Peri-menopause

morningstar

morningstar

Cathlete
Hi!

I'm 38, and really don't know anything about peri-menopause. I know it is different for every woman, but could anyone tell me:

  • the age range it could be expected to start for most women
  • general symptoms that may hit some people
  • how long it often lasts
  • how you have dealt with any symptoms you may have
  • the postive as well as the negative aspects of it in your experience
  • how you felt emotionally about entering peri-menopause

Thanks!
 
Morningstar- read the book by dr John Lee "What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause" it answers all your questions.
 
Dr. Christiane Northrup's book "The Wisdom of Menopause" is really good. It goes through the entire phase of life from perimenopause through menopause. She wrote it after she was through it herself and could share her own experiences.
 
Peaceful Rainbow said:
Dr. Christiane Northrup's book "The Wisdom of Menopause" is really good. It goes through the entire phase of life from perimenopause through menopause. She wrote it after she was through it herself and could share her own experiences.
Click to expand...

I like Dr. Northrup; I've heard her speak a couple of times and was very impressed.
 
morningstar said:
[*]how you have dealt with any symptoms you may have
[*]the postive as well as the negative aspects of it in your experience
[*]how you felt emotionally about entering peri-menopause
Click to expand...

I'm 48 and somewhere around 5-6 years into this whole process and I've had very little in the way of symptoms. I've been vegan for over 20 years and from what I've read vegans tend to have fewer issues with perimenopause in general. I've had a few night sweats, but only once when it was more than just mildly annoying. A couple times I've had those quick little weight gains that come out of no where. I've learned to recognize when that's happening quicker to minimize the impact. At a certain point in my cycle, I'll have night waking where it's really hard to go back to sleep, but it usually only lasts 2-3 nights out of each cycle. I have no problems with my periods such as PMS, bloating, pain, which is helpful as I no longer no when I'll start. After pretty much a lifetime of being right on 28 days, that took some adjusting. Recently, I've bounced from 19 to 37 to 16 days for cycle lengths. Always be prepared is my current motto. :D Something I don't think you hear enough about is that the hormonal changes of perimenopause are as big in their way as puberty is on the opposite end. Your body has an increased need for sleep, which of course doesn't match up well with those bouts of night waking. I usually manage at least 7 hours a night and find that taking a nap at least 3 times a week really helps a lot.

As far as how I felt emotionally about perimenopause, especially after reading Dr. Northrup's book, I came to view it as a very positive happening. I find that the further into it I get the more comfortable I am with who I am and more comfortable with my body. I also find that I'm really wanting to get out more and do more in the world. I happen to have had my kids on the late side, so I have almost 8 and a 10 1/2 year old boys at home with me (we homeschool), but I can totally see myself starting a new career when they are older. And when I decide what I want to be when I grow up. ;) All in all, I'm really enjoying this time in my life.
 
From what I hear, menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45-55, and perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to it, which can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years. It seems to be a very individual thing. I've found that it makes no sense to read about symptoms unless and until you have them. What's the point of worrying about some symptom that you may never have?

I'm 53 and still on a monthly cycle, although it's starting to be just a bit irregular. So far, it's no big deal. The only really annoying issue I have is constipation which lasts for about a week out of every month. I've been taking Ducolax as recommended by my doctor, but I'd like to find something more natural.

I wanted to post in response to your questions mostly to reach out to any worry warts out there and say: don't be like me! I am the worst kind of worry wart and I worried about perimenopause for about 15 years before I had any symptoms. What a waste of time! I don't know what the future holds, but so far it's been very slow and gradual and I have no major complaints. I think it really helps to eat a healthy diet, mostly veggies and fruits, exercise and take good care of yourself. You could be one of many women who just sail through without much discomfort. At least, that's what I'm telling myself now. ;)
 
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Thanks everyone. I'm not really worried about it; in fact, I am really most curious about the positive aspects about it. Getting older doesn't frighten me at all (yet, anyway!) I just wanted to get more information about it.
 
Weight gain, wrinkles/dehydration, & cellulite.

I'm 41. That's all I can tell you so far, but I'll keep you posted. :D
 
I agree that everyone is probably different. My perimenopause started at 40 and ended at 49. My main symptom was reduced periods. Between the ages of 45-49 I only had one per year:D. No hot flashes etc. The only other symptom,and it bothered me, was the brain fog. I would forget common words. One time I was asking my dh to hand me the broom and couldn't think of the word broom. This was about once a day. Fortunately, the brain does come back to normal.
 
I am using the vitamins/herbs from Women to Women. I like the herbs - a lot.

The ONLY symptom I have had so far is a reduced libido. :(:(: :mad:

I've only had night sweats a couple of times, and that was directly after eating something very decandent and sweet.

OH - And - whiskers. I spend more time hunting for stray hair than I do weeding my garden. LOL!
 
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nancy324 said:
From what I hear, menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45-55, and perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to it, which can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years. It seems to be a very individual thing. I've found that it makes no sense to read about symptoms unless and until you have them. What's the point of worrying about some symptom that you may never have?

I'm 53 and still on a monthly cycle, although it's starting to be just a bit irregular. So far, it's no big deal. The only really annoying issue I have is constipation which lasts for about a week out of every month. I've been taking Ducolax as recommended by my doctor, but I'd like to find something more natural.

I wanted to post in response to your questions mostly to reach out to any worry warts out there and say: don't be like me! I am the worst kind of worry wart and I worried about perimenopause for about 15 years before I had any symptoms. What a waste of time! I don't know what the future holds, but so far it's been very slow and gradual and I have no major complaints. I think it really helps to eat a healthy diet, mostly veggies and fruits, exercise and take good care of yourself. You could be one of many women who just sail through without much discomfort. At least, that's what I'm telling myself now. ;)
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Nancy, take a look at Swiss Kriss for a natural laxative.
 
I think that some of the symptoms are the same as other health concerns that you may want to get checked out -- like thyroid issues and other hormone imbalances.
 
I'm 52 - read several books on this topic - and found the one that I got the most out of was Northrup's "The Wisdom of Menopause." It's worth the money, and not only answers your questions, but provides a lot of insights I've never seen anywhere else as well. So I second or third it as a recommendation here :) Public libraries should have it too if you don't want to buy it. Northrup is not just an M.D., she has been through the entire experience herself and talked to a zillion patients going through it. I used some of her advice for some problems I was having, and it worked :)
 
workingToBeFit said:
I'm 52 - read several books on this topic - and found the one that I got the most out of was Northrup's "The Wisdom of Menopause." It's worth the money, and not only answers your questions, but provides a lot of insights I've never seen anywhere else as well. So I second or third it as a recommendation here :) Public libraries should have it too if you don't want to buy it. Northrup is not just an M.D., she has been through the entire experience herself and talked to a zillion patients going through it. I used some of her advice for some problems I was having, and it worked :)
Click to expand...


You know, it's a funny thing, but I think I gave that book to my mom about 10 years ago...
 
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