What symptom of meno really surprised you?

[menopausalfart]

I've had most symptoms associated with perimenopause, including some really nasty ones.
The symptom that surprised me the most was the memory loss. If I don't do something the moment it enters my brain, it's gone.
I've been taking HRT, vitamins, collagen, and I exercise regularly. This symptom, along with anxiety, has stubbornly persisted.

Awful itchy shins!

V sore burning mouth.
Hives.
Anxiety so bad I stopped driving.

It seems that a lot of us get anxiety. Has anyone found ways to deal with it?
HRT helped take the edge off but it's still there.

Rage. Absolute rage - to the point that I've made my tongue bleed when trying not to let rip (normally at DH)

Flakey right ear.

Forgetting words, literally mid sentence.

Belly Fat - could easily pass for 6 months pregnant.

Forgetting words....it's constant and so bloody frustrating!! My anxiety is getting worse too. I'm on HRT and lots of different supplements, doesn't seem to make a difference though.

@godmum56 I can’t even think of the wrong word. I used to be able to, but now it’s like no words exist!

I have hot, itchy toes, itchy ears, itchy fucking everything.

Dry eyes! I wear contacts and worried that I might have to give them up.

Hycosan eye drops (the ones in the red box) are really good. I still can't wear my contacts for work - too long in front of a screen - but the drops really help at the weekend.

ETA I had to google the name of the drops because I couldn't remember it and I only used them a couple of hours ago! Bloody brain fog 😂

I'm getting a lot of random nosebleeds since starting perimenopause. I had one today after I bent forward... bloody annoying when I drip blood on the floor and don't have a tissue to hand! 😳😫

Absolutely this 👌 I saw a male gynaecologist who was a menopause specialist and he seemed brilliant. Very kind and willing to listen,although I didn't need his services when I saw him a few years ago, as I think i was just starting perimenopause. He was very sympathetic though and told me to see him if my symptoms became very bad, and was a strong advocate of HRT - I remember how he said so many women had found it was the best thing they'd done.

I'd probably see him again if my bank balance could afford it, but unfortunately as he was a private gynaecologist, I'd literally have to win the lottery to get treatment lol 😆 😅

Forgot the return of car sickness. Especially bad when I am on my 'monthly' bleed . Those are worse too. My bedside drawer could equip a branch of Boots.

Wow! I dinged every box on this checklist except hot flushes and tinnitus with my pre-HRT symptoms.

HRT (systemic and topical cream) has transformed my quality of life in ways too many to count.

Solidarity to all

And fun fact: the lack of hot flushes made two male GPs prescribe me antidepressants in my mid 40s when I rocked up in the doctor’s in tears with depression and anxiety for the first time in my life

fortunately, I was able to get it sorted eventually, first with a private menopause prescription, and then from a sensible female GP.

Persistent chronic yeast infection linked to Perimenopause.

Thanks @menopausalfart and @FoxRedPuppy
Have had itchy toes for the past 5 years (only on my right foot)! Thought it was athletes foot but podiatrist said not! The other big symptom is sore muscles….

I get these and it’s Raynards- ensure your feel are at a constant temp and moisturise with emollient cream nightly

@ForeverDelayedEpiphany I don't know about your bank balance, but I've had private HRT/gynae for many years. I usually see mine every 6-8 months. So the cost is less than buying 1 coffee a day. My health insurance covers gynae stuff but not menopause as that's considered 'natural' and ongoing. It's worth bearing in mind that you don't need lots of appts unless there are things to sort out.

I’ve just bought these, so hopefully they will help. It’s mostly that when I run or cycle I don’t ant to wear glasses. And also when it’s sunny. I hate having to have prescription sunglasses and constantly changing from glasses to sunglasses and back again.!

yup. burning itching at night

I wrote on this post before. I had an oophectomy in August, so into surgical menopause. Plus Iv just had surgery on my chest 4 weeks ago. But the past 4 weeks since my operation Iv had the worse menopause symptoms.I don’t know if the trauma from my thoracic operation has put my body in menopause completely . I’ll give you my symptoms. Hip and groin pain, sore breasts, hot and cold flushes, clear leakage? Spotting. Aches and pains. Insomnia.
Had a smear, but she couldn’t do it because there was blood, I have to go back in a few weeks.
The doctors also referred me to the hospital to see the gyno, who specialises is HRT lead treatment. I was trying to stay off HRT but happily to take it now. xx

@Honeybeatea HRT will help enormously with those symptoms. Most people have to tweak or change their HRT to find the best one that suits them.

menopausalfart · Today 14:4
Thank you. Looking forward to getting on it as these symptoms are awful. I just wish I’d went on it a few months ago. Xx

Can anyone share if the itchy skin effects their whole body?

My face keeps itching?

Thanks @plantsnpants
I get this on my fingers so makes sense!

is there a copy of this anywhere, I reckon I will have many on that list. I'm most bothered about my now lack of sexual response, I actually think my clitoris has shrivelled up and died!. 2 years ago my sex drive suddenly went through the roof briefly then all of a sudden to nothing. on the very very rare occasion I do reach orgasm it is so weak and pathetic in comparison to what it used to be. is this it now, is my sexual fulfilment over forever?. why do I always here about older women still enjoying sex and often having the best sex they've ever had in their lives. Is this all rubbish? if not what is their secret to maintaining orgasms and libido? why is this not spoken about as part of menopause for some women

Can I ask how you know about the growths on your cervix as I wouldn't have a clue about mine as its obviously deep inside the vagina and not visible? I've absolutely no idea about my cervix