Can We Talk Perimenopause or Menopause?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jenscloset on January 8, 2010 at 10:33pm

I started menopause early-not sure exactly how old-but it was in my late 40's-I had horrible hot flashes! I think I'm pretty tough, but those practically brought me to tears some days~! I went for about a year without a period, then started bleeding, which is not a good sign. I had a d & c and it did show some pre-cancerous cells. I'm 52 now and I'm fine. I will still get hotflashes even now though, but not as bad. I still have some trouble sleeping. Another problem I had, even before the perimenopause was fatique. I had test after test and they could not find anything and diagnosed me with chronic fatique syndrome. They prescribed an antidepressant, which I think was ridiculous. I found my own cure for that by starting a regular exercise program-amazing how working out has given me more energy! Good luck with everything!

Permalink Reply by ByTheWay on January 9, 2010 at 7:16am

I am about the same place as you - and have had headaches, but I didn't associate them with menopause. They are just low grade, so they don't bother me too much. No problems with sleeping, hot flashes seem to be over, periods came back :(
Sleep relief - have you tried warm milk? Or chocolate liqueur is good, so far I like Godiva liqueur best :) Maybe an excedrin pm? I'm not much into taking drugs, I just try to work (sleep) through them the headaches.
I exercise, too, and in my MS group, where fatigue is a common problem, those in the know really push exercise to combat fatigue. I understand your fatigue is probably from interrupted sleep, but maybe the exercise will help you sleep better. Exercise is not my favorite thing to do, I would rather be treasure hunting or working on Etsy, but I have to *try* to combat that backside spread, and think about the hopeful benefits down the road. Bleh...
Jaci

Permalink Reply by Purple Daisy Jewelry on January 9, 2010 at 11:05am

I have been reading all about menopause headaches and looking for things to help them. I always look for natural stuff before drugs. With my sinus headaches I greatly reduced how much Ibuprofen (that, chloretrimeton and sudafed tabs alleviates them when taken together) by finding "pepper spray" - actually called Sinus Busters. Burns like fire but works miracles on sinus headaches! The fatigue is not necessarily from lack of sleep because I get it when I am not really sleep deprived. I did gain a lot of weight last year (my fault - looads of stress and just started eating badly and overeating - working on that this year for sure). My receptionist and really friend has already been thru it so she has given me lots of insight on it. I do not want to take any hormones or hormone therapy (she didn't either) and am determined to go natural if poossible. I am considering accupunture also - never did it but think it has lots of merit.

Thanks for the input. :)

Permalink Reply by Three Chicks Vintage on January 9, 2010 at 4:39pm

Some of your symptoms sound peri-menopausal. I started having the hot flashes, horrible periods (which laid me out with iron-defiency anemia this Fall), mood swings, etc. 11 years ago when I was 35. When it all started I didn't want to enter that next stage of life - now I pray for it to end!
I battled the anemia with iron supplements, B-12 shots and chlorophyll supplements as well as eating high-iron foods. All of my doctors cooperated with each other and monitored my anemia closely - family doctor, gynocologist and neurologist (I have epilepsy). I felt amazingly cared for!
It's important to pump iron at this stage in life - if you've never suffered from anemia you would be surprised at the effect it has on your overall health and well-being!
Sleep disturbance has been a regular problem for years now as well. I find that Passionflower supplements help - I take mine an hour before bedtime. It takes a few weeks to build up in your system, but they've allowed me to achieve a more relaxed sleep state without the side effect of sleeping pills. There is also a natural product made by Hyland called Calms Forte - I take it just before bedtime when I'm feeling nervous and fidgety. It helped a lot during my anemia because despite feeling tired all the time and unable to get anything done after 11 AM, sleeping at night became difficult again despite the Passionflower. The Calms Forte also helps during the day if I'm nervous or tense. I don't take them often, but it's something I keep on my shelf.
Have you had your thyroid checked? Hypo-thyroidism (low thyroid) will cause fatigue, headaches and hair loss, among other things. It's not unusual for women our age to have low thyroid.
You certainly sound peri-menopausal, but it wouldn't hurt to have some bloodwork ran checking your thyroid as well as your iron and hemoglobin levels. These are all very routine blood tests that I think any doctor would order based upon your symptoms.

Permalink Reply by Bibby's Rocket on January 10, 2010 at 11:33pm

i don't know abt the hormonal issues, but i tried bedtime tea by yogi teas and i swear i could NOT keep my eyes open after finishing the cup. (i honestly didn't realize what hit me bc i was etsy-ing away... needless to say I fell happily asleep)... like anything i wouldn't depend on it every night, just once in a while. also, changing the diet - refraining from sugars, carbs, replacing with fruits and veggies that are sweet if you crave that, don't know if those will help but they may overall.
also, not exactly on the subject, but I heard the FDA has increased the suggested recommended dail amount of vit d / calcium! to like twice what they had previously suggested. important for women and kids!

Permalink Reply by JenniferLynn's Finds on January 11, 2010 at 10:17am

I'm happy this topic came up, and I am following it with interest. Though I'm not having SEVERE symptoms, I suspect I am approaching peri-menopause. I will have a month every now and again (usually happens twice a year or so) where I don't have a period or it's just light spotting for a couple of days. Alternatively, I will have periods where the cramps are constant and really bad. I will be 40 in April, so even if I'm not there yet, I think I'm getting close.

This information is very helpful.

When I have trouble sleeping, I usually give it up to 3 nights and then take 1 valerian blend capsule. (I think it's valerian, passionflower, and skullcap, but I can't remember for sure.) The recommended dosage on the bottle is 3! LOL! 1 capsule puts me right out. I find the "sleepy time" teas wear off after about an hour, so they don't always help me.

Jen M.
JenniferLynn's Finds

Permalink Reply by Purple Daisy Jewelry on January 11, 2010 at 11:52pm

Seriously the insomnia is really infrequent and mild - most of my issues are and are not bothersome (although the facial hair is stinky). The bad headache is the only thing.