peri-menopause?

[takniteasy]

Okay, so I did a search in the Women's forum and couldn't find what I was looking for. Are there any women here who have experienced peri- and/or menopause? Please post your replies as I have had these aggravating symptoms for close to 6 months now (hot flashes, insane mood swings, forgetfulness, cry at the drop of a hat, etc.) and would just like to know how other fitness women have dealt with it. I am seeing a dr. on 01/31 for evaluation and boy am I ever nervous!

 

[wyst]

I haven't, but I had a friend who did at like 35 years old, but that's kind of unusual, isn't it?

How old are you, if I can ask?

Wyst

 

[takniteasy]

I am 37 y/o. I had uterus removed several years ago because of severe prolapse and my dr. said I may go thru menopause early. But this early!? I hate the mood swings the most because I am normally a very easy going person. Now I seem to cry all the time I hope to be a normal human sometime soon.

 

[takniteasy]

Should I have posted this on another forum? Someone please let me know.

 

[FitFossil]

I just read The Change Before the Change by Laura E. Corio, Linda G. Kahn

It was an excellent book. I'm 38 and so far no hints yet, but I wanted to be prepared. I feel a lot better about "the change" after reading that book. It's good you're seeing your doc, I'd do the same thing.

 

[Suzr]

Takniteasy,
This is a subject with which I am intimately aquainted. I have been working through the transition to perimenopause and now menopause. I am now in menopause and feel that finally I am myself again. I worked at finding a solution to common perimenopausal symptoms as they developed. At first I wanted to go all natural. I was able to control the hot flashes, etc with natural progesterone creme and remifemine (black cohash), diet and exercise.
At one point last April the symptoms escalated and the hot flashes became unbearable, but worse of all I felt mental dull. At that point I decided to try hormone replacement. I went to the Md who did blood hormone level. She told me I was in menopause. The hormone replacement helped, but the I started to gain some wt and lost my libido. I asked and got an rx for testosterone creme. This helped but the doctor rx'd to strong of a dose, so I got some sides. Finally I am using the right dosage of estrogen/ progesterone/ and testosterone and I feel great!!! I feel like myself again. I have energy and am upbeat and can think.
Through all this I continued to have a fairly clean diet and I exercised. I continue to put on muscle, even though slowly. My lifts are still increasing. All is well at this point.
I can't emphasize strongly enough that you should not settle for feeling bad during this stage of your life. Between lifestyle modifications, vitamins and herbal supplements, and hormone replacement you should be able to feel good and healthy.

 

[MS]

Find yourself a good, sympathetic ObGyn and have your hormone levels monitored regularly. Make sure your estrogen, progesterone AND testosterone are supplemented to maintain your blood levels at that of a normal 25 year old female. Don't settle for progestins....make sure you get natural progesterone. HRT is extremely hit and miss without the blood tests and regular feedback between you and your doc. Problem is, the majority of docs are not well informed on 'optimal' HRT, so shop around.

 

[takniteasy]

Thanks so much for the replies!

Suzr:
I can definately relate to the mental dullness. That has become increasingly worse. I tried the soy isoflavones, which helped somewhat, although only temporarily. I eat very clean and weight train on a very regular basis ( at least 4x a week). My main concern at this point is the to get back to normal, which for me is a happy-go-lucky, easy going person (hence the handle).

MS:
Thanks so much for the info on the progestin. I believe I read something about that in one of your earlier posts, during my initial search. That tidbit is tucked in my mind to be discussed with dr. on Thursday.

Again thanks to all who replyed!

 

[wyst]

Suzr: can I ask how old you are? I'm 34 myself and wondering what to expect...

Wyst

 

[Suzr]

takniteasy,
Let us know what the doc says. I can understand that you want to feel like "yourself". I can really relate. That was how I am feeling. Now, I feel great!! Hey, I like myself! I would be happy to correspond with you privately if you would like. You can pm me. Ms definitely has the right idea about the hormone levels.

wyst
I am 52. I think it is important to educate yourself on what to expect. But you have the benefit of starting early with a healthy life style and will also benefit from the experiences and trial and errors that my generation goes through as we age.