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Menopause

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Original poster

What symptom of meno really surprised you?

499 replies

menopausalfart · 13/04/2025 20:52

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.

OP posts:
NoisyBrain · 27/04/2025 15:47

Ooh I remembered another one. Hay fever! Appeared in my mid-40s. I was totally unaware that new allergies was also a peri symptom.

FoxRedPuppy · 27/04/2025 16:13

NoisyBrain · 27/04/2025 15:47

Ooh I remembered another one. Hay fever! Appeared in my mid-40s. I was totally unaware that new allergies was also a peri symptom.

Weirdly I had hayfever from teens until I was pregnant with my second dc. And then it just disappeared. It was really severe hayfever too!

BooseysMom · 27/04/2025 19:16

NoisyBrain · 27/04/2025 15:47

Ooh I remembered another one. Hay fever! Appeared in my mid-40s. I was totally unaware that new allergies was also a peri symptom.

Yep me too! I never suffered with iy before and now it's awful.

Also, heartburn. I had this so bad when I was pregnant (I remember keeping a massive bottle of Gaviscon on my desk at work!) It was so bad even water triggered it. Then it disappeared until I hit peri and now it's so bad I'm on omeprazole. If I try to come off, it's insane how bad it gets.

Annoyingsquirrels · 27/04/2025 20:10

My symptoms are so on and off, last a few weeks/months and then a new one comes along. Current symptom is a metallic taste (thought to be linked to hormonal fluctuations), others in the past 2 years have included reflux (due to too much oestrogen relaxing the LOS) and cystitis.

TokyoKyoto · 28/04/2025 14:42

BooseysMom · 27/04/2025 19:16

Yep me too! I never suffered with iy before and now it's awful.

Also, heartburn. I had this so bad when I was pregnant (I remember keeping a massive bottle of Gaviscon on my desk at work!) It was so bad even water triggered it. Then it disappeared until I hit peri and now it's so bad I'm on omeprazole. If I try to come off, it's insane how bad it gets.

Show quote history

Apparently coming off omeprazole gives you much worse symptoms for a while. You're advised to taper it off and expect it to be worse for a little while. (I don't know how long, it was something I saw a GP say on Instagram 😳)

Original poster
menopausalfart · 12/05/2025 13:24

Javelin arse made me laugh. It's a perfect description for the pain. It takes your breath away. I get it as I have bowel disease. Haven't had it bad for a while, thankfully.

OP posts:
Original poster
menopausalfart · 12/05/2025 13:28

I'm still getting periods, although irregular. The one previous to this, I was bleeding very lightly for 5 weeks. This one is really heavy with lots of clots. I can't wait for them to stop.

OP posts:
Neeko · 12/05/2025 17:56

HippyChickMama · 15/04/2025 10:25

The itching! Since starting HRT, the intense itching in my groin has gone but my back is constantly itchy, especially at night. Also, I had my first grey hairs in my early twenties, I stopped dyeing my hair a few years ago and have about 50% grey, but since starting HRT, some of the new growth is coming through dark brown again.

I’m so glad you said that about fewer grey hairs. That has happened to me since I started HRT too. Amazing!

trainedopossum · 14/05/2025 12:31

Not a symptom in itself but I’m about to have my third hysteroscopy due to bleeding. First one was just before my periods stopped and the second was a year or two later.
It never occurred to me that I’d need to undergo so many invasive procedures after my periods stopped. I can’t believe there’s not a better way to investigate bleeding, which is so common.
In the past they’ve done an ultrasound first (which is a quick and gentle test) but this time I’m being sent straight in for hysteroscopy.
I’ve also developed an almost phobia-like aversion to having anything in my vagina so although I welcome the opportunity to rule out anything sinister I’m honestly just shitting myself having to have another hysteroscopy.

Original poster
menopausalfart · 14/05/2025 16:19

@trainedopossum did you read the post @2JFDIYOLO?

OP posts:
uncomfortablydumb60 · 14/05/2025 16:21

Sudden dull sense of smell and taste. Due to hormones I guess.
I’m 60 now and it’s never returned.

Original poster
menopausalfart · 14/05/2025 16:39

@uncomfortablydumb60 My sense of smell has become heightened. It can get really uncomfortable whenever I'm around someone wearing perfume.

OP posts:
Missj25 · 14/05/2025 18:02

trainedopossum · 14/05/2025 12:31

Not a symptom in itself but I’m about to have my third hysteroscopy due to bleeding. First one was just before my periods stopped and the second was a year or two later.
It never occurred to me that I’d need to undergo so many invasive procedures after my periods stopped. I can’t believe there’s not a better way to investigate bleeding, which is so common.
In the past they’ve done an ultrasound first (which is a quick and gentle test) but this time I’m being sent straight in for hysteroscopy.
I’ve also developed an almost phobia-like aversion to having anything in my vagina so although I welcome the opportunity to rule out anything sinister I’m honestly just shitting myself having to have another hysteroscopy.

That’s shit PP 😕

trainedopossum · 14/05/2025 22:11

menopausalfart · 14/05/2025 16:19

@trainedopossum did you read the post @2JFDIYOLO?

Yes, thank you. Been there, got the t-shirt etc. So this will be my third round of GA just for hysteroscopy unless they agree to US and I don’t need a biopsy 😕 🤞

2JFDIYOLO · 15/05/2025 12:52

Kegels/pelvic floor stuff - if you're on Insta, look for femalephysioco - she pops into your feed with a discreet little vag workout you can do wherever you are and she's lovely!

2JFDIYOLO · 15/05/2025 12:53

Kegels/pelvic floor stuff - if you're on Insta, look for femalephysioco - she pops into your feed with a discreet little vag workout you can do wherever you are and she's lovely!

Words · 15/05/2025 14:32

Heightening of autistic sensory intolerances to the point that it interferes with day to day life. This is definitely a thing related to menopause apparently. I now have a formal diagnosis.

Memory loss. Secretly feared it was early onset dementia.

Loss of underarm and leg hair. I have none at all now.

BooseysMom · 15/05/2025 14:38

Words · 15/05/2025 14:32

Heightening of autistic sensory intolerances to the point that it interferes with day to day life. This is definitely a thing related to menopause apparently. I now have a formal diagnosis.

Memory loss. Secretly feared it was early onset dementia.

Loss of underarm and leg hair. I have none at all now.

The heightened sensory awareness has really affected me. Sense of smell is the main one. I can't be in a room with dogs or cats any more.

Words · 15/05/2025 15:21

It's rubbish isn't it @BooseysMom . Smell and taste are ok. For me it's bright artificial lights, noise, and crowds. A rush hour train ( or indeed any train) or a cafe/ restaurant with background music now completely intolerable.

Ilovelowry · 15/05/2025 16:28

Words · 15/05/2025 14:32

Heightening of autistic sensory intolerances to the point that it interferes with day to day life. This is definitely a thing related to menopause apparently. I now have a formal diagnosis.

Memory loss. Secretly feared it was early onset dementia.

Loss of underarm and leg hair. I have none at all now.

I lost all my hair too
Then I started on testosterone and it all grew back with vengeance!

Maddy70 · 15/05/2025 16:29

The aching joints

SocialEvent · 15/05/2025 16:50

Memory loss is massive for me. Absolutely can’t manage to remember anything and when I do try to plan ahead to take account of the memory loss I forget I have done that, so eg I’ll send my family members two birthday presents or two Christmas cards because I have forgotten I already did it. I feel so out of control with it. Oestrogen HRT doesn’t seem to help, though I imagine I might be even worse without it.

If testosterone (or anything else) has helped anyone on here with your memory could you say what and how much you take? I know some women feel they regain mental alertness with it.

PremiumD · 15/05/2025 18:28

SocialEvent · 15/05/2025 16:50

Memory loss is massive for me. Absolutely can’t manage to remember anything and when I do try to plan ahead to take account of the memory loss I forget I have done that, so eg I’ll send my family members two birthday presents or two Christmas cards because I have forgotten I already did it. I feel so out of control with it. Oestrogen HRT doesn’t seem to help, though I imagine I might be even worse without it.

If testosterone (or anything else) has helped anyone on here with your memory could you say what and how much you take? I know some women feel they regain mental alertness with it.

Just saying you’re not alone, it’s been the scariest part for me.

soupyspoon · 15/05/2025 19:09

PremiumD · 15/05/2025 18:28

Just saying you’re not alone, it’s been the scariest part for me.

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And me.

SocialEvent · 15/05/2025 20:01

I’m sorry you’re also both struggling. It’s just so hard to manage with work and generally life. Very anxiety provoking when you can’t actually trust yourself.