Early Menopause - body changes
Posted , 7 users are following.
I am 44 and have been recently been told I am menopausal (not officially for a year of no periods) and I am feeling quite overwhelmed by everything that is shifting about.
For the past year I was having what I now know were premenopausal symptoms - not feeling rested after sleep, anxiety levels through the rood for no particular reason, skin changes (dry, wrinkles, reactive, greasy then not etc) Feeling hot and heat and redness in my face, not typical hot flushes with sweat. Intermittant dry eye and feeling hot then cold.
All of these things have calmed down for the moment and I have missed my first period and it feels very strange. I have never missed a period and never been pregnant.
I have felt weak in my muscles at times and overwhelming tiredness, then it will go away, I do feel a bit flat/depressed as well, I was not ready for this change and haven't had children, so I think it's taking me a while to accept. I haven't much of an appetite because of the stress of this news.
The thing I am most upset about right now is that my breasts have changed, I have read that this happens, the fibrous tissue turns to fat (along with everything else as far as I know ). They are completely soft and feel smaller because of it - I have tried to just go with the flow of all this, but really, this seems so unfair and a change I wasn't really expecting. Gradual yes, but maybe I didn't notice before - my breasts were feeling bigger no so long ago, with my cycles - do they just stop feeling 'alive' when the cycles stop?!
I feel like an adolescent asking all this - but really I had no idea about all the areas of the body that change. I only heard it was hot flashes and changing periods - neither of which I have had.
Feeling really upset and quite annoyed - but I can't change it.
1 like, 23 replies
annieschaefer Beetle1965
Posted
I could have wrote your exact letter, little over one year ago. Thank God for this wonderful forum and the incredible women you meet here.
Big hugs of comfort to you, it's OK to be a bit angry with some of these surprising changes.It will get better. ;-)
Annie xx
Beetle1965 annieschaefer
Posted
I have been offered HRT but I am not keen, things have calmed down since I missed my period, and I certainly don't want to go through this all over again.
Thank you for the support it will get better - I am trying very hard to get that into my head
susan21149 Beetle1965
Posted
I'm so sorry to hear you suffering. Things will get better just hang in there. Yes it is hard durring menopause but just think we don't have to deal with the messy periods.
Keep a smile on your face and say to yourself things will get better I'm just going through the change in time
Beetle1965 susan21149
Posted
BellaRubia Beetle1965
Posted
About babies, my dear, at 44 you likely would not be able to have one, even if you were not menopausal, sorry to say
. At around 35, even without symptoms, we are PERI and oureggs dramatically decrease in quantity and quality. At 40 we have terrible eggs and there is a HUGE chance of miscarriege. Doctors should make it very clear to all of us. But you can always adopt, or find a way around.
sympathetic hugs
Beetle1965 BellaRubia
Posted
Thanks for the positive thoughts on things getting better
BellaRubia Beetle1965
Posted
Beetle1965 BellaRubia
Posted
anita31460 Beetle1965
Posted
Take care and be kind to yourself
Anita x
debbie12340 anita31460
Posted
My biggest problem is also ridiculous amounts of anxiety 😢 just wondered if you have found anything to help with it ? I take magnesium and B12 plus an iron liquid. Any other advice would be most welcome.
thank you Debbie x
anita31460 debbie12340
Posted
its really tough isnt it. I take the SSRI Citalopram which helps but I have done for some years. I know some people are really down on anti depressants but they definitely gave me my life back a few years ago. When the anxiety hit 3 months ago it was like skmething I'd never experienced and I became really desperate. Along with the ridiculous bleeding and stress of work that was enough to send me into a complete meltdown. I have been off work for 3 months and am just this week starting a very phased return. I have managed this through counselling, good friends to talk to, this site, relaxation exercises daily and a course in mindfulness. As I said I am now considering HRT. I got so desperate I would have tried anything! Ive been a lot more settled in the last couple of weeks but im also aware this could be because of where I am in my cycle so im not holding my breath or getting unrealistically optimistic. At the end of the day you have to do what works for you. I hope you find ways to cope... the relaxation and breathing exercises are well worth doing every day though.
take care, Anita x
debbie12340 anita31460
Posted
Thank you so much for your reply. I was offered SSRI's but at the time declined . . Then had a death in the family and completely lost it 😢 I asked for Valium to help calm me down, I still have a few and take them on very rare occassions ! They are very good, I think like you say it's whatever works for you. I wonder do you know once you've reached menopause if it goes/ gets better ? I really hope so.
Hugs to you x
anita31460 debbie12340
Posted
Good luck and write any time... I know sometimes just sharing can be the best medicine x
debbie12340 anita31460
Posted
So kind of you to say write any time ! It really does help sharing your right xx
anita31460 debbie12340
Posted
and yes I do mean write any time. You can private message me if you like too.
Anita,
debbie12340 anita31460
Posted
Yes I am in the UK, thank you very much for this helpful advice I will look into it.
Very kind of of you to give me this info, and like wise PM me any time you like. Sending you lots of positive thoughts x Debbie x
Beetle1965 anita31460
Posted