How has your perimenopausal/menopausal journey NEGATIVELY impacted your life?

This has been, by far, the most challenging thing that I have ever had to face in my life. I have struggled with severe physical and mental symptoms for over four years. Thankfully, I am blessed with symptom free days, and I relish them. I use the "normal days" to help me to find the strength to get through the horrendous ones. Because I never know how I'm going to feel, even from moment to moment, I don't like to plan anything. But if I do, then I'm filled with fear, and I am constantly wondering how I am going to feel. I am an incredibly strong woman, and I am stubborn, too, so I refuse to submit to my symptoms. I have continued to run my business, keep up my exercise, spend time with my boyfriend, friends, and family, but it has often required a tremendous amount of energy and fortitude to keep going. Being completely honest with my loved ones and asking them for support has helped somewhat, and it has allowed me to keep going. When I feel awful, I give myself a brief period of time to rail against the unfairness of it all, but then I pick myself up and keep going on with my life. In the end, I will be all the stronger for it.

Hi Vivian,

Thanks for the question. I look forward to reading what the thoughtful ladies here have to say.

I am in late peri now (light periods every 45 to 60 days, and some random times where I am sure I will bleed but don't).

I will preface my comments by saying I have been in a rough patch since August (2 months).

I no longer have confidence in my body. It aches. It doesn't digest well. It doesn't sleep well. It's hard to see the line between "keep pushing" and "don't overdo" right now. And so I wind up pushing through and crashing. Or I wind up missing out on things I could confidently do just 3 or 4 months ago.

I used to be able to read my body's messages, and now they are different and make no sense.

I am in "do the best I can in the moment" mode and trying to accept that and love myself.

Hi Vivian ,

I do enjoy reading this site too and sharing ideas with the women's who go trough peri/meno pause . I dont feel alone anymore , and it helps me not to panic whenever im not well I get aches after aches, I do praise the Lord when having healthy day , i wish someone would have told me what turning forty could be like I would have been better prepared.for it .

Beth

hi vivian it started for me 10 years ago in October 2011 and since then im half or even less the strong independent women i was. its changed my life forever, there's too long of a list to tell you the things i can't do now and it really saddens me. i feel throughout my 50's has been horrendous and ill never be the same BUT as the other ladies have said this forum had been my saviour and reading what other ladies are experiencing reassured me and kept me going in my most darkest times , just knowing this is how you all felt was sad but comforting. i wish i could magic this all away for us but thats impossible so im sending comforting hugs x