Menopause!

Hi..I am 50 years old and started menopausal symptons when I was about 42, only didnt realise. Due to problems in my relationship I put everything down to stress. However, when the periods became erratic,excessive weight gain, swollen and very tender breasts and hideous mood swings I figured something wasnt right, even took a couple of pregnancy tests!! Over a period of year I went to see 3 male doctors who all gave me a test for menopause and it came back negative. Eventually I went to see a female doctor, I knew how I was feeling wsnt right, I explained my head felt like a computer that was so messed up it needed re-booting, plus the sweats, sleep deprivation and all the other symptons. I thought she was going to think I was either a hypochondriac or a complete nutcase (I certainly felt like one), she didnt bother with tests,she straight away put me on HRT and the transformation felt amazing, I felt like someone had waved a magic wand over me and transformed me into a woman again. I took HRT for 3 years, sadly the symptons started slowly to return. However, I decided to take myself off it. I now suffer with night sweats, occasional day sweats libido is a little erratic ...but when its good its good!! My weight has returned to normal, breasts no longer hurt or look like melons! There is no magic cure the menopause and each womans experience varies. However, it is a sympton of ageing and yes it makes me feel like shit sometimes that I have got here, thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones that sailed through it. I accept now that my body has gone through changes and will never be or feel how it did when I was young, I manage the symptons and its true diet does help, reducing the alcohol helps with the night sweats , Nitol helps with the sleep and plenty of water helps the skin look brighter ...sweating really dehydrates....The one good thing is woman are more confident to talk and be open about it...which has helped me...There are no quick cures...no idea when the symptons will finish..I was talking to a lady of 80 the other day who still suffers with nights sweats...yippee!! It does get a little easier and for me the early days when I just thought I was a crazy lady as I didnt know what was happening were the worst....so there are some lovely and understanding gp's out there and the 'Well Woman' clinics.....and for anyone who fills like pooh at the moment......It will improve....eventually!

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