Is It Over Yet? The Perimenopause Thread
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I have been told by my doc that the symptoms I have had over the past 2 years are perimenopause. I turned 40 this past weekend. Dizzy and nauseous the few days before my period, and weak during. I had a uterine resection 2 years ago due to fibroids and severely heavy blood loss. I am still taking tranexamic acid to reduce flow but it is so, so much better than it had been. I honestly can’t wait to be in full blown menopause. Way too many years dealing with horrendous cycles.
As far as the frozen shoulder discussion, I will give my observations. I am “happy” to see it is being acknowledged as something that occurs to women during peri and post menopause. During my whole career as a massage therapist I would discuss with doctors and physios how it seemed to be during hormone shifts this would affect people. As above, I really found the patients who had very intense hands on therapy healed slower. What I observed was: patients who did their exercises consistently and to their own tolerance had slow but consistent improvement, my treatments were kept gentle and I sent them home to do their exercises right after treatment to enhance the effects of what I had done, cortisone could be a huge blessing or a huge PITA; I will probably skip the offer if i come across a problem big enough for it to be suggested, average healing time was about a year, depending on severity, and women with higher upper body strength did not suffer nearly as badly as very low muscled women.4 -
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I'm currently having my "lightest" (in quotes cuz light for me is not light) period in almost 10 years!
Now I'm wondering if the end is finally in sight or it is because of the higher fiber / lower saturated fat WOE I started late December to address the heavy bleeding caused by my fibroids. Not willing to go back to higher fat to find out.
Or is it just a cruel joke like last spring when my periods were lighter, but didn't stop for weeks and weeks...?
This time I know I can use progesterone to stop that though.2 -
Electric shocks?0
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No period for me since 2017, so supposedly fully menopausal. However, hot flashes, night sweats and waking up angry at the world for no reason persist. I hope this changes soon. I'm 53, my mom said it all ended for her at 55, got my fingers crossed it's the same for me.2
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I'm 47 and I think started peri a year or so ago. Cycle ranges from 27-35 days, 3 days heavy bleeding and then about 8 days spotting (which is great for thinking you've finished and then hey presto - surprise!). Hair thinning, muscle cramps, nausea, heavy breasts and incontience have been my main symptoms. All manageable so far but I'm sure I've got a way to go - that said I'd rather have this (and period panties) than the hell of the pill and then the mirena coil, which after months of difficulties and depression, literally fell out of me as my body couldn't take it any more. Blood clot the size of a golf ball too. (So glad to be back to 'normal' non chemical cycles.3
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I'm 47 and I think started peri a year or so ago. Cycle ranges from 27-35 days, 3 days heavy bleeding and then about 8 days spotting (which is great for thinking you've finished and then hey presto - surprise!). Hair thinning, muscle cramps, nausea, heavy breasts and incontience have been my main symptoms. All manageable so far but I'm sure I've got a way to go - that said I'd rather have this (and period panties) than the hell of the pill and then the mirena coil, which after months of difficulties and depression, literally fell out of me as my body couldn't take it any more. Blood clot the size of a golf ball too. (So glad to be back to 'normal' non chemical cycles.
Have you had your iron levels checked? Heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency anemia which can lead to hair falling out way faster than normal. When my anemia is under control I shed at a normal rate. (Don't just supplement iron - do get blood work done - too much iron can cause problems as well.)
I have a lot of spotting and generally use a menstrual cup for at least two weeks out of the month. I don't leave the house without it!
You'll find cheaper options on Amazon but I prefer this brand:
https://gladrags.com/collections/menstrual-cups
I have the XO Flo for my heavy days and the mini for light days and in between.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »I'm 47 and I think started peri a year or so ago. Cycle ranges from 27-35 days, 3 days heavy bleeding and then about 8 days spotting (which is great for thinking you've finished and then hey presto - surprise!). Hair thinning, muscle cramps, nausea, heavy breasts and incontience have been my main symptoms. All manageable so far but I'm sure I've got a way to go - that said I'd rather have this (and period panties) than the hell of the pill and then the mirena coil, which after months of difficulties and depression, literally fell out of me as my body couldn't take it any more. Blood clot the size of a golf ball too. (So glad to be back to 'normal' non chemical cycles.
Have you had your iron levels checked? Heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency anemia which can lead to hair falling out way faster than normal. When my anemia is under control I shed at a normal rate. (Don't just supplement iron - do get blood work done - too much iron can cause problems as well.)
I have a lot of spotting and generally use a menstrual cup for at least two weeks out of the month. I don't leave the house without it!
You'll find cheaper options on Amazon but I prefer this brand:
https://gladrags.com/collections/menstrual-cups
I have the XO Flo for my heavy days and the mini for light days and in between.
Menstrual cups are a game changer for longer periods of expected/unexpected spotting! Rather than going through a half a box of pantiliners every month. Wish I knew about them years ago.
I'm 48 and no obvious symptoms yet, but I wanted to get tagged in so I get notifications to follow this great thread. My periods are still super regular, even after coming off the pill about 5 yrs ago. My mom's not great with details, so no idea of when she started.2 -
Hmm.. I wonder if it's kind of time to join the group. I'm nearly 47, and my last 2-3 pill stop bleedings were very mild an didn't last a full week. I only take a break every 7-9 weeks though, thus I don't have a lot of data. Fortunately I have no other symptoms yet. Maybe thanks to the pill.2
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Hmm.. I wonder if it's kind of time to join the group. I'm nearly 47, and my last 2-3 pill stop bleedings were very mild an didn't last a full week. I only take a break every 7-9 weeks though, thus I don't have a lot of data. Fortunately I have no other symptoms yet. Maybe thanks to the pill.
Ugh, I wish I was still on the pill, hardly had any period at all, no PMS. But I was getting occasional migraines and my gyn was concerned about the over 35 stroke risk. She would've gone along with the newer low low dose pill, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it.
To be fair, I've pretty much stopped getting migraines, and don't want to risk having a stroke, so she was probably right
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kshama2001 wrote: »I'm 47 and I think started peri a year or so ago. Cycle ranges from 27-35 days, 3 days heavy bleeding and then about 8 days spotting (which is great for thinking you've finished and then hey presto - surprise!). Hair thinning, muscle cramps, nausea, heavy breasts and incontience have been my main symptoms. All manageable so far but I'm sure I've got a way to go - that said I'd rather have this (and period panties) than the hell of the pill and then the mirena coil, which after months of difficulties and depression, literally fell out of me as my body couldn't take it any more. Blood clot the size of a golf ball too. (So glad to be back to 'normal' non chemical cycles.
Have you had your iron levels checked? Heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency anemia which can lead to hair falling out way faster than normal. When my anemia is under control I shed at a normal rate. (Don't just supplement iron - do get blood work done - too much iron can cause problems as well.)
I have a lot of spotting and generally use a menstrual cup for at least two weeks out of the month. I don't leave the house without it!
You'll find cheaper options on Amazon but I prefer this brand:
https://gladrags.com/collections/menstrual-cups
I have the XO Flo for my heavy days and the mini for light days and in between.
Menstrual cups are a game changer for longer periods of expected/unexpected spotting! Rather than going through a half a box of pantiliners every month. Wish I knew about them years ago.
I'm 48 and no obvious symptoms yet, but I wanted to get tagged in so I get notifications to follow this great thread. My periods are still super regular, even after coming off the pill about 5 yrs ago. My mom's not great with details, so no idea of when she started.
Yes, mothers pay attention to when you go through menopause as your daughters will be quizzing you about this as they approach 50!
It was very difficult to pin my mother down, but she thinks around 50, as does my aunt, and my 52 year old younger sister has not had a period since June, so I am hopeful that at age 54, it will happen ANY TIME NOW.2 -
I have no idea when my mom got it as she passed away from cancer a few years ago. I hope I have no reason to go off the pill as I like neither tampons, nor cups. It's just uncomfy for me.2
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Hmm.. I wonder if it's kind of time to join the group. I'm nearly 47, and my last 2-3 pill stop bleedings were very mild an didn't last a full week. I only take a break every 7-9 weeks though, thus I don't have a lot of data. Fortunately I have no other symptoms yet. Maybe thanks to the pill.
Ugh, I wish I was still on the pill, hardly had any period at all, no PMS. But I was getting occasional migraines and my gyn was concerned about the over 35 stroke risk. She would've gone along with the newer low low dose pill, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it.
To be fair, I've pretty much stopped getting migraines, and don't want to risk having a stroke, so she was probably right
FWIW, my GYN said any oral contraceptives were contraindicated for my migraine diagnosis (complex without headache). I had episodic aphasia which was terrifying. I thought I was having a stroke! None since stopping pills. That was a while back, so cannot comment on newer low dose versions. Three cheers for vasectomy -- best birth control ever invented!
ETA: I do consider the aphasia my most serious health problem in my health history even though episodes were years apart. It makes me wonder if HRT would be contraindicated as well.2 -
Some months it feels like cruel joke.....and I'm 15 again! Who wants to do that again? I'm 50, when I was 48 I was having crime scene periods. Having to leave work to change pants, etc. Had an endometrial ablation. They definitely got lighter. Still have them tho.... every 2 weeks, then once a month, then every 3 months, then every 2 weeks. Seriously. My kids are grown!! Very ready to wear white pants and not worry about it!8
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So I got the shingle vaccine Thursday and starting Friday had every symptom listed by the CDC except for stomach pain (probably because I had no appetite and was eating very little,) including sweats and chills.
I thought I was out of the woods today (Monday) but noticed I was having sweats again, and then thought "WHAT IF I AM FINALLY HAVING HOT FLASHES???"
I'm 54 and have yet to have a hot flash - unless this is that. I guess time will tell!
(It's so funny to be excited about the prospect of hot flashes.)4 -
I think I have started having hot flashes. I keep confirming with other people around me, asking if they feel hot. I feel like it comes from inside my chest and throat, out to the rest of my body!2
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Well, ladies... at long last, I am about 30 days out from the 1-year mark, so I am hopeful that “is it over yet” will be YES for me soon. I hear you guys on the hot flashes. Initially I only had them in summer and weirdly right before the AC kicked in so I always wondered: hot flash or just hot? But it did feel to me as leonadixon described. I also had cold flashes which came from inside my chest and I just couldn’t get my core temp up. Honestly, those were more uncomfortable and of longer duration than hot flashes for me. Some days it just feels like my temperature regulation isn’t working. I read some experience hot flashes years after menopause, so I’m not sure what to expect. Regardless it will be a relief to be done with periods. I can identify with everything andimicky says, too.2
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Well, ladies... at long last, I am about 30 days out from the 1-year mark, so I am hopeful that “is it over yet” will be YES for me soon. I hear you guys on the hot flashes. Initially I only had them in summer and weirdly right before the AC kicked in so I always wondered: hot flash or just hot? But it did feel to me as leonadixon described. I also had cold flashes which came from inside my chest and I just couldn’t get my core temp up. Honestly, those were more uncomfortable and of longer duration than hot flashes for me. Some days it just feels like my temperature regulation isn’t working. I read some experience hot flashes years after menopause, so I’m not sure what to expect. Regardless it will be a relief to be done with periods. I can identify with everything andimicky says, too.
Well, cold flashes. It's honestly the first time I've heard of them, but it explains a lot for me.
Although my obgyn still finds that I'm a long way from menopause the last time I went to see her. Maybe I'll have to go back again.
Cold flashes are a real thing, wow who knew ! A aha moment for me. 2 -
I found this article quite enlightening: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/09/mission-menopause-my-hormones-went-off-a-cliff-and-im-not-going-to-be-ashamed.3
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I had a hysterectomy 11 years ago, still have ovaries. I don't have a period to gauge anything by, just these miserable moods and hot flashes and night sweats. It really helps to know others are experiencing this too and confirm I'm not (too) crazy!3
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I’m 48 and started peri around September 2019 (I had to look back at my tracker). Days between periods were 93, 188, 14, 204, and currently on day 114. I definitely had the night sweats, those are brutal on sleep! Dr. prescribed Terazosin and that has helped tremendously there. Thankfully no other symptoms but I saw someone posted earlier about frozen shoulder and I had that late last year, never thought to attribute it to peri honestly. Just figured maybe it’s just part of aging.2
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I’m 48 and started peri around September 2019 (I had to look back at my tracker). Days between periods were 93, 188, 14, 204, and currently on day 114. I definitely had the night sweats, those are brutal on sleep! Dr. prescribed Terazosin and that has helped tremendously there. Thankfully no other symptoms but I saw someone posted earlier about frozen shoulder and I had that late last year, never thought to attribute it to peri honestly. Just figured maybe it’s just part of aging.
Well menopause is part of aging. But the connection to frozen shoulder seems to be fluctuating hormones. Glad yours is over (hopefully!).
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Bumping this because it is an important topic.
I'm 47 and dealing with all the usual: hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, "crime scene periods", spotting, periods that refuse to end on their own... etc. And since I get migraines with aura, that's a no-go for estrogen for me. I just have to deal with it.
Anyway, it's really important to realize that the bloating and water gain/loss that occurs at this stage is so much worse than a normal cycle. This is really going to affect what you see on the scale. Especially if you are in the "lose weight very slowly" camp, like me.
I'm saying this as much for a reminder to myself as to anyone else reading this: Hang in there, ladies! Don't give up on your fitness/weight loss goals, just because your ovaries are giving up the ghost.
Stick to the plan. You'll get there. 9 -
dralicephd wrote: »Bumping this because it is an important topic.
I'm 47 and dealing with all the usual: hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, "crime scene periods", spotting, periods that refuse to end on their own... etc. And since I get migraines with aura, that's a no-go for estrogen for me. I just have to deal with it.
Anyway, it's really important to realize that the bloating and water gain/loss that occurs at this stage is so much worse than a normal cycle. This is really going to affect what you see on the scale. Especially if you are in the "lose weight very slowly" camp, like me.
I'm saying this as much for a reminder to myself as to anyone else reading this: Hang in there, ladies! Don't give up on your fitness/weight loss goals, just because your ovaries are giving up the ghost. Stick to the plan. You'll get there.
I can so relate to "crime scene periods" LOL.
Last year I had two periods that did not end on their own, which landed me in the ER due to crazy low iron (ferritin was 1.5). Since then I've been taking Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, and haven't had that issue since. I initially took high doses to stop it, and since have been taking 100 mg day starting a week after my period started.
https://www.power2practice.com/article/continuous-bleeding-progesterone-challenge/
I contacted my GYN multiple times about these unending periods and she did nothing. I found the progesterone thing on my own and ran it by her. I'm very annoyed she didn't suggest it to me earlier.4 -
Well, ladies... at long last, I am about 30 days out from the 1-year mark, so I am hopeful that “is it over yet” will be YES for me soon. I hear you guys on the hot flashes. Initially I only had them in summer and weirdly right before the AC kicked in so I always wondered: hot flash or just hot? But it did feel to me as leonadixon described. I also had cold flashes which came from inside my chest and I just couldn’t get my core temp up. Honestly, those were more uncomfortable and of longer duration than hot flashes for me. Some days it just feels like my temperature regulation isn’t working. I read some experience hot flashes years after menopause, so I’m not sure what to expect. Regardless it will be a relief to be done with periods. I can identify with everything andimicky says, too.
The temperature regulation thing has been a problem I've noticed for the last several months. Hot flashes started regularly a couple of months ago. For probably the last year, I've had cold spells that last much longer. I've attributed them to blood sugar instability because it happens most often when I wake up and a few hours after intentional exercise. My gyn recommended taking Serenol for mood problems, but so far for me it's just been temperature regulation. Has anyone experienced changes in blood sugar levels with peri/menopause? I'm 47 and just had surgery to remove my Mirena IUD and excise some fibroid tissue, quit birth control pills I was taking for the fibroid bleeding, and am waiting to see what a "natural" period is like. I'm 7 weeks out from the procedure and nothing yet, so I'm dreading what will happen when it finally arrives
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kshama2001 wrote: »
Last year I had two periods that did not end on their own, which landed me in the ER due to crazy low iron (ferritin was 1.5). Since then I've been taking Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, and haven't had that issue since. I initially took high doses to stop it, and since have been taking 100 mg day starting a week after my period started.
https://www.power2practice.com/article/continuous-bleeding-progesterone-challenge/
I contacted my GYN multiple times about these unending periods and she did nothing. I found the progesterone thing on my own and ran it by her. I'm very annoyed she didn't suggest it to me earlier.
I've had the non-stop period a couple of times now. Each time, my GYN prescribed Prometrium for two weeks to stop it. I've seen the website you posted and this one (https://www.cemcor.ca/) that both promote the long-term use of cyclic progesterone. I'm intrigued! It sounds like it is working for you. If that continues to happen to me, I will run it by my GYN too. Have you noticed if hot flashes or insomnia have gotten better since you started progesterone?
This month I took 200mg of ibuprofen at each meal and that calmed down the amount of bleeding, so I may have found a solution to the "crime scene" thing. I mean, it is still heavy, but it's at least manageable now. We'll see if that continues to work. Cross your fingers.
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dralicephd wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
Last year I had two periods that did not end on their own, which landed me in the ER due to crazy low iron (ferritin was 1.5). Since then I've been taking Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, and haven't had that issue since. I initially took high doses to stop it, and since have been taking 100 mg day starting a week after my period started.
https://www.power2practice.com/article/continuous-bleeding-progesterone-challenge/
I contacted my GYN multiple times about these unending periods and she did nothing. I found the progesterone thing on my own and ran it by her. I'm very annoyed she didn't suggest it to me earlier.
I've had the non-stop period a couple of times now. Each time, my GYN prescribed Prometrium for two weeks to stop it. I've seen the website you posted and this one (https://www.cemcor.ca/) that both promote the long-term use of cyclic progesterone. I'm intrigued! It sounds like it is working for you. If that continues to happen to me, I will run it by my GYN too. Have you noticed if hot flashes or insomnia have gotten better since you started progesterone?
This month I took 200mg of ibuprofen at each meal and that calmed down the amount of bleeding, so I may have found a solution to the "crime scene" thing. I mean, it is still heavy, but it's at least manageable now. We'll see if that continues to work. Cross your fingers.
I've taken Prometrium to regulate my cycles off and on for over 20 years, and have yet to have a hot flash. (I'll be 55 in a few months.)
Previously, I had really long cycles - regularly six weeks and up to three months, and the Prometrium helped shorten them, which reduced bleeding since there was less time for my uterine lining to build up. As I got closer to menopause, my cycles shortened on their own.
Prometrium is somewhat helpful for sleep, but I have so many challenges with insomnia that it alone is insufficient.4
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