Women - can we talk about Menopause a minute?

[Southernmiss]

Anyone experience crazy weight gain?
Periods are irregular and heavy. 53 years old. irregularities started about 6 months ago. Hot flashes that I did experience have mostly stopped.

The weight I used to put on each month and quickly lose again came on overnight and won't go away. I'm not over weight, just weigh more than ever for me. And haven't changed any eating habits. I walk daily. The extra weight does not change.

I feel like Tim Allen in the Santa Claus movies.

I take replacement thyroid and no other thyroid symptoms.

I really believe it's female hormones.

I'm thinking of just embracing the extra few pounds as most women over 70 that I know lose weight and are then very thin.

 

[anniemae]

Anyone experience crazy weight gain?
Periods are irregular and heavy. 53 years old. irregularities started about 6 months ago. Hot flashes that I did experience have mostly stopped.

The weight I used to put on each month and quickly lose again came on overnight and won't go away. I'm not over weight, just weigh more than ever for me. And haven't changed any eating habits. I walk daily. The extra weight does not change.

I feel like Tim Allen in the Santa Claus movies.

I take replacement thyroid and no other thyroid symptoms.

I really believe it's female hormones.

I'm thinking of just embracing the extra few pounds as most women over 70 that I know lose weight and are then very thin.

Yes! Oh how I hate the weight gain. Years ago, I could easily get rid of a few pounds if I found myself gaining weight. Now it is impossible. I am eating less but gaining quickly. I step on the scale and can't believe how heavy I am. I walk and exercise daily. It's awful. It just won't come off. So frustrating.

 

[Alicefan]

Trust me. I paid my dues earlier with the endometriosis and resulting infertility. The only reason I stayed on hormones that long was because of the risk of that all returning.

oh I'm sorry. That's awful!

 

[Alicefan]

Anyone experience crazy weight gain?
Periods are irregular and heavy. 53 years old. irregularities started about 6 months ago. Hot flashes that I did experience have mostly stopped.

The weight I used to put on each month and quickly lose again came on overnight and won't go away. I'm not over weight, just weigh more than ever for me. And haven't changed any eating habits. I walk daily. The extra weight does not change.

I feel like Tim Allen in the Santa Claus movies.

I take replacement thyroid and no other thyroid symptoms.

I really believe it's female hormones.

I'm thinking of just embracing the extra few pounds as most women over 70 that I know lose weight and are then very thin.

Not so much crazy weight gain, but just so much harder to lose than before. I've always gone drastically up and down my whole life so I can't really attribute it to menopause. The last time I lost a significant amount of weight was right at the onset and I lost 30lbs but turned around and gained it right back. Weight loss doesn't seem to be sustainable unless I continue to eat the way I do when I'm dieting and who the hell wants to do that?

 

[Southernmiss]

Not so much crazy weight gain, but just so much harder to lose.

Weight loss doesn't seem to be sustainable unless I continue to eat the way I do when I'm dieting and who the hell wants to do that?

That's it exactly.

So very frustrating, depressing, and discouraging.

 

[Alicefan]

That's it exactly.

So very frustrating, depressing, and discouraging.

Yes it is! I've never been one to lose anything eating 1200 to 1500 calories a day. I have to cut to around 1000. Always have, and that is just not realistic for life. I will gain eating 1500, not maintain. My entire life has been a "diet". I've always wondered what it would feel like to not have to think about every bite of food I put in my mouth? When they preach about the Lord's supper in church I gain 2lbs. lol

 

[PollyannaMom]

(Saw this on Instagram today and thought of this old thread)

 

[CdnCarrie]

I finished menopause by age 39 or 40. It just never really came back after having my youngest child.

 

[ronandannette]

I finished menopause by age 39 or 40. It just never really came back after having my youngest child.

I had my last period during the week of my 50th birthday. It was relatively normal and lasted 6 days…then I just simply never had another one. Seems I got off light on symptoms too, considering what some go through. It’s been several years now and admittedly, I don’t remember what it was like to function with full energy and mental clarity. I’ve definitely slowed down, but it’s the new (now not so new) normal and I guess I’ve just adapted. I’ve never been on HRT, my doctor never offered it. I did start using Vagifem suppositories about two years in and that has been game-changing for physical comfort.

As for weight, I carried 25 extra pounds all through my 40’s, although I never made any serious effort to lose it. In 2022 (post-menopause) I had a health crisis and unintentionally lost 20 lbs. It’s mostly stayed off, again without intention. I’m 15 lbs. lighter today than I was when I started menopause. I honestly don’t know how hard it would be to purposely lose the last 10.