Menopause

E

Elln

Cathlete
Is anyone experiencing menopausal symptoms? If so, what is your symptom and how are you treating it?

I am exercising every day (elliptical/walking/weights), my diet is good and I am gaining weight (and it's not muscle). I have read that if you have a "hormonal imbalance", it doesn't matter how much you exercise, you won't loose AND every calorie you intake turns to fat. GREAT!!!!

Any thoughts???

Elln
 
I am going thru pms simptoms :-( and it is not a fun ride.,,, I have hot flashes,,, some nights I am sleepless in spite of all the sleepy time teas I drink, heart palpitations, heavy flow during periods, mood swings, emotional to the point of crying if I hear a sad song, But I havent experience gaining weight while exercising, I keep the weight off thru running, biking, stepping, and weights,,, I eat healthy, plant base food, fish ,thou I have some days I fall of the wagon, and go for the not good carbs... grrrrrr x( Nothing is perfect, but then I come back to the healthy ways.
I have soy milk, tempeh, edamame, and I keep going thru this stage, one step after the other, I feel like getting hormone replacement therapy but I hear not good things about it and I keep it real, is a stage, can't wait till is over.
Norma
 
I'm 50 and went through menopause early. I experienced hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia--you name it. I tried to avoid hormone replacement therapy but I felt so terrible that it affected the quality of my life so I had a change of heart. I experimented with several different meds then finally settled on Menest, which I take daily, and Prometrium, which I take the first 7 days of the month. My doctor and I experimented until we found the lowest possible effective dose.

I really battle with my weight, but not everyone does (and I hate them--LOL!). I gain very easily around the mid-secton (heart attack fat) and I struggle with it alot. Menopause can wreak havoc upon your metabolism. It can also affect blood cholesterol levels. It's more important than ever to keep up with exercise and watch your calorie intake, !#(%$@!!!;(

On the bright side, I am much more relaxed and self-assured. :)

Michele
 
I had a hysterectomy, surgical menopause, and went on Premarin for two years and felt so nervous about it that I went off cold turkey. Bad decision! Went back on and weaned myself off. I started using Progesterone cream and a few supplements. It works well except for extreme vaginal dryness and low libido. Still looking for something to help with that. Anybody have and ideas? I also struggle with weight since the surgery. I have gained 10 to 15 pounds and cannot lose. I don't want to gain anymore and every year it gets harder now that I am 40. I was 34 when I had the hysterectomy.

I know I could get more cardio and more weight lifting in and that might help. I could also clean up my diet, sugar is one thing that will set off a hot flash! I gave up all sweets and lost 5 pounds last year and have now gained them all back, guess I could try that again. I would love to hear any thoughts or ideas too!

Colleen
 
I started having symptoms about 4 years ago (hot-flashes and insomnia). Since I have changed to a plant-based diet, I no longer get the hot-flashes. I really don't know why those symptoms have dissipated because all the latest research states neither soy or the soy component isoflavone reduces symptoms of menopause (I eat more Tofu and drink soymilk). I guess "my body" hasn't read the research and just doesn't know any better;). I do continue to get the same amount and bouts of insomnia, but it is not incapacitating. A few sleepless nights every month is not too big a deal.

I haven't noticed any weight problems yet (I've always eaten quite a bit without a problem), but I do notice my skin is not as elastic and has more wrinkles than my younger days.

In answer to you question.....no, I don't do anything per se to treat my symptoms. I just try to eat right and take care of myself.

I just wanted to add....Honestly, I am a lot happier, wiser, sexier and wealthier (inside and out) than I was 20 years ago and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Age really does have its benefits too:)

Robin:9
 
I agree with everyone here! lol I'm 48 (49 in March) and have had serious perimenopausal symptoms for about 5 years or so. I haven't actually gone into menopause yet (though my own mother was 47, so it has to be pretty close), but just wanted to say that I've been on a low level (10 mg) of Prozac for the last year or so and it's helped tremendously. Prior to taking it, my mood swings were just out of control...I felt like I was crying all the time! lol Also, I quit smoking (2 years ago) and am very conscientious about working out and (trying) to eat right most of the time! This said, I still have about 10-15 pounds I want to lose and it just seems sooo much harder to do than back in the day (even 10 years ago)! This whole thing is definitely a crazy experience!
 
I am pre menopausal. I get those heart palpitations too, mood swings are not the word, I wake up soaked at night.I get in the don't even look at me mood, or i will rip your eyes out. I have sat down and cried for no reason.
The monthly has lightened up to like 3 days from 7 ( I wouldn't mind if it went away now!)It is coming , but will probably take 10 years.
]Well good luck all.
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=8227804&uid=3969941
 
I am smack dab in the middle (I think) of menopause. It's not been too bad yet. I have a few hot flashes, which wake me up, but I manage to get back to sleep pretty easily. I have mood swings, but dealt with them much more with PMS. My libido hasn't suffered, in fact it may have improved. The thing that is driving me crazy is the irregular periods. I've always been very regular and now I can go anywhere from 6 weeks to 2 weeks between. I once thought that losing the ability to have children would depress me, but now I just want the d**m periods to end. I haven't felt the need for any HRT, and know my doctor would discourage them if I did. The weight thing hasn't seemed to be an issue, since I've always put weight on easily anyway. Good luck to all joining the nifty 50's.
 
Feebee,

For low libido and vaginal dryness, 2% testosterone cream worked wonders for me. Until I started this perimenopause stuff I had a very high libido and was very disappointed when my sex drive started suffering. The testosterone also has other health benefits including helping with bone density and helps fight muscle loss. As far as I know, I've suffered no negative affects from taking it.
 
I guess I should be glad that I only suffer from the insomnia and mild hot flashes. It could be worse! I just ordered SHAKLEE's Menopause Balance Complex which contains the "black Cohosh extract" and Flaxseed oil which is supposed to be pretty good for controlling the hot flashes. I will let everyone know how and if it works! My doctor is prescribing Lunestra for sleeping - and I will take it one day at a time. However, I am determined to BEAT this and I know I will. Thank you, to all who have posted here!!!

Elln
 
Candi,

I am going to look into that! I just need to make an appt. with ob/gyn, something I have been putting off for years since hysterectomey. Is that something you use on a daily basis and is it something you smooth onto inner arms or inner thighs, chest or abdomen, like I do with my Progesterone cream?
Thanks,
Colleen
 
Hi Elln, I found out I was post menopausal in October through a blood test. But then yesterday had my monthly so don't know what is going on. Since October I have gained about 8 pounds and really have nothing different that I have done. So I agree, if this is due to menopause, it stinks! That is why I have just joined this board, to see if I am increasing my exercise routine correctly. I will NOT just sit back and let myself turn into flab because of this. But it looks like it is going to be difficult. Maybe it levels off?? I'm curiouse to see the responses.
 
Hi girls - I began menopause two years ago...at age 40...

what REALLY bothers me is I cannot lose weight...

I have worked out 6 days a week for the last month - 2 hours a day with Cathe tapes...and my measurements have not budged...

I know that most women would have at least lost 4-5 pounds doing what I am doing..and I was watching what I ate!

I used to be able to sleep so well but not anymore....

my symptoms are: sleeplessness, anxiety, heart palpitations

and my weight has shifted...I have never had fat around my waistline but now I have those dreaded love handles...I have been much heavier before and never had these!

all I have to say is boo...
 
I have found 1000 mg of evening primrose oil daily has helped me get over night sweats, insomnia, and breast tenderness. I originally started taking it for breast cysts, and have had no more of those since!
 
Sher:
You are the 2nd person that I have heard that has had success with Primrose Oil. Maybe I will try that!

Thanks for the tip!

Elln
 
Hi ladies:
I am 48 and have had much trouble lately sleeping. That and periods that are slightly irregular are my only troup so far. I started taking essential woman's oil which has primrose oil it and an estroven and last night I slept like a baby. May be a coincidence as this sleeplessness seems to come and go but I am hoping for the best.
Other than those troubles and some moodiness to go along with it, I feel pretty darn good for being 48.
Paula
 
RE: Menopause - Relief finally!!!!!!

Hello Ladies:

Well, I am happy to report that since I have been on Shaklee's Menopause Balance Supplement - my Hot Flashes have stopped! It was an immediate reaction. I take one every night and I don't wake up anymore feeling overheated! You might want to check this out! Shaklee has a package that includes their GLA, Menopause Balance and Calcium - I didn't get the package because I had other brands that I wanted to use up first! I have included Robin Walker's Shaklee link. The link to the whole package was not working.

http://www.shaklee.net/robin_walker/product/20645

Now, for sleeping thru the night? I just started on Lunestra and I slept straight thru - haven't done this is 20 years!!!! What a great feeling!

Elln
 
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