Menopause. What's it like?

Laurel Finch wrote: Probably the biggest gyp was the vaginal atrophy: just when you don't have to worry about getting pregnant, sex becomes painful.  These things make me conclude the God truly is a man.  However, this is balanced out by a total disinterest in sex anyway, which is a big relief in a lot of ways.

This reminds that I actually experienced that when breastfeeding, which can cause the same atrophy and thinning. Topical hormones actually worked really well for that, and just knowing it was hormonal in nature and temporary (it stopped with weaning) also helped. The second time over, I was confident enough that nothing was broken that patience, a good sense of humor and plenty of lubricant was enough to avoid the hormones (which stink and can interfere with latex-based contraception, so a bit annoying)

But I'd certainly consider that option again if necessary; I'm more comfortable with hormones doing their thing just in the part of the body that needs a little help rather than through the whole system, and I saw no side-effects.

I just turned 50 and I’m doing just fine. I contribute more as a functional medicine practitioner. Your ability to detoxify estrogen is probably the main factor in having a healthy transition. This has to do with liver and adrenal function in equal measures, and therefore, with gut function.  In general, people who have been healthy — and have no history of hormonal disfunction — tend to have an uneventful transition whereas those with significant health issues— and/or those who carry an unmanageable load of stress— well, the transition gets tougher. In my 20 years of experience, over 50% of the clients I worked with were perimenopausal. Peri is the time to stop taking BS from anyone and get real with priorities. I’ve been fortunate to witness incredible transformations.

A Ram wrote:I just turned 50 and I’m doing just fine. I contribute more as a functional medicine practitioner. Your ability to detoxify estrogen is probably the main factor in having a healthy transition. This has to do with liver and adrenal function in equal measures, and therefore, with gut function.  In general, people who have been healthy — and have no history of hormonal disfunction — tend to have an uneventful transition whereas those with significant health issues— and/or those who carry an unmanageable load of stress— well, the transition gets tougher. In my 20 years of experience, over 50% of the clients I worked with were perimenopausal. Peri is the time to stop taking BS from anyone and get real with priorities. I’ve been fortunate to witness incredible transformations.

(I have a background as a Clinical Research Professional)

I will attest to finding loads of data on poorly functioning liver and kidneys. Although, excessive coffee drinking may also be a factor for some. An increase of magnesium and zinc were found highly beneficial in that case while Stinging Nettle, Dandelion Root and Lemon Balm teas supported the liver and kidneys.

I didn't go for labs (yet) to figure out my root issue. But I found that my acne immediately cleared after taking the list of herbs I mentioned in my earlier post but I did add the above mentioned supplements and started drinking detox teas daily.

I have not officially started menopause yet even though I am in my mid-50s.  Lifestyle or genetics I have no idea...  I did start getting random joint pain and insomnia in my late 40's, especially in my hands and elbows.  I could not get a diagnosis.  I gave up all alcohol and sugar (except for honey, molasses, date syrup).  No more joint pain or insomnia!

Jen Anderson wrote:I have not officially started menopause yet even though I am in my mid-50s.  Lifestyle or genetics I have no idea...  I did start getting random joint pain and insomnia in my late 40's, especially in my hands and elbows.  I could not get a diagnosis.  I gave up all alcohol and sugar (except for honey, molasses, date syrup).  No more joint pain or insomnia!

Glad to hear that worked for you. When I began having joint pain, I looked at all the recommendations for diet changes…and it was basically already how I eat. So I was like, I guess maybe it would be worse if I didn’t already eat well 🫤? Cutting out sugar didn’t make a difference in my joint, though I did drop 8 pounds over the course of a few weeks, then stayed at that weight since.

It has been a few years but one thing I remember is being told you are at that age (mid 40s early 50s) where you periods will get lighter and you will start to skip periods until they stop all together.   Sounds lovely for a person with PMS...  well what 99% or more folks won't tell you is the opposite can happen...  I started having 2 periods a month.  So for over a year I was in a constate state of emotional upset with rage being the most common feeling.  I flat out told my doctor she had lied to me.  This was not like anything I had ever read about menopause.  It was a horrid time.  But when they stopped it was a huge relief,  one month I was raging the next I was feeling more mellow...  no more periods no more constant rage.   I was more creative then I had been in a long time and finally at peace with no nagging fear that it was all going to blow up on me in a week or two or three.   I do take extra calcium and Vit D for my bones but that is all I have had to do.  No hot flashes, none of the other misery many people talk about.  but ya know it would have been nice if it had all happened before I turned 60...  currently 69 and looking forward to the next 30 years.  

Thank you, thank you, Raven, for making this space, and for everyone who's shared their experience! Knowing what to expect is a huge advantage. Long may this thread live! And be added to.

Realizing I'd started this next stage of maturity was exciting, but I knew next to nothing. I wanted to avoid HRT if possible so I started my research with that.
Simone Jeffries' blog post has been the most educational and empowering by far (link). I still refer to it. Very specific, lots of details.

In her blog, Simone Jeffries wrote:If you're in your early 40s you might be surprised to hear that you could be experiencing perimenopause. But yes, the hormonal changes that lead us towards the end of our reproductive years will begin around the age of 42.

The photos we see in the media about menopause show much older women. However the following photo is more realistic for a woman experiencing perimenopause.

(source, image link)

Links to other helpful resources I've found:
Perimenopause: Targeted Diet, Lifestyle & Supplement Support - Jill Dumas Nutritional Therapy
The Women's Wellness Collective | Herb & Supplement Guide for Menopause
Help in a Flash: Natural Support for Common Menopausal Symptoms - Aviva Romm, MD

I realized I was in perimeno around 40 yrs old. I might actually have started in my late 30s but symptoms were subtle enough I didn't clue in or record them.

Symptoms so far: shorter cycles w/more irregularity, ear flushes, night sweats, hot flashes, multiple missed cycles, sleep disturbances, decreased energy when not having periods, increased energy when cycles resume, rage-y or extreme irritation episodes, more frequent aches and pains.

Supplements:
chamomile hot drink (nightly for years; occasionally add lemon balm leaves the last several months)
Evening Primrose oil & an omega-3 (been on these for several years)
magnesium glycinate (added 2-3 years ago)
flax oil (<2 weeks, experimenting)
sage tea (<1 week, experimenting)

I also use Greek yogurt, protein powder, milled chia seeds, and an antioxidant/vitamin powder to boost protein and other nutrients. I get plenty of activity and heavy lifting at work but supplement with an at-home stretching/exercise program (link).

Top 3 challenges right now: decreased energy, sleep changes, and aches/pains.
Because life is life, and not a sterile science lab, it's hard to know how and how much the hormone changes and life in general (thread link) are interacting with each other to create my symptoms.

Questions for all of you:
How do you experience "brain fog"? Is this forgetfulness, grogginess, absentmindedness, an actual feeling, or something else entirely? Can you describe what you're talking about, please?
and,
Re: supplements for the low-estrogen symptoms - how long did you take those? Days, weeks, months? How did you know when to stop? I'm specifically wondering about flaxseed oil and black cohosh, but anyone's experience with any supplements would be helpful.

Sara Hartwin wrote:...
Because life is life, and not a sterile science lab, it's hard to know how and how much the hormone changes and life in general are interacting with each other to create my symptoms.

Questions for all of you:
How do you experience "brain fog"? Is this forgetfulness, grogginess, absentmindedness, an actual feeling, or something else entirely? Can you describe what you're talking about, please?
and,
...

I agree with you: it's hard to know what symptoms are caused by peri-menopause and what by things happening in life. Many symptoms I had after a divorce (and I thought were mental, caused by the stress of these changes in my life) maybe were the first symptoms of peri-menopause, but back then I never heard of that.

About brain-fog: it's not easy to describe. To me it feels like I am absentminded, like I can not concentrate and like I am forgetting something. But that doesn't mean I am really less concentrated and more forgetful than on 'normal days' (days when I don't feel like I have brain-fog). It just feels like my brain doesn't function the way it should do. Often I describe it as 'having my head full of cotton-wool'. It doesn't hurt and I don't feel groggy.
Maybe for others it has a different meaning.

I can chime in with the reply from Inge.

I went through divorce at 49 and thought I was loosing my mind - stress seems to make the symptoms greater, or perhaps it was 'just bad timing'?

Brain-fog is difficult to describe, but yes, it's absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, loss of words and on top of that a giant frustration based on knowing my brain should perform better than it does.

I've found three teaspoons of linseed oil/flax seed oil per day suppresses all the symptoms, thankfully!

Sage tea reduces sweating, but it dries up other juices as well, so be mindful of that