When do symptoms of menopause go away?

[BlackInk]

Hi

I'm getting on for three years since my last period. There was no gradual wind-down, no 'peri-menopause', they just stopped out of the blue aged 43.

I've been feeling generally rubbish since around the time my periods stopped. Not all classic symptoms, but GPs I've seen seem to think it's all standard menopause / tired middle-aged working mum stuff.

I've tried a couple of different HRT patches over the 3 years and am currently on Everol Conti. No difference in symptoms.

I suppose my question is, are most menopause symptoms felt in the build up to periods stopping completely? Could symptoms be put down to menopause 3 years after last period?

I've got an appointment at a menopause clinic in a couple of weeks (after being on waiting list for almost a year), have no idea what to expect, and also wonder whether they will consider my symptoms unrelated so long after periods stopping.

Thank you
BI

TBH if you can afford it, it's worth the money seeing a good private menopause consultant, as many NHS meno clinics are staffed by GPs and not necessarily consultants.

What kind of symptoms have you got now?

There are a few options that come to mind that you may not have had suggested.

The first is that at 46, you are still young for post menopause, (you had an early menopause at 43.)

Some drs would favour the oral contraceptive pill Qlaira over HRT for younger women as it's higher in hormones.

Second, sometimes conti HRT gives more side effects as you get 2 hormones daily, and the progestogen part can cause low mood etc.

There is no medical reason why you can't use sequi HRT (though you would get a withdrawal bleed every 4 weeks.)

Thirdly, some of us find natural progesterone better than the synthetic progestogens which are in all other forms of HRT. The brand is Utrogestan and you could take it either as a conti type of sequi.

You could also think about having a Mirena coil and a separate form of estrogen.

Any of these might suit you better and it's a case of suck it and see.

Lastly, are you doing the right things with lifestyle? It's really important to appreciate that HRT can't do it all- daily exercise, at least 30 mins fast walking, a healthy diet with masses of fruit, veg, pulses, nuts, olive oil ( the Mediteranean diet) helps and few refined carbs.

You need to nurture your guts!

To answer the last point- no, symptoms do not go with the last period. Many women only start to have symptoms once periods stop.
This was the case with me- periods stopped around 52-53 and I went onto HRT around that time. I have used HRT for many years now and hope to carry on almost indefinitely as I feel well on it.

Thank you JinglingHellsBells - I think you've helped me before too :)

I've got tons of symptoms. Many are minor and probably normal, but all in all they add up to make me feel grim most of the time. I have a reasonably wholesome lifestyle. At least an hour of brisk walking a day and generally fairly active, although I don't do any formal exercise. Balanced vegetarian diet, not excessively healthy, just normal. Bit of a sweet tooth.

I'll see how the NHS meno clinic goes and will definitely mention the things you've suggested.

Just a few of my afflictions below. I've posted this list on here before though and am worried about coming across as such a hypochondriac!

Stomach and nausea problems, causing weight loss
Muscle/nerve twitching
Sore, burning patches of skin
Stiff, weak, achy joints
Clumsiness
Blurred vision
Angular chelitis
Receding gums
Pins and needles
Poor memory and concentration
Dizziness
Exhaustion
Anxiety
Zero libido

I've got B12 deficiency but GPs not keen to treat it proactively as they don't feel it's responsible for my symptoms...

Might be a long shot but have you thought of seeing a dietician? A lot of what you list can be linked to food intolerances. (Do not waste money on online blood tests- they are not accurate.)

It's worth looking in coeliac- so many people are never diagnosed till adulthood and average age is 40.
www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease-and-dermatitis-herpetiformis/

As a simple trial you could try going gluten-free for a month and see if that make any difference.

www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease-and-dermatitis-herpetiformis/symptoms/

Symptoms
SymptomsThe symptoms of coeliac disease vary from person to person and can range from very mild to severe.

Symptoms of eating gluten, or being ‘glutened’, include diarrhoea, stomach pains and lethargy. The reaction is not the same as an allergic reaction and does not cause anaphylactic shock. The symptoms may last from a few hours to a few days.

Coeliac disease is known as a 'multi system' disorder – symptoms can affect any area of the body. Symptoms differ between individuals in terms of type and severity.

Possible symptoms may include:
severe or occasional diarrhoea, excessive wind and/or constipation
persistent or unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting
recurrent stomach pain, cramping or bloating
any combination of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
anaemia
tiredness
sudden or unexpected weight loss (but not in all cases)
mouth ulcers
skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
tooth enamel problems
depression
liver abnormalities
repeated miscarriages
neurological (nerve) problems such as ataxia (loss of coordination, poor balance) and peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet)
There are other

I've tested negative for coeliacs, but I think I will ask GP about referral to a dietitian or gastroenterologist if I don't get anywhere at the meno clinic. Thank you so much JinglingHellsBells

The only 100% accurate test for ceoliac is a biopsy. Might be worth investigating further. OR in the meantime, try going gluten-free- dea easy now with so many products.

www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-disease/getting-diagnosed/
You shouldn't avoid gluten before any tests but if you have to wait months,, it might be worth trying.

I’m 48 and had a lot of the symptoms on your list, exhaustion, anxiety, low libido, pins and needles, poor concentration and clumsiness. l’ve put weight on, had bowel changes, bladder problems. I just put them down to stress and my age.
Anyway, 4 weeks ago I was rushed to hospital and had a large dermoid ovarian cyst removed. I now feel a million times better, look better, look thinner, the difference is amazing. It’s probably unlikely that you have one, but it’s another potential reason for your symptoms.

I've got B12 deficiency but GPs not keen to treat it proactively as they don't feel it's responsible for my symptoms..
How do they know? Many of the symptoms you list are those characteristic of low b12 so not clear why they wouldn't want to treat. You can't overdose on b12 so there is no harm in giving you some injections and see if you feel better. Do you know what your levels were?

Saying that, these are the same symptoms I suffer from and after being convinced it was due to low b12, I now think that there are menopause related. I believe it is to do with the release of cortisol that is produced by the adrenal glands which take over some production of oestrogen.

It is a horrible feeling and I fully sympathise. Like you, hrt did nothing to help these symptoms on the opposite.

Meandyouandyouandme Thank you. I've actually lost a stone without wanting or needing to in the past year and am pretty slim. I think I would know if I had any large growths? I do sometimes get light spotting after sex, so will mention this at the meno clinic.

swingofthings My B12 was 122 when last measured in October. The range locally is 180-1000 and it turns out I had been below 180 for over a year but no one had mentioned it to me. I did have 5 loading injections (didn't feel noticeably different) but GPs now want to leave me and retest after 6 months. I tested negative for pernicious anemia but have lots of B12 in my diet.
Are you feeling better now?

I'm sorry but your symptoms bear no resemblance to an ovarian cyst.

I suggest you go back toyour GP and ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist. If you look at the coeliac symptoms you tick almost all of them and it says clearly on their website that a blood test can show negative when it's not.

Coeliac can affect bones too- your body won't absorb calcium so, combined with your early menopause, this ma y affect your bone density- though it's good you are on HRT.

Weight loss like you describe should always be taken seriously and you need to insist on seeing a gastro specialist.

I'm so pleased I found this recent post. Recently I have been diagnosed as peri menopausal. For the last year and a half I had exactly the same debilitating symptoms as you BlackInk. I have been offered HRT but opted for the progesterone only pill as I knew I would get this immediately and honestly I couldn't stand another single day of feeling so rotten anymore. I'd lost 4 stone through vomiting and diarrhea. I couldn't sleep, eat, pains tingling and nausea every single day. Constantly fobbed off at the doctor's and hospital that I was suffering from anxiety! Thought I was dying to be honest. I insisted last month I get my hormone levels tested. I was also tested for coaliec disease and ultrasounds. All came back great except the hormone levels.

12 days ago I started the progesterone only pill which I took immediately as soon as I left the pharmacy. I'd been bleeding/spotting for 80 days straight and still am. The only difference now is the nausea, blurred vision and stomach problems have disappeared. I've put on nearly half a stone and I was so hungry for the first time in what feels like forever. The other ailments are irritating but seem muffled like it's there but so much easier to deal with. I feel 80% better. I would like to feel 100% better so HRT might just be the answer. I know the progesterone is helping with the most debilitating things I had so I'm concerned about trying something that could make me sick again.

I asked myself the same question today. 'will this end?' and I found you. Please let us know what eventually does help you overcome this and thank you.

You are definitely low on b12 and that would certainly explained your symptoms. When it's been left for long and Neurological symptoms have kicked in, it can take more than the loading dose to start to feel better and it is a tuslly common flto feel worse than before.

Your gp is right though that to do further tests you must have had no injection for 4 months (not 6 months though). How long has it been since you last injection? Waiting all that time can feel forever when you are feeling so poorly though.

Go on the pernicious anemia society forum site as there's loads of info there, even for those who don't have the illness but suffer from low vit b12.

It sounds like typical Meno symptoms to me due to estrogen loss. I was in the same boat 2 years ago and convinced that I had lupus or a kind of terminal disease. Hrt solved almost everything, check your hormones and find a hrt that suits you. Hope it helps!

Hi Jendan75 It's definitely the stomach issues that cause me the most grief, so it's interesting to hear that progesterone has made such a difference for you. I've been using Everol Conti HRT patches for around a year. They contain oestrogen and progesterone but my stomach problems have got worse not better in that time. I'll speak to the menopause consultant about trying a contraceptive pill instead when I see them in a couple of weeks. Will let you know how I get on!

swingofthings I had 5 B12 injections over 2 weeks in November, so due to be retested in May. I'm confused and frustrated though because NICE guidelines say that B12 should never be retested once treatment has started, unless deficiency is due to a restricted diet. NICE also says I should have been referred to a neurologist and gastroenterologist (due to neurological and stomach symptoms) but GPs say they do not follow NICE guidelines they follow local guidelines.

Thank you Emerald13 that's exactly how I feel. I've had basic hormone tests I think. GP just says that they confirm I am menopausal but I don't really know what that means!

BI

Its so lovely to be able to share these experiences. I should mention that most of the Google searches I've done tend to hit a brick wall when it comes to the relation of menopause and digestive problems. Even my own doctor said it wasn't related. However, as I researched more about it I found that low progesterone can cause nausea and nausea stems from the digestive system so I bought myself a menopause test for under £3 on eBay to see if if it was a hormone issue. I'm 43, the doctor's kept saying I was too young to be tested. The test measures Follicle-stimulating hormone. My test was positive so I went to the doctor's equipped with the new found knowledge that my fsh levels are elevated and this prompted a much needed blood test. I'd become convinced that I needed progesterone immediately haha. I asked what my levels were and they are currently 33. My doctor is still not convinced that my stomach issues are menopause related. But my stomach issues have disappeared completely with the progesterone boost.

Doctor has arranged a colonoscopy to be on the safe side. In 2 weeks I will be having that and I'm quite looking forward to losing a few pounds with the special (nasty drink) I'll be taking to clear me out. My new found appetite is insatiable!

I'm concerned about osteoporosis as progesterone only pill doesn't protect against it. I'm looking for tailor made hrt that contains high progesterone with a sprinkling of estrogen. We ladies know what our bodies want.

Probably no help but I had lots.of symptoms like your that I didn't even think were caused by meno. I got hrt for hot flushes ( a year after periods stipped) and after 6 months it's sorted almost all my problems.

No that does help Fazackerley. My doctor's I think was 'text book talking' and seemed to think I was suffering from hot flushes/headaches and mood swings as my most debilitating ailment. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what a hot flush is....is it when your skin burns/tingles/crawls and you wake up in a puddle of sweat? I had put that down to nausea resulting in panic. Although my nausea has gone for now I'm still sweating and tingling occasionally but not panicking. I'd read hot flushes/headache/cramps are symptoms of low estrogen levels. What HRT are you on? If it's ok to ask

My hot flushes were sudden bursts of heat accompanied by prickling. Spent months just wanting to lay in the snow naked. I am on a really low dose! 1mg elleste

Yes that's it! Prickling is a great way to describe it. I've spent many 2am trips to the garden especially wonderful on these colds night we've been having. And yes, I often wondered if I just lay on the frosty grass would it stop, so I totally get that. I'm dreading the summer which is a shame. Thank you

I'm concerned about osteoporosis as progesterone only pill doesn't protect against it. I'm looking for tailor made hrt that contains high progesterone with a sprinkling of estrogen. We ladies know what our bodies want.

I'm not sure why you'd want this!
estrogen is the feel-good hormone.

There is no such product (as you say you'd like) and at a young age you will need a good whack of estrogen to protect your bones and heart.

Too much progesterone is not good and will make you feel tired.
There are regulated and licensed types of HRT where the 2 hormones are in the ratio they need to be.

Honestly, I'm fairly new to this. I'd only got so far as to know estrogen could ease the headaches and hot flushes. I had no idea that estrogen was the feel good hormone. Most of my knowledge on progesterone stems from the nausea I had and where my brain has been so foggy I just felt hell bent on trying to find it's cause and didn't research further. I know nothing about hrt and that's why I'm on this thread. I just want physical and emotional well-being intact as we all do. I have read briefly that hrt can make you sick if it's not the right one and seriously im scared of being sick again. I find it unbearable to live with. I'm relieved and shocked about my diagnoses and feel a little overwhelmed by it all.

A couple of things- when you did the DIY FSH test it could have been wrong; these home kits are not accurate. No dr would suggest women used them.

The one your dr did- when was it done?

FSH has to be done between day 2 and 5 of a cycle, and repeated the next cycle.

Anything outside this range is not accurate.

HRT does not usually cause people to feel sick. The only way it does it if the estrogen is too high a dose- so the sick feeling is the same as morning sickness. I was slightly queasy for a few days but it settled down (I've used HRT for 11 years.)

Why are you on the POP?
The usual treatment for young women with early menopause or severe peri is the combined pill - Qlaira is often used.

what symptoms if the POP supposed to be helping with?

Thank you for getting back so soon. I did the home test 6 weeks ago and the doctor 2 weeks after that. The hormone test I did at home only measured up to 25 but came up positive straight away. I've no way to tell if I'm actually going through my cycle as I've bled continuously for 80 days now. From mild to heavy, mucus, orangy/brown, thick and thin. I've seen 3 gynecologists in that time and had internal and external scans and they find nothing causing it.

My doctor has requested I go for another hormone test in 3 months.

The progesterone only pill was prescribed for the nausea diarrhea and sickness. My doctor did stress that he would prefer for me to go on hrt. I'm going to make another appointment to see him again about hrt because I was kind of eager for the sickness to stop and just wanted to get out if there before I passed out. It's been hard to leave the house without passing out or messing myself. These pills have given me the boost I needed to function and think straighter so feel better able to find something better.

I realised 2 days ago that my hormones must be fluctuating so that makes sense to me now what you have said and the fact I'm going for another blood test (still taking a while for the penny to drop)

I wondered if when I was literally bedridden for 2 weeks every month and recovering for 2 weeks if when I started taking the pill 12 days ago it would normally have been my recovery time because I was bedridden just before I dragged myself to the doctor's. this last 2 days I've felt like I have all of the symptoms back except nausea/sickness/and diarrhea. So maybe I would normally be bedridden at this time of the month.....if that makes sense? I couldn't hardly speak without vomiting so the progesterone is definitely helping but I'm missing the estrogen for sure.

It's so reassuring to know you have had hrt for 11 years and it's working well for you. I'm going to ask about qlaira. You sound like you know your stuff and I can't thank you enough.