If you are post menopause how do you feel?

[cantheydothisreally]

And what would you tell a peri meno woman?

49 and need some hope 😞

I hit the full menopause at 45. Nothing since. It's so liberating. I didn't have HRT and feel great. Bone density, after decades of walking and bedtime glass of milk, is stratospheric.

I did have ghastly night-time hot flushes (not sweats) and my lovely GP prescribed Citalopram off licence and it worked wonders. Half a tablet of the lowest dose an hour before bed. If you are taking it for depression it doesn't work in the same way, apparently.

spanelsarepainless
Sounds like smooth sailing for you 😊

Menopause was actually fine for me, I think I was a bit of a moody cow for a bit but nothing awful. No need for medication or doctor’s visits. Unfortunately I then got an especially nasty type of breast cancer…… Serves me right for feeling smug 😁

peanutbutterontoad
Thank you for posting I appreciate you sharing your experience of menopause and I am sorry to hear about the breast cancer diagnosis.

I am also keen to hear stories from women who've had a difficult menopause and are through the other side.

I feel fine - relieved to no longer have periods. No hot flushes, no symptoms at all really. But fuck me, I’ve aged in the past few years.

panidomu aged in what way?😊

Peri was shit for me, mostly moodwise. HRT was a lifesaver. Was on it for several years, then I had a heart attack and I was no longer allowed it. The heavy periods that the HRT had encouraged stopped dead, and apart from the occasional hot flush I’m fine. Hang in there, it does get better!

My periods stopped at 50 and I thought that was it but it was 5 years later that I really started to feel the effects. Sleeplessness, anxiety, joint pain,memory issues. I never really had flushes during the day but used to overheat at night. HRT was not a complete cure all but it did have a huge effect. If I’m late changing my patch, I don’t sleep.

Things that have helped and I wish I’d started before. Yoga and swimming, low carb , lots of water. I barely drink now. Can’t tolerate red wine at all.

I went into peri at 48 and reached menopause in April this year, I’m now 55. I didn’t do HRT though I did have a few rubbish years. Lots of hot flushes (no night sweats) through work meetings and all night, waking me up and making me tired. Extreme heavy periods to the extent that I didn’t go into the office many times, I’d never missed work for periods before. Also bleeding at a low level for months at a time. Joint aches and pains. Low mood, low energy, very snappy. At about 53 my periods began to get less heavy and less frequent and just tailed off, this is brilliant. The hot flushes come and go , I have them for a few weeks but then they disappear for a month or so. In any case they are less intense and occurring less often, i think they are on their way out. Energy levels on the way back up, less achy too. Overall I feel I’m emerging from it and am very relieved. And no periods ever again - this is brilliant. I do feel older though, as though a milestone has passed, but I am relatively happy about this.

Pretty grim to be honest,
Periods stopped at 48. Now aged 51.
Flushes, insomnia, aches, irritability, dry body, loss of libido, mood swings.

Yep hell!

I went on HRT. It's helped a bit, but not a lot.

My sleep is shocking.

If I don't take a certain dose of HRT, my bladder creates havoc and I'm weeing every half an hour.

I see no end in sight 🤦‍♀️

I'm 54, blood tests by GP say I am through menopause, but I haven't really noticed it - I had a mirena coil from 46 which stopped my periods and may have helped with any other symptoms I might otherwise have had. Generally feeling fine.

No periods now for 2 years but suddenly ache all over, even my hands ache. Feeling hot again too and feel and look really old all of a sudden. I'm going to talk to the GP about HRT next week because I don't want to feel like this.

My bladder is very sensitive too and the size of a thimble. Hoping HRT will help.

I went through it in my very early 40's. That was 15 years ago and, other than a few hot sweats, I don't feel any different. I didn't take HRT (despite the PA comments from my GP). My hair is still as thick and unruly as it ever was and I've got no issues with my skin or energy levels. All I can say is everybody will have different experiences of menopause some good, some bad.

My menstruation years were so horrible, with agonising pain, that I welcomed the menopause, which happened at 50 for me. It was like a tap switching off and a few hot flushes, but nothing compared to what I had endured over the years.
I hadn't many lines on my face but they have come on a bit more post menopause, I have vaginal dryness, get more tired, hair is thinner. Nothing unexpected, as I'm nearer 70 than 60.
I'm a lot more settled mood wise and happy!

I was thrown into the menopause head first at 46 because of breast cancer treatment. It was horrendous, I had every symptom going! And of course couldn’t take HRT.

Im now 54 and had my ovaries and womb out last year. So definitely post menopause. I have bone density loss and vaginal atrophy. Finally changed breast surgeon to a woman who is young up to date and dynamic. She is starting me on vaginal oestrogen.

When asked to do something I don't want to do, I now feel totally free to stand my ground and say no.

I care far less about other people's opinions of me. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I no longer tolerate any nonsense from anyone. It's very liberating.

Oh, I forgot. What would I tell a peri woman? Do not allow yourself to be fobbed off by your GP.

Such varied experiences I am pleased people are sharing them, good and bad.

Reassuring for me that there is life on the other side😊

Anyone else about to offer their experiences?

I'm 43, nearly 44.

Great thread.

Please keep your experiences coming... 😀

I love it - I rather feel like the previous 40 years I was captured by hormones and now I feel like me again

Advice to self
Keep going with the exercise - if makes you feel better and once out the other side you can really do amazing stuff

I was about 55 when my.periods stopped. Hardly any hot flushes, and the ones I had were when I was feeling stressed, so I do yoga every day and meditate most days. I gave up gluten and felt it suited me, so rarely eat bread, cakes etc, and my skin improved. Am not fussed about drinking (so might have a glass of wine if eating out but never buy alcohol for home). Really hate the smell of cooking meat now. Last Christmas didn't want any turkey! I have a couple of friends who've said the same about not fancying meat anymore. So,would be all good, but I got long Covid two years ago and although most of the symptoms have gone I can't go on long hikes any more and have to pace myself. But am gradually getting more energy and don't feel tired mid-afternoon as I used to before the menopause, although I get tired in the evenings like I did when the dch were small. I have smart scales that show the yoga (presumably) is increasing my muscle mass. I refuse to go downhill it I can help it! So not feeling I need HRT at all.
I think exercise, rest, a plant-based diet and not eating crap are the secret! But we all know that already, don't we?

I had a couple of years of erratic periods then they stopped. I did have some hot flushes but they weren't bad and I found they were far fewer and milder if I cut back on carbs (sadly, wine was a particular trigger for me). My worst symptom was brain fog and poor memory but I found strategies to manage and over time it just faded away.
I have never done HRT by choice as I never got on with the pill or other hormonal treatments. I still have good bone density and am probably healthier now than pre-menopause, mainly as adjusting my diet has helped me lose over 3 stone.
Hang in there, it will get better!