To ask if anyone has found menopause just fine?

[ChristmasGutPunch]

Another day another article about how I can expect my brain to fall out my ear any day now. "I forgot how to do my job!" and so forth. I'm sanguine about ageing (saggy jaw aside) but I really don't want to become wrong in the head so young. Please can you reassure me it's ok for some women??

I do think working on your overall physical and mental health, as much as is possible for you as an individual obviously, is very helpful. Just learning about the gut microbiome, and enhancing my already basically Mediterranean diet with a wider variety of vegetables, and so on, was helpful for me; as was getting out for a little walk most days to clear my head; writing a little gratitude list...

😆😆😆

I was very early 40's when I had my last period. That was nearly 20 years ago and, other than the occasional hot flush I had no symptoms at all. Between then and now I've lost 4 stones (and kept it off), have had no hair thinning (it's still as thick and curly as it ever was), also my insomnia is no worse than it was during my 20's/30's. My sisters, on the other hand, have had a hellish time but they had no issues when they had periods but mine were awful. I often wonder if there is some sort of link between how bad the "period years" were and how easy the menopause is for some women.

Early 60's, almost 10 years postmenopausal and having the time of my life!

It was a non-event for me. Periods got lighter and lighter and eventually just tapered off. The occasional very mild hot flush that lasted about 30 seconds but that's about it. I do keep track of bone health with DEXA scans and continue to lift weights (started 30+ years ago) to help keep bones and muscles strong. No hrt.

Oh, one weird thing! Oily skin and breakouts plagued me my whole life. Menopause got rid of all that. For the first time in my life my complexion looks really good, lol.

My advice: Keep an open mind. Many of us don't experience menopause as some soul destroying nightmare. Be proactive about your health and don't hesitate to reach out for help if your symptoms affect your quality of life. I'm no Mother Theresa - there's no virtue in needless suffering!

I initially got hot flushes, but then I had a 3 week period and was given that drug that stops periods. Periods returned to normal but I never got hot flushes again, including when my periods stopped a few years ago. My hair thinned and I forget names/words. Not sure if that counts as easy.

I doubt people are exaggerating their symptoms in the articles you've read, so you might be lucky or you might not be.

Early 50s and I was sleeping badly, anxious and low mood so blamed it on menopause whilst also drinking a load of wine. Cut out the wine and the symptoms disappeared. I also do a load of exercise and eat well which helps my physical and mental health. When I convince myself wine is a good idea again the symptoms come back so for now I would say menopause is manageable for me with a healthy life style and stress management that doesn't include alcohol!

I know that's not the case for everyone. My friend needed HRT as she had horrendous insomnia.

Aside from the odd manageable hot flush I was perfectly ok .

Yes pretty good here, only hot flushes (fortunately not at night so no night sweats). No mental effects whatsoever. A huge relief to be past painful periods and feeling rubbish every month.

A decade later I developed autoimmune hypothyroidism and that really is crap, way worse than my largely symptom-free menopause!

No symptoms at all. Sailed through it. I'm very lucky I know.

I’m 2+ years since last period. Had some hot flushes in evenings mainly for about 6 months but they weren’t a big deal. I’m not on HRT but have recently started estriol vaginal cream to increase moisture as that has been a gradual thing but not severe. I’ve always forgotten the odd name etc but so has DH. Oh forgot the chin hairs! Daily chin watch is now part of my life!😂

Haven't RTFT but I am now sixty and apart from flushes from time to time I have not noticed anything else causing problems. My mother did suffer and had a hysterectomy eventually. I expected the same to be honest but no, thankfully.

I went through it without realising! I had a Mirena coil fitted so wasn't having periods anyway, had a few hot flushes (literally 3 or 4) a year ago but no other symptoms. This year I've had to have multiple sets of blood tests for another issue and the have confirmed I am now menopausal, aged 49.

I have some friends who had no symptoms at all apart from their periods stopping. So unfair!

Oh God don’t say that. I’m 53 this year and have been fine so far, slightly heavier periods and that weird buzzing feeling sometimes but that’s it. I thought I was going to sail through it given my age but maybe I’ve still got it all come 😩

But @TabithaTimeTurner if you’re still having periods you’re not in menopause. I’m 53, periods stopped at 50/51. Flushes started after periods stopped . Dryness took a while to show up so now use estriol cream which is fab.

Apart from never knowing when I was going to get my period (usually on holiday) and what the flow was going to be like, and very minor night swarts, I was relatively unaffected. And when I was out the other side, two decades ago, it was so liberating - no periods, no mood swings, increased self-confidence. I felt I really became myself.

I have two friends who have had no symptoms whatsoever. Me on the other hand I've had every symptom going apart from hot flushes.

You only hear the worst cases, my periods spaced out, haven't had one in about 3 years now so assuming that's me done with them, had hot flashes ( they lasted seconds) for a few weeks and that was it.

It didn't have much of an impact. A short period of foggy brain. My sleep isn't as good as it used to be but that is also linked to age. Stiff joints but also linked to age and weight.

I had hot flushes but enjoyed them. Having hot flushes does not mean you can’t “sail through” the menopause. If you have symptoms but they are of no consequence to you then it is not disruptive to you or your life.

Fair enough, but I suspect it’s fairly niche to enjoy hot flushes. Plus, knowing how my mother likes to make out she’s some sort of medical marvel (no meds needed ever, for anything - think she’d rather die than accept medication) I’m not inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt on this one!

Yes.

No symptoms at all except periods stopping which was a bonus!

My mother is 5 years younger and exactly the same. Other conditions which are "all in the mind" include morning sickness, depression and hayfever. 🙄

Now there is definitely an argument that positive thinking, a healthy balanced diet, good sleep routine, light exercise and things like mindfulness can help some of the symptoms considerably. Bit a bit of positive thinking isn't going to do anything for your atrophic vagina.