Anyone actually been through the menopause and come out the other side?

[OrmIrian]

If so please can you tell me how long it is likely to take. I am fairly sure that it's on it's way. 3 periods in just under 6 weeks, sooo tired, retaining water almost constantly. This has been happening on and off for over a year. I know I could go to the GP but I'm not getting any serious symptoms as yet. And it's not as if I'm ill, just going through a natural phase. But I am getting fed up with it.

I'm 43 and I guess this could just be the early stages. Any experiences ?

Yeah, me. But it was hard to tell when it began because I had a Mirena, so af minimal anyway. Some peoples afs get heavier.

I had a few night sweats but that is all. Absolutely easy peasy......its not an illness, after all.

I didn't go to Dr. Why? What could they do?

I do remember a GP friend saying some people's afs stop suddenly, others go dribbing and drabbing on for ages. You might get 6 months without and then it starts again for a few months...that happened to me.

Sorry to sound so brisk Easy for me to say its a doddle, just because it was for me IYSWIM.

Orm - there is a menopause section I think but it's not very well populated. I think we probably have our heads in the sand.

I'm 45 this year and am in a similar situation to you. My periods have been getting closer together for quite some time - I'm looking forward to them being further apart. I take iron supplements just before I'm due as I know I get anaemic easily and it makes me really tired. And the water thing too. I've noticed particularly this last year that my skin is much less elastic - loads more wrinkles on my face and generally looking older. It's a bit of a shock TBH because I'm not feeling old on the inside.

There was an older thread with a list of menoapuse symptoms (about 30 I think) and I have most of them. I could find it for you but it may just make you depressed!

Thanks. Yes I've noticed my skin getting older.... horrible I thought that it was down to losing weight but now I guess it might be just age.

I'm just a tad concerned that as my face is heading downwards so might my pelvis floor

Pelvic

shall we all just sit down and cry girls?

46. periods are now eratic but always when I am on holiday or out for a special evening etc etc. And about 10 days usually. And skin is looking older with DD asking me about my wrinkly hands. I don't have night sweats and I am just going to continue to eat and drink well and excercise. Still in the early days I think but I am just getting on with it to see how it pans out. Ho hum

Nooooooooooooo!

43? But I'm only 43!

I'm just not, not ready for it.

Another thing - I'm changing shape despite doing eating what I usually eat and running. I've always had bigger hips and a small(ish) waist but I'm putting on around my middle and I hate it. My waist was my best bit.

Oh bloody, bloody hell.

My waist is my biggest bit already, surely it couldn't get bigger?

Sorry Orm, I'm not helping am i?

cadelaide

singing with you !

i am ignore all facts and information to the contrary and just continuing on with the belief that if I feel about 26 inside then I should just be 26.
So I am happily looking at all the sundresses and pink shoes and peasant tops in the shops and ignoring the sad reality that is my mirror.

I am going to be one of those women. My poor children

Here is the other thread It's quite funny actually so even though we may be menopausal we haven't lost our sense of humour. Not yet anyways. The 34 signs link is towards the beginning of the thread.

cadelaide - denial is a sign. Sorry

But don't order the book. Twig says it's rubbish.

But where did the time go?

I was so young yesterday, and time's whizzing by faster and faster.

Why not keep your head in the sand and not worry? You may be one of the lucky ones, like my friend who only realised when clearing out the bathroom cupboard that she had not needed any 'protection' for over a year. No problems whatsover.

Me? I had the lot, sweats, water retention, migraine, lots of heavy bleeds - 34 days continuous one time and once exactly 14 days during a fortnight's holiday! If you are thus unlucky then definately go to see a preferably male doctor (much more sympathetic). They put me on a special kind of HRT which stops bleeding and gave me my life back. Finally stopped HRT after 8/9 years, then aged 56 - one withdrawal slight bleed and nothing thereafter. Still get the hot flushes though....

My Mum sailed through it, no probs at all.

This is not making me feel better. But thanks anyway...

At least I'm not alone... that has to be a comfort.

Thanks granny.

You'll probably be fine then cadelaide. Your experience may well mirror your mum's . I don't think that my mum got off lightly. And what was Mother Nature thinking in giving us the menopause along side teenage children (well me anyway)?

Update to OP. 4 periods in 8 weeks. Gawd help me

I would take some iron like Floradix or something if you are having that many periods because you're going to get knackered aren't you.

I haven't had a period now since January. They've taken my hormone levels and it's not low enough to be menopausal but not high enough to menstruate so chances are, I'm starting it too but they don't seem to know. I think it's a pretty inexact science this menopause lark!

go and see the gp at least then you will have options..i wouldnt put up with endless periods like that

i take evening primrose oil

Thanks. I will try the iron and the epo. I am totally knackered atm which is probably caused by this.

Will try to get a GP's appointment zippi. Rarer than hen's teeth.

Wish my periods disappeared rather than got me frequent. Costing a fortune in tampons for a start.

I hate a spate of close ones before they decided to stop (although it feels like they are coming back tbh) so maybe you are due a bit of a break.

no wonder you are knackered, you poor thing!

hate a spate?! had a spate..

lol at hate a spate. I'm certainly hating this spate.