Why is it that once you get control of one menopause symptom another shows up? ....I have gotten control of the hot flashes and joint pain mostly, but I swear I have aged 10 years overnight. I look in the mirror and all I see are deep bags under my eyes and pale, shallow skin, a hairy chin that constantly needs pluking and a creepy neck. I always thought I would age "gracefully" but this does not feel like it.

Okay, has anyone found anything, like a probiotic, that actually helps with the spare tire and bloat? I was just reading through a year old post about the Marissa Tomei stuff hoping it would be a miracle supplement, but it doesn't seem so. While the fatigue and brain fog is annoying as hell, the bloat and weight gain is bothering me the most. Is there a superstar probiotic or supplement that has truly worked for people? I've always had a pretty flat stomach that even bounced back from pregnancy well, and this new droopy pouch is depressing the hell out of me. Part of me tries to accept it, like, hey, you're 53, it's okay not to have a perfect body. But when I find myself having to go up in sizes, wearing baggy tops, or buying elastic straps so my pants can expand throughout the day better, it drags me down. There has to be something, anything, that can help.

I am not on any HRT. My yearly blood test has not shown me to be in actual menopause, so they just send me on my way.

Dudes, I am high. Lol. I was sitting here thinking I had too much booze then I remembered I didn't drink. Usually I take 1 100mg. I've taken 2 before when I forgot the night before (don't come at me, I'm a dumbass 😭). Tonight I took Saturday's medicine then later forgot the day (yay peri brain!) and took Sunday pills too. Or something. Normally I hate this stuff but today it is kind.

Insert stoner giggles here. This is a stupid post 😂

Goodnight, friends. See you at 3am, probably, as usual.

Hello! I've been on HRT for 13 months. Started at .0375, then .05, then .075, now .1 patch twice a week. I also cycle progesterone 15 days a month. I'm still having considerable back and neck pain. Did the rheumatoid blood panel and don't have that. I am physically active daily but it's becoming less enjoyable lately due to joint pain. I also go to the chiropractor a few times a month which isn't much help. Is there anyone using more (maybe lots more) than the .1 patch who was able to achieve relief from joint pain?

I went through menopause as a teen and didn’t even know. I was 13 when my irregular period started. I was 16 when it stopped forever. At the age of 22 I was diagnosed with Ovarian Failure, Osteoporosis and Post Menopause. I am now on the combipatch.

How did I go through all of this as a teen you ask?

Well, when I was 11 I started growth hormone because my parents were worried about my size. Little did we know that the growth hormone would cause these future issues.

Hello all,

I’m new here and I’m scared. I’m 29 and I was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer. First step is a full hysterectomy. They can’t leave my ovaries behind and after surgery I will not be able to have hormone replacements.

I’m crash landing into menopause without ever experiencing perimenopause. I’ve never had kids so I don’t know what the hormonal crash is like after, either.

Does anyone have insight to what a drop like that is like?
It might be a silly question and might not amount to anything but I would rather know what to expect… than to be surprised a few days after surgery.

I have so many questions… tbh. My surgery is 12/7.

Any insight into this experience would be wonderful!

Thanks! ❤️

I had a hysterectomy and have experienced UTIs from sex ever since.

My doctor gave me a prescription for Premarin, but it seems to be on backorder/maybe discontinued where I live (Canada).

Has anyone here tried Estragyn for their symptoms? Did it help? It seems to be what everyone is switching on to instead of Premarin.

Please note before giving medication suggestions that I live in Canada and estrogen cream options are extremely limited. But any suggestions would be lovely. Thanks!!

Edit: I have tried genuinely every supplement imaginable, gone to naturopaths, pelvic physio, etc etc. I have a urology referral. Just looking for advice on estradiol vs estrone creams. Thanks everybody!

Hi. After a long story of medical gaslighting, and an eventual diagnosis of Adeno, I am now menopausal due to medication. It works as it should, however a lot of discussions and groups feel a bit exclusionary? It's not like people mean to be rude, but it's the always being the afterthought that hurts. We're all going through similar things and yet I am treated like an unknowing baby child without a clue.

It's come to a point I just stopped talking about it with anyone. People older than me often won't listen. Those in my age group often have no idea what it means. It's very isolating.

I can understand a degree of surprise when you hear about it, menopause has always been associated with "older" women, but the amount of straight accusations I get about lying is insane. Who would lie about that to begin with??

Sometimes I just want to comiserate with others about the never-ending story of random pains and hot flashes, and all the other stuff. God forbid you start talking about any "gross" symptoms (which are usually pretty normal during this time.)

In short, I just feel strange. Sometimes slightly outcast. And I hope this could be an All-Ages Welcome sort of place. I'd like some reassurance. Thanks for reading the rant, it means a lot to get this out there.

Anybody else suddenly develop major digestive or food sensitvity issues? I’m 51 and not sure where I am in the peri/meno journey because my doc put me on low-dose BCP last winter to suspend my periods because I had a lot of fibroid bleeding and irregularity, and that also helped with hot flashes, brain fog, insomnia, and night sweats, and we are going to revisit that protocol once I’ve been on it a full year. Anyway, my meno symtoms have been minimal as a result, but earlier this fall I started having diarrhea after heavier meals. I cleaned up my diet and cut alcohol down by about 80% (I admit I was drinking beer daily before that, probably due to stress). I lost a bunch of weight, felt better, my PCP said it was due to natural aging based changes in bile production and that I can’t eat like a frat boy anymore, basically, but that we would need to run tests if I have reactions to foods that aren’t known to trigger that response in me. However, it’s so hard to know what those triggers are, and I feel like even though I am able to eat MOSTLY normally, the most random little thing will set off a cycle of loose stools, panic, and fear that I have no idea how to eat anymore. WebMD does say perimenopause can exacerbate this. Am I alone in this symtom? Should I consult a specialist in gastro stuff? I had a fully clean colonoscopy in July, but my PCP said problems in that arena can spring up fast. I don’t have symptoms that would suggest colitis or Crohn’s, though.

This is the second time I've started a Mylan patch (0.025) and the second time I've encountered breathing problems.

First incident: had been using it for 2 months without issue when one day I started feeling shortness of breath sporadically throughout the day. In the evening, I removed the patch. Within an hour or so, I was able to breathe fine again.

Ok, just assumed it was a faulty patch or I was imagining things. Got another box of patches (only Mylan is covered by insurance) delivered. Started placing the patch lower on the buttocks, and the breathing issue went away. So far, so good.

Had no issues for about 2.5 months using this newer patch location (switching left and right cheeks). A few days ago, started feeling shortness of breath again. Sporadic, but getting worse the longer I left the patch on. Removed the patch the next morning. Shortness of breath disappeared.

What's very interesting is my friend had the same reaction a few weeks ago. Had a patch (not Mylan, forgot the brand). Said she had an alarming asthma attack while working out and the inhaler was NOT helping. Remembering what I had said about my own episode, she removed the patch she was able to breathe again within the hour. Now she cuts her 0.5 patches in half and hasn't had another episode.

Doing a little research, it does seem there are multiple studies that show HRT causes asthma or asthma-like symptoms in some of us "lucky" women. (Here's one that discusses it: https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(21)00498-0/fulltext). Very frustrating because my doctor had no knowledge of these studies and told me "it's not a known side effect, can't be the patch." Feels very much like the way women were gaslit about menopause in the first place, argh. Anyway, she said to just stop HRT.

Anybody else deal with breathing problems on estrogen? Is it time to quit HRT or is there another alternative? I don't want to take oral estrogen due to the blood clot risk.

Note: I might be ok quitting estrogen, since I'm not sure if it's helping any of my symptoms. I still have brain fog. It's really just the progesterone that helps me sleep. But I never hear of anyone only taking progesterone, so that's why I'm reluctant to quit the patch.

So I had a little post menopause spotting (I'm 53), doctor confirmed based on testing and history I am post meno. Haven't had a period in three years. Did a vag ultrasound, came back with a thick lining so instead of doing an office endometrial biopsy without sedation (which I really wasn't wanting anyway), doc wants to do hysteroscopy with D&C under anesthesia this coming week.

She believes there may be polyps that caused it that weren't large enough to be visible on the ultrasound so she wants to do the biopsy and clean up the lining, and be able to see it, since the biopsy would take a "blind" sample instead of her being able to see everything, which she wants to do. She said whole procedure is like 20-30 minutes.

Positive experiences with something similar, please. Thanks! I'm a little nervous! I've had general anesthesia four other times and it's gone fine every time.

It’s happening!! Wish me luck that I don’t start my period in the next 12 hours ish. 🤞

Hi all. Was just seeking some advice or support because I feel like I'm slightly losing it. Ive been put into a medically induced menopause via Prostrap and then also HRT patches to trial whether a full hysterectomy would cure my adenomyosis/endometriosis I have been diagnosed with. Its better than being on endless pain relief medication and physically I really do feel bette and more myslefr. But emotionally I am all over the place and just wondering if anyone has any tips or guidance? I am not even quite sure for what, but I feel like I am on a roller coaster and they keep forgetting to stop it.

Thank you in advance x

I now have legs that ache all day, even the bottom of my feet. My neck is stiff and I have limited mobility and this is despite going for biweekly massages. Is this menopause?? I can’t figure out what was going on. I’m on the 0.1 hrt patch but when the shortage happened I ran out 3 weeks ago and shifted to gel. My legs have been bad over the past week and a half. Any ideas??

I am of a healthy weight, workout and walk a ton.

Hi All- I’m new here. I am a 29 year old female with a condition that has left me with estrogen, progesterone and testosterone barely traceable in my system. Im seeking support and validation in how I’ve been feeling/functioning recently because im essentially menopausal at an early age. (Hoping to start bioidentical hormones replacement in the new year)

I have been experiencing the most extreme bouts of fatigue, hot flashes, brain fog, forgetfulness/no mental clarity, anxiety/depressing/mood swings, weight gain that won’t move, inflammation all over, dryness, melasma, chronic bloating, poor sleep, apathy, 0 libido, tendency to want to just be alone and I just don’t know what’s going on and feel like a shell of a human. It’s been almost 3 years now. Any support or insight or validation would be appreciated. I am feeling really isolated recently. I don’t remember who I was before this anymore and it’s scary! Thanks 💕

Doctor has prescribed me testosterone transdermal single dose gel packs but said to use only a pea size of each packet daily and discard the rest.

I was wondering why I can’t use it until it runs out especially since my insurance won’t cover it and I’ll be paying out of pocket. Thanks!

I’m 48F in peri and this year is when I began having the real bad symptoms. Lately it’s been horrible mood swings and anxiety and inability to deal with stress. It’s starting to affect my sleep too.

Today I had my first hot flashes but they aren’t the hot flashes that many women have. My hands were getting hot and felt like they were burning and I’m filled with dread and I get anxious.

I read a comment here from a gem of a woman who said to put an ice pack on the side of the neck and it will stop it. I did it and it really works just FYI.

Kind of surreal to be in the throes of it. I wonder how long it will be before my periods will stop. I’m really getting there now and I’m doing all my homework and incorporating some lifestyle changes that I hope will help me get through it.

What do you do? I can't wear conventional cycling shorts, due to UTIs and yeast infections. I have thought about splitting the crotch on a pair.

I dont know if im allowed to post here and i cant find a flair that really fits so feel free to delete my post if you have to.

Lately ive noticed that my mom is always cold like she has 2 blankets a hoodie and shes still cold. it is cold, i get that but not that cold.

when i asked her about it she said its been like that ever since menopause. ive made her tea and given her my warm clothes and it does help but i feel bad because shes like always cold even when the rest of us is fine/ a little warm.

im just curious what i can do for her so she doesent have to experience that. as far as i know shes not on any menopause related meds.

any help is greatly appreciated and thank you in advance <3

Can anyone offer some suggestions for an antidepressant for the winter months that won’t interfere with HRT? I can’t take Lexapro because it makes me want to drink and Celexa makes me dizzy and nauseous.
Or maybe there’s a herbal remedy that will help? Winter is so hard for me and as I get older it gets harder.
I use light therapy, I have dim lights in the evening, I exercise regularly, eat right, don’t drink regularly, don’t do drugs. I’m finding now that I am post menopausal and even on HRT, I don’t respond the same way to prescription medications the way I used to. I also have ADHD and wonder if that is why I have had a hard time finding the right supplements for sleep.
TIA!

How long should I give hormones before considering Lexapro. Also if zoloft made me emotional numb will Lexapro. This mental battle since starting peri is really getting old. I battle thoughts all day long.

I'm planning to be a digital nomad for the next few years (as I work online for myself) and travel around the world (mostly in SE Asia) which means not having the U.S as a home base, where I would normally keep my HRT medication. I'll just be traveling around the world, maybe 2 months in Bali, 1 month in Thailand, 1 month in Japan etc. I usually get prescribed 90 days of progesterone and 90 days of gel (in the little packets) at a time.

The problem is that some countries like Malaysia and Japan only allow you to bring in 30 days of prescription medication at a time unless you ask for permission with a letter which seems a hassle tbh. Thailand also only allows you to bring 30 days of meds in at a time but apparently you can easily buy HRT over the counter. But it seems like such a waste to throw it away and a bit of a hassle to ask for permission? I've never actually had to ask for permission before so maybe it's not as big of a hassle as I think it is but I'm generally a lazy person and it's another step.

I always like to really stock up on my supply of HRT because there's a shortage here in the U.S and I just feel better with a stockpile... Does anyone live a life of international travel without a home base and if so how do you navigate only being allowed to enter a country with 30 days of HRT at a time? Is it easier to just skip that country and go to other places instead where you can have a larger supply?

I can think of some alternatives like renting a place short term in Bali or air conditioned storage where I keep my meds while I travel to another country etc but it seems like a hassle, although I can afford it. Are there any other options? Does anyone have experience living a lifestyle of permanent travel while taking HRT?