used to get monthly (around ovulation) flu-like exhaustion, general brain fog and moments of rage/despair/overwhelm, at any time. The flu-like exhaustion is no more, brain fog gone. I still get moments of despair and agitation blindsiding me though and I wonder if I need to increase. Currently on one and a half patches.

@greekalphabet I know you’re asking @MerryChristmasTree but my experience is the HRT settled fully after three months. It was up and down until then, and then I felt as if the clouds had cleared all of a sudden.

This 100%

Oh that's interesting, thank you. I think I'd have maybe jacked it in during the lows, so it's good to know that sticking with it can help in the end.

What HRT are you taking?

@greekalphabet Evorel Conti patches and Cerezette pill for contraception (which I take all the time so no periods!).

I did try Estrogel prior to that (which I liked, I tried it alone for a couple of week before starting Utrogestran for the progesterone component) but the oral Utrogestran was abominable, it made me feel like a zombie, just permanently exhausted and depressed and tearful.

Ps but I know some people do fine on it! (Utrogestan).

The Davina doc was a revelation to me. I was straight on to the Newson clinic afterwards.
I'm also hypothyridal and have to take thyroxin every day so look at HRT in a similar vein. Not everything can be controlled by diet.
The worst bit for me is that my libido has vanished. Nothing. Nada. Has anyone had any luck restoring theirs?

@greekalphabet @MiddleOfTheNightAgain of the night, yes same for me it’s taken until now to work. I’ve also had a lot of bleeding but this is now settling. But no ‘periods’.

@beguilingeyes I’ve no libido either, so wonder if I need some testosterone but I know this can be difficult to get.