Perimenopause anyone?!

Dani53

Dani53

Cathlete
I am hoping Kathryn and a few others whose opinions I value pop in on this. Actually anyone who might have solid wisdom and advice is appreciated:)

The symptoms are all there and I belive the fog of denial is lifting for me. Now the problem is what to do about it. I have armed myself with a book and a bag of stuff the book recommended. Flax oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil, fish oil, and potentially progesterone cream. I have other vitamins as well this is just what I came home from the health food store with today.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I don't want to overlook anything so I do plan on going to the doctor as well, but I don't have a great one so I am dreading that....small town so the options are next to none. Definitely want to go the natural route, and my main concern is trying too much and not know if, or what, may or may not be helping.

Anyone with experience care to help? I would also not mind privately emailing if that is better. Some of these things might best be discussed more privately. Or not, I am not too terribly bashfull;-)
 
Hi Dani! I am sending some information from the book "Fertility, Cyles, & Nutrition" by Marilyn M. Shannon. You are smart to be an educated health care consumer whether you live in a small town or not... BUT living and practicing as a Women's Health NP in a small town myself I understand what you are facing. I applaud you for being proactive.

I have recieved some professional journals discussing this topic and if I find any new info I will share it. I am a little behind with my reading realted to a very demanding 4 month old... how can someone so small be so demanding? :)

Autumn

Edited because I sent all the info. Oppps!
 
Hi Dani :) Not sure I'll have much in the way of words of wisdom...but I hear ya...I'm there too. Actually, the last couple of years have just been riddled with symptoms for me...mood swings being a major one for me! It seems like the symptoms just made their way into my life and it was a while before I realized I was probably truly in perimenopause, lol. I've just tried to stick to eating as cleanly as possible (for me, lol), sticking to my working out, and I quit smoking last March, which helped dramatically (after the first few months of torture, lol)...I think I'm finally (at age 47) starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel...feeling much better these days. Good luck to you. :)
 
Does anyone know how long this is supposed to last? In hindsight, I think I have been peri for a couple of years now. I will be 39 this week, so is that normal? I know I have mentioned a couple of my syptoms to my doctor, but she seems to just nod and say "well, you are getting to 'that age' now". I am almost nervous to go back for fear of getting nothing but a big bill. I would like to go in as pro active and well armed with my information, humbly too, but expecting to be a co pilot in my health.

Thanks for the encouragement!
 
Do you eat soy foods? In countries where they have a high consumption of soy, there is no word for menopause! Be sure to stick with actual soy "foods" (tofu, tempeh, soymilk, edamame) and not isolated or concentrated soy protein (as in soy burgers, hot dogs, etc.) as there has been some concern about possible links between soy and breast cancer (though I am convinced that these links are between those isolate soy products, and not actual soy foods).
 
I was waiting to hear from you Kathryn:)

I am nervous about soy because of what you mentioned. The book I am reading says to steer clear, but I have not yet read why. I think you could be right about the food based thought though. I love edamame beans! I just don't think I eat enough of them. I need to get to that part and really read the reasoning for the "no soy" thing.

I talked to a guy at the health food store who went into a bit of detail about everything having to do with the kidneys and nourishing the organs. I think he said China or Japan but this is where I kind of got overwhelmed because it seems like a whole new path I am way too unfamiliar with. Then he started talking about acupuncture and releasing my energy.... I am natural, but not quite that natural.

My hope is that there will be some success with the supplements. I would love to feel normal again.
 
I've been having perimenopausal symptoms since I was 42 and I am now almost 50 and haven't had a period in 6 months. Six more months and I believe i qualify as being in Menopause.

Can't help you with natural stuff because none of it helped me. My symptoms were very severe. I found the only thing that really helped me was low dose birth control pills and testosterone cream.

Like everything else, some experts recommend soy and some do not. They all have their opinions but I think it's another area where what works for one is not going to work for another. You have to find what works for you by trial and error.
 
I have been experiencing what I think qualifies as some perimenopause symptoms as well, even though at first I thought I must be too young (35). I read up a little, and started making some changes to my diet as well as adding supplements such as flax oil and evening primrose oil. I have been faithful in my exercising, albeit at a slightly less intense level than previously (I found that when I was working out too hard, I skipped more days). I also started using a natural progesterone cream. I am happy to say that 3 months after starting this regime, I am feeling much, much better. I don't know if this is any help except as a testimony that making some changes can make a difference. Good luck to you.
Tracy
 
Tracy is right. Diet and exercise are very important. I always tend to overlook those things because it's part of my every day life, with or without perimenopause.

Also, taking calcium supplements and fish or flax seed oil will help with bone and skin issues. As your estrogen diminishes, calcium is not absorbed as readily into your bones. If you've been reading, you probably already know this.
 
Hi Dani! What works for one woman may not work for another. My experience was first having irregular periods (every 2 weeks) heavy or moderate didn't matter. I had it every 2 weeks, then the mood swings (not pleasant), depression, weight gain & bloatedness. Went to my ob/gyn & he immediately said I was in perimenopause. He prescribed Mircette 28 (a low dosage estrogen pill). I stayed on this pill for 2 years it worked wonders. All symptoms were gone. However, after 2 years I started experiencing an overabundance to the estrogen & my breasts were very swollen & hurt. Took myself off the Mircette & then went to an otc pill called AM/PM Balance for Menopause by Natrol. These 2 pills took my hot flashes & night sweats away could live again :7 I then had my FSH levels done (through a blood test) & my dr. informed me that I'm now into post menopause. A whole different story now!!

The book that I read was by Christiane Northrup "The Wisdom of Menopause." Good luck cause it ain't easy!! HTH, Kathy:D
 
Hi - I've been perimeno for about 4 years now and it's really kicked in the last year or so. I've seen my doc about it and he says it can last up to 10 years, depending on the person - oh joy.

I think you're supposed to steer clear of too much soy because it can mess up your thyroid. I'm not sure exactly why, but that's what I've read. I take black cohosh and its really helped with the hot flashes and night sweats.

I also agree that exercise really helps, especially with the mood swings and insomnia. I always sleep better when I exercise.

Julia
 
Hi,
I am 49 so I must be in peri-menopause. I haven't started skipping yet. Anyway, when my breasts started aching all the time, I gave up caffeine. I also found that I only have hot flashes when I have sugar in my diet. I have not had any other symptoms so don't know what else to advise.
 
Thanks everyone! There seems to be a common theme of the supplements and the exercise. I have just started with the supplements so I will see how that goes with some time to give it a chance. Exercise sounds like more of a necessity than ever before, and that is fine. I love it, but the importance of it has kind of bumped up a notch somehow, which I know sound wierd. Not that it hasn't always been important, but I think it is now really really important.

I will avoid the pill if I can. Still plan on checking in with the doc, but I would love to see if the more natural route of flax, primrose etc. does the trick.

I truly do thank you all for the sharing you have done!
 
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