Is it possible to get through Menopause without weight gain? If so please share your secrets!
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HRT, for those who can take it, is the bomb imho. It's a shame that many doctors are still unnecessarily wary of it. I've been on it just over a year (peri underneath), no more hideous night sweats, and despite a hefty weight gain for other reasons, my fat distribution pattern is the same as it's always been. Nothing 'extra' has gone on around my mid section, and now that I finally have my *kitten* together with eating like a health conscious adult again, weight is coming off as per expectations, and waist is doing its usual slightly quicker than everywhere else thing - nearly 2.5" in five weeks.
So my N=1 experience of weight loss in perimenopause whilst on HRT, absolutely no different to weight loss prior.4 -
saggynaggy65 wrote: »VioletRojo wrote: »I had no symptoms of peri-menopause, but menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. The hot flashes are horrible and debilitating. I get 10+ per day and they're not just a warming sensation. It feels like I've been dropped into a pit of fire. Insomnia makes the rest of life more difficult because I'm so tired. It sucks big time and I lost my sense of humor about it a long time ago.
However, I haven't had any weight gain. I keep active and watch how much I eat and all is well on that front.
I have the exact same symptoms as you VioletRojo. I tried everything from diet and exercise to spending tons of money on nutritional supplements that really didn't make me feel any better. I started HRT last week on the advice of my doctor and I find that I am already getting some relief. There is nothing worse than breaking out in a sweat when you are not doing anything physical! I can't wait to get a good night's sleep again! This has been going on for 8 months now and I'm soooooo tired! Thank you so much for sharing your story.
I'm on week 2 of HRT, so I'm hoping to see improvement soon.
Edited to add: This took me by surprise as both my mother and sister had NO symptoms with menopause. No hot flashes or anything.1 -
While I did gain weight after menopause, (about 25 pounds over 5 years) I don't think menopause itself was a big part of that.
During that time, we moved, I stopped work (was seasonal work), lost my Y membership and the money for a new gym membership, walked less, was dealing with an undiagnosed Vit D deficiency, ate too much, etc.
My weight gain was mostly the same pattern as before - mostly hips and legs, chest, arms, and face. I did get just the slightest amount of belly fat which I never really had before, but still minor.
The belly fat has proven to be a bit stubborn even though I now weigh what I did 6 years ago.
As far as peri-menopause and menopause symptoms, I was pretty unlucky. Hot flashes started about 3 years before menopause (as often as several times per hour). I have literally changed PJs 4 times overnight due to night sweats. Just last year my new gyne recommended a HRT patch which has finally ended 8 years of 25-100 daily hot flashes. I also sleep way better now than I have for 8 years. I got all the other common symptoms of menopause, too.
It is/was all still better than endometriosis pain, though. That was excruciating for 35 years.4 -
saggynaggy65 wrote: »@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information.
I've had almost every symptom in the book ... all but 6 of them ... and I can't take HRT.
(https://www.facebook.com/MenopauseNow/)
But I'm not sure what you mean by winning the battle.1 -
saggynaggy65 wrote: »
@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information. On another note, no menopause isn't a TABOO subject where I am from. I find it funny that you keep saying that you think that I think it is. People in my circles generally don't sit around drinking tea and talk about menopause all the time. I also didn't realize there were a lot of threads discussing this topic, since I just started MFP yesterday.
Your thread title is "Is it possible to get through Menopause without weight gain? If so please share your secrets!" so I answered the question.
Since you really wanted to know our experiences with the total menopause experience, not weight gain, I will address that. Perimenopause was hell, menopause was easy. During perimenopause, I had severe insomnia for about 3 days before getting my period. By this I mean sleeping a total of about 4 hours out of 72, then crashing for a couple of days. Played havoc with my ability to do my job. I also had the heaviest periods of my life, worst cramps, and the worst acne.
All my symptoms disappeared when my periods stopped so menopause itself was easy, just an occasional night sweat which I still get 11 years later. My libido also got stronger.
The one thing that didn't happen was weight gain because I was trying to lose and actually found it easy to do because the craziness of PMS stopped.
Yes ... I've been through about 10 years of perimenopause hell. But now that my periods only come once every 4-6 months, it's easier. I will be delighted when they finally stop.
My weight has been the least of my worries.1 -
saggynaggy65 wrote: »
@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information. On another note, no menopause isn't a TABOO subject where I am from. I find it funny that you keep saying that you think that I think it is. People in my circles generally don't sit around drinking tea and talk about menopause all the time. I also didn't realize there were a lot of threads discussing this topic, since I just started MFP yesterday.
Your thread title is "Is it possible to get through Menopause without weight gain? If so please share your secrets!" so I answered the question.
Since you really wanted to know our experiences with the total menopause experience, not weight gain, I will address that. Perimenopause was hell, menopause was easy. During perimenopause, I had severe insomnia for about 3 days before getting my period. By this I mean sleeping a total of about 4 hours out of 72, then crashing for a couple of days. Played havoc with my ability to do my job. I also had the heaviest periods of my life, worst cramps, and the worst acne.
All my symptoms disappeared when my periods stopped so menopause itself was easy, just an occasional night sweat which I still get 11 years later. My libido also got stronger.
The one thing that didn't happen was weight gain because I was trying to lose and actually found it easy to do because the craziness of PMS stopped.
Yes ... I've been through about 10 years of perimenopause hell. But now that my periods only come once every 4-6 months, it's easier. I will be delighted when they finally stop.
My weight has been the least of my worries.
Just remember: when you hit menopause you enter a great stage of life, at least as far as expenses go. You no longer need sanitary protection and chances are good you will not need incontinence protection for a decent amount of time, YMMV.
Perimenopause took about 10 years for me with the symptoms getting worse as time went on. I started taking a soy based supplement to help with the symptoms but that gave me fast growing cysts in my breasts so I had to stop. I am really, really enjoying being post-menopausal.3 -
saggynaggy65 wrote: »
@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information. On another note, no menopause isn't a TABOO subject where I am from. I find it funny that you keep saying that you think that I think it is. People in my circles generally don't sit around drinking tea and talk about menopause all the time. I also didn't realize there were a lot of threads discussing this topic, since I just started MFP yesterday.
Your thread title is "Is it possible to get through Menopause without weight gain? If so please share your secrets!" so I answered the question.
Since you really wanted to know our experiences with the total menopause experience, not weight gain, I will address that. Perimenopause was hell, menopause was easy. During perimenopause, I had severe insomnia for about 3 days before getting my period. By this I mean sleeping a total of about 4 hours out of 72, then crashing for a couple of days. Played havoc with my ability to do my job. I also had the heaviest periods of my life, worst cramps, and the worst acne.
All my symptoms disappeared when my periods stopped so menopause itself was easy, just an occasional night sweat which I still get 11 years later. My libido also got stronger.
The one thing that didn't happen was weight gain because I was trying to lose and actually found it easy to do because the craziness of PMS stopped.
Yes ... I've been through about 10 years of perimenopause hell. But now that my periods only come once every 4-6 months, it's easier. I will be delighted when they finally stop.
My weight has been the least of my worries.
Just remember: when you hit menopause you enter a great stage of life, at least as far as expenses go. You no longer need sanitary protection and chances are good you will not need incontinence protection for a decent amount of time, YMMV.
Perimenopause took about 10 years for me with the symptoms getting worse as time went on. I started taking a soy based supplement to help with the symptoms but that gave me fast growing cysts in my breasts so I had to stop. I am really, really enjoying being post-menopausal.
Already I chuckle to myself when I walk by the feminine products in the store.
It's probably been a year since I've bought any ... I'm just using up my stock when necessary.
And I've been seeing a pelvic physiotherapist who has been very helpful giving me exercises to ward off potential bladder issues etc. I highly recommend pelvic physiotherapists!1 -
I had my very first hot flash last month and I live in Canada where it’s freezing- ladies it was awesome! I barely even needed blankets at night! Honestly I’m excited of this whole process.. no periods and your own personal furnace😂3
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saggynaggy65 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »saggynaggy65 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »Paperpudding anecdotal evidence n=1.
Did not gain weight at menopause.
Gained weight gradually over 10 years or so pre menopause - so called middle age spread.
Started weight loss in Jan 2013, then age 49 and pre menopausal. Lost 10 kg in 10 months to get to healthy BMI.
Then maintained weight, still logging ( albeit mostly in loose approximations ) from then on.
Last period in August 2018, then aged 54.
The amount of calories needed for maitenance did not change from Nov 2013, when I reached goal weight, to now, over 6 years later despite starting before menopause and now being clearly past it.
PS as an aside, nothing much else changed either - I have the same job working at around the same hours, the same finances, lifestyle etc - which also supports Ann's theory that lifestyle changes account for more of this common weight gain than hormonal changes
PPS as another aside, I don't find menopause to be some taboo subject nobody talks about nor a 'dreaded life change'
Certainly a common topic talked about on these forums and IME ( which, yes, I realise isn't everyone's) nothing much changed at all - except of course no more periods and some minor hot flushes. Mildly annoying more than dreadful, to me.
Consider yourself one of the lucky ones. My symptoms are a living hell and so are a lot of other women's! Nobody I know ever talked about menopause or told me about the symptoms of menopause so I don't agree with you there. I actually find your remarks to my post rather snide than helpful.
Bit lost as to what you found snide (clearly so are a couple of other posters)
You asked "Is it possible to go through menopause without gaining weight, if so share your secrets"
So, I answered yes, according to paperpudding n=1, yes it is possible and shared my 'secrets' of that.
Well, my experience anyway - no great secrets in it.
and like I said I dont find menopause a taboo subject nobody talks about- perhaps you do, I can't nor did say what are ok subjects where you live.
On MFP it certainly isnt taboo - there are many threads discussing it.
and yes I'm sure like all health and life experiences, luck plays some part - again I didnt say otherwise and not sure why you are getting defensive about that
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@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information. On another note, no menopause isn't a TABOO subject where I am from. I find it funny that you keep saying that you think that I think it is. People in my circles generally don't sit around drinking tea and talk about menopause all the time. I also didn't realize there were a lot of threads discussing this topic, since I just started MFP yesterday.
Well your thread title asked if it was possible to go through menopause without gaining weight and share your secrets of how - and I answered that question.
Not sure what information you were looking for if not answers to your own question.
You said it was a topic nobody talks about - me saying I hadn't found that to be so doesn't mean I sit round drinking tea and talking about it all the time either.
And I gave you a thread specifically on this topic in order to help you.
A simple search will no doubt find more.1 -
saggynaggy65 wrote: »
@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information. On another note, no menopause isn't a TABOO subject where I am from. I find it funny that you keep saying that you think that I think it is. People in my circles generally don't sit around drinking tea and talk about menopause all the time. I also didn't realize there were a lot of threads discussing this topic, since I just started MFP yesterday.
Your thread title is "Is it possible to get through Menopause without weight gain? If so please share your secrets!" so I answered the question.
Since you really wanted to know our experiences with the total menopause experience, not weight gain, I will address that. Perimenopause was hell, menopause was easy. During perimenopause, I had severe insomnia for about 3 days before getting my period. By this I mean sleeping a total of about 4 hours out of 72, then crashing for a couple of days. Played havoc with my ability to do my job. I also had the heaviest periods of my life, worst cramps, and the worst acne.
All my symptoms disappeared when my periods stopped so menopause itself was easy, just an occasional night sweat which I still get 11 years later. My libido also got stronger.
The one thing that didn't happen was weight gain because I was trying to lose and actually found it easy to do because the craziness of PMS stopped.
Yes ... I've been through about 10 years of perimenopause hell. But now that my periods only come once every 4-6 months, it's easier. I will be delighted when they finally stop.
My weight has been the least of my worries.
Just remember: when you hit menopause you enter a great stage of life, at least as far as expenses go. You no longer need sanitary protection and chances are good you will not need incontinence protection for a decent amount of time, YMMV.
Perimenopause took about 10 years for me with the symptoms getting worse as time went on. I started taking a soy based supplement to help with the symptoms but that gave me fast growing cysts in my breasts so I had to stop. I am really, really enjoying being post-menopausal.
Already I chuckle to myself when I walk by the feminine products in the store. It's probably been a year since I've bought any ... I'm just using up my stock when necessary.
And I've been seeing a pelvic physiotherapist who has been very helpful giving me exercises to ward off potential bladder issues etc. I highly recommend pelvic physiotherapists!
Yes, my mom is 82 and is having bladder issues. She went through "bladder training" but didn't keep up with the exercises. I took her to a URI/GYN last month - one of the doctor's first questions was if she'd been continuing the exercises. I'm 53 and should probably start doing those preventatively...1 -
I'm 52 and have gone through the menopause early
Did I gain weight?.....Not in the least...
Night sweats?.....the devil
Osteoporosis....severe
Do I know anyone who has gained weight?.....lots
Do I know anyone that has maintained?.....lots
I found the one's that had gained were eating the same calories as they were 10-20 years pre-menopause..no exercise
Same calories (as when younger).....slower metabolism...no exercise....more calories in than out.
They blame the menopause4 -
Lolalikeslolagets wrote: »I had my very first hot flash last month and I live in Canada where it’s freezing- ladies it was awesome! I barely even needed blankets at night! Honestly I’m excited of this whole process.. no periods and your own personal furnace😂
Just wait until one hits when you are all dressed up and in a fancy restaurant.
I was excited for menopause too. Happy to be done with periods so I can get on with the fun part of life. Besides saving money, it also makes traveling so much easier. Less to pack.2 -
I'm 52 and have gone through the menopause early
Did I gain weight?.....Not in the least...
Night sweats?.....the devil
Osteoporosis....severe
Do I know anyone who has gained weight?.....lots
Do I know anyone that has maintained?.....lots
I found the one's that had gained were eating the same calories as they were 10-20 years pre-menopause..no exercise
Same calories (as when younger).....slower metabolism...no exercise....more calories in than out.
They blame the menopause
I think this is why I know so few who gained weight. Most of the women I know have active lifestyles and do stuff like walk, hike, bike, ski, etc. Only a couple belong to fitness centers and most of them joined so they could swim year round.2 -
I'm 52 and have gone through the menopause early
Did I gain weight?.....Not in the least...
Night sweats?.....the devil
Osteoporosis....severe
Do I know anyone who has gained weight?.....lots
Do I know anyone that has maintained?.....lots
I found the one's that had gained were eating the same calories as they were 10-20 years pre-menopause..no exercise
Same calories (as when younger).....slower metabolism...no exercise....more calories in than out.
They blame the menopause
I think this is why I know so few who gained weight. Most of the women I know have active lifestyles and do stuff like walk, hike, bike, ski, etc. Only a couple belong to fitness centers and most of them joined so they could swim year round.
Spot on.....
Slightly off topic but relevant...
My mother put on having hysterectomy as all has friends developed a 'tummy' after the op.
She explained her concerns to her doctor to which the reply was:
'there is no medical reason to have a 'tummy' afterwards.....it's purely lifestyle that will give you that'
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I think it's possible. In my 65 it takes little more exercising and little less eating. I started adding fasting days(one or two days a week). It's hard to overtrain your food calories, so to make it simple I just decrease number of meals a day and amount of food. Only pedaling bike or elliptical machine don t make a trick. Try to include functional exercises at least 2 times a week. It has to feel hot, challenging and short of breath. I also suggest sauna 30 min after gym, cold shower for 1 min and cold exposure 3-5 times a week. I know, it's too much, but if you wont to look slim like in your 20th, it will take a lot more than average public thinks.
If you ready to do only what average publick is doing, you can reach only mediocre result.3 -
I haven't read all the comments yet but I wanted to reply:
I have definitely gained weight. I believe a combination of depression (emotional eating), less exercise (last year I had surgery on my foot in March and in August found out in a very painful way that I had a herniated disc. Prior to that I was very active - running, biking, gym activities) and hormones out of whack (from menopause - bad, bad sleep - stress, anxiety; too much cortisol?). And I'm not out of the woods yet. Every day I live through is a bonus. Last year was so bad, I definitely thought about walking into the sunset several times, if you know what I mean.
Menopause is a lonely dark place for me but I keep pushing forward. I just wish I could have a little bit of my body back by eating right and exercising by losing a little weight. I'm talking about 10 lbs would help me a lot with running and in general how I feel in my clothes. But even that seems impossible. I'm so sick of it and can't wait to see the back end of it.
Those of you saying they are looking forward to it? I hope you don't go through what I've gone through. Because it sucks goats. I only know people in real life who gained weight during menopause so I don't believe it's just a myth.
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runlaugheatpie wrote: »Menopause is a lonely dark place for me ... I'm so sick of it and can't wait to see the back end of it.
Menopause doesn't end ... until you do.
First there's a decade or so of Perimenopause with all sorts of wild and crazy and mostly unpleasant symptoms.
Then you go through 12 months with no periods.
And then you're in Menopause for the rest of your life.
Why is Menopause a lonely dark place for you?runlaugheatpie wrote: »Those of you saying they are looking forward to it? I hope you don't go through what I've gone through. Because it sucks goats.
We can't wait until one day we make our way through the decade or more of wild, crazy, and unpleasant symptoms ... and finally go 12 months without a period ... and get out the other side into Menopause.
I'm 52 and I know I'm getting close to the Great Escape. I've been in Perimenopause for 10 years. I've experienced almost all the symptoms. I've gone through female part precancer twice just to add to the fun, and have surgery both times. And I've made it as long as 6 months without a period ... and then one started again 28 days ago.
I'm "due" right now but hoping, hoping, hoping one doesn't start. I need to start the 12-month count again!
I cannot wait until it's all over!! I cannot wait until I'm in Menopause.
As far as my weight goes, it pales in comparison with everything else I've gone through in the last 10 years.3 -
As I mentioned on Page 2 ...saggynaggy65 wrote: »@paperpudding sorry for the remark but I didn't find your advice (or some others) very helpful in regards to my post. In my original post I stated, "If anyone is FIGHTING the menopause battle and has won, please share your secrets!" And by saying battle, I meant, you are having symptoms! Clearly you and some of the other ladies sailed through the transition and that's awesome, but I wasn't looking for that kind of information.
I've had almost every symptom in the book ... all but 6 of them ... and I can't take HRT.
(https://www.facebook.com/MenopauseNow/)
But I'm not sure what you mean by winning the battle.
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I am 49 and have had one period since January 2019 in June 2019. I have had some hot flashes, though none recently. I have also had mood swings. I did gain weight, BUT I stopped tracking and exercising several months ago. I am actually hoping to not get another period so I can officially be in menopause. I do know that I feel better when I am not overeating and exercising. I want to be through my hormonal ride before my 10 year old daughter starts her period, lol.0
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runlaugheatpie wrote: »I haven't read all the comments yet but I wanted to reply:
I have definitely gained weight. I believe a combination of depression (emotional eating), less exercise (last year I had surgery on my foot in March and in August found out in a very painful way that I had a herniated disc. Prior to that I was very active - running, biking, gym activities) and hormones out of whack (from menopause - bad, bad sleep - stress, anxiety; too much cortisol?). And I'm not out of the woods yet. Every day I live through is a bonus. Last year was so bad, I definitely thought about walking into the sunset several times, if you know what I mean.
Menopause is a lonely dark place for me but I keep pushing forward. I just wish I could have a little bit of my body back by eating right and exercising by losing a little weight. I'm talking about 10 lbs would help me a lot with running and in general how I feel in my clothes. But even that seems impossible. I'm so sick of it and can't wait to see the back end of it.
Those of you saying they are looking forward to it? I hope you don't go through what I've gone through. Because it sucks goats. I only know people in real life who gained weight during menopause so I don't believe it's just a myth.
I'm looking forward to menopause because the plummeting estrogen levels will shrink my almost soccer ball-sized fibroid, which causes torrential bleeding during my period and is only partly managed by tranexamic acid.
You sound depressed, something I've struggled with for decades.
Are you exercising again now? Regular exercise, and increased exercise in times of increased stress is crucial for my mental health.
Often I don't feel like exercise, so force myself to start, but am always fine once I begin, and always glad I did. I no longer have to give myself permission to stop in 10 minutes if I need to, but that was a useful strategy at one time.
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I’m 40 and started periM early at 35. I’m still peri and have definitely noticed I get a belly easier now when I do gain weight and I require a little less food to maintain my weight than before. I don’t think it’s made me gain weight though. If I maintain my activity and stay in calories the scale doesn’t change but I’ve definitely got the pooch and find it much more challenging to maintain muscle definition0
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56 here and I have had no way of knowing where I am in the peri/menopause timeline as I had a hysterectomy at age 33 and therefore no periods. I can say that my scale weight hasn't changed, but my body composition certainly did. About a year or so after I started experiencing hot flashes I noticed that most of what little muscle I carried was melting away. That was with no change in eating habits or exercise patterns (desk job, walking as only intentional exercise, normal household chores including minor renovation activities).
At age 47? 48? I started resistance training because I am very high risk for osteoporosis. A few years later I got into weight lifting and realized I wasn't eating nearly enough protein to support muscle building so I increased that.
Whoever said that hot flashes are like being dropped into a pit of fire hit the nail on the head for me. I remember reading an article that said exercise could decrease hot flashes and howling with laughter at the time. Exercise actually TRIGGERS hot flashes for me, it's like being punished for Doing the Right Thing. Nothing like feeling overheated to start with and then having that cranked up even higher. I've also experienced a few hot flashes that are so intense I've fainted. (Fortunately this happens at work where I am surrounded by people with first aid training.) A good night's sleep is a distant memory for me, it's probably been about 10 years. The other pervasive symptom is a perpetual feeling of high agitation, I describe it as constantly feeling like a 33 record played at 78 rpm. My doctor doesn't believe in HRT.
My "secret" to not gaining weight is purely genetic, however. I have my dad's hard gainer body type. The flipside to not easily gaining fat is that it is extremely difficult to put on muscle, especially at an age when it is so important to do so.2 -
56 here and I have had no way of knowing where I am in the peri/menopause timeline as I had a hysterectomy at age 33 and therefore no periods.
Has you doctor ever ordered a FSH and/or AMH test? They will give him/her AND YOU a great reading on where you are (assuming you kept at least one ovary).
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56 here and I have had no way of knowing where I am in the peri/menopause timeline as I had a hysterectomy at age 33 and therefore no periods.
Has you doctor ever ordered a FSH and/or AMH test? They will give him/her AND YOU a great reading on where you are (assuming you kept at least one ovary).
I kept both ovaries!
I've had a few FSH tests. Ironically, I had my first ever hot flash in the lab waiting room before the blood draw for the first FSH test.
The problem is that FSH does fluctuate in peri, so mine just goes up and down depending on where my hormones are on the day of testing. The first one put me right in menopause, and I was actually peri at the time as I had several extended periods of "normal" afterwards.
I've never seen an AMH test on the standard requisition form so I suspect it's not something that is covered by our health care.0 -
56 here and I have had no way of knowing where I am in the peri/menopause timeline as I had a hysterectomy at age 33 and therefore no periods.
Has you doctor ever ordered a FSH and/or AMH test? They will give him/her AND YOU a great reading on where you are (assuming you kept at least one ovary).
I kept both ovaries!
I've had a few FSH tests. Ironically, I had my first ever hot flash in the lab waiting room before the blood draw for the first FSH test.
The problem is that FSH does fluctuate in peri, so mine just goes up and down depending on where my hormones are on the day of testing. The first one put me right in menopause, and I was actually peri at the time as I had several extended periods of "normal" afterwards.
I've never seen an AMH test on the standard requisition form so I suspect it's not something that is covered by our health care.
It is new-ish so probably isn't on a lot of standard forms but can be requested by your doctor. You can always call your health care provider and find out if it is covered before requesting it from your doctor. It is much more accurate at showing the reproductive stage than the FSH is.0 -
Electric shocks? Not even sure what that means...0
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Electric shocks? Not even sure what that means...
For me, it's one of the things that helps me know a hot flash is on its way. I can be sitting there feeling quite comfortable, then all of a sudden I start feeling flickers of electric shocks from my head down my arms and sometimes into my legs ... like if you've ever shuffled across a carpet and touched something metal ... that sort of zap.
Then I become very nauseated and dizzy and feel like I'm coming down with the flu. I'm also restless and feel like maybe if I stand up and start heading for the toilet, I might feel better, or at least I'll be closer if something worse happens. I can feel that way for 5 or 10 minutes.
And then the hot flash washes over me for the next 5 minutes or so. It's almost a relief because the electric shocks, nausea and dizziness go away.
Hot flashes are an adventure.
Some days this happens about every 30 minutes ... sometimes I can go several days or even weeks with nothing, and then suddenly they come back again.1 -
56 here and I have had no way of knowing where I am in the peri/menopause timeline as I had a hysterectomy at age 33 and therefore no periods.
Has you doctor ever ordered a FSH and/or AMH test? They will give him/her AND YOU a great reading on where you are (assuming you kept at least one ovary).
I kept both ovaries!
I've had a few FSH tests. Ironically, I had my first ever hot flash in the lab waiting room before the blood draw for the first FSH test.
The problem is that FSH does fluctuate in peri, so mine just goes up and down depending on where my hormones are on the day of testing. The first one put me right in menopause, and I was actually peri at the time as I had several extended periods of "normal" afterwards.
I've never seen an AMH test on the standard requisition form so I suspect it's not something that is covered by our health care.
It is new-ish so probably isn't on a lot of standard forms but can be requested by your doctor. You can always call your health care provider and find out if it is covered before requesting it from your doctor. It is much more accurate at showing the reproductive stage than the FSH is.
I'm in Canada so it would need to be approved by our provincial health insurance. Chances are if it's new or expensive, no.1 -
Is "spamsplaining" a word? Can it be?
I predict that after a while, this comment won't make sense.
3 -
General speaking, I found it much easier to keep my weight steady after menopause. However I had gone through a little early and was advised to have HRT for bone health. Initially I was on a lowish dose via patches and had no changes to weight. There is now an issue with supply of patches and for the last couple of months, I have been on oestrogen gel. I gained about 9lbs quickly and I have remained the same weight for the last 4 weeks despite logging and sticking to 1500 calories daily. That would normally result in a pound a week loss for me. I have bigger boobs for the first time ever as I never gain there. They are also painful and my stomach feels like it is full of water.
It is a long time since I have taken the pill but I recall having a large weight loss very quickly when I stopped taking it. So in my experience, menopause hasn't impacted my weight but the hormone therapy has. I did find that my middle bit thickened a little after menopause but the numbers on the scale didn't change.0
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