What's it like on the other side?

[crackofdoom]

I've never seen this question asked, yet surely it's the most important one of all. What's it like once you've been through the menopause? Does it get better- ever?

I'm on HRT, but still get symptoms- the one which bothers me most is the tiredness, but also aching joints and weight gain. Is this the new normal, or can I look forward to a future in which I get my energy back?

There is no other side.
Once you are without estrogen, you are without it for life.

The 'other side' is really about how peri symptoms subside (or not.)
Interestingly, between 10-15% of women have them forever, although many don't. But the long term effects of no estrogen affect all women to an extent.

Bone density falls, women's risk of heart disease rises so it is the same risk as men's, and there is increasing evidence that dementia may be linked to loss of estrogen as most people with dementia are women.

There is no other side

(wails)

Is it the scrapheap for us then? 😭

Oh yeah, the forgetfulness, also (forgot that one 😆)
I used to have an excellent memory...

Is that forever?

Don’t want to put you off or anything but

The aches & pains never go away and might get worse. Sore joints, stiffness.
Weariness can be an issue. Low energy sometimes, not always.
Poor sleep, in fits and starts, insomnia, no real sleep pattern.
Painful sex & general dryness might arise, so if it matters to you, get that sorted asap. It can be very uncomfortable but can be managed with the right medication.
Sad to say it’s a general run down hill to old age. Mind over matter needs to be cultivated! 🙄

I’m on a full package of HRT, and plan to stay on it for the rest of my life. I know I’m lucky to respond well to HRT, and I have a great GP who has helped optimise what I do take, but maybe it’s time for a review of your prescription? I had to double my oestrogen a couple of years back. (And added testosterone).

Well, yes, there is no other side but just to shine in a ray of light...I'm 51, no periods for about 5 years. I no longer have debilitating hot flushes, although I occasionally still get a warm-ish flush. Not having periods is fab. Much cheaper too! I'm a bit tired but nothing major. I feel strong and fit and even though I look different, I don't really feel any different. My skin is no longer itchy, my brain fog is gone, anxiety is better (much better since I dumped my abusive ex 😁) and I sleep really well. Yes, I've got a few issues still knocking around but I'm managing just fine. Oh and no hrt for me...just lots of supplements and vagifem.

Oh yes - all downhill - once your doc refuses HRT after a certain age, you just crumble away!

A good reason to carpe diem!

I talked to my (70-something) DM and aunt about this and they said that while some things get better, other things remain the same or get worse. For them, hot flushes eventually tailed off, but body temperature regulation is an issue, hot weather is really hard to deal with, they feel very hot at night and only sleep with very light covers, even in the middle of winter. Sleep problems have persisted. Moods and anxiety/depressive feelings remain an issue. Vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, dry and thinning skin/hair get worse, although there are at least treatment options and products that can help. This is why I take HRT and plan to stay on it, because this isn't about a say 5-year phase of life - this is IT - forever more.

Weirdly enough, I'm liking the positive posts a lot more than the negative ones 😆

ladygardener I'm already on Evorel 75 + Utrogestan. And sometimes apply an extra half patch if I'm feeling rubbish 😳. I could ask the GP about upping my dose (again), but had the impression 100mg was the upper ceiling?

I’m through then other side so to speak, had a reasonably good meno, I think Peri started early as I remember going to my Dr with issues and being fobbed off as I was too young @ 43 and it was going to get much worse and save the HRT for then. It never got worse, I managed, I’ve always kept my weight down and times it started creeping up concentrated on my diet/eating well. I have suffered achey stiff joints, not debilitating though, yoga 3 times a week helps me with this along with body pump classes and I get a lot of fresh air walking the dog. I love not having periods and my mood is far more consistent than when I was having periods. Periods were awful for me, the other side of meno is proving quite positive for me at the moment.

Luckily my sleep is reasonably good, thanks to an ongoing amitriptyline prescription (thank you, Dr Feelgood, as I refer to my GP 🙏), and I think the Utrogestan helps with that, too.

I'm 62, last period at 55. Never took HRT. I feel clearer headed, less emotional and teary, less anxious and am finally growing out of people pleasing.

startup I never grew INTO people pleasing! I do laugh at all the posts where women say they've finally got more assertive, selfish, take no more shit around the menopause. That's always been me- if I get any more that way I'll end up getting banished to a cave in the woods surrounded by the bleached skulls of those who crossed me 😆

It's just....the other day I did a 6 mile walk, and it felt like a real effort. A year ago, I did 18 miles in a day- and 14 miles the day before- and felt fine! (if tired). What's going to happen to my plans to walk across Europe when the kids are grown if I feel this achey and tired? 😱

All women have the option to use HRT as long as they want to, unless there are medical reasons to stop.

HRT can go a long way but obviously we all get older, with or without it.

@crackofdoom You must know that walking 18 miles in a day is a bit unusual?

That's serious hiking and puts you in a different league!

I am happy with a 4-6 mile walk and that's a lot more than many women my age do.

Yeah, I'm a serious hiker! (when I can do it). And I want to be a seriouser one!

(OK, we won't mention that that was my personal best, and was a bit unintentional, provoked by getting lost, having a near death experience and having to take an unscheduled detour over a massive mountain to get back to civilisation 😳)

Nothing wrong with a 100 dose of patch if that's what you need, I wouldn't avoid it just because it is the stated max.

Also nothing wrong with taking oestrogen in the long term if it is still helpful and there is no medical reason not to.

Yeah, but the problem is that, what with sneaking an extra half patch whenever I need it, I'm already taking (slightly over) 100mg sometimes 😬

Full package here too. Do you think we will be allowed to just stay on it?

I would go up to 100 patches @crackofdoom . I'm on 100.

There is no time limit to using hrt.

As long as there are no medical reasons to stop, then you can carry on as long as you like.

The important thing is that it is your choice. Your dr gives you the facts about risks and you make the choice. This is fundamental to the NICE menopause guidance published 2015.

It's your body- not your dr's.

I’m 54 and period free for 10 years. Feel great. No different to when I was young. No HRT, lots of energy, doing well at work and sleeping well.
Kids in teens and can focus on my career for the first time ever!