Why doesn't anyone tell you Menopause isn't really about lack of periods

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

...and EVERYTHING about how-

• make up you have been wearing for years suddenly looks shit

• Hair that has been behaving itself quite nicely with certain products nit require completely different products but you are yet to find them!

• Skin seems to be a completely different colour now and requires new products

• See above for hair colour

• Watery eyes that the optician says is normal and common in women over 50

• Glasses for reading !

Omg no wonder they call it the change ,everything flipping changes!

** I missed off hair where you don't want it chin

You haven't mentioned the worst thing: thickening middle. I could put up with all.of the rest but so furious at looking like Kaa the python after a meal.

@MareofBeasttown

You haven't mentioned the worst thing: thickening middle. I could put up with all.of the rest but so furious at looking like Kaa the python after a meal.

That's because I'm just ignore mine!

**ignoring

I'm near enough to menopause age, not worried about weight as my waist is about 24 inches, my mother is the same but my hair is already super super thin and I hear it makes it so much worse. anything that helps with that ? Does taking HRT make it better or worse, seen come conflicting stuff online and the GP's are useless

I think the problem is it's so different for everyone. I've had a very lucky menopause, losing two stone and keeping it off, retaining small waist and curvy hip, and skin better than it's ever been. I can't see very well though so maybe I'm imagining that! The peri menopause was a real challenge with weight gain, red skin, hair issues, but since being post I've not looked back. I do have a really careful diet now and take vitamins, collagen and fish oil and I think the combination is helping my hair and nails stay strong.

Interestingly I've started taking fish oils for watery eyes and my nails are amazing,I've only just twigged that might be why.

It’s the night sweats leading to lack of sleep that are doing my head in. I look tired all the time because I wake up 4-5 times in a night. Hair is actually great now I’ve stopped colouring it, and skin is better without hormonal spots.

To be fair, plenty of women did try and tell me, but I was young and just went, 'Eww, stop it.' So they did.

So jealous of you all with the slim waists. I used to have a 26 inch waist before peri. Now it's 29 on a good day. There is a lot of useful info on the Menopause forum about HRT. Unfortunately my GP has recommended not taking it for me.

I think this is where wide hips come into their own because my waist will never be as wide as my hips

@JaneJeffer I hear you sister

To be fair, plenty of women did try and tell me, but I was young and just went, 'Eww, stop it.' So they did

I think you're right, but like how bad childbirth is and how hard little children are! We all think it won't happen to us!

@JaneJeffer this is so true
I used to have having wide hips but now I can definitely see the benefits!

I had an early menopause. Every day was an unwanted discovery about the malfunctioning of my body. However, no-one talks about this as the focus is on the decline of fertility/ceasing of periods and ignores the myriad of ways ones body will react due to decreasing hormones, and not just the decline of oestrogen.

I seemed to be afflicted by every single issue going. The biggest surprise was dry mouth although thankfully, I knew the cause (and the repercussions). So, add dental issues to the list of things that no-one mentions about the menopause. Lack of oestrogen disrupts saliva production which leads to an incredibly dry mouth. In turn, this increase plaque and leads to periodontal issues including loose and crooked teeth, and also tooth loss.

There is little joined up thinking (or treatment) between GPs and dentists with this.

Re. skin and hair. HRT made a noticeable difference, ditto taking collagen and drinking bone broth. HRT proved a complete saviour. However, my GP was useless, as were the four other GPs I saw too. I see a specialist as I did have quite specific issues (and an atypical) menopause which necessitated this.

It is pretty sucky.
I've become a medical mess. I keep hoping it'll all calm down and I'll get used to wearing a bigger size in trousers. I'll learn to manage on less sleep/disturbed sleep. I'll hopefully get discharged from the consulants I'm seeing in the hospital. I've never needed so many doctor visits in my life.
My hair seems to have stopped getting thinner, luckily I had enough for two people in my youth.
My dry skin is moisturized often.
My eyes have finally stopped deteriorating.
Night sweats are getting less.
I want my waist back

Watery eyes is weirdly due to Dry Eye caused by hormones. You need drops.

Watery eyes is weirdly due to Dry Eye caused by hormones. You need drops

I have them, they don't work that well I've discovered an eye wash which helps more.

Agree only blessing with menopause is failing eye sight.
I have always had good skin and hair, but now see changes in that my hair is becoming drier and thinner and my skin saggier. Thank God for failing eye sight!
I find that the thickening middle is at least something I can control with lots of exercise and good diet, but hair and skin more difficult to stay on top of.
I am obsessed with having a good diet and getting the right vitamins. Wear very little make up as less is more these days and look forward to getting back in the office so I can stop looking at myself deteriorating on zoom all day….

I have always had way too much hair and v oily skin, so I guess I am lucky there. For dry frizzy hair, I like Garnier's Banana Hair Food ( which I have recommended umpteen times on here). For saggy skin, Retin A is miraculous ( but only in tandem with a derm. I get it overseas).

Yup. It’s not been good for me so far. I’ve got dry eye too due to narrowing of passageways in the head, loss of elasticity and lack of oestrogen.

My dry eye is helped by using a microwaveable eye mask for ten minutes a night and then clean along the eyelash line, top and bottom, with a bit of hot wet muslin cloth to get rid of any gunk which is blocking the ducts in the lash line which should provide moisture to the eyeball, but can’t when blocked.

Also drawing the cloth from above and below the eye to push any microscopic gunk in the orbital area along and out towards the lash line and clean it away.

@MareofBeasttown, does Retin A really help with sagging?

I’m glad I clicked on this thread, because I have now learned about watery eyes. I recently noticed, after waking up, that I was looking into the rheumy eyes of my 89 year old father in the mirror!

@PandoraP I think it helps with everything: clearer skin, menopausal zits, large pores, brightness etc. BUT it is quite harsh, and you need to incorporate it very slowly, preferably with a dermatologist. I began using it because i had awful adult acne and started very slow during the pandemic, when I wasn't seeing anyone anyway.

Optase Tea Tree Oil Eye Lid Cleansing Gel - for Daily Eye Lid Hygiene - Contains Pro Vitamin B5 - Preservative Free - 50ml www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZBLWJFQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0EXW3ZCQF8RYBJE21SQT?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

This is what I've been using , works well.