Shifting from peri - to meno

16 years ago

I'm 51 and have started missing more periods than I'm having (the ones I have tend to be very heavy with some clotting). For the last few years regular periods I have noticed signs that I'm in peri - losing muscle/elasticity, thinning hair, mood and energy swings, weight gain, memory problems (yow!), Andy Rooney eyebrows (now is that fair?:). I've had some warm flashes but nothing serious and not lately.

So....what's in store? I realize its different for everyone but when did certain symptoms start for you all?

Anyone get through without HRT? (Is that a good thing?)

(P.S. my mother had an early hysterectomy so I can't use her as an example, my sister, 7 yrs older, did HRT because of painful fibroids which HRT cleared up, she went off after a year or two, I'm uncertain what else she has experienced)

Comments (4)

seaecho1
16 years ago
Hi Mary,

My situation is very similar to yours, although I'm not missing more periods than I'm having yet. (Darn!) I'm 52, and my periods have sometimes been irregular, and sometimes very regular for the last two years. This seems to be dragging on forever. I've been having slight hot flashes much like what you describe off and on for the last four years. Weight gain, energy swings, thinning hair, losing muscle, memory problems (the worst!) I can relate to them all, believe me. Also, my migraines will get much worse at times. Also, I go through phases where I don't sleep as well, and I've slept well all my life up until now.

From what I've researched on HRT, the general consences seems to be its only recommended if symptoms are severe. So far, mine are bearable. Do research on it online -- there's tons of information. From all I've learned so far, I won't use HRT unless my symptoms get really severe. For me, I just don't think its worth the risk.
marys1000
Original Author
16 years ago
seachol - I agree. It seems like every drug out there has side effects, many they don't know about till later. I used to be more of a, "the Dr. says this, ok" type but as I've gotten older I believe more and more that less is better! esp when it comes to drugs. There are times when I'm sick of my joint aches (forgot to mention those) and other symptoms but I'm nowhere near awful and hope I can stay off HRT. I'd have to be close to dead to use something like Premarin which limits my options anyway. So far I think the energy thing bothers me the most.

I'm just wondering - what do I need to prepare myself for next?
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I'm in the same club. I find it all very aggravating. I had the same three-week cycle for quite a while, very heavy, and I was anemic. Got to the point where I was sick and just dragging for an entire summer, and finally I had an endometrial ablation two years ago -- one of the best things I have ever done! I have not had a period in two years! However, no period doesn't mean no PMS and no peri-meno. All the hormones are still there! Ugh. Not only do I have the usual PMS for 3-5 days, but now I also have the same degree of crabbiness mid-cycle accompanied by major bloating. It all seems more random, too. I used to be able to keep track or anticipate the timing of all this, but now, not so much. Two weeks ago I was so bloated and up a few pounds, could barely wear my jeans for about a week, then woke up one day and felt better, pounds were back off, and it all seemed like a random time, cycle-wise. No real hot flashes yet -- I've had a couple -- but sometimes wake up sweating in the middle of the night, when just a few hours before I had been so comfortable in my flannel pj's! And don't even get me started on the acne. Today, in fact, my boobs are hurting for no apparent reason. I feel like my hormones are just all over the place.
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Hi there, sorry to hear about your troubles, I am having somethign similar at the moment, with exception of heavy prolonged bleeding that sends me into acute anemia fast every time it happens. We are same age so I assume you are in perimenopause by the sound of it. First of all let me tell you that the palpitations and anxiety attacks are usual thing that happens during this time, be comforted that you are NOT having heart attack or dying, will just need to learn to control these. I did pretty much and they are under control now. Remember its just an attack, let it come, pass over you, keep repeating they will pass. Set little routines that usually help you such as, breathing into a paper bag, or your hands, carbon dioxide will slow your breathing and prevent you from hyperventilating. Fresh air helps me, also getting busy, doing anything to take your mind of it. If its already in full blown mode, just sit safely, cold towel around your neck, or wash your face in cold water, and breathe, slowly, try to control your breathing...after a while your body will pick it up and slow down the whole thing overall. I found out it helps a lot to develop the routine, it will be better than pills once you manage to improve it. I hope this was of some comfort to you, hope to hear about your improvement. :) hugs
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I am so sorry you have had this suffering from going off your HRT. I too, have had a sudden onset on terrible symptoms from an inability to be able to buy my HRT lately. I have been on HRT since my hysterectomy in 1991. I started on premrin, changing the strengths until we knew that was not working for me, went to estrace, then patches, then injections; all making me feel like a lab animal, going through too many changes over the years. It was 3 years ago that I read about Estring, and asked my Dr if I could try it. It was PERFECT! No more dryness, no more remembering to take my meds (it lasts 3 months) and most of all, no more worry about the breast cancer threats from all the other ones. This was my magic ring, and the amount that was absorbed into my blood was so insignificant, that I knew I had found the answer to all my problems. I had balanced out perfectly, and needed nothing more than my ring once every 3 months. 2 months ago, I came into a situation that prevented me from being able to buy my estring, and have not been able to buy it yet. Since then, I have entered, SUDDEN, full blown menopause, and this is not a joke. I have become a basket case; emotionally and mentally, physically I cannot sleep, am stressed constantly, and have tension headaches that overwhelm me. I am looking forward to when I can resume buying my estring, and will NEVER go off it again, if I can help it. I do not want to have to go through this again, for any reason. I'm afraid I have lost all quality of life in my state now, and just want to get back to feeling like a normal, and sane woman again. After having found such a safe HRT, I would never even consider the thought of going off it on purpose. I agree that "quality" of life takes precedence over trying to be a model of healthy intake at this stage of the game. I do everything else I can to be healthy, and being ON HRT gives me a far more healthy brain, body, and emotional state of being.
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seaecho1
16 years ago
Mary, hopefully someone will chime in and give us some help on what to expect next. This is kind of scary. Kind of sad too, as I realize this is a sign that my youth is gone :( The lack of energy is one of my biggest hurdles too. I can only plan to do one thing on any given day, because if I push myself at all, I end up exhausted. Do you exercise? I find that helps tremendously for the joint aches. I also ride my horse. I have a hard time trusting any drug anymore, as I've had bad experiences with awful side effects in the past. Its become almost a phobia. Do you also get heart palpitations?

Randi
juanital
16 years ago
Don't have any solutions but sure do relate...I've noticed lately I'm getting looser skin,weight gain...and that memory loss, definitley not a qwick thinker anymore...not much energy to think of, Seaecho, described that perfectly...Although I believe seeing a Dr once in a while, just for emergencies mostly,(only if your not sure of self or of those around you and if whatever is bothering you.. doesn't go away on own then I will seek out the medical field)...I think Dr's in general care but sometimes I think it's often over exaggerated and they overworked...This is just my own humble opinion...Sorry I didn't mean to get way off here....but I would try natural remedies 1st.

And as hubby and I both realised we're not young but feel getting some form of exercise will improve it....So we got a Total Gym 1700...It's a very useful piece of equipment that helps us get toned up and accomodates a few aches and pains of our own...Still could use an cardio program though...maybe a nice trim exercise bike...Yes, could probably take a walk around the house a few times but I don't care for the cold weather...I'm a wimp!

Just listen to your body, read up what ever you can, I beleive knowledge helps you understand...ANd I hope you and all here WELLNESS...

Juanita

Shifting from peri - to meno

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seaecho1

marys1000
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Shifting from peri - to meno

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seaecho1

marys1000Original Author

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