The Ever Mysterious (And Frustrating) Female Physiology!

[SiouzQ.]

Sorry men if this is too much info, but I'm sure the ladies will get this - so yesterday I was marveling at the fact I hadn't had a period since last May, right before I went on my June road trip and that I was sure glad I was in complete menopause because after all, it had been six months. I was out last night and couldn't figure out why most of the night I wanted to burst into tears, felt homesick, etc, etc. Then I went to sleep and had a dream that I got my period, woke up this morning, started going about my business and...got my period...did I bring it upon myself just because I noticed that I hadn't had one in so long????? Crazy stuff, but it explains my moodiness, tiredness and not wanting to be around people particularly, which is good because I was starting to feel like this move may have been a mistake in some ways. I really need to realize it is my wacky hormonal imbalance right now that is making me feel this way.

It's early, but I am going to crawl into bed and watch Netflix for a bit and rest up for my birthday tomorrow. It's my Double Nickel Birthday, and the first birthday I've had away from home since 1993. I have to work tomorrow, but I will go to the little Blues Festival that is happening up the street at the ball field after I get off.

[ctg492]

And it will pass, if that is any help. It was a ruff time for me, those crazy couple years I am 55 now. My best guess is 52-54 time frame it all hit full blast. My terrible hot flashes seem to be subsiding now. I now consider that time of life like a body growing up all the changes....but in reverse!

[rosarugosa]

Happy Birthday, SiouzQ!

[razz]

It will pass and life will go on with all kinds of wonderful discoveries to make. Enjoy your birthday!!!!!

[Ultralight]

Nothing wrong with menopause! Perfectly natural.

Personally, I cannot wait for my significant other to go through it! lol

[Tammy]

We're about the same age - I turn 55 in November.

I understand!

I don't think you bring it on by thinking about it. I think you think about it cause it's about to begin.

Until 12 full months go by, it's not menopause. Says my nurse practitioner. I've had 6 months, 8 months, but not yet a whole year. At least I get long stretches of time without the bother. 😄

[Teacher Terry]

I went through all that for years. I also would go a long time with no period and then whammy. Ugh! finally at 62 it is a not so fond memory.

[freshstart]

I went into full blown menopause at 36 as a result of multiple strep infections wiping out my ovaries. When I told my gyn about the hot flashes, I thought surely it had to be something else at my age. When I went back in to get the blood test results and found out I was post-menopausal, I burst into tears. I was fairly sure I was done having kids but to have that door slammed in my face, I took it hard. Because of my age and family heart history, I was started on HRT. That has really helped with hot flashes, the anxiety, other emotions, etc. I'll stay on them until my 50s when I would've likely normally had menopause.

The way my friends had spoken of menopause, I had dread. They all reported decreased libido and other sexual side effects. I was upset at the thought that that would happen to me at 36. But it didn't. It did change the way I carry wt, I'm an apple, no longer a pear at all. Anyway, overall it's been ok, a life passage I happened to hit two decades early. I know we shouldn't think of it as an ending but rather as a beginning but that is a bit hard to do.

[CathyA]

Not to depress you, but I have been going through menopause for about 11 years now......and still get migraine auras when my hormones fluctuate. I know some women continue to get hot flashes almost the rest of their lives. I'm not sure if that's from exposure to certain things (lots of plastics??, etc.). It seems like women can vary from each other so much in their "trip" through menopause and you can't really compare yourself to anyone else.......but 6 months isn't enough. It needs (supposedly) to be over a year without a period. And if you have a period then, you should see your doc. I'm able to get my FSH drawn a couple times a year. My level is about as low as you can go in menopause........while other women's FSH is soaring. So go figure. I've heard that overweight women can have a longer trip through menopause because fat cells can hold onto estrogen and continue to let it go intermittently. I say that's all the reason I need to not lose weight!! :~)

SiouzQ......if you can recognize some of your feelings/behaviors as indication of an oncoming period, you might try taking an NSAID for a few days. Those are suppose to blunt some of the symptoms that signal an upcoming period. Good luck!
I'm convinced that the insanity that some of us get in perimenopause is nature's way of making room for the younger women..........and it encourages us to throw ourselves into the tar pit. ;)

[Teacher Terry]

I had an early menopause at 40 with hot flashes. By the time 50 came around it was truly awful and i needed anti-anxiety meds to function. It was all over at 56. I still get hot flashes and my Grandma did too for her entire life. I had a ton of biopsies because my period would resurface after a very long time and they were worried about uterine cancer which is rare.

[Tammy]

Other than a hot flash Several times each day and a few each night, for over five years now, I feel better than ever. Less headaches. No pain. Sleep good. Guess I'm lucky.

[Selah]

It's normal. Even when you're in menopause, your hormones still fluctuate, so it's also normal to get bouts of moodiness. By the way, I mentioned to my OB-GYN that "down there" was as dry as the Sahara. To my surprise, she said, "oh, no problem. Get some coconut oil and use it twice a day, "down there...and a little up there." It works! Sorry for so much information, but it sure beats paying $243 a month for Estradiol!

[Gardenarian]

Yes, coconut oil is great!
My menstrual periods were so awful that menopause has been a breeze. A few years of weird cycles, then - freedom!

I am a much happier woman now. Men are so lucky not to have to deal with this messy crap.

[CathyA]

My periods weren't bad at all, except for a few migraines beforehand. I would trade perimenopause/menopause for them any day. I think some women are more dependent physically/mentally/emotionally on estrogen levels than others. As a friend of mine used to remind me.........women were put into insane asylums in the past when going through menopause.