Positive symptoms of peri/menopause?

[Periperinotsospicy]

Just that..

So I have lots of negatives but balancing my significant brain fog is this weird calm feeling that I haven't had before.

I was like this for about four years and then it just disappeared overnight.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is it likely gone for good or might it come back?
It was literally like I’ve been switched off. I don’t know what to think.

I'm not sure I can think of any positives of peri-menopause, but menopause is great.

No periods - that is fucking awesome.
Therefore no hormonal mood swings - again awesome.
Definitely less fucks given.
I feel like my thinking is clearer, calmer, more rational and less emotion driven.

Oh! My migraines have gone too! Completely disappeared. 🎉

When I read so many people pleasing threads on mumsnet I wish the posters who are struggling could realise just how freeing it is to be able to refuse an invitation/to do a chore you don't want to do/please someone being unreasonable by just being politely assertive.

I feel that these posters need assertiveness training in being able to say no without offending, especially when they feel guilt tripped into having unwanted guests at Christmas/going to an expensive hen do abroad/going to a child free destination wedding etc.

I just don't get guilt tripped into anything because people know that when I say "that doesn't work for me" I mean it and it is non negotiable.

One thing l have noticed with menopause and beyond is less hair growth ..eg: on legs. Had to have waxing nonstop for all those years and now a tiny bit that l can whip off with a razor now and then. No planning holdays or events or wearing white jeans around periods..they're gone forever and l actually cannot image how l ever had them all those years. Don't waste time worrying about friends, social occasions etc...l am who l am now and people either accept me or don't..l am past caring!

Lots more sex. Thanks testosterone

Fewer hormonal side effects - no more crying or massive PMT breasts - thanks Mirena

Better skin and happier mood - thanks oestrogen patches!

The spots I've had for the last 30 years have gone. My skin isn't amazing now but not having to conceal spots every day is such a lovely feeling.

The not giving a fuck is definitely the best one. I wish it was 100% consistent but there is a real peace to it.
And nature?! Seeing the loveliness in small things.
Since reading this my body has decided to wake at 4am. And want to go to bed at 8pm. Not very realistic but I can definitely try.
The bloody itching make 4am wake times less pleasant though but maybe that will motivate me to do something early doors.

Just not caring like I did anymore I find it empowering especially around what men think or wanting to be seen as desirable. I will also say no to anything that I do not want to attend socially rather than make excuses or go and spend the day hoping there shall be some temporary non threatening to life disaster that hits the area I am going to

I just don't give a fuck like I did and I love it 😍

For me it outweighs the negatives, which haven't been too bad but I have been lucky compared to some of my friends

I am more content with my life than ever, money is short, I would like to work part time but can't, I have worries that many of us have but I never ever felt this content before and its really nice to be at peace with myself (most of the time)

and of course no periods, but I still get slight period pains and symptoms but the coil has made my periods very very light

A cheap stuff from Superdrug, I have always been anti eye masks because I love waking up with daylight and I hate being pitch black, but this one is white, let the light go through.

In my case, it helps because I tend to sleep with my eyes slightly open. I also put a cream (Hycosan Night) in my eyes before going to bed, that makes everything look fuzzy like I'm in an American soap opera.

Are you not taking HRT (if you can)? The Health benefits are massive - preventative agsinst heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, bowel cancer, diabetes, auto immune disease etc etc.

Same!!!

I have been waking up early and feeling like I have had a good sleep I rarely have before I didn’t put this down to perimenopause

but I do often feel very tired throughout the day it comes in waves

Jealous. My already fine, straight hair has just got thinner. Even the greys coming in aren’t any thicker. I was promised thick, wavy grey hair 😭

I’m on the verge of splashing out in hair extensions. The fact that I work in a an office full of young, female law with gorgeous swishy hair isn’t helping things.

Im looking forward this happening.

Just found this thread..what a refreshing stance on the whole messy menopause business!

I wake up the same time every day too, I inherited it from my DM! I love being awake so early especially in the spring when it feels like it's just me and the birds awake!

Me too! My periods last for about two hours then stop! And the cramps are far more manageable and one day only instead of a whole week.

Assertiveness, plain speaking, and no periods. Just given my needy, oversensitive line manager a good talking to, the egotistical man-child.

Sex drive amazing
better sex
Look better
less spots
less fucks given
inner calm

I've let a lot of stuff just.. go. Jobs and responsibilities that i don't have the brain space for anymore, i've just stopped doing them. I let other people help more and i'm less bothered when something slips or doesn't get done to my old standards. I don't feel obliged to do things i don't like.

I give myself a lot more time now. I do things for myself like, moisturising my skin daily, using expensive perfume and luxury hair products. I read more books an magazines. I have developed an interest in films, i make jewellery, learn to brew ginger beer, redesign a flower bed, I do more creative things.

I no longer have greasy hair.
I hardly ever have to shave my legs, the hair stopped growing
I care less about what others think
I appreciate the small things in life
Skin is better
Periods are shorter (although, granted, heavier)
I drink less alcohol because it gives me anxiety and generally doesn’t agree with me

Libido! I thought I was happy with my sex life before, had high and lows when the kids were little and other times, like everybody else

but no one warned me that if sex life was great before, it's becomes phenomenal!
I hope every woman who get their life back like that has a man who can match it 😂

I am not going back to a less fabulous sex life ever, I'll take any pill I have to take if necessary.

As above, the pores have finally disappeared too.

Not giviing a fuck is the best one.

unfortunately that is applying to my DH too so I can actually see us splitting up as he is irritating the fuck out of me nowadays and is such a grumpy miserable bastard.

I think I’m headed the same way for the same reasons. How is life on ‘the other side’ @PrincessFairyWren?