OT-Perimenopause/Menopause what can I expect?

 So I think I'm going through perimenopause as I've been given to understand that menopause is the point where you actually stop having periods.  My mom had a hysterectomy due to fibroids so I have no idea when she might have gone through it, hence no reference for what I'm going through.  I get moody/depressed at certain times of the month for a few days, some days just crave chocolate, have occasional night sweats but this isn't even weekly yet.  I've been tracking my period for three years now and it was very regular but is starting to get weird.  I'm listing the dates and length of times between periods for the last two years.  Can someone please explain all this to me and if there is anything that I can do to ease the transition?

Thanks.
Jan

7-Jan-10	29
9-Feb-10	33
8-Mar-10	30
9-Apr-10	32
28-Apr-10	19
28-May-10	30
22-Jun-10	25
22-Jul-10	30
18-Aug-10	27
17-Sep-10	30
15-Oct-10	28
24-Nov-10	40
17-Dec-10	23
16-Jan-11	30
15-Feb-11	30
18-Mar-11	31
20-Apr-11	33
19-May-11	29
16-Jul-11	58
13-Aug-11	28
9-Sep-11	27
28-Oct-11	49
4-Dec-11	37
30-Dec-11	26
11-Feb-12	43

Hi Jan,

You and I could be twins.  I'm 54.  How old are you?  My mom also had fibroids and had a hysterectomy in her forties.  I have no sisters and no frame of reference either.  I had periods as regular as clockwor****il about 8 months ago, and then things started to get "weird", as you so aptly put it.  I haven't had the night sweats or hot flashes yet.  I do get a little *****y at times, and I still have the chocolate cravings right before I start.  And the last few periods I have had have been super heavy.  Almost debilitating, you know?  Sometimes they last 2 days and sometimes they last 2 week!  It's nuts.  

So I asked my ob/gyn at my last visit last August and she confirmed that this is perimenopause.  She said if i start experiencing severe symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, etc.), to come back and see her and we would discuss various hormone therapies, but so far, so good.

Let me know what you find out.  I bought a book, Menopause for Dummies, but it really didn't help much.  Mostly I'm just ready for it all to be over.  Hang in there, sista!

 Hi Vickie,

I'm 51.  It hasn't gotten so bad yet and I see my doc usually in the summer for my yearly, so right now I'm just tracking so I have data to show her.  But I'm starting to get curious about this whole thing and really don't want to deal with it.  Itsn't it another pain.  Men don't have to go through this.

I hear soy helps.

Good luck to you.
Jan

Hi Jan,

It sounds like you are in Peri-menopause. I started at age 41. In February, I officially stared menopause. I am 54.

For me the first symptoms were no interest in sex,  irregular periods, hot flashes, weight gain in my upper tummy, and memory loss. Later came night sweats, anger management, depression, and sleep disturbances and facial hair. 

I am on bioidentical hormones, the Wiley Protocol to exact. It has really helped with the symptoms.

It is a season that i make myself enjoy. There are lovely things about being 54; no periods, feeling sexual again, feeling self-assured.

Best,

Sharon

 Hi Sharon,

Thanks for being so honest.  I'm glad you mentioned the no interest in sex because lately I have a hard time becoming sexual or having any interest and it really bothers me.  It's good to know it might only be temporary and due to hormones.  I feel so hormonal at times.  I haven't had a lot of symptons other than the very rare waking up very hot, but I've had facial hair coming up for a long time that I am always plucking.  Ugh!

Glad you are doing so much better now.
Jan

 Every one of us is soooo different.  Check with your Doctor.  What may be good for us may not be for you.   

I started out early due to having my uterus taken out but left the ovaries.   I started out a little crabby but by the time I was in full swing I was a raging B....   It was like a light switch was turned on and off.  My Doctor prescribed anti-depressants which helped some.  The biggest help was diet.....  good ole diet....  I had to watch my sugars, salts, fats....   the usual....  all things we love.   Water water water.  Flushes out the junk....   

Check with your Doctor for the best advice.  Look online for good food remedies.


Isn't it amazing how much our health revolves around food...  lol  especially what we shouldn't have.

Millie

 Hi Millie,

Thanks for the reply.  Nice to know the healthy diet I'm eating now along with all the water will help.  I'm probably no where near the raging B stage yet, but I'm not looking forward to it.  I guess forwarned is forearmend.  LOL

I'll see my doc this summer and ask her at my annual checkup.  Just want to gather as much info as I can now.

Thanks.
Jan

Sorry you are going through this...me...never had any problems at all. My periods just stopped. One thing to think about is after you have WLS you are more easily able to become pregnant. Especially if you are still going through menopause.  So be extra careful when having sex. Dr said double up on protection. When I had my WLS I didn't have to worry about getting pg because my husband at the time was impotent. And now that I am with Rick, I am past the danger zone.

Wishing you the best of luck on getting some help to get you through this.

HUGS

 Hi Judy,

Thanks for the warm thoughts.  No prob on the pregnancy.  Hubby had a vasectomy back in our 40s when we finally decided to have no more kids.  Thankfully, I don't have that to worry about.  The new puppy cravings though...  :)

Hi Jan!

I'm 64 and left that crazy time behind 12 years ago, but from age 47 to 52, it was one wild ride.

All the advice I can give you is to try to stay calm, treat the symptoms and make sure your husband is onboard with what's going on.  My husband picked that time to start banging his secretary, and the marriage deteriorated rapidly towardsthe inevitable divorce. 

Keep in mind thatthe symptoms will abate and you will have your energy and libido back.

Good luck,

Maria