Are you 'post' menopause and feel much better?

[whatisheupto]

I was thinking, you never really hear from women who have come out the other side of the menopause journey and say life is better now than it was during peri.

Can anyone say "hey, it's OK, I feel a lot better now! 8 years ago I had brain fog and tiredness and joint pain. But don't worry, even though I'm 8 years older I feel better than I did then!"

I'd love to hear stories like this if anyone can point me in their direction? Hoping life at 50 might look better than life at 40!!

I can't see myself ever coming off hrt.

Infinitely better. Better than in fact my entire life prior to puberty.

You don't go through the menopause.. it doesn't end until you die.

This is just not factually correct. After twelve months without a period, you have reached menopause. I consider the years after that transition point to be post-menopause. You can call it what you like, but the fluctuation of hormones that occur during the peri-menopause years no longer occurs. A new baseline forms. The body adjusts.

For me, it has been surprisingly marvellous. Far less depression. No longer in constant pain from endo, IC, fibroids, nerve pathways, what have you.

@pearlsundersea , thank you ! Your post has given me hope !

I feel much better. Feet and hips no longer aching, sleeping better (though still not the eight unbroken hours of my 20’s) not anxious, not randomly tearful. I did not do HRT. Some of this is more to do with retiring from an increasingly miserable work environment and becoming much more physically active than hormones, I think. I’m in my early sixties and had my last period at around 54.

Mind start exactly 2 years after a partial hysterectomy so at 48. Sweats didn't really bother me, joint pain did. All done by about 54 and now (at 60) I feel great - lots of energy (despite thyroid problems) clear thinking and sleep really well.

The years after your last period are 'post menopause'.

So post menopause never ends.

I actually dread these threads because so many women post that they feel fine (which is great for them) and think that's the case for everyone.
Not everyone has troublesome periods or other issues before menopause.

The body adjusts.

Some women find their peri symptoms end. It's great for women who do.
Many don't. It's very individual.

Many find that hot flushes carry on (my Mum still had/has them in her 80s) and my consultant has women 80+ still on HRT for that reason.

Other symptoms of long-term estrogen deficiency often replace the hot flushes. Loss of bone density, change in lipids (meaning a greater predisposition to heart disease.

New research out a few weeks ago shows that post meno it doubles to men's risk), and there may be brain changes (evidence is accumulating around loss of estrogen and dementia.)

So there may not be the obvious symptoms like flushes etc but the ageing process is happening.

A healthy lifestyle can mitigate some of this, but not completely.

Yes I do feel better. My memory is a bit patchy but I don’t think it was ever that great anyway. I don’t have the same mood swings I used to and I feel generally more calm.

So post menopause never ends.

The poster I was quoting claimed that menopause never ends.

Perimenopause (which is what most women mean by "the menopause") ends on the day that is twelve months after your last period, and then you are in post-menopause.

I can only give my own report. Postmenopause has been marvellous for me.

55, been on hrt for about 7 or so years. Prior to it awaful anxiety, rage, night sweats like a plunge pool. No libido.

had to come off hrt in January and was really worried. So far so good. I’ve lost a stone and a half with dieting and exercise. I find it much easier not to worry about people or stuff, libido coming back.

Okay fair enough, but the body doesn't adjust in good ways for most women.

At 55 I feel mostly fine, still getting hot flushes and some joint pain which I need to get checked.

The switching off of libido is the thing that's bothering me, sex drive has completely disappeared. Has anyone had it come back without hrt?

But the OP was asking specifically for input from those who feel better? That's how I read it.

Anyway, gaining a week every month when I would otherwise have been groaning with pain and staining my clothes has been fabulous. I can wear light coloured clothes throughout the month. Not have to carry pads everywhere.

It’s really interesting to read positive experiences, I’m 50 and the thought of no more periods is amazing. I don’t want to take hrt , so it’s good to read positive things .

I am post menopause and feel great. Liberated from painful, inconvenient, messy periods, no crazy hormonal mood swings, no peri rage or hot flushes. Don't use HRT any more (it was extremely useful during peri & while I hate hot flushes & night sweats ) and hair is still thick and skin good. Do a lot of exercise to keep weight down and for strength. I’m clearly ageing, but so is everyone.

I take the point.

But most women who say they are better are ones who had bad periods.

I never had any issues at all with my periods. And during my late 40s they just became lighter.

My symptoms only started when my periods stopped and this is something that's often not talked about. It's assumed that once periods stop everything's wonderful.

57 feeling great !...lost weight ,work full time in a demanding job and walk miles with my dog every day .
No HRT or anything ,only problem is painful sex which I should go and see about ,but to be fair we are both happy with a date night followed by jammies and cuddles these days 🙄....until he runs off with a younger model (but I will be keeping the dog )😂