66 Peri menopause / Menopause Symptoms you may experience which may help some ladies

Posted , 683 users are following.

SIXTY-SIX PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: Part one 1 - 49

These are very real physical changes and conditions. Some symptoms alarm a woman that she may be suffering from a serious disease. Perhaps you know the more common ones related to menopausal symptoms in this list. But many of these may surprise you, as they have not been typically associated with this normal physiological transformation. 

1. Change in Menstrual Cycle, Cycles may get closer together or farther apart, lighter and shorter in duration or much heavier, lasting longer than one has been accustomed to. Menses may seem to take forever to begin with dark spotting for days until you actually flow, or you might feel like you have your menses every two weeks.

2. Menstrual Flooding can come on with sudden onset and feel like you may hemorrhage to death. Or it can be a gradual build up just when you think your menses will end and you start gushing for days. Flooding commonly accompanies the woman with uterine fibroids as she transits into menopause.

3. Headaches, Migraines, especially before, during or at the end of your menses debilitate and radically interferes with normal functioning.

4. Decreased Motor Coordination, Clumsiness, almost begins to make the woman who experiences this feel like she is certainly less than graceful during perhaps an already awkward period in her life. 

5. Lethargy, a persistent feeling sluggishness physically and mentally, that seems to negate ones ability to do much. 

6. Physical Exhaustion , and Crushing Crashing Fatigue that can come on so suddenly and grip you into feeling like you will collapse unless you stop this instant.

7. Exacerbation of any Chronic Illness or Existing Condition transpires as hormones decline or deviate from their normal balance.

8. Insomnia, this includes a new or unusual pattern of either difficulty falling asleep, or dropping off to sleep for a few hours and then awakening with the inability to return to sleep.

9. Sleep Disturbances sometimes are from nightmares, night sweats, or just a vague sense of restlessness keeping you up or disrupting your precious revitalizing retreat from this realm of responsibilities.

10. Night Sweats often begin between a woman?s breasts, initially a night or two before her menses, waking her from sleep, later more profoundly disturbing with up to total body saturation, followed by damp or sweat drenched chills.

11. Interference With Dream Recall interrupts the sense of normal sleep, if you are someone accustomed to vivid or at least some detailed memory of your dreamtime. 

12. Muscle Cramps can occur anywhere in the body from legs to back to neck, and sometimes reflects the need for more calcium, or simply that your progesterone levels are too low. 

13. Low Backache often worsens before or during menses, but if your hormones remain at low levels, you can experience it on a regular basis.

14. Gall Bladder Symptoms of pain, spasms and discomfort felt in the right upper abdominal quadrant under the ribs, which may be accompanied by belching, bloating, and intolerance to certain foods reflect the increased liver load with declining hormones. 

15. Frequent Urination, or sensations that mimic urinary infections is a disturbing symptom often unrelieved by actual urination. It is often experienced as the sensation of needing to urinate all the time, even immediately afterwards.

16. Urinary Incontinence, the uncontrollable and spontaneous loss of urine, or the Urge for Incontinence, can occur suddenly or feel continuous, and not only in response to coughing, sneezing, jumping or running. 

17. Hypoglycemic Reactions happen when suddenly your blood sugar crashes and you must have food now.

18. Food Cravings, often for sweets or salty foods, but can include sour or pungent foods. 

19. Increased Appetite, especially at night and after dinner contributes to that unusual and unwanted weight gain.

20. Dark Circles Under Eyes can also be caused by adrenal exhaustion and thyroid dysfunctions, but no amount of sleep seems to eliminate it. 

21. Joint and Muscle Pain, Achy, Sore Joints, Muscles and Tendons, which sometimes develop into actual carpal tunnel syndrome, or give rise to the questioning of other disease possibilities.

22. Increased Tension in Muscles demonstrates itself in those hunched up shoulders as you work or talk about anything uncomfortable, along with promoting lower back pain and a stiff neck.

23. Increased Hair Loss or Thinning anywhere on body, including your head, armpits, pubic area.

24. Increase in Facial Hair especially under your chin, or along your jaw line. It may be defined by generalized hair growth, or a specific and coarse single strand of hair that pokes out, even curls. 

25. Unusually Hair Growth, around Nipples, between Breasts, down your back, places where your hair was finer, less coarse.

26. Acne, quite disturbing to any woman who dealt with this in adolescence and never thought it would recur. 

27. Infertility causes grief in the woman who postponed pregnancy in her earlier years and now wishes to conceive, carry to term a healthy baby, and discovers she is unable to do so. 

28. Loss of Breast Tissue begins with the decrease of progesterone production. Women often feel as though their breast have become empty sacs devoid of their normal fullness, with or without sagging.

29. Breast Soreness/Tenderness/Pain/ Engorgement and swelling, occurs particularly a few days to one week before bleeding actually begins, which usually potentiates complete relief of any pain or swelling.

30. Painful, or tender nipples have been described as this exquisite localized pain only in the nipples and suggests estrogen excess. 

31. Cold Extremities feels quite strange especially in the presence of a hot flash, the combination of which is not impossible.

32. Being Accident Prone, bumping into things, not even realizing it until the bruise reveals itself later and then lacking the ability to recall the causative incident feels perplexing and a little scary at the prospect of something more damaging. 

33. Hot flashes initially may be described as mild to severe flushes of heat waves, and for some women these evolve into intense outbreaks of sudden heat with sweating and turning bright red all over. 

34. Loss of Sexual Energy, our Libido, can be marked by a gradual or sudden disinterest in sex, to the development of an actual aversion. 

35. Painful Sex often described as if one?s vagina would tear open at the point of penetration along with feelings of abrasion during intercourse.

36. Vaginal Dryness, Irritation, sometimes accompanied by a consistent unusual discharge - typically odor free, negates a woman?s ability to be sexually active, or able to enjoy or be comfortable in her body.

37. Dizziness, feeling lightheaded and the loss of physical balance, and even a bit wobbling at times, requires pause in movement to prevent falling over or deepening into vertigo or feeling faint.

38. Ringing in the Ears, Tinnitus, can be experienced as a pulsing sensation, a whooshing sound, an almost musical or buzzing sound with a fuzzy sensation.

39. Abdominal Bloating comes on suddenly often after eating, or seems to be all the time, and can be visibly evident making you feel that you look like you are pregnant. 

40. Weight Gain disturbs most women, particularly when it seems to happen over a couple of days, settles in the waist, buttocks and thighs, promoting a visceral thickening from the waist down, the classic middle-aged figure.

41. Fluid Retention, Edema, commonly with swelling in the legs and ankles, though not limited to this area and it is unrelieved by urination.

42. Palpitations or Heart Racing usually comes on suddenly, without warning or provocation, and dissipates spontaneously. The experience can be so wild and intense that a woman may become alarmed and wonder if she is having a heart attack. 

43. Irregularities in your Heart Rate may feel more like your heart has just done a flip-flop or skipped a beat.

44. Constipation/Diarrhea, intermittent or alternating, results from declining hormone levels, which increase the demands on liver function and alters intestinal motility.

45. Tendency towards Candidiasis can increase, even if you have no prior known history ? and if you do, it may worsen.

46. Gastrointestinal Distress, Increased Flatulence, Unrelieved Gas pains, Indigestion, Nausea all can reflect intestinal changes due to hormonal imbalances.

47. Slow Digestion often goes along with the bloat ? what previously took four to five hours to digest, now seems to take all night. It seems worse in the evenings.

48. Lack of Appetite may be experienced as more of a lack of interest in food, going to the frig and standing there with the door open and staring blankly. Feeling completely uninspired, you busy yourself with something else and forget that you need to eat.

49. Changes in Body Odor especially disturbing when it seems to focus in the groin area, but can be anywhere on the body.

50. Puffy Eyes, not only from sleep disturbances, but also can accompany low progesterone.

51. Facial Pallor alternating with Facial Flushes is often intermittent with hot flashes.

52. Flare up of Arthritis worsens with low progesterone levels and increase sugar intake.

53. Loss of Bone Density, Osteoporosis, is not only an elderly woman?s disease, though it seems to develop over an extended period and is triggered by the decline of hormone production.

54. Dry Hair, Change in Skin Tone, Integrity, and Texture, becomes more wrinkled, and may begin the thinning process.

55. Changes in your Fingernails characterized by easy breakage, bending, cracking and getting softer.

56. Itchy, Crawly Skin with a strange sensation like insects crawling around under the skin ? quite different than the dry skin feeling.

57. Muscle tone seems to slack and sag, and loose its previous response to normal exercise.

58. Pelvic Pain can be random and independent of cycles and may feel continuous for some women.

59. Dry, Itchy Eyes felt in the deep posterior aspect of the eye socket, as well as superficially.

60. Teeth Aching or the experience of a strange sensation in one?s teeth or gums, often accompanied by an increase in bleeding gums.

61. Change in the normal Tongue sensation, which can be accompanied by a feeling of burning in your tongue and roof of mouth, malodorous breath or change in breath odor, and/or a bad taste in your mouth.

62. Memory Loss or Lapses in time, makes one feel disoriented and less focused, especially when you go into another room to get something specific and seconds later cannot remember what you went to retrieve.

63. Feeling Faint for no known reason (this does not include standing up too quickly)

64. Tingling in Extremities not only feels weird and like your hands or feet are falling asleep, but if persistent can be a symptom of diabetes, B12, potassium or calcium deficiency, or a compromise in blood vessel flexibility.

65. Sensation of Electrical Stimulation,or Shock occurring in the tissue under the skin, and may signal you that a hot flash will begin.

66. Increase and worsening of Allergies occurs as hormones become imbalanced, so can our immune system.

153 likes, 3046 replies

3046 Replies

Prev Next
  • Edited

    Really worried.

    On Thursday we did chair exercises at my weight loss class. We worked the abdominals.

    I have developed a nasty pain in the pubic area.....it feels as though I have an infection "down there" except no pain when urinating.

    Should I see my GP??

    • Posted

       Jungle chicken – do you think you pulled a muscle or does it feel like a yeast infection without the common symptoms. Did you know that during peri/meno  yeast infections and UTIs can be very  prevalent due to the hormone shift. I swear I had continual yeast infection ctions for at least three years during peri, are you on peri or post Meno?  But I was the same as you, there was no burning, just a lot of horrid itching .  I used Teatree essential oil, it was very helpful.  Also sugar irritates any infections like those, so if you’re a sugar lover like me, cut back on your sugar.  Another friend of mine also noticed she was getting recurrent yeast infections and she cut back on her sugar and she was having less. I think sugar also fuels estrogen  in some way.   If you think you have a UTI try to take as much vitamin C as possible, because it makes your urine acidic and then bacteria cannot stick to the uterine wall and cause those infections .  Always up your vitamin C big time if you think you have a UTI ?? Honestly I’m beginning to think more that Meno is just a wake up call for us to live better lives, eat better, exercise, make our dreams come true, unfulfilled wishes🌞  also did you say it was chair exercises, were you doing a type of squat, because that would pull a muscle directly in that area. Sending positive thoughts your way 😇

    • Posted

      Thanks so much Lisa,

      The doctor thought it was a yeast infection, and prescribed a cream and ABs for 3 days.  I tested negative for a UTI, although the yeast infection caused bladder sensitivity.  I have to say, now it feels like a yeast infection, although the day after it felt like a pulled muscle.

      I self-tested for BV and thrush, and swab came back positive for thrush.

      The thing is, I've been on a weight loss program for the past 3 weeks which has meant cutting right down on sugar etc.,

      I'm going to make a "pessary" tonight - olive oil and GSE.  I don't want to take the ABs unless I absolutely have to.  Have had pain in the lower abdominal area.

      Yes, the itching "down there" is awful, and I get it a lot.  

      Like you, I've had recurrent yeast infections the past 2-3 yrs, having NEVER had them before.

      We were doing chair exercises that worked the abdominal area including lower abdominals.  That seemed to trigger it??

      Thanks for the Vit C tip.  I will start taking it!

      JC

    • Posted

      P.S I'm on peri-meno - fun, fun, fun!

    • Posted

       Unfortunately thrush is also common at this time, it’s like our bodies are just in a total uproar in every way, shape, and form. I also had and still have the strange pains you were talking about. And I had not had a yeast infection since I think my 20s.  Wish I had my tight ass from my 20s 😂  Have you gotten those heart palpitations, they’re called SVT’s, if you get them, cough very hard and it stops them immediately, it’s called the Valsalva movement. If you Google it, you can read on it, but it works like a charm.  I told my nurse practitioner about it and she already knew about it but she didn’t know why it worked. I also looked up natural cures for thrush.  Try and see if you have a natural path in your area, they are amazing and will give you an alternative to anabiotic‘s.  Best wishes 🌞

    • Posted

      Hey Lisa,

      Yes, I've had the palps, in fact I had them last Sunday (scared the hell out of me), my heart was racing really fast (out of know where).  I didn't cough to make it stop, so will try that next time (if I can think straight!).

      Last night, I put in a homemade pessary for the thrush: olive oil and grapefruit seed extract (GSE).  It really works.  The GSE has to be diluted and can't be in contact with open wounds.

      I'm not sure if it was really bad thrush or cystitis/UTI.  I had bladder sensitivity, and lower abdominal pains and also stinging pains (when I get stinging in that area I know its an infection).

      I succumbed and am on to Day 2 of ABs (Trimethoprim).  Didn't want to risk the infection getting worse.

      Funnily enough, I see a Naturopath monthly.  I take Bearberry liquid twice daily (for exactly this reason, to minimise bladder infections), but this time, I wasn't so lucky.

      Hugs Lisa!

      JC

       

    • Posted

      Is  grape fruit seed extract extract similar to  grapefruit essential oil.  I know my books said to make a tampon soaked with tea tree and insert when having a yeast infection, but I’m not doing that. To me that would be way too much and way too invasive,  of a straight oil that is.  Are you still getting your period? I found that even though I don’t get my period I am still getting the crying jags at the time of my period, or week b4 and it feels like someone’s taking a rock hammer to my ovaries two weeks before my period. Wow what a joy, no period but still having all the symptoms... WTH !  I don’t blame you for going on the anabiotic, you don’t want that to get any worse.  Do you up your probiotics and try to eat more yogurt when you go on an anabiotic, you probably know that helps keep your stomach flora in line.  I don’t know if you like sauerkraut, but it is a great way to keep stomach flora healthy,  one of the ways, I like it.  Yes the SVTs with the heart can be very frightening. I had some crazy incident almost a couple months ago at a park, I think I told you, and I thought, wow, I’m gonna go face down here😂  I have a friend whose sister-in-law spent several thousand dollars getting tested because of the SVTs, not to mention what they charged her insurance, and it turned out to be menopause. The medical field knows this, it’s just a money maker.  Do you mind if I ask how old you are, I’m 52.  If you think about it, between the Peri and the meno, we technically go through this for anywhere from 15 to 20.  I remember distinctly going to my doctor in 2007 and telling him I felt like I was dying and he wanted to put me on an antidepressant, he should’ve tested my hormones, because that’s when it started.  I was going through an extremely difficult time with my family, childhood issues that I brought to light and got blackballed,  even from my own mother, the most painful.  And I was dealing with the peri menopause on top of that.  I think women really do experience so much more than men.  Hope your anabiotic kicks in and kicks that UTI. If you ever see typos in my replies, it’s because I dictate into my phone and my Ifone  is goofed up😡 Hugs to you also ??

    • Edited

      For yeast infection I’ve recently used after taking antibiotics, a tampon dipped in non-fat non-flavor Greek yogurt. Left it in for 4 hrs. Worked perfect. I’ll never use anything else again, it was gentle and kind.
    • Posted

      Great idea Linda,  for whatever reason, I’ve read that in my holistic books but never tried it,  natural ways are the best 😇

    • Posted

      I kept reading and glossing over it also. 😏

      finally when I did try it, it was awesome! Geez, I guess it takes what it takes 😍

  • Edited

    Hello ladies...I'm 49 and I'm going through perimenapause and I experience hot flashes night sweats and dizziness dry mouth dry eyes fatigue period irregular moodiness want to be left alone. Joint and muscle pain anxiety mild depression drowsiness I mean I'm just done. ?? I just want to just stay in my room and be left alone. My eyes are getting bad( I need glasses ) Can't afford to purchase them but my eye Dr said that I need them because I'm straining them. Ladies you are awesome and just know that you are not alone. Everyday I deal with a different symptom and it's frustrating...I just don't feel like myself and advise would be appreciated thank you and God bless you all????

    • Posted

      Hi Francella, hang in there. Most of us feel the same way. Some days are truly awful. On those days I keep telling myself good days are coming. Good days are ahead. The anxiety is the worst for me. It is the most frightening. I really wish I knew how long this would last, but nobody I talk to has the answers. You can do this Francella, one day at a time. I am sorry about not being able to afford glasses. Would even basic reading glasses help? Those can be inexpensive at a drug store. Keep checking in on this blog from time to time.
    • Posted

      All the feelings you’re having are normal, especially the wanting to be left alone. If I had a dime for every time one of my friends going through menopause  said they just wanna go in their bedroom and shut the door and not come out, I’d have $100 in the bank. It’s very normal and getting annoyed with people and having no patience for peoples BS, off the charts.  It’s obviously all hormone related to the fluctuation but also at our age we all have put up with a lot in life, we just can’t deal with anymore, going through this. ✌️ 
    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your much needed advise Linda I will definitely check on that. Have a great evening.
    • Posted

      Thank you Kimberly for you encouraging words. I will keep you posted in this perimenapause transition... have a blessed evening
    • Edited

      Francela

      Lisa is right, we all felt this way..with me lasted for about 5 years!!its been couple of years, i'm back on socializing, traveling and going out!!

      It will pass?

    • Edited

      Now im dealing with different symptoms!! It doesnt stop...
    • Edited

      I agree! If it's not one thing, it's something else....all the time! When does it end?! 

    • Edited

       You’re exactly right, you go from one state to another, something ends and then it’s always some other symptom. This is supposed to be a time in our life where it opens up such great doors and we learn so much about ourselves and our power... blah blah blah. I really don’t get the point of any of it.  I think we can all testify to the fact that we’re not feeling very powerful, in fact, all we  feel is, drained  and terrified of what next is waiting around the corner.  I started having symptoms where it feels like I have cysts on my ovaries almost all the time. I don’t know if it’s scar tissue. But when I sleep at night it’s really painful, I can’t lie on either side, it starts at my ovaries and shoots down my legs. So my massage therapist thought it might be scar tissue.  My one friend that’s going through this, actually she had a hysterectomy, she went away for the weekend by herself. I would’ve loved to of gone, but you can’t fight the fact when someone doesn’t want you around ...LOL 😉  We also went through a trauma of a tornado, a year and a half ago, and had to deal with a terrible contractor and find a new one. We are finally after all this time getting more work done, very stressful.  My spouse and I both have PTSD and the tornado really did a number on that.  I get the auto emails from Dr Christianne Northrup, re Meno, but my God, I can’t even stand to read them or watch the videos sometimes. It’s like you get hammered with all this info and  I just get sick of reading it all ....grrrr SOB,  I just want this stage to be over. 

    • Posted

      I dont know☺☺

      We have to take it one day at the time, and alots of praying!

      Sarah, over 8 years is along time im tired!

    • Edited

      Lisa,

      I never got around to telling you my age.....I'm 44.

      My computer was malfunctioning or something annoying.

      Have currently got sciatic nerve pain right down my right leg - off to see my GP in 1.5hrs time.

      I'm not sleeping well, had a major hot flush during an interview last week and I'm also going through anti-depressant withdrawal and grieving the loss of my father.

      Oh, and did I mention peri-meno??

    • Edited

      Lol!! You are sooo right! I had the pain you describing and after ultrasound and tests he said its part of this crazy change!! Now im dealing with leg pain and my toe is hurting..he said i need a better support shoes!! Im tired like you...i also thought my kids grown up and gone and i can do the things i always wanted to do!!!! Boy you know what they say , people make plans and god laughs!!! I get it, never gone be the same again, we getting old but please 8 years i think is enough!! Yesterday was my shoulders when i walked they ached so much my whole upper body felt so weird!!

      Are you in the states?

    • Edited

      Morning Junglechicken, I am so very sorry for the loss of your father. That really adds another dimension to what we are going through, I lost my mom in February as well. Your dad must’ve been fairly young, you’re only 44, my mom was 90, how old was your dad?  Again, I am very sorry for your loss. Regarding the sciatic, does it feel like it reaches into your ovaries, cause I’m currently having the same thing.  It feels like it starts in my ovaries and shoots down my legs.  Quite honestly I had a very deep massage last week and it seems like it’s gotten much worse since then.  I don’t know if I’ve got scar tissue from cysts on my ovaries or what.  It is very difficult to sleep at night, and I’m not able to sleep on either of my sides are you.  I’ve heard many women mention sciatic problems during peri/meno,  what is the deal with that, it doesn’t even have anything to do with her reproductive system?  Good luck at your doctors with that,  I know it’s annoying as heck!  I know losing a parent, it’s the whole permanency idea, and close into a very serious chapter in our lives .  Is your mom still with us, if so, how is she doing?  If you are a spiritual person, as I am, if you stay open, you will get visits from him. I have received many visits from my mother, in nature especially. The day after she died I had a Northern Flicker  at our feeder, we had never ever had one before, and it kept returning. Other special things as well, angel wings in the sky, and even a little :-) face one time.  I do believe our loved ones are never far away ❤️  May God bless you in this difficult journey ✌️
    • Posted

      Omg Maria,  same exact thing with me, and the pain in the legs, feet and toes, this morning I thought I was gonna have to literally go to the ER. I was just telling junglechicken, it starts in my ovaries and shoots down my legs. She has sciatic and I thought mine was maybe sciatica, because I can’t sleep on my side at night. It feels like someone is strangling your ovaries, doesn’t it, I’m like, God please why does this have to just keep going on  and on and on and on. And like you said, isnt eight years enough?? I apologize if I mentioned this to you before, I don’t know if it was you or someone else. I was talking to an old high school friend at the store and we both said that Between Peri/Meno, it’s a total of 20 years, that’s nuts. My Peri started in 2007 and now I haven’t had periods for over a year, so now I’m in Meno, so what, that’s another 10 years. That is a huge huge portion out of someone’s life.  I literally feel like rumple still skin, or like I look like him. I can’t stand wearing make up, if I try to wear foundation all it does is go in the flaws of my skin, the wrinkles, pours. And I know when I see people, since my estrogen is completely depleted, since I’m in menopause, they look at me like wow what happened to her. I think, you a‘holes,  you should have to go through this.  Besides we don’t look 20 forever, for Gods sake. I had a friend say about his ex-wife, I don’t know what’s happening to her face but it’s not good. I told him he was such a jerk, I said you have no idea what she’s going through, when a woman’s estrogen depletes that’s when the youthful appearance is gone.  Man already look distinguished when they age as it is, but then we have to have our hormones disappear  and that gives them even a bigger boost and makes them look better.  I didn’t have children, but most women have children and that takes a lot out of a woman’s body and  then women have to go through this, it’s a big joke.  Sorry, I’m a negative Nelly this morning.  Also, I dictate these responses through my phone and sometimes it duplicates sentences, sorry if that happens. I know we will get through this, it’s just such a long process !
    • Posted

      Hi Lisa,

      I'm sorry for your loss too :0(

      My wonderful dad was 84, he died of Parkinsons (was diagnosed 10 yrs ago) and old age.  I cry everyday (literally), cry myself to sleep and so it goes on.

      I am also spiritual, and believe our loved ones visit us through nature.  Feathers, unusual behaviour of birds etc.,

      My mum is 76, has COPD and is sadly a narcissist.  I don't have a relationship with her at all, its just not possible.

      Yes, sometimes it feels like it reaches my ovaries.  In actual fact, the doctor asked me about my periods and did a feel around above my right hip.  Also, GP doesn't think I'm in peri-meno "too young".  Maybe they assume we mean menopause even though we're saying peri-meno??

      Anyway, the GP wants to review in a months time to see if there is any improvement.  If not, then scans etc.,

      God bless you too Lisa ??

       

    • Posted

      Omg I just started having this too. Been In peri about 2-3 years but just missed my first period in 27 years  last month. I have so many symptoms from the list but the ovary pelvic pain has been coming and going for a few years. Went away for a year and recently came back. Had pelvic CT, TRansvaginal US, spinal MRI, cystoscopyand colonoscopy and they found NOTHING. But the new symptom with the pelvic pain is the pain shooting down my legs and into my feet and toes. The sharp pain in your toes is excruciating. What the heck! 
    • Posted

      LMAO!! You are so funny , i was trying to put foundation this morning and i think i look better without!!

      I remember being in my thirties and feeling great always looking in the mirror☺ now i wanna take them all down.. i get scared some mornings!!

    • Posted

       I know what you mean Maria, I think that’s what people think of me, what happened to that pretty girl. How about LIFE, life is what happened to me 😉  Don’t be scared, I guess we just have to roll with the punches, and they are literally punches 😂  you are right about looking better without foundation. I’ve even tried that “it cosmetics and “it doesn’t do what it says, it covers up red spots but then you have to put it on your whole face and then it displays the wrinkles and pours. I remember years ago reading an article where Diane Sawyer said, “powder is the enemy“, now I know what she means.  I have this friend who is completely delusional, she thinks she has no wrinkles, she thinks she’s skinny and at best, shes chunky, LOL! She acts like everybody else is going through menopause and like it hasn’t touched her, how could anybody be so out of it.  When you get to be my age you get wrinkles that set in from smiling, well they started to settle. I caught her looking at them the other day and I thought, what do you think you are Christie Brinkley, stop looking at my wrinkles.  I think I’m just gonna go buy a cabin and live at the foot of a mountain in Alaska.  The Polar Bears and arctic foxes won’t judge me 😂

    • Edited

       Wow Andrea, you took the words right out of my mouth, thank you so much for telling me this, I was like dear God do I have ovarian cancer,  what the heck!  Did you get any explaination about the pain, I lay there in bed and I can’t stand it.  And yes you are right man, it is right to your toes, I had this pain in my foot when I was walking my dog the other day at a forest preserve, I didn’t think I was gonna be able to make it back to the car😳  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this whole thing is a racket, all the money the medical field is making off of us ...grrrr

    • Posted

      Lol!! I have one of those!! Everyday i talk to her she says, my body and neck aching me but if i say even the magic word menopause she gets so offended☺ she keeps saying i dont know what im talking about!!
    • Posted

       Maria – your friend sounds like she needs to be choked 😂  You do know what you’re talking about, it’s very rude that she even says that to you.   I love to watch the reality housewives shows and they’re all around my age and older and they never mention menopause at all. The only time I saw menopause come up was in the, Sex and the City movie.  I thought it was terrific with Kim Cattrall.  She obviously was going through menopause and helped them out with the script on that😉  Your friend is probably secretly perusing these forums ...LMAO!

    • Posted

      The only explanation they could come up with is pelvic floor dysfunction. I also have intermittent rectal pain, bladder pressure etc with no cause. I actually did pelvic floor physical therapy and the pain went away for a whole year. I am going back to gyno for maybe another ultrasound though to make sure it’s not a cyst or something
    • Posted

      My friend is in denial!!! She thinks im nothing but a hypocadriac, and i need to stop!! Its so hard when you feel so bad and people make fun of your situation!

      How long are you going through this hell? Probably you mention it but my memory is not so good either these days☺

    • Posted

      Thank you so much... I can't wait to see that day. Can stress make perimenapause feel worse?

    • Posted

      That’s interesting!  If you can find an excellent massage therapist who knows what they’re doing they can help as well. There is a wonderful massage therapist in my town. I will ask her about this. 
    • Posted

      Yes, Francella

      Stress makes all these sympfoms 100 times worst!

      For the past 3 years i havent had any caffeine , sugars, and alcohool. I try to avoid stress as much as i can and i can see tremendous improvement! i can see everytime i worry about something i will start feeling sick again. I know is so hard, every norning i wake up pray and hoping for a good day! The first 5 years i had every test you can imagine! I was at the drs at least twice a week!!! ER visits in the middle of the night..now i just try to eat better, try to stay away from drama and stress, and i walk it really helps a lot.. thus week im dealing with right leg and toe pain..the week before that was bad headache for 6 straight days which after afew visits to the chiro went away.. and i can go on and on...its crazy!!!! Last night i had bad nightmares, i use to get them in the beginning and now they made a come back...itnever ends but it does gets better!! I dont know itsbecause our bodies start settling a bit or we get used to all this craziness and doesnt scares as much anymore!!!

      Xxxx

    • Posted

       Since basically 2007, now that I am in meno or  I think they call it  post meno,  it’s 11 years. Yes denial is a state that many people live in, I think it’s a choice for convenience. I love that quote, “I stopped explaining myself to people when I realized they only understand from their level of perspective.’   I think this is also a time in our lives where we weed out all the loser friends.  I appreciate it in one of your comments about how you said going to the ER in the middle of the night. It reminded me of when I had heart palpitations so bad several years ago I thought I was going to die. I put a note on the table made a very quick well and my spouse didn’t even know I left. They just wrote it off , I think they called it PCT‘s.   The medical community does such a disservice to  women in our condition.  I’m now back at the stage where I feel exhausted all the time.  I could literally go back to bed right now 😴 

    • Posted

      Ιts funny how symptoms reappear every few months or years!!!Lisa last night i hadnightmares all night, ididnt had them for a long time!!

      Also dreamed my parents they both passed on , and my father wanted to give me a kiss ...all day i feel so sad today!!

    • Edited

       Oh my gosh Maria, it is like we are all the same person, we all feel the same way we all have the same aches and pains, it’s just so bizarre. I know what you mean about the dreams, it’s very interesting that happened to you last night because I had a weird dream about my brother and I don’thave a relationship with him.  I’m so sorry you’re feeling sad today, it is part of this whole crappy process.   Did you have a good relationship with your father, I’m sorry both of your parents are gone, mine too. You know it is said or it’s an Irish saying that the deceased or our love ones visit us in our dreams, you could think of it that way 😉 it’s hard enough going through the challenges of life but with menopause, loss of parents and the weird dreams bringing memories back, let alone nightmares.  I am having trouble either with my phone today or this website, it’s freezing up. Unfortunately I started having one of the symptoms I dread the most waking up in the morning with a sense of horrible dread like I have nothing to live for and then I feel like I wanna vomit .  Do you also have digestive tract problems, it seems like since I’ve been not having periods, I get the diarrhea a lot, don’t mean to be too personal😬 Just when you think the symptoms gone, it comes back  weeks or months later with a vengeance!   Try to do something nice for yourself, listen to relaxing music, smell some essential oil’s, do you use a sensual oil’s, I love them.How long have your parents been gone how long have your parents been gone, my day has been gone for almost 30 years and my mom’s been gone since February how long have your parents been gone how long have your parents been gone, my day has been gone for almost 30 years and my mom’s been gone since February.  we really have to be kind to ourselves at this stage in life, cause its hell ! Sorry again if there’s any typos in this, I don’t know if it’s my phone or this website.

    • Edited

      You are so right!!! Thank god i got all you ladies!!! My dad died when i was a teenager and my mom 3 years ago...i live in Florida and she was in Greece..we wish to talk everyday , i miss her so much..

    • Edited

      Today im driving to Maine for a few days..but i feel so hot, not swreating but my body feels hot..
    • Edited

       Wow, that’s a crucial time in someone’s life, the teen years, sorry you lost him so young, that’s very difficult. Are you Greek, if your mom was in Greece. It’s beautiful you used to talk every day, I can imagine how much you miss her??  Maine, how wonderful, I have always wanted to go to Maine.  Sorry that previous paragraph kept repeating a few times, that’s annoying.  If you don’t use essential oil‘s, try the lavender essential oil, when I put it over my left ovary the other day the pain stopped in seconds.  But you cannot use a lot and most people mix it with Allman oil or coconut oil, you need to read up on them first  as they are potent, marvelous.  Oh my goodness, I know what you mean about being really hot, but no actual hot flash. It’s just as bad, if not worse, you start to think, am I going to disintegrate. I keep teasing my partner, that he’s going to wake up to a pile of ashes one morning 🔥  I was joking, but now I’m starting to wonder 😂   Safe travels 🚙 

    • Posted

       That really makes me see red that your GP  thinks you’re too young. If you’ve read most of these responses, that’s what a lot of women say, that their GP thinks they’re too young, and I can guarantee you, they’re all men dr’s, is your GP a man. So annoying 😡 I think with all the chemicals/ preservatives  and what not in food and  carcinogens on the air, it brings this on 10 years earlier.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, these doctors are really doing all of us a real disservice. I started perimenopause in 2007, when I was 41.  That’s pretty much the general age I’m seeing on these forums that women are starting.  We’re going through a horrible time and getting jacked around by the medical field, infuriating.  I  used lavender essential oil on my left ovary the other day and the pain stopped immediately. I don’t know if you use essential oil’s, but they’re fabulous!  Wow my condolences to you on having a Narc mom, that is the absolute worst. My sister is a narc and my good friend’s mother is too.  I keep telling her she needs to go no contact w/ her mom.  She’s nuts, she keeps in contact with her parents for the money, they have millions and she said her kids and grandkids could use that money. I told her she’s crazy!  There is no money that’s worth that. Very sorry for the loss of your father, again, Parkinson’s so very difficult, anything that is a slow deterioration over years, so unfair 😓  

    • Posted

      I’m in Maine now for the week! How funny! I was  so excited to get away and the first day here I felt awful but tried hard to relax and not show I wasn’t feeling great..now on the 3rd day, I’m feeling a bit better, relaxed..but yes the hot flashes are almost nonstop!! So weird. Taking a swim helps obviously and staying hydrated and walking a lot even if I don’t feel like it.Enjoy your time and dont put too much pressure on yourself to do it all or do more than you want to anyway.. 😊

    • Posted

       Omg  Andrea, the pain in my toes/feet was so bad last night I was in tears, Man I hate to complain about all this stuff,  I always thought, I’ll never be that kind of person. But now that we are in the rigors of this stuff, it is unbearable. When I told my partner about it this afternoon, when he came home from work, he said, OMG, that sounds awful!’ I said, I was laying right next to you, half the night, when it. happened, LOL... NOT 😭  I told Maria, I have been waking up with that old symptom,  but now it’s back,  a feeling of deep dread, and in the pit of my stomach, just awful, like I wanna throw up. Not like a flu throw up but like that character Smigel from Lord of the Rings,  I honestly think that it is the worst symptom of all, because it’s mental, like why am I here.  Sorry for the ramble, not looking forward to sleeping tonight,  when what you have to look forward to is what feels like a rock hammer being taken to your feet 😱

    • Posted

      Thank you so much Any! I just got here..so tired and hot!! Hopefully after some rest, tomorrow i will feel better☺..its been a rough week!

      Have fun and thank you again♥️

    • Posted

      Lisa, what do you do for the toe pain?

      Is painful some days..today its fine thank god!!!

      The last 4 nights i'm up at 3am!!!

    • Edited

      Thank you Lisa re: my Dad.  I'm still in shock 6 months after he died, and grieving intensely.  Despite my father's suffering, he never complained once (its a horrendous illness, very cruel).

      My MIL is also a narc (my poor hubby), she is an awful woman.  So the parents that are still living, hubby and I stay away from.

      I see a Naturopath, an osteo, my GP and a therapist - can you believe that?  That's 4 healthcare professionals to keep me going.  However, it would probably be less if I wasn't going through anti-depressant withdrawal.

      Yes, the GP I saw was male, and I think he probably heard me say "Menopause" as opposed to "Peri-Meno"??  It is very annoying.

       

    • Edited

       Morning Maria, Currently I’m taking these homeopathic restless leg pills by Natrabio.

      It just says ‘Restless Legs’ as the name, the 800 #  is,  800-243-9245,  if you can’t find them in your area.  I’m not sure if it’s even working to be honest, I know it’s not for that, but I thought I’d give it a try. I will have to ask my pharmacist who is really into homeopathic medicine to see what he thinks and  I will let you know🌞

    • Edited

       I am really sorry about your grieving over your father, we just have to take our time unfortunately and do that. Don’t you wish there was a button you could push to make it disappear. Please think of how your father would want you to feel also, your dad is in the most beautiful place ever, I truly believe that. Your father would not want you suffering needlessly.  I mean, I know we have to grieve, but go easy on yourself. I’m super sorry you’re having that antidepressant with drawl, I’ve heard about that and that’s one of the reasons I won’t go on them. I forgot what someone had said about that a while back, but I know it was very difficult.  Just be kind to yourself and do little things for pleasure that make you happy and bring joy to your heart 😉

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.