Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[RubyLove]

I am 45 and my menopause is just beginning. It has taken me a year to learn that perimenopause is the reason for my tiredness, lack of drive, irritability, loss of confidence, unexplained and irrational anxiety and, most of all, foggy brain. My question for you all is: will I get my energy and my brain power back once it's over?

[Annie0710]

AW ruby love I think it's more about finding the hrt that suits you whether you'll feel better.  I do think we adjust too to the declining hormones eventually.  I'm only just seeing signs of the old (new) me coming out and this all started at 45 too.  It's taken 5.5- 6 years to get where I'm at.  Not brilliant but a damn sight better than I was .  I'm approx 2-3 years post meno now x

[RubyLove]

Thank you for your honest reply, Annie0710. I am trying phytoestrogens and herbal supplements first, with vaginal estrogen. I am not averse to trying HRT if the complimentary medicine approach doesn't work. I was most surprised to learn that menopause is an average of an 8 year process. I see so many successful and happy post menopausal women but I also see many unhappy, stressed menopausal women (I work at a hospital). i would like to hear from other women as to whether their HRT or other treatments help them feel more like their normal premenopausal self.

[Dancinggirl]

We are all different so experience the meno differently.  It is about finding a ‘new you' and adjusting to the oestrogen deficiency. You are young and if your oestrogen levels are getting low then HRT would be highly beneficial for your long term health and well-being. Quality of life is very important. DG x

[CLKD]

It's The Change.

Browse round. Make notes.  There is an alternative room here.  Ladies often find that when their hormones go haywire that any benefits are
 lost 

[Waterdaggers]

I would like to know this too! I started peri two years ago and now surgical meno since having a hyst a few months ago. I've been on HRT for 18 months but although I have good days and bad days, never do I feel how I used to feel just a few years ago. I used to be so full of life and energy and now I feel about 80 and miserable. I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel somewhere!

[Hurdity]

Hi Rubylove

 

The post-menopausal phase can last for 40 years in some women and if you go through menopause ( ie last period) before the natural average age of menopause then it is definitely advised to take HRT to help protect heart and bones. Whether you will have the same energy as before does depend as Annie0710 said - on getting the right HRT. Some women for example can go on having flushes and sweats for many years ( without HRT) whereas others who don't take HRT feel fine. Other problems can appear later though including vaginal atrophy and osteoporosis, that may not be attributed to menopause. Energy levels do decline with age so it is not possible to be exactly the same as before.

If you periods are few and far between and you are getting flushes and sweats then definitely time to start HRT if you are able to take it. Otherwise maybe consider it when you are further down the line, but in the meantime take positive steps to improve your health and well-being for the future - ie re diet, body weight, exercise, fresh air, sleep, alcohol, work/life balance etc. Lifestyle changes (if necessary) made now, permanently, will pay dividends for how you cope with the coming years.

In answer to your wanting to hear about women on HRT - I have been taking HRT for more than 10 years (after dallying a bit with phyto-oestrogens and diet + herbal supplements to no avail) and I am now in my mid 60's and do as much as I possilby can - well I am retired but still - I eat a very healthy diet, keep my weight within healthy limits. I have never looked back and do not regret taking it at all. I am sure I would not be able to do half of what I do without it.

Hurdity x

[matildamouse]

Despite being on HRT and doing soooooo much better, I feel that I might never get my old self back ever...but as long as I can sleep at night, do not constantly combust of heat from the inside and do not cry because I have used the last tissue in the box, I have accepted it as " it is what it is"...

[CLKD]

I have not been too bad throughout - thus far.  Fortunately my GP recognised VA symptoms B4 I did and prescribed appropriate treatment.

[Mary G]

It's taken me a while to get there but despite past problems with Utrogestan (finally cracked it I think) and other forms of HRT which didn't work, I feel completely back to normal and the same as I did pre menopause.  I honestly didn't think it was possible but Oestrogel has been a real life saver for me.  So yes, the good news is it is possible to get back to how you were before the menopause.   

[NinaH]

I too feel 100% the same after finally settling on a regime (Premarin, utrogestan, testogel and vagifem) which suits me after trying every other available type for 3 years.

I did feel ‘ok' on other types - but I knew I still could be better. So now I am i'm truly thankful every day for my energy, sex drive, great skin and hair, humour and vitality.