To be really, genuinely annoyed we have to go through menopause

[OptimismvsRealism]

Honestly it's hard not to suspect that nature hates women - I feel like a second class member of the species

I hate the constant anxiety in my life now, hate that the choice to have a baby is probably gone, hate that no one respects older women (I always did!! I knew this would come for me eventually!), hate how long it takes to be "ready" for sex now

Why isn't this cured yet? If men had menopause it would be.

This is super interesting, thank you. May I ask what the other two gifts are?

You do come "out the other side" as far as symptoms are concerned as many of the negative symptoms that people experience are a result of fluctuations in hormone levels

At sone point these stabilise to a new lower level and for most people this means fewer problems , although sone people can suffer things like osteoporosis as a result

... heart disease
vaginal atrophy
oesteoporosis is one of the biggest killers,
all sorts of not in any way temporary symptoms

"Also, I've noticed a big uptick in 'menopause is awful and needs to be managed' information just as menopause has become a business opportunity"

Or maybe it's always been awful just that it wasn't talked about in the past.

Genuine question as this confuses me. What is ‘out the other side’ if you are on HRT? How do you know when you are out the other side? And if I have to taper off HRT because of my age, then that’s creating another hormone fluctuation in itself. I don’t understand how we are supposed to cope long term.

Which supplements please? And what are the issues with coming of HRT? Also, do people know how long you can be on it? A friend's mum was still having hot flushes in her 80s!

You really can't do everything a man can.

I mean you are kidding right?? I am assuming you are in your 30's possibly 40's. I havent had a period in 15 years. I STILL get hot flushes, my knees and joints ache ALL THE TIME. I have brain fog and write lists so I dont forget simple things. I pee in the night and never sleep through. there is no other side or stabilising at least not amongst all the women I know. its shite.

I think it's both TBH.
It needs to be managed and supported properly, but there is also too much scaremongering.

I'm 65 and out of your list I have arthritis in a big toe. I don't have anything else you list.

Which supplements please? And what are the issues with coming of HRT? Also, do people know how long you can be on it? A friend's mum was still having hot flushes in her 80s!

A 'Well Woman 50+' supplement (I suspect I was anaemic, so I actually think it was probably the iron that did most good) and Ashwagandha, which has been frankly miraculous. It got rid of my anxiety within a week and a half, to the point that I felt like a different person and still do, 6 months on. There's been some decent research on it actually. It may not work for everyone as strongly as it worked for me, I guess. I know someone who said it gave her headaches.

My mum was on HRT for decades until a new gp refused to prescribe it any more. She got her menopausal symptoms back and has basically never been the same since. The worst issue was terrible insomnia, which she still has at nearly 80. I would ask for HRT if my symptoms were debilitating and if nothing else was working, but I'd rather avoid it if I can.

I said 'may be' but don't let that get in the way of your outrage.

Thanks. I take Ashwagandha and haven't noticed anything special with it.
I actually would have avoided any multi-vit for 50+ women because I would have presumed that by 50+ they meant post menopause and therefore with a lower iron need. I take a mutli-vit with plenty of iron because I have fibroids. I've noticed my hair thinning so I wonder if I still need a bit more iron, as the hairdresser suggested.

Thanks for the answer re. your mum.
Does anyone know whether women can take it right into old age?

With the exception of penetrating a woman, what can't women do that men can please?

I don't believe anything in the armed.services is now off limits. There may be some physiological differences, an example of which is evidenced by the angle of the hips and anterior cruciate ligament injuries but in the context of careers and activities please define what women can't do.

I actually would have avoided any multi-vit for 50+ women because I would have presumed that by 50+ they meant post menopause and therefore with a lower iron need.

I don't tolerate iron supplements well, so I guess that the slightly lower amount in the 50+ supplement is ok for me!

Yes, they can do.
In some countries in Europe that's far more common than the UK. My Mum at 84 is still on Premarin. She's always falling over & we reckon she would have broken her hip/ other major bones many times without it.

You take it as long as you like. Keeps you healthy into old age.

I would never take Premarin (I thought it was now banned) it is the very old type, made from pregnant Mares urine.

HRT has come on leaps and bounds;
Take the body identical gel (made from Yams) no contact with the liver etc. Low to no risk. Benefits all the way.

We have on average half the upper body strength of a man. That obviously affect what we can push and carry. There are other things also of course.

Most countries in Europe you can buy it OTC. (I do)

Well, there is HRT thankfully.

I found menopause a great relief. My monthly crippling migraines were 99% gone, my cold sore outbreaks were 99% gone. I didn't have any issues going through menopause, I had a hysterectomy and ovaries removed so it all happened overnight, no hot flushes, no brain fog just liberation. I'm sorry it isn't like that for everyone but on the otherhand I did suffer the migraines and coldsores for over 30 years so I guess I deserved a reward.

Which not everyone can take and which, from reading experiences here, doesn't seem to solve the problems for all women.

Interesting. I was under the impression that a menopause brought on suddenly by removal of ovaries would be much more violent because you're immediately with an extremely low level of female hormones rather than seeing a gradual decline.

I whole heartedly second this - and if you want kids basically you must plan to do so before 35 and that is a lot of pressure!!!

It’s not all bad op!

I took hrt initially but it didn’t do much for me so I stopped.

But I felt a great sense of freedom after years of menstrual issues.

And, contrary to popular belief, my libido came back after years of taking the pill.