Is It Over Yet? The Perimenopause Thread
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"See ya next year..." Revenge of the Brigadoon Period.
Ok, this totally made me laugh. I'm picturing Gene Kelly giving Cyd Charisse a pack of tampons.ETA: Oh! Anybody get serious PMS-ish feeling but no period, periodically? (
) And the associated symptoms you used to get, including bloating/gain?
I do, but I unrelated to menopause, I think. I have PCOS, so periods are random and few. When I work out and my hormonal situation improves, I get regular PMS symptoms but still no actual M. It's unclear on what menopause will look like. My mother had her last period at 56, so it seems like I've got about 10 more years of weirdness.1 -
Oh, yeah, the PMS symptoms... I still get mood swings, breast tenderness, hunger pangs and sometimes even cramps, but I don't often get a period now. It's like everything else happens BUT the actual period! Or sometimes it'll be just very light for a couple of days. And sometimes I get a surprise visit from Auntie with no warning whatsoever. It sucks just never knowing if something is going to happen or not! Last year I went for a few months with nothing at all, then had three in the space of about 8 weeks. Bah! Why can't it just be over and done with?!
I was feeling quite grateful that I've rarely had the "usual" symptoms like hot flashes (I had a few a couple of years ago but not for some time now), but having read that list I realise I probably have a bunch of others that I'd never associated with the process.
And yeah, I was getting concerned about dementia too, since my mum had Alzheimer's. My memory's never been quite as good as it used to be ever since I was pregnant (I heard that memory issues are common during pregnancy but it's supposed to improve after the birth!), but I've definitely been getting worse over the last few months. I think poor concentration and stuff can also be one of the symptoms of depression as well, though, so I'm not sure exactly what's causing it. Maybe I need to dig out a quantum physics book and really make my brain work hard!!
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Is it over yet? Will it ever be over? Who knows...in the meantime...shout out if you're peri!
According to my newest gynaecologist, who I saw for the first time today, the whole perimenopause process takes approx. 10 years.
Based on what I told him about the last few years of my life, his best guess is that I was definitely into perimenopause in 2012. And based on the symptoms I was showing in 2012, I likely started perimenopause in about 2010.
10 years puts me at 2020 before the whole thing is complete ... in other words, I've gone a full 12 months with no period.
So he figures I've got about another 2 years of wonky strange frustrating periods left.
Incidentally, the reason I had to go see my newest gynaecologist is because he is also an oncologist. He specialises in female cancers.
On Dec 6, I was diagnosed with pre-cancer.
A couple years ago, I was diagnosed with, essentially, pre-pre-cancer of the uterus and so I have to go for testing every 6 months to monitor that. So far so good. This newest thing is in an adjacent area and fortunately is a low-grade, slow developing version.
Therefore my gynaecological oncologist has opted for the monitoring route. I may have to go for biopsies every 6 months or so. My next appointment has already been scheduled for May.
Happily, he actually said to me that because I am "fit, strong, and slender" (his words!) I should be able to fight it. And that on a day when I was feeling particularly bloated and large.
Fortunately he is also familiar with my genetic disorder. I've mentioned it to other gynaecologists who have had some vague familiarity with it but haven't been sure what's involved. This one knew all about it, and told me that under no circumstances am I to have anything to do with hormone therapy. Absolutely not! Others have been saying things like, it's low dose and might be OK ... this one said, "No.".
Anyway, he figures much of the weirdness going on is perimenopause, but some of it could be related to this pre-cancer business.
Moral of the story ... get checked!
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TheGaudyMagpie wrote: »For those considering hormones, birth control pills contain a higher dose of hormones than traditional HRT. I stopped being able to tolerate hormonal birth control in my 30s. However, I have had no issues tolerating HRT and the improvement in energy levels and general quality of life has been significant. I have been on it for about two years at this point. The newer theories say it's better to go on it fairly early in the meno timeline. I'm on an estrogen patch (most are bio-identical) and synthetic progesterone. The only reason to go on BC pills over HRT is if you want to regulate your cycle. I have a very light period about every four months at this point, and that's acceptable to me.
Definitely. Most HRT is much lower. And yes, there are more options.
The Estrogen Window (book) reviews the flaws with the famous study that cast such a shadow on HRT, and discusses the benefits and risks of HRT at various ages.
My library had it on HOOPLA (digital library rental iphone/android app). Worth checking out.
I also wasn't able to tolerate hormonal BC after my 20s.
I use bio-identical progesterone now, and and pondering bio-identical estrogen now that my period has (in theory) totally stopped. If I do, it will be bio-identical for sure.1 -
Here's something I've been wondering for awhile. Maybe some of you will know the answer from your experiences. I am 46 years old. I've been on bc pills since I was 18. For the past two years, I've been taking them continuously which means I don't have a period (although I have lots of spotting). How will I know when I'm in menopause if I'm on the pill? Any insight?1
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You may not know. Eventually, you'll have to stop taking the pill. Then, if you're menopausal, you'll have symptoms (unless you go straight to HRT, which I wouldn't recommend). If you're peri-menopausal you may have symptoms and a period. But otherwise, you may not know. OR, as with a friend, symptoms popped up on top of the BC pill.Here's something I've been wondering for awhile. Maybe some of you will know the answer from your experiences. I am 46 years old. I've been on bc pills since I was 18. For the past two years, I've been taking them continuously which means I don't have a period (although I have lots of spotting). How will I know when I'm in menopause if I'm on the pill? Any insight?
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ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken wrote: »Someone apparently flagged me for spam. I was making NO attempt at spam. Trying to share something I found interesting has turned into an absurd fiasco. I can't post with out approval now. So whatever. Anyone who is interested in the neurological aspect of perimenopause will hopefully find something else on it.
@ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken my account once got the spam block from the automatic system (rather than from a moderator) and I wrote to @Alex, who fixed it.0 -
I think it's done now. I haven't seen the pop up telling me my comment had to be approved anymore. However the comments that never were approved are still a mystery to me. I can't imagine what I said that was so "spammy" that they chose not to post my comments. I'm just moving on at this point.1
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »This bears reposting:
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com
I strongly encourage women in peri- to read a couple of books, or at least spend time on a couple of good websites (like the north american menopause society).
Symptoms like: vertigo, low blood sugar, itchy skin.... all we ever really hear about is the eventual hot flashes.
I've been getting itchy skin (which I never had before). Hmmm. My blood sugar went wonky over the last few years also. Maybe I'll go take a look at that website!
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Peri here 51 regular for awhile, and then not and then again......0
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I'm sorry if this has been asked but I didn't read every post. After no cycle for 2 months I'm having one now. It seems like when I do I get awful muscle cramps through my whole body now. It is like a cross between how you feel after a tough day at the gym or when you are first getting a flu. Have any of you experienced this?
I have thyroid issues as well but my levels are good right now and it is only the day I start so definitely cycle related.0 -
I'm sorry if this has been asked but I didn't read every post. After no cycle for 2 months I'm having one now. It seems like when I do I get awful muscle cramps through my whole body now. It is like a cross between how you feel after a tough day at the gym or when you are first getting a flu. Have any of you experienced this?
I have thyroid issues as well but my levels are good right now and it is only the day I start so definitely cycle related.
Just prior to a period, like 2 or 3 days before anything starts, my feet and calves cramp. They'll cramp when I'm walking or cycling or in the middle of the night waking me in a panic. Nothing seems to help. I've tried all the usual things ... hydration, electrolytes, magnesium tablets, stretching, etc. etc.
And then, on Day 2 of my period, the cramping goes away.2 -
For the past few days I feel like I've been hungrier than usual. I try to ignore it or drink water, thinking it might actually just be boredom, but it doesn't go away and I wind up eating 100-200 calories over my daily goal because I just have to have something else (usually an extra banana or protein bar). I've been at 1,345 calories/day for the past 6 weeks, and I haven't had any trouble with hunger until now. Maybe not coincidentally, on Saturday I got a "real" period for the first time since October (something happened last month that I guess I'd call a period, but it was much lighter and shorter than a regular one and all just old/dark blood). I've never noticed a connection between my period and my appetite before, but my healthier eating habits are still relatively new and the perimenopause is unpredictable so who knows! I figure this period should be done in another day or two...hopefully the hunger will also subside then. 1
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Misnomer971 wrote: »For the past few days I feel like I've been hungrier than usual. I try to ignore it or drink water, thinking it might actually just be boredom, but it doesn't go away and I wind up eating 100-200 calories over my daily goal because I just have to have something else (usually an extra banana or protein bar). I've been at 1,345 calories/day for the past 6 weeks, and I haven't had any trouble with hunger until now. Maybe not coincidentally, on Saturday I got a "real" period for the first time since October (something happened last month that I guess I'd call a period, but it was much lighter and shorter than a regular one and all just old/dark blood). I've never noticed a connection between my period and my appetite before, but my healthier eating habits are still relatively new and the perimenopause is unpredictable so who knows! I figure this period should be done in another day or two...hopefully the hunger will also subside then.
This is my problem! I have found a few things that really help me get it under control. I find that certain foods and adjustments in my diet during this time really take the edge off. Peanut butter is a massive help. It seems to really help me feel full. I will have a little peanut butter at meals or snacks. One thing I found that is especially good is these little Back To nature 90 calorie brownies. The box has 6 packs of 2. So with 2 servings in a pack I just save one for later, but I smear one with peanut butter and it is a surprisingly satisfying snack or desert or peanut butter on a rice cake is also good. . Cottage cheese is another one that really helps the hunger, also I try to keep my carbs low on those days where my hormones are driving my appetite. Also getting plenty of water. While nothing seems to entirely eliminate this voracious hunger the things I listed here do help me a great deal. Maybe you can tinker with your diet and find some other ways to take the edge off for you.1 -
Thanks, @ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken! I'm going to try to tough out the next couple of days and hope that the hunger fades as my hormones settle. If it doesn't, I'll need to look into foods that are more filling but don't break the calorie bank.
Funny story: right before I saw your post I went into my lunchbox to take out my afternoon protein bar so it wouldn't get too cold (I use an ice pack), and realized that I'd accidentally packed two afternoon snacks: the protein bar, and string cheese! I've never done that before. I might just eat them both.
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Misnomer971 wrote: »Thanks, @ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken! I'm going to try to tough out the next couple of days and hope that the hunger fades as my hormones settle. If it doesn't, I'll need to look into foods that are more filling but don't break the calorie bank.
Funny story: right before I saw your post I went into my lunchbox to take out my afternoon protein bar so it wouldn't get too cold (I use an ice pack), and realized that I'd accidentally packed two afternoon snacks: the protein bar, and string cheese! I've never done that before. I might just eat them both.
I don't know how long it lasts for you but mine usually lasts about 10 days. The week before my perood as well the first 3 or so days of my period. I also run a shorter cycle, around 23 days on average so I feel like I don't get enough "normal" time.0 -
I've had the hunger thing too, a couple of times. One day a few months back I was absolutely ravenous and wanted to just eat all day - it was tough to keep in check! I enquired of my friends list and a couple of people asked if it was ToM, but since I hadn't felt any other symptoms I didn't think anything of it. Then a couple of days later I got some bleeding. I've seen it one or two other times as well, when I suddenly feel like I'm starving for a day or two and then I get a period of some kind soon after. It only lasts a short time, but it seems to be related!
I'll have to consider the "peanut butter solution" next time it happens and see if that makes any difference. 2
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