Getting older...health questions (for us girls)

[momz]

I turned 40 not long ago and I'm starting to notice some changes that cause me question if I may be entering perimenopause. I don't have any sisters to talk to, and my mother didn't experience this because she had a total hysterectomy. Therefore, she didn't have the gradual changes that happen with menopause. I don't feel like I have anyone to talk to about it.

Anyway...I don't know what to do about it all. I feel fatigued, I have mood swings (I've always had this associated with my monthly, but the pendulum is swinging wider these days), the visitor is unpredictable (KWIM?) in regards to the timing and the volume, my skin is dryer, even my eyesight is changing (bifocals).

I've been reading about hormone replacement options, specifically bioidentical hormones vs. synthetic hormones. I'm leaning more towards the bioidentical idea.

Is anyone willing to share their journey through this stage in life? What have you done to help yourself age gracefully so to speak?

I look at myself in the mirror and wonder what is going on in there...

 

[pyrxtc]

I say, when the time comes for me, to just let it all happen and no hormones. It will get it over with faster and I don't have to worry about fake crud in my body. The hormone balance out the process and make it stop but you still have to go through it eventually so why not now ?

 

[Arielle22]

I am 44.

First, the bifocals relate to age, not gender. DH always had perfect eyesight but when he hit 40 he noticed having problems reading. Since he is in IT he really needs to know what he is viewing so the drugstore glasses work fine for him. I have worn glasses since I was a teen so it was not so tramatic for me to get bifocals. Even my contacts can replace the bifocals which is great.

As for the others, yup I got those and more. I have never thought about hormone replacement (synthetic or otherwise); mainly because I always assumed it was for woman who were through with menopause.

The bad news is this can go on for years. It started when I was 40 and continues with no end in sight.

 

[PatsMom]

I am 50 so I can relate to what you are going through. My changes also began in my early 40's. I was fully into menopause by 45 or so. My mother also went through it early.

I have treated with some herbal medications but no hormone replacement therapy. The worst is the hot flashes, mood swings and the night sweats.

Even if you don't have sisters or your mother to talk to, if you have friends around the same age, it helps to have each other to talk with. Even co-workers. There is a lady I work with that I have gotten close to who is also menopausal and she and I have a great time moaning and groaning about things. Doesn't change anything but it makes you feel not so alone!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I suppose I'll just be adding my "vent" here and not offering any advice, so please forgive me...

I am only 35 but my doctor has been "keeping an eye" on me for the past 2-3 years. I suddenly started experiencing hot flashes around that time - my mother saw one and confirmed that was what I was experiencing; I suddenly start to sweat and my face turns bright red, which makes her smile, clap me on the back, and say, "Having a hot flash there, kid?" My skin went from being oily enough to power a small country to drier than the Sahara. Aunt Flo never did show up on a regular schedule, but now she's become even more unpredictable. My doctor became concerned when she diagnosed an enlarged uterus about 2 years ago; she says that can be a symptom and I go for annual ultrasounds now. She couples these symptoms with the fact that my mother started to have the same ones around the age of 36, plus I got my first period before I was 11...anyway, we're just "keeping an eye on things."

And I haven't had a baby yet. I hope there's still time!

I will not go on hormones. My mother has the Factor V Leiden gene for blood clotting; she tried artificial hormones and immediately got blood clots in her leg and on her lung. I have tested negative for this particular mutation, but I haven't been tested for any others. My doctor doesn't want to put me on any kind of hormonal medication.

 

[daisyduck123]

I am 43yo & have already gone thru menopause. My last period was in 2007.

I didn't experience any mood swings. My only symptom was 2 months of hot flashes.

I don't take any meds/hormones...nothing, & am perfectly fine.

 

[momz]

Thank you for all of your replies. So what I am seeing is that there is nothing unusual about what I am feeling. I didn't think there was really, I was just hoping that someone may have had some experience with what to do to make it better.

I totally understand the concern about hormone replacement therapy and the dangers associated with it. I have been doing some reading and am seeing there is a significant difference in the risk vs. benefit concerns between synthetic hormones (i.e. drugs/medicine) and bioidentical hormones (compounded from natural sources that are identical to what the body makes).

The way I understand it, your production of these hormones can decrease over time. Some will decrease at a faster rate than others therefore creating an imbalance in the ratio of these hormones in your body. Thus resulting in the unpleasant symptoms.

Getting old is unpleasant, I wonder if it has to be that way...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

45 here. If I could go back to 40 again I would have kept up the daily exercise. This past yr., my body has go to hell in a handbasket. I have gained 10ish lbs this past yr.

Now for me, I usually stay within a reg. weight and don't really "gain". However that is changing.

And the DRYNESS blah. I have to use ocean spray for my nose, must use lotion daily, cannot take allergy meds (they are drying), and can't wash my hair everyday. Now I will get it wet and use conditioner but sometimes I put it up and take a shower without getting it wet.

I am having heart palpatations so I am getting a stress test tomorrow and going on Wed., for the blood draw. Plus scheduling the colonoscopy and a trip to the OBGYN.

If all is clear then I can get back to exercising, eating better, quit smoking those couple of cigs I do everyday. Yea, that is bad.

I am not in full blown menopause yet. I am inching my way there. If I am like my mom, I will be 52 before I am in menopause.

Exercising and quitting caffeine is probably the two things that will help you later.

 

[dbriggsq]

Bloomin' 'eck. I must be a late bloomer. I'm 54 and my symptoms only started18 months ago and have come and gone over that period. I just wonder how long it will last - worst symptoms are hot flushes.

 

[momz]

hard to say what my worst symptom is...depends on the moment. But probably the mood swings and my skin...oh...my skin...

 

[Disney Doll]

Sounds like you're starting.
I have been having less frequent "visitor" visits. My hair is changing...getting straighter when it used to be pretty wavy. I'm holding on to weight more (like I need THAT!). Hot flashes here and there, although not horrible. I have always run "warm"...prefer the cooler weather to the heat and so forth, but I am not having drenching hot flashes that I know some women have had.

Hormones...can't take them. Had a blood clot in my lung years ago after starting the pill so they keep me away from all hormones. I have just been toughing the symptoms out so far, and like I said, they haven't been awful.

 

[hereyago]

I have treated with some herbal medications but no hormone replacement therapy. The worst is the hot flashes, mood swings and the night sweats.

May I ask what kind of herbal medications? I am 42 and from last year on, the hot flashes-especially at night and my mood has been swinging like a pendelum. Thanks.

 

[joviroxx]

A lot of your symptoms can also be related to your thyroid. I thought I was going through menopause (Im 44) and my gyno checked my thyroid. Im hypothyroid and was experiencing all the same symptoms as you. Might not be, but doesnt hurt to talk to your doctor about it.


A lot of them are just age related. It happens. Our eyes start to go, metabolism slows down, hormones go wacky.

The only thing I know is aging sucks! LOL!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

A lot of your symptoms can also be related to your thyroid. I thought I was going through menopause (Im 44) and my gyno checked my thyroid. Im hypothyroid and was experiencing all the same symptoms as you. Might not be, but doesnt hurt to talk to your doctor about it.

I was going to say the same thing- have your thyroid checked. Might explain some of the problems.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Well, I'm 40 and I've started having night sweats on occasion. I wake up and the sheets are sopping wet! Also Aunt Flo has started visiting more frequently. Or not. Sigh. I don't go longer than 30 days, but sometimes it's 15 days between her coming to call and sometimes it's 20 days and sometimes it's 30 days. Really irritating!

I'm not looking forward to what's coming next, but I'll survive it the way every other woman has, I suspect. DH claims he's going to build a shed in the backyard and move into it when my menopause starts. I can't think why.

 

[runwad]

I am 43yo & have already gone thru menopause. My last period was in 2007.

I didn't experience any mood swings. My only symptom was 2 months of hot flashes.

I don't take any meds/hormones...nothing, & am perfectly fine.

Wow you're lucky, I hope I'm like you!! I'm 43 and haven't noticed anything physical but I do admit I get irritated real easily have absolutely no tolerance for anything stupid. I have to talk myself into being happyy because i'm always mad & grouchy!

 

[hereyago]

Oops, add that to my list as well. I thought that was just that part of getting older and wiser.