Does it get any better?

[LunchtimeNaps]

Those who have gone through menopause, does it get any better? I used to be a confident person who'd fight for promotion, who was always on the ball and make positive decisions. Now I'm a shadow of myself but I've been offered the chance to be coached for promotion. At the moment I feel I don't have the confidence or brain capacity to do it. Will this ever change or is this me for the rest of my life.

For me it got bearable.. I’m 50 and with HRT I wouldn’t say it’s life changing but it’s made me able to function. I’m adding in testosterone next month to try and get my energy levels and motivation back..

With HRT I am almost back to normal.

Doesn't hrt make you gain weight? I already eat like a mouse I can't bear it to eat even less

@Theunamedcat There are a lot of outdated misconceptions about HRT, weight gain is one of them. Modern HRT is no longer one size fits all, especially with the dermal sprays and gels.

I am through the menopause with no HRT. It doesn't get much better no. Insomnia, still get hot flashes at night, cognition is still worse than before, can't eat anything without putting on weight, my hair doesn't behave any more. It's frankly shit.
But no periods so that's a plus.

Won't you consider HRT?

Why put up with all that stuff?

No one is ever 'though the menopause'.
Menopause means no more periods and that's for life. Some women have symptoms forever (without HRT.)

@LunchtimeNaps If your meno symptoms are affecting your life and work to this extent, are you willing to consider HRT?

There is no need to suffer. Modern HRT is very different to what was around 40 years ago. There are lots of variations, it can be tweaked and it's pretty safe (benefits outweigh risk up to 60 then after 60 the risks an benefits are equal.)
It will protect your bones, heart and against bowel cancer.

I'm on HRT. Can't say it's done much for me other than maybe I was getting very anxious which I don't now. Not on testosterone but wondering if that might be an option for me an I am exhausted all the time.

Shame it doesn't seem to get better. I won't be able to consider this promotion the way I am now.

It gets better, and also you cope better. I started with peri menopausal symptoms late 30s and was on hrt through my 40s. It really helped. I’ve had to stop hrt now I’m mid 50s and tbh it’s fine. I get the odd hot flush and I’ve still got a Mirena in. But the mood swings, anxiety have largely all gone, I’ve picked up exercise again and feel stronger than I’ve felt in years, I’m eating a lot of protein, whole foods and veg. I’m being more mindful about alcohol, should really knock it on the head.

im in a senior role and I’m managing that fine. I found the higher up I’ve got with a competent team it’s ok.

so my experience is it gets better.

Have you had regular reviews? A lot of women need the dose or the type adjusting at various points in their life.

I've been on 2 pumps mainly, but went up to 3 for some time in early post-meno, and dropped back to 1 pumps some years later. I'm back to 2 pumps now for bone protection.

For me it did, but this will in part central around one's perspective. I suffered more with periods. For decades, they left me with a crippling sense of worthlessness, and it was every month for a few days. I had to put reminders in my diary not to do things that required confidence or clear thinking during that time. I knew it was hormones, and that I would bounce back to my reasonably confident state, but it was monthly and very tiresome. Since menopause and the steadier hormones, I feel stronger, and just more consistent. The loss of oestrogen has been something to adapt to, but this has also been largely good for my self esteem. I'm not on hrt.

What dose are you on though? Until I got to the maximum dose I still had symptoms. Also, testosterone has been brilliant for me.