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[Arty]

Hi, this is me: early menopause, first symptoms started at 38yrs, been on hrt now for about 7 years; problems with: IBS (especially awful at mo  ) memory, tiredness (most likely from work) and itchy skin every now and then.
Also: I love painting, drawing, reading about and looking at all art. I'm a mum to 20 year old student. Married for 9 years now (thankfully menopause hasn't altered libido  ... although I worry about coming off hrt)
There's so much good advice here and a wonderful, supportive feel to MM that I wish I'd joined ages ago. My problems, compared to so many of you, seem trivial. 
Thanks for such a brilliant site.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM Arty
Stick with your HRT for as long as possible.  I had an early meno like you and came off at 49 - what a mistake!!! I lost 3 years of my life till I went back on HRT at 53 for another 4 years.  Now 60, I'm doing reasonably well without systemic HRT - I just use local oestrogen for bladder and VA problems which I may not have had so soon if I hadn't had that 3 year break from HRT in my early 50s.
Nothing is taboo here.  Keep posting  Dg x

[CLKD]

   forget coming off your HRT if it is helping.  Medication may not be a 'cure' but if most of your symptoms are under control, continue. 

We have a thread about 'doing stupid things'  - meno-brain 

Browse round.  Make notes.  As oestrogen levels drop apparently the body becomes itchy; nostrils, deep in the ears, vagina, skin …… do read our thread/s on vaginal atrophy which often presents with repeated urine-type 'infections' but is usually due to skin thinning and drying.  Once the initial urine sample has been sent TO A LAB and any infection treated with ABs, ask for atrophy treatment i.e. Vagifem or Ovestin1mg 

We have threads on hobbies, i.e. cycling as well as 'dog breeds' ……. we sometimes talk about menopause 

[Hurdity]

Hi Arty

 

Glad HRT seems to be working for you. You don't need to think about coming off it for years .  What type are you taking?

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

IBS can be so controlling  .  HORMONES!!!  I had 'the runs' 10 mins. B4 a bleed started, even if a period wasn't due.  It meant that around that time I was unable to plan any road trips  because I had to get to the loo, fast!! 

I had IBS diagnosed in 1998.  I was unable to eat/drink anything after 4.00 p.m. and felt very sick.  My GP prescribed Colpermin peppermint capsules and I think, Motillium.  The idea was to swallow them within an hour of eating my main meals, which began calming the upper gut (Colpermin) and pushing food through the stomach (Motillium).

After about 3-5 days I felt a different person, no longer nauseous and the bloating went. I kept on this regime for many years, then changed to drinking Actimel several times a day.  That helped keep my bowels working so that I remained comfy.  PHEW!  Now if I get slow transit I re-start the Actimel pots ……… after a couple of days my bowels feel less bunged up.