I am dreading the menopause!

[Twoweekcruise]

I’m 45 soon and have been feeling a bit shitty for the last couple of years.
My anxiety (always been anxious) has been sky high recently, I ache all over a lot of the time even though I exercise most days, regular but very heavy periods, IBS flaring up, depression, a bit more forgetful than usual and just a general feeling of malaise.
I’ve been wondering if I’m peri menopausal and have been taking a keen interest on any articles on the subject of the menopause, radio discussions and here on MN etc.
But from most of the tales I read about on here or elsewhere it seems to be a rollercoaster of horrible physical and emotional symptoms, weight gain, drying up and generally feeling like shit for a long, long time 😫
I’ve been slim all of my life and work hard to maintain a size 8-10 but fear that will all have been for nothing because I’ll just put on extra weight which I’ll struggle to shift, If Yasmin Le Bon says she’s put on an extra layer of ‘padding’ (Ive been reading her piece in Red magazine) then there is no hope!
Seriously though, any suggestions how to prepare for the onslaught? I know I can ask for HRT but I suffer from optical migraines and my GP is always reluctant to offer any hormone based medication and I certainly don’t want to put myself at risk of a stroke as they run in my family.

I'm 44 and feel the same.
The anxiety is absolutely crippling, I'm also really easily distractef ( i wasnt before). Im getting late onset ADHD, I'm sure. Right when i need to get back into f.t work!

Not all women suffer with the menopause - I didn't! Admittedly I had a Mirena fitted until early 50s so wasn't having periods anyway, but I can't say I had hot flushes or any other symptoms really. I had the coil taken out eventually and never experienced any more periods so figured menopause must have come and gone without me noticing.

I DID gain weight from early 50s though, but have found a weight loss plan that suits me and am now only a few pounds heavier than I was.

I have found it a lot harder to lose weight now at my age, but again it's not a given that you will pile the pounds on and not be able to shift them.

There are also a lot of natural supplements out there, rather than relying on HRT.

But you dont know that it’ll be an onslaught do you? And the symptoms you describe now.. why do you put them down to peri menopause? I wouldn’t. I’d see the dr and ask for blood tests as a first port of call and I’d also think about what might be best placed to help the anxiety. Too many symptoms seems to be explained away with ‘oh it’s the menopause.’

I’m not saying it can’t be of course, I’m not a doctor. I’m 46 and still have regular periods but of course I know it’s somewhere on the horizon at some point.

Lots of women can and do get through the menopause just fine with minimal symptoms. Don’t be fobbed off with ‘ it’s the menopause’ when it could just as easily be thyroid/ depression/ anaemia related

phoenix the anxiety is the worse bit for me too!
Rather I will start looking into things to help. Good to hear a positive story 😄
Bat Ive been to GP and have had various tests other than being aneamic which I'm getting sorted, thyroid function, ceoliac, vitamin B12 etc all fine!?

I’m peri, I do find it harder to keep my weight down but it just needs determination. I watch my calories, don’t eat any junk & exercise every day. It can be done

Well, what worked for me was St Johns Wort and 5-HTP. Before I started taking them.I had terrible rage and anxiety and clumsiness.

Sadly I have put on nearly 3 stone since peri started. I hate it SO much. I eat the same and still so loads of exercise. I have realised that I need to really eat like I am.on a diet just to maintain my weight. I find this the worst part now I have solved The Rage.

Indeed loveka the weight gain is a bitch! It eventually came down to what I hated more - being overweight or living on a diet. For me, it was being overweight. So I have devised an ongoing diet that keeps the weight under control but still allows me some leeway for cheats & treats. Simply cannot live without chocolate!!

(Carbs and refined sugar are the devil's work. If you can find a way to live without them, or almost live without them, the rest is relatively simple.)

I'm 42 and on hrt. My biggest concern is about the long term consequences of the lack of estrogen to my body, especially my brain. I wonder if hrt can counteract all these or is just a little estrogen supply. I don't feel that I'm on meno, my symptoms disappeared but I don't know how my body will function years later.

Migraine is not a reason not to use HRT- read the info on the Migraine Trust site- sets this out clearly and if necessary show your GP or when the time comes ask for a referral to a specialist.

Weight- you don't have to put on weight. Women use the menopause as an excuse tbh! metabolism changes midlife for women AND men! It's a case of eating less and exercising more. I eat about 1/3rd less than I could before. I'm still an 8-10 and weigh the same as ever, (under 8st) but it takes willpower- doesn't just happen.

I'm on HRT and hope to be forever unless anything changes. For me the small risk outweighs the benefits I get.