Hay ladies... this may be like asking "How long is a piece of string ?" but, how long do menopausal symptoms go on for ?

One of my BF had a total hysterectomy at 34. Now 56, having being told 4 years ago she had completed menopause (FSH levels) she is starting to suffer many of the symptoms - headaches, mood swings, low sex drive etc even her skin is breaking out !!!! Familial history for me is unreliable as my Mother had a total hysterectomy at 32, and has no recollection of any menopausal symptoms. My sisters history seems quite different to mine too. Sister had regular periods until complete cessation at 48. No symptoms until 50, and has been hell on wheels for 4 years.

I clearly was in peri-menopause from age 43. Menopausal symptoms have been present for 18 months. (No periods for 11 months, 1 show......so strictly speaking I haven't been through menopause yet as 12 months is the rule of thumb but....)I have got off pretty lightly so far with the symptoms (no chronic manic mood swings like big Sis TTL !!!!) but just wondering how long until life returns to "normal".

No periods I can live with. Heating up at night and throwing off the covers I can live with too. Sex drive in the not so sure ! Even the and the 5kg weight gain I can reconcile.

I'd just like to know what others have experienced please.

Menopause seems to be a subject even us here on this forum are pretty closed mouthed about. Or maybe it's just a reflection of the average age of ladies here ?

Thanks

I think menopausal symptoms can go on a long time, like up to 10 years, but as you say it is very individual.

Re your BF: Having a hysterectomy (uterus removed) would not put her into menopause unless the ovaries were actually removed.
Were her ovaries removed along with the hysterectomy.

I can't comment personally as I am 37 and have just had my ovaries removed preventatively to prevent cancer, and I have not had any menopause symptoms as yet. Just to clarify - I did not have a hysterectomy and therefore still have my uterus.

I have had a lot of discussion with other women further down the road than me and general consensus is that yes often the libido goes down the toilet, but if you persist and partake in activity you do enjoy it! You just gotta get past the fact that you have litte desire now.
I'm really not looking forward to feeling like that

Hay thanks NightSky !

Yep, BF had ovaries removed too (as did my Mother) - maybe I have used the wrong terminology, but I thought that total hysterectomy meant removal of ovaries as well ? Soz for that.

Oh that's joyful to know symptoms can go on for 10 years..... Maybe this is where I have got confused as I thought the lead up to the cessation of menstruation (menopause) ie:-peri-menopause could last for up to 10 years, and once your periods stopped you were done ????? As, stated, I am confused as this is not what has happened to either my BF or my sister. Symtoms for them came AFTER....How long is a piece of string, I know. I am just getting rather impatient to have all this drama gone, as I have too many other issues to deal with right now, to be dealing with this AS WELL

Interesting though that medics are now acknowledging "male menopause" too as having physical symptoms, not just pschological ones. Colleague of DH's has just been told the physical symptoms he is suffering are probably related to MM !
In general though, the males get off DAMN lightly. Would certainly swap places right now !

I'm 43, and had a hyst at age 36, kept my ovaries.
Had no real menopausal symptoms up until past 18 mths.
A week before my period would be due, I would experience very painful breasts. Some months nothing at all.
Since last Dec I have been experiencing constant bouts of vulvitis, dryness, itching & discomfort.
GP prescribed Ovestin cream & Acigel... which seems to work, but before things can heal properly , a week before my period will be due I'll sometimes get thrush again, and the whole cycle continues. Have been keeping a calendar so def feel its hormonal. My GP prescribes also Fluconizole, 4 tablets taken every week for 4 weeks.
I have seen a Gynae, who has ruled out all other possibilities like excezema, , dermatitis, psoriasis atrophy & lichen slecrosis. She did blood tests which came back normal levels.
The longest break I've had now in past 9 mths is 3 weeks.

Def not one of the menopausal side effects you read of

Hay Linzi32 Nice to see someone else on this forum thread, I thought it was pretty dead !

I hadn't heard of these symptoms either until I went to the GP for an (overdue) cervical smear last week. She wasn't my regular, and she asked me (obviously) about menopausal symptoms etc and thrush and (what I presume is) vulvitis (is this dry vagina and itching ?)

I said I hadn't had trouble with thrush for many years and everything else was ok. She expressed surprise at this as apparently I had 'signs' of thrush....News to me you can have 'signs' of thrush without any of the symptoms ?????

Anyway, for what it is worth, and probably cold comfort i know, SOMEONE has heard of these symptoms and the link to menopause. And it would make sense that they ARE linked to menopause. I mean, after all, hormonal changes pre-menstruation can trigger thrush, so why not at the other end of life ? And stress is certainly a link, and if menopause 'aint stressful, nothing is !

I feel for you Linzi32, I really do. I have found dealing with menopausal symptoms on top of everything else that is going on in our lives, WAY too hard.

Have you consulted a naturopath at all ? Sometimes alternative remedies can be extremely useful. I have certainly found them to be.

Hugs hon and welcome to the thread.

Hiya

hooray another EBB board to frequent

Declining estrogen can cause thrush like symptoms, with the burning, itching and discomfort... therefore the vulvitis.
I have had too many swabs taken from my GP to mention 3/5 have come back positive for yeast infection.
I very rarely had thrush prior even when pregant.
Now, even antiobitics give me vaginal thrush.

Have tried a tea tree oil cream, zinc/castor oil cream, bepanthen on external areas. Zinc/castor oil being the best. The Aci Gel has been great but expensive at $50 for 20 applications, which I have to use 2/3 x a week. Ovestin cream 2x a week
Have also upped my yoghurt, and have tried Pro Flora pro biotic capsules. Maybe because its not vaginal has had no success
I think I really will try a Naturopath

Oh boy, Linzi32, you have been through the mill !

I had the reverse, with thrush frequently when pregnant, but not now.

You have tried the lot by the looks !

Do continue the thread if you have success with a naturopath. If you are in the Tauranga area, I can thoroughly recommend Neville Caseley. Get back to me if you are, and I will give you his contact details.

Without him I would not have DD#3 and many other issues would still be "issues" and not a distant memory !

Can I join in too?

I've found out I'm probably peri-menopausal... still have all bits but getting thrush, night sweats, weird periods... mum was just a bit older than me when she began to go through menopause.. I'm only 42!

What sort of things will the naturopath recommend Camom - I take medication for a suspected SVT and am hopeless at vitamins but if I get any more run down this year I will

Oh yeah... the irony of EBB... one extreme to the other
when a good sex life saw me join the September 2002 Mums to be Board, to a waning sex life and on the Menopause Board

Hay Linzi32 Yeah girlfriend do I read you loud and clear or what ?????

I started laughing in bed the other night Highly inappropriate at the time, but there we are.....

When DH asked me why, the best I could do was say "How life changes"......

I then quoted an item I had seen on the net. T-shirt that read "I'm still HOT, but only when I'm flushing". Not funny (at least I don't think so but then again I am sensitive to the subject !) DH didn't think it was funny either, but you do have to keep some form of humour when dealing with "The Change". And man-oh-man what a change it is.....

No wonder no one wants to talk about it.

Apart from here that is

And hay Liljay ! Welcome to you too ! To answer your question re naturopathy -
It depends what stage you are up too and who the naturopath is. I know thats not a very satisfactory answer, but I have friends across the country who use different products so I guess it's not one size fits all. Black cohosh is found in "Remifem" and other products, and some people swear by this. Even my GP recommended this to me only last week.

I can sympathise with the "I'm only 42". I was 43 when my symptoms began. It sucks, but what do you do ?

This is so me at the moment.

Im tired of going to the GP each month and them looking down yonder and prescribing AB's or thrush treatment.

I also have a bartholin cyst at the mo too which is extremly painful.

How are you ladies getting on?

Did you seek help from a naturpath and what did they suggest?

I go to Neville Caseley * (www.nevdon.com) in Tauranga, and he has been my saviour, seriously.

I use his hormonal genopathic drops, and compared to what my sister went through, I really have very little to compain about !

Menopause sucks no matter which way you look at it.

And, a bit like life when the going gets tough, it DOESN'T help to have the happy-clappy brigade telling you "That's life" and "Get on with it".....

And as for the constant inspection of your nether regions....forget THAT !

YOU have MY sympathy

WoW thanks for the reminder to see a Naturopath.
Since my post in September I was almost back to normal, and in hindsight had a couple of months with no PMS symptoms for it to come back with a vengeance since December.
I had extremely sore boobs for 10 days and the flare up of vulvitis.
I no longer seem to cope with the Summer, and my body temp has shot up especially at night when sleeping.
As a result I get hot and sweaty which aggravates the vulvitis and the cycle continues!

I stopped all the creams and potions except using pinetarsol shower gel, and taking an anti histamine for the itching.
Still on 3x weekly of Ovestin cream.

If anyone can recommend a female Naturopath in Auckland I'd appreciate it.

Hopefully someone out there can help you with that one Linzi32. Mine really has been a life saver.

I haven't found G.P's to be all that helpful. Start on the subject and you'll get a ..."Yes, well, I'm sure it's not pleasant. In the past we just would have given you HRT, but we can't do that any more, so...."

Yeah, great. Thanks.

You just wait girlfriend, you'll get yours

GPs are pathetic, even the female ones. "Oh well, just something we all go through!"

Do they not do HRT anymore? Not that I think I can take it anyway as my hormones seem to upset my SVT and apparently its not recommended for women with a family risk of breast cancer?

I'm in Auckland too Linzi - will ask around about a naturopath and let you know what I find out. My SIL said there's a good one in Henderson somewhere but too far to go for me.

oh I just noticed this thread. Can I jump in too? Sorry to highjack. But nice to know there are some girls around who are chatting about it.

I'm wondering if menopause is about to happen for me. Suddenly after a lifetime of periods like clockwork, it all seems to be very irregular or spotting and I'm so exhausted when I do have a period. Been happening for about 4 months.

I've mentioned to a few friends, they all look stunned and say, "oh you're too young." I'm 42. So I guess that's about right really for this to begin.

I've made an appt with the Dr for next week, for smear etc, just to check there is nothing else going, and I'll request the my hormone levels are checked as well.

So they don't do HRT anymore? What does a Naturopath do? (forgive my ignorance)

Hi ladies

PrincessDi, I'm at the same stage as you (although I'm 48) with irregular periods and spotting. I suspect I'm a bit grumpier too Not good when you have a 7 year old!

Should I start taking something like Remifem now?

Have had Remifemen for a while just haven't taken it, but will start it tomorrow.
Will report back in the next week, & then in a month to see what difference I may have noticed.
Have just ended what I suppose is my cycle in the absence of periods

I would also like to jump in here and ask a few questions...

I am still having my periods like clockwork, however they are very light, but the PMT is sooo much worse. In the past I would grumpy the day before and that would be it. Now the grumps start nearly 2 weeks before, sore b**bs from then too, I have broken out in what looks like excema on my face, really tired all the time.

Is this the beginning of it all??

Mo4... 60million$ question but you have my sympathies.
The only thing is to observe symptoms over next 3 months, and see your GP.
I have had 2 lots of blood tests in the past 2 years and both times told things were within normal range. but I'll swear I am going through peri menopause if not menopause... hard to tell as I've had a hysterectomy.
I did read though that to get a true indication you need hormonal blood tests taken at various points over your cycle and over a couple of months?

Could well be and it sucks, sucks, sucks.

The hormonal levels in your blood to check for peri-menopause/menopause are clearly highly inaccurate, going on what my friends have experienced. I have chosen to forgo having confirmed what I already know to be true. Or conversely told it can't be because the test says....and I know my body, and know it to be true.

I have a friend who had a hysterectomy at 36. Doesn't do Dr's, but got talked into going for a check at 54. Was asked about menopausal symptoms, and at that stage had had none. FSH was sky high, so GP said she was clearly POST menopausal.

At 55, she started having peri-menopausal symptoms, and a year on, in still having hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety attackes etc.....

I ask you......

hhmm suppose they can't get it right all the time, as with anything really.

lets see what it turns up on fri. Haven't been to the dr for years anyway, so I could probably do with a check up.

my friends all seem a bit mystified when I mention menopause.

taking HRT has shown to increase breast cancer in women.

however, some people do still take it. depending on who you talk to - there are different opinions.

I believe there is an estrogen cream that can help, so it's not full on hormones, but still offers some relief from some menopause symtpoms.

probably other stuff too.

I am taking black cohosh only - herbal stuff.

Yep, aint that the truth !!!!!!!

It's kinda werid really. When you are pregnant, EVERYBODY wants to put their two cents worth in and tell their stories......Yet, mention menopause, and everyone shuts up ! Odd, odd, odd, given we are all women, and will all experience it. No one wants to share (apart from here, lol....)

I appreciate that like with pregnancy, we all experience it differently, but I hear tell, that in MOST cases, you have a rule of thumb guide with what others on your maternal side have gone through - mothers, sisters.

Hasn't helped me though as Mum had hysterectomy (incl. ovaries) in the '60's and older sisters menopausal pattern bears NO resembalnce to mine, AT ALL. So, once again

Good Luck today Princess Di !

hehehee yes I think that when I've mentioned menopause to my friends, it means 2 things. 1) I'm old and 2)that mean they're old too! LOL!

Went well today. GP is really good (I like our GP), she says the spotting I've had isn't typical of menopause, so we've done smear and swabs and covering everything in that area. She wants me to chart over the next 4 months to see what the pattern in like and if it's still very odd :ie spotting and periods earlier than expected then she'll refer me for an ultrasound. We've done some bloods as well, checking everything really, hormones, sugar, cholesterole, just a check of everything really. GP does think it seems a little young, but didn't rule it out, as I suppose it can happen at any age.

My mother has had a hysterectomy as well. I don't know when she went through menopause though, we're estranged so I've no way of knowing. My sister just had her periods stop and that was it for her.

GREAT ! Princess Di. So pleased to hear ! My GP is great too, but clearly hasn't started any menopausal symptoms yet. Like most things in life, it takes a very special skill to relate if you have not walked in those shoes yourself.

And the menopausal discussion with friends...Yep - youv'e put your finger right on it. We live in a very ageist society, like it or not. And admitting to it (even though it is a blatant reality) seems to be an issue for most; and yes, even me some days, depending on how I am feeling

I had fibroids removed at 41 to try to get on top of menorraghia. This didn't really work as well as I would have hoped, so went back at 43 to have an endometrial ablation. My OBGYN commented post-surgically to me how 'bulky' my uterus had become in not quite 2 years and then followed through with a discussion on peri-menopause. The ablation for me was FANTASTIC and sorted my menorraghia. And the OBGYN was right in her suspicions. 43 and peri-menopause had begun. This is now blatantly clear.

My sister tells me she had no symptoms whatsoever until she hit 48, and her periods stopped. No irregularity, no other warning signs prior. And then the fun started with the symptoms, full noise. Mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats, you name it. Her family maintain she was hell-on-wheels ! And this went on for 6 years..... Yikes.

Suffice it to say, I am so glad things have not followed the same pattern for me.

All the best for your very thorough check up. I hope all is well

well, all bloods came back fine. nothing out fo the ordinary. hhmmmm that kind of makes me worry about smear results.....

Glad your bloods were fine Princess Di and for your smear.

I guess this means you are off for an ultrasound ?

swabs have come back fine as well. wait and see about smear results yet. Need to start tracking AF and see how we go from there, then GP sugested and ultrasound if that is still a bit peculiar.

Hay ladies

http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/perimenopause.aspx

This link is a great quick read that adequately describes the long delay that can occur between what it obviously peri-menopause and menopause itself.

Read - it can be up to 10 years, can begin as early as your 30's and is difficult to define by standard testing.

Thought I'd share

LOL how reassuring!

Give me puberty any day

I have been to my GP with yet another yeast infection.
That's now 7 in 12 months.
It def is hormonal as it always occurs in the first week of each new month accompanied by PMS & very sore boobs. Like more than usual
The hot weather makes it 10x worse

Have just blood & urine tests done again and more swabs.
Haven't seen a Naturopath yet and apart from losing weight my Gynaecologist said to check out the Candida diet.
This involves no sugars whatsover, including fruit, not to mention wine

oh that sucks the fat one to not have wine!!!!

Camom - thank for the link, that's a really good one. It was a good read.

You are welcome Princess Di

Yes, it does suck the fat re the wine and the candida diet. Cutting back on wine is also recommended once peri-menopausal changes begin, along with coffee and tea.

Life just gets better and better
As you say, give me puberty any day. At least at that end of life it is all ahead of you, as opposed to nearly all behind you !

LOL couldn't help but smile at that one.

oh well I'm thinking ahead to my retirement now! Can't wait to see the kids graduate, travel, have babies. You see, I'm planning my kids lives for them

Hay yep, me too ! There is still so much to look forward to.

As for planning my kids lives for them, I think they are busy planning mine !

LOL. well mine certainly seem to plan my day for me. They seem to think I need a lot of cleaning up practice I'm sure.

well smear results are all fine too. phew! glad I've had it all done though.

how's everyones day been?

Yay for you and your smear results !

As for the day - CRAP ! 'Have been terminally grumpy over the last 2 days, and stress levels aside, can't help thinking the mood is BLARDY HORMONES......Grrrrrrrrrrrr

I am tired, grumpy and if anyone comes near me I will probably rip their head off! LOL

Other than that, okay...

Kids...reminds me of a bumper sticker... "Be nice to your kids they choose your retirement home!"

LOL, yes I've heard that one too. heheheee

we've been good today too. Kids a bit of a pain at tea time though, then I thought I might throttle one of them. yay DP is home, so I've snuck off to the computer and left him to do the nighttime routine.

Hay liljay - re the ripping the heads off - Man, can I relate to that or what !!! And what's more, it would give me the greatest of pleasure ! This GRUMPY leaves my worst PMT for DEAD !

And as for the bumper sticker - in a perfect world you chose your own. In this less than perfect world, your kids do it for you, yes indeedy !

That's if you adhere to lessons learnt from your own parents, and don't just refuse to move from the family home (as is the situation with my Mother). Lessons to be learnt for you. Mistakes NOT to be repeated !

Whinge, whinge, growl, growl

LOL That reminds me of years ago (like as in 25 when I was a teen), the neighbours built a granny-flat and mum commented on "how nice they are to do that" She got really miffed when I said "well don't hold your breath waiting to live in my backyard!" I would rip HER head off!

DP must have noticed I was in the mood for a kill and has been extra helpful

liljay thats sooooo funny. Your DP should give mine lessons ! Mine dropped himself right in it by repeating contents of a text message sent to him, to the kids......And, he wonders why I am more p....d than I was before - DUH. Contents of a text are for the intended recipient only.

This hormonal thing is NUTS. I haven't suffered with PMT for YEARS. I did in my 20's, but it got better and better with each pregnancy, and by the time I'd had my last little darling, GONE. But now......hang on to your hats....OMG!!!!!

above post was from 7/01

Have been on Remifemin for now 3 weeks.
Can't be sure but I don't feel my usual brain fog
Have got tell tale PMS symptoms, and after another bout of thrush, (blood tests, urine test & swabs were OK)
am on Diflucan every week for 4 weeks and now using Micreme H, plus Acigel again 2x a week.
Symptoms on a scale of 1-10 are at about 2-3.
Will see if this new action plan prevents a flare up.

In my next life I'm coming back as a man

I did laugh Linzi32. In theory I would but... I certainly won't be.... I'm too in touch with my FEELINGS to come back as a man !

you make some headway with your current regime. Life is tough enough without this BS, honestly. Middle age means stuck in the middle between growing children and ageing parents. I admire you for building a Granny flat to accomodate your parents. We have offered to accomodate my Mother, but she won't hear of it.

Anyway, back to topic....I had the most horrific ovualtion pain I have EVER had a week ago. Def. that as I have had it before, but nowhere near as severe. This time, both sides (usually one) and it actually hurt me to walk at times as the jolt of each step was like OMFG !

And just when I thought I was getting off quite lightly.

I'd rather have menopause

Yep, on point, me too !

but wouldn't it be cool to be able to wee standing up and not have to pull your britches down...?

Yeah that and....

well, not alot more...

(save all the perks that go with being male in a still sexist/ageist society)

Seriously though, I wouldn't want to be a man. I do enjoy being a woman, but this menopause is B.S

Does anyone know if the 32 listed symptoms cease and desist once you have been through the 12 months of no periods, and are therefore "post-menopausal" ??????

It didn't work that way for my sister, but I am not following the same pattern as her anyway.

I understand the peri-menopausal stage can last for up to 10 years (oh, joy) , but are the hard yards over once you get through menopause per se ?????

I'd hate to have a part of my body with an uncontrollable mind of its own Imagine! At least as a woman we can ogle all we like!

OK so you've persuaded me not to come back as a man


feeling so good so far with GP's plan of attack, and almost a month on Remfimen I swear it's making a difference.

So happy for you Linzi32.

And...I love this thread. It's like our own version of 24/7 take 2....

I am alot happier since getting the opportunity to talk to DH about my symptoms and whats going on with me and how this makes me FEEL.....

Life is so GD crazy, we hardly ever get the chance to have a private conversation uninteruppted....(and that, believe you me is more frustrating than coitus interruptus.... )

So....I am feeling better about things too. And will be even more relieved when my colposcopy is over and done with tomorrow and the results are in.

oh yes I'm all for ogling!

I hear you on the not being able to talk properly without being interrupted. sheesh, such a pain sometimes. I'm sure that sometimes DP and I barely speak two words to each during a normal weekday.

Camom, how did it go today?

Linzi, great to hear the Remfimen is working. I don't know what it is, is it a HRT treatment?

Yay for remfimen!

I'm actually enjoying AF while I have it - the only time I don't seem to be horribly hot, itchy and irritated!

What, you don't like mum mum mum mum mum muuuuum!? What sort of mother are you!

Oh and hope all went okay for you today Camom!

Thanks liljay. There was a patch of abnormal cells so a punch biopsy was required. (And it is such a lie it doesn't hurt )
Went to bed feeling very sorry for myself with the worst cramps I have had in years. My last biopsy was no where near as bad. (Mind you, that was before......maybe my bits are just getting old and more sensitive )

Probably no biggie, but will be relieved to get the results.

The Doc was surprised when I told her how long I had been having symptoms for, but as she said, for some people 'averages' don't apply, and I have certainly spent my life being one of those !

Can I join this happy group please?

I have hormone problems - I think it is more likely a hormone imbalance than peri-menopause but so many of the symptoms above describe me so I can totally sympathise I'm only 34 and been like this for about 18 months now - kicked in about 6 months after DD2 was born.

I feel like I have 1-2 decent weeks per month. All my stuff kicks in at ovulation. It has been heaps worse than at the moment but part of the improvement was cos I took provera for a while (artificial progesterone) - I've been off it for a little while now so will see how I go. Have also lost about 7.5 kg since I first went to the doctor so that should be helping also. My symptoms are really aching legs (to the point that I cannot sleep but these are much better of late), feeling really angry and then being very teary, at the moment it is kind of feeling almost numb mixed with a bit sad, bloating around my middle, thrush like symptoms before my period (I think this went while I was on provera but is back now that I'm not taking it - never end up needing to take anything as once AF arrives everything returns back to normal - the feeling it a bit itchy and like I have one thousand small cracks/splits on my vulva area, never internal), bad memory these day. There will be more that I can't think of for now. When I first went to my GP she said that it def sounded like a hormone imbalance, wasn't getting the rise in progesterone that women normally get once they ovulate - I googled it at the time and that sounded right. She put me on Provera and I had some blood tests done too (never had hormones checked though). The provera was blardy amazing, made me feel so much better is all aspect but esp emotionally. Then it kind of stopped working and I started gettng irregular periods. She increase dthe dose further but didn't really sort it out so I have stopped it - I think it is linked with breast cancer too so I'm a bit concerned about taking it. So, I've been focussing on losing weight and hoping like hell that weight loss will sort it all out but thinking it probably won't. I should go back to my GP but I'm kind of lost wondering waht she can do. Have considered taking something herbal for it (did use femzone for about 3 months with no improvement). libido = zero (maybe even negative on that one). I feel quite alone in all of this actually which really sucks.

I have a history of fibroids and had 2 removed in between having each of my girls. Had a scan last year when my periods became irregular but that didn't show up anything.

I really should make an appt to see my GP again.

Wuz and welcome to our hormone filled fun time!

I'm an emotional wreck today due to them. Will ring doctors to make appointmnet tomorrow. Have noticed before that the emotional stuff turns up again a few months after I stop provera - clearly need a regular hormone boost,just need to find something that suits me better.

Do that! Hopefully they can sort something...

Isn't it funny how different our bodies are - high progesterone triggers my SVT

What is SVT?

I think mine in almost zero so when I'm on artificial progesterone it isn't that high still

Superventricular Tachycardia - my heart skips a beat and then races flat out, if my progesterone is high (like during pregnancy or certain times of the month I have been known to have tonic clonic seizures

How are you feeling today?

a lot better thanks. have appt for Tuesday. It is crap when you feel like you are held hostage by a malfunctioning body.

Hi Wuz sounds like you've been through the wringer, you poor thing


Liljay I have heard of hormones having an effect if you are seizure prone, but not the heart issue.
Do you have regular blood tests?

CaMom how are you?

Things were all going good with the weekly Diflucan & Micreme H, but finished the Micreme, and what do you know all the itching, burning started up again.
Went to see if I could buy some more Micreme H over the counter but as I've already been using it for 4 weeks in a sensitive area & due to the Hydrocortisone in it they wouldn't let me.
Called my GP's nurse to see if he would prescribe more, otherwise back to the Gynae I go.

Linzi that is awful! I hope you can find something to help with that. I'm so prone to it but been fine for ages now - it is def hormone related for me.

You know, I'm thinking that I am lucky I had kids when I did as I reckon it would be somewhat problematic if I were trying now.

Agh the itch! Drives me insane sometimes!!!

Wuz, got diagnosed with Epilepsy when I had DD but they've withdrawn that now they've found the arrythmia... Permanently on beta blockers now and on a very long waiting list for an echocardiogram. Beta blockers are doing a great job!

I have to go to doc next week for more blockers so am going to check out hormone levels if I can...

Despite blood tests which came back OK for hormone levels I know for a fact that my worst symptoms are in the first week of every month, so somethings going on.
If I do manage to get it under control its at the most 3 weeks, but certain things can trigger it off, which if I don't treat it fast turns into thrush.
Heat, sweat, swimming pools(chlorine) and the obvious

So would that be more of an estrogen thing then? My issues are certainly progesterone - all come about at ovulation when progesterone is menat to start increasing but that doesn't seem to be happening for me.

Hi gals..sorry to gatecrash but as I get bad PMT off an on I thought I would qualify to say something. I know PMT and Menopause are not the same but both hormonal and difficult.

I have been using 30plus and it has been great for me. Especially the agression (feeling I could just smack someone over)the grumpyness and feeling very emotional and sorting out my argumentative streak pre and during my period. Some mornings I just couldn't face getting out of bed and I felt very very tired. But this really works for me. I don't take it right through the month but 1 week before and during my period and that seems to be all I need to take. I also take Executive B and B5 every day. These two things that have worked.

My Mum suffered with bad PMT all her life (we all suffered actually) and also had real problems with menopause. She took HRT which worked well for her but then switched to Remifemin which was also very good she said and you can get it over the counter at the pharmacy. A natural alternative to HRT. You all need to give it a go.

I guess if I follow in her footsteps I will probabaly have a bad menopause like she did.

Bothe those I have heard of before Louise, will look into them again. Thanks

Great GP consult today - course of action is 30 plus and vitB complex (have gone with a good multi instead though) and see how that goes. We are thinking that along with further weight loss might be the ticket. Heaps of my symptoms have reduced from weight loss already so I'm living in hope that it will continue to help - GP pretty certain it will.

Speaking with a friend on the weekend, she has similar stuff going on and was advised to start 30plus too

Glad you have a good result... wondering now whether there is something called 40+

I am in surgical menopause (age 38) and I cannot have any HRT.
I have been taking black cohosh for the past month or so and I haven't had a migraine since.
Usually I get migraines when my oestrogen is low and was averaging one every 2 weeks since my surgery.
My hot flushes have decreased in the last month too.

so this can be something to consider for pmt/menopause symptoms, of course run it by your gp first.

30 Plus has black cohosh in it. Liljay, probably worth trying even if you are in your 40s

Have been taking Remifemin for a month now.
I feel a bit more level headed and have been sleeping somewhat better at night

Pleased to hear it Linzi32 !

I thought I would share a new tid-bit re sage

A friend told me she had managed to relieve her hot flushes by eating one fresh sage leaf a day. I did a little research and discovered it has a weak oestrogenic affect.

www.livestrong.com/article/110176-benefits-herb-sage/

"For Women
Menopausal women may find some relief from drinking sage tea as Balch indicates sage as having an "estrogenic effect" on the body. Sage may help women with hot flashes and other symptoms of an estrogen deficiency. Balch recommends drinking sage tea to women who have had a hysterectomy." Quote


Hot flushes per se have not been too much of a problem for me (I've had 3) It is more the periodic night sweats and general over heating that I find distressing.

And we STILL haven't answered the question - How long do symptoms last ?

All of us here are peri-menopausal, or transitioning through menopause, but are not yet post-menopausal so.....

how long do they last?
I think they can last years and years, like 10 years (?) but that is at the worst.

If you had very high estrogen at the start of menopause, then your menopause will be longer, than someone that already had quite low levels of estrogen.

lol @ myself, I had answered 10 years???? in the 2nd post of this thread, ages ago!

I just sat and read this thread, and was like OMG... well, looks as if I am getting old, at just 43 (common age with you guys it would seem).

For a while now I am getting soooooo moody with PMT and exhausted and nauseous, no change in actual bleeding pattern or anything since DS birth though, but deffo more pain in last few months.

I was so dizzy and nauseous today I had to go to bed for the afternoon. Also been a complete crazy person all week, road rage is my thing it would appear... good job my windows are shut cos I would make s sailor blush! Hubby dared to make a crack about being menopausal today, he escaped with his life.. (just )

So, do I bother going to GP do you think? She is a bit older than me so is probably going to be sympathetic! Or just look out some supplements to take in the hope it reduces the crazy moods.

Hi I don't think it would hurt to have a general checkup, blood pressure, bloods etc.
Mention to your GP about possible hormonal issues, she may just as well check your hormone levels.
I have 2 blood tests over 3 years and they keep coming back "within normal levels" but I swear they are not

I have started Remifemin, and def have helped even out my moods.
Others have taken 30+
A multi vitamin wouldn't hurt either.

Gynae is blaming some of issues on weight gain and has also advised me to follow a sugar free diet for a while as I get recurrent thrush. Have been checked for diabetes .
Probiotics and yoghurt do not help either.
I have recently joined WW and have lost 5kg but have a way to go.
Have cut out a lot of sugars apart from fruit but can't notice any differences so far.

JubJub, I think it is worth talking with your doc about it too. My GP had checked my hormones (didn't htink they had been done) and they came back normal but she said that is common and the best indicator is the symptoms.

Weight loss has helped with a lot of mine (but not the emotional side of things). Have started taking 30 plus recently, seem pretty stable so far but too early to tell.

cheers girls. yeah, weight is a big issue for me (pardon the pun....) and doesn't matter what i do the bloody extra kilos seem to be glued on....

Might look into that 30 plus, sounds worth a try. can you get remifemin OTC or is it a prescription thing... will go google..

Would prefer to feel less like a paranoid homicidal maniac if possible...

Linzi cant remember if you said already, but have you tried anti candida diet? A friend of mine does it quite often to cleanse her system, although it is pretty hard to stick to!

Remifemin is over the counter but is about $35 for 60 tablets, but you take morning & night.
Similar to 30+

Gynae did suggest anti candida diet.
When I looked at it, it was all sugars even fruit

In past 10 mths I have given up wine completely and rarely drink.
I have 2-3 peices of fruit a day, and with WW I am also eatng way less sugary foods.
No changes yet... but I get vulval thrush not vaginal thrush.
I use Acigel 3x a week which maintains ph level also.

Blood tests are a crock of shit when it comes to pin pointing the "change" - honestly. I have had too many instances of Dr's scratching their heads saying...."Odd....these test results just don't marry with your symotoms"....

And THEN you are, through implication, made to feel even more of a paranoid middle aged hormonally controlled FREAK than you already do !

TRUST YOUR OWN BODY AND WHAT IT IS TELLING YOU !
TRUST YOUR OWN GUT INSTINCTS !
YOU ARE AN INTELLIGENT WOMAN !

And Doctors, God help them, and God love them, DO NOT know everything. NO ONE DOES !

(And a GOOD Dr will even ADMIT this.....although those are few and far between !)

Quick question about flushes. I THINK I have them - but they're not like the 'burning up' that I've heard described. More like just a few seconds of being very warm. Not intolerable though.

And if these ARE hot flushes - do they get worse?

I would think a hot flush would be at least 20-30 seconds - mine are, but i'm not an expert.
I have never had night sweats though.

my hot flushes are worse if i drink alcohol, or have a hot drink.