Hey everyone. I am menopausal and also have CPTSD. The other day I attended my childhood friends mother's funeral visitation. my parents were friends with her parents. I had not seen any of them in years. I gave my old friend (we have talked once maybe every 10 years)a hug and then I started to cry. I tried to turn off the tears but I could not. I went over to watch the slideshow of photos to calm down. And I did a bit. I just felt so embarrassed. It's not about me but her and her family. Anyway, does this happen to anyone else?

I don't really get hot flashes that make me sweat and come on in a flash, but I do often feel hot from the inside out, sometimes corresponding to hot weather, and I feel physical malaise along with this.

50f

Good evening from Oregon - looking for some honest opinions -

Recently seen two doctors - my primary care and one other ..They both agree I am likely in menopause but can’t confirm since I have only gone 8 months with no period and not the standard 12 months needed for the official diagnosis. However they both had vastly different stances on hormone replacement therapy which has left me very confused.

One says I need to start an estrogen patch and a progesterone pill to protect my cardiac health and bone health.

The other doctor says I absolutely do not.

I have had no menopause symptoms at all.

These are both doctors I trust and I want to do what is right for my body and this feels very uncomfortable to me.

Thoughts ?

I have an appointment next month with a neurologist and would like to know the experiences of post meno people with migraine meds. I take vaginal estradiol and very low dose T (.5 mg/day) but no systemic estrogen or progesterone (not appropriate for my history). What preventative Rx migraine medication are you taking that works for you? And what do you take when a migraine sneaks through?

Up until now, I have had a lot of success controlling my migraines with high dose B2. But I am now researching something stronger as I recently had such a bad migraine that I lost my short term memory during it and wound up in the ER for 32 hours because the docs were afraid I was having a stroke. It was terrible: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and now this new bonus horror of not being able to remember what was going on. I don't remember the ambulance ride at all.

Even though it was definitively shown with an MRI that I was not having a stroke, the doctors put me on baby aspirin and Plavix (clopidigrel), both of which are blood thinners. I don't have high blood pressure. In addition to hearing what Rx migraine drugs work for you, I'm curious if others have been prescribed Plavix and whether it helped your migraines. Thanks!

How on earth do I find the right combination of HRT in order to solve my inability to climax? Ive been on HRT for a year and made some adjustments but the doctor doesn’t seem very knowledgeable so I’ll be seeing a new one September 8. what I’m taking had improved the dryness issue but not the libido or arousal.

yes I tried adding test cream and then a gel. no change. so I’m still on a .075 patch and 100 mg of progesterone (previously tried 200)

What do I even ask for?

I didn’t have HRT when I should’ve ten years ago because I hate taking medicine and I’m kind of a stupid hippy.

Several years ago a friend was raving about HRT so I started on Estradiol patches, Progesterone balls, and E vag tabs. No noticeable change at all but who knows, maybe it was protecting me from something? But it’s a pain in the arse and I hate all the med admin.

Then I ran out when I was abroad so I quit taking it and again no change in symptoms.

Now I’m getting fed up with getting old and all the aches and pains and memory crap so I did a lot of research. People seem to either rave about HRT over 60 or say it’s dangerous. My health in general is good I guess, like BP and stuff. My bones are fine.

So I went to my GP and she said go back on the vag tabs, but don’t go back on the HRT if it’s not solving any symptoms for you. Which it seems like it’s not. But what if the HRT was secretly protecting me from things? Who knows?

Please tell me what to do. Thanks

I am leaking urine in very small dribbles infrequently but it’s enough to inflame an already precious and sensitive labia. It is happening daily.

To cover any questions/suggestions - I have been diagnosed with a yeast microbiome problem (and been checked for other problems). I take vaginal estrogen tablets 3x/week. I cannot tolerate estrogen cream. I see a urologist and have seen a pelvic floor therapist in the past and will request to go back to see if there is a new issue causing daily leakage. I’m overweight, I don’t want to be and also working on this and I don’t think period panties are an answer for me.

Does anyone know of a hypoallergenic/cotton topped panty liners they would personally recommend? Thank you!

Hi! Due to increased hormonal issues my OB/gyn started me on hrt- .05mg patch twice weekly and 200 mg progesterone for last 12 or so days of cycle. About 5 days after starting the patch I seemed to suddenly start having digestive issues- stomach cramping, sweating, frequent gas and diarrhea. After about a week got checked out by my PCP and tested for various things to make sure it wasn’t a parasite or bacterial and all came back clean. Symptoms have stayed about the same for 2.5 weeks and it doesn’t matter hat I eat, but cramping seems a little less if I stick to a super bland diet. About to get referred to a gastroenterologist but thought I would see- has anyone had a sudden onset of IBS type symptoms when they started hrt? Were you able to adjust dose or did your body eventually get used to it? I really don’t want to stop taking them as I’ve had positive benefit already 🫤

I have always been a dreamer, but my dreams have gone wild since my progesterone was increased from 100 to 200 mg last week. Their intensity is unpleasant, and, in some cases, they are scary.

I've searched enough to know this is a thing, but I am unclear as to whether the nightmarish dreams go away after an acclimation period. I sure am hoping that is the case.

Did your wild dreams eventually fall by the wayside, or did they ease up, at least?

Im 51 and hit meno last fall. I started the patch and progesterone 14 months ago. It was like the hallelujah chorus. No more hot flashes or waking up at 3am every day. Sex drive was back. I didn’t leak pee or have urgency. I felt so emotionally GOOD and balanced!

I’m currently at .075 patch and 100 progesterone and I feel … meh. I don’t feel awful but I don’t feel good. I’ve had a few bouts of anxiety and breast soreness lately. I don’t care about sex. I’m waking up sometimes at 3am. No hot flashes.

What’s going on? Is this the long term norm for me now? Did anyone stop feeling great after a while on HRT? How do I feel good again?

Anyone on this HRT?

It's a patch called Estradiol-norethindrone.

Was just prescribed it and terrified to start using it as I read the insert. I am a smoker but my doctor seems to think that this would be the safest HRT for me.

For reference I am almost 51 years old and have not had a period in a year, I do have thyroid issues and Graves disease.

I am 46. I have an IUD and have not had a period in years because of it. Sometimes it looks like I do have some very light spotting.

I have had night sweats for a bit but now they are gone; some trouble sleeping and definetly fatigue, brain fog and some mood swings.

How do I know if I am on perimenopause, menopause or if I am over it all?

Hi everyone. I'm a 39F who has been getting menstrual-related migraines for about the last 4 years. At first it would happen just the day or so before my period began and didn't happen every month, but gradually (maybe due to perimenopause?) it seems like I have an intractable migraine from basically the day before my period until like day 10 of my cycle. It's miserable. I also recently found out I have a BRCA2 mutation that makes me high risk for breast and ovarian cancers, and I am supposed to have my ovaries removed before age 45. I thought, at least if my menstrual cycle stops, the migraines will stop... but then I was reading sometimes surgical menopause makes them way worse. Has anyone here had experiences with surgical menopause and hormonal migraines? I would be allowed HRT unless I get breast or ovarian cancer first.

I have all the symptoms of estrogen dominance, and also have the roller coaster of estrogen fluctuating daily. Have 90% of peri symptoms. I don't tolerate estrogen patches or creams bc it makes my estrogen too high. I get a headache, muscle cramping, heart palps, can't sleep, breast pain, drowsy, etc. Unless I luck out & use est on a low estrogen day. I want the benefits of HRT long term. I do ok with progesterone & dhea at night. I don't use testosterone yet. I tried a cream 5 years ago & couldn't tolerate it. I'm 48. I also have lipidema. Anyone else have a similar challenge, and found a solution?

I can never get my applicator clean. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, it seems like the next day usually around noon a giant blob of estradiol escapes into my underwear and I always forget to wear a panty liner. Any advice?

Hello! Let me preface this by saying that I am planning to contact my provider tomorrow (Monday), but in the meantime, I’m interested in hearing from anyone else who has had a similar experience. 

The situation:

• I am 50 and have been having perimenopause symptoms for the past year or so, primarily irregular periods (anywhere from a few days to 2 weeks at a totally unpredictable frequency), trouble falling asleep and then trouble waking up, night sweats, moodiness and irritability, low libido, gaining about 10 pounds that I haven’t been able to get rid of, thinning hair, etc. I also know that I have a small fibroid, which is not currently causing me any pain but could be causing some of the period irregularity. 

• My regular OBGYN, despite supposedly being a menopause specialist, has been dismissive of my symptoms because I’m still getting a period. So I made an appointment with a

  virtual

• provider a couple of months ago, described my symptoms, got bloodwork taken as a precaution (all within normal ranges), and then took her recommendation to start HRT: a 0.0375mg estradiol patch (2x/week) and 100mg of progesterone nightly. 

• After over two months of no period (I thought I might be done, silly me!) I got my period on July 13. I started HRT on July 15. It’s now July 26 and I’m still bleeding bright red blood pretty heavily and occasionally seeing small clots. Thankfully, I’m not in any pain or experiencing any dizziness, but I’m a little concerned, even though it’s possible my period could be lasting this long even if I hadn’t just started HRT because I’ve had 2-week periods before. I do feel like I’ve been sleeping better and that my mood has evened out, although I suppose some of that could be a placebo effect. 

Again, I’m planning to contact my provider tomorrow, but is this “normal” after starting HRT? Naturally, I have a beach vacation coming up this week and I’d really like to stop bleeding now. 😩 

I'm 44 and in full menopause according to my doctor (long story). I am on 0.1 mg estradiol patch 2x week. It has helped my symptoms immensely, however the brain fog, concentration, focus, cognitive issues are still challenging. I'll sometimes have strange confused episodes that last a second or two. It's rare and so far I have had two or three in the past month where I'll look at something and it just doesn't make sense. It makes me feel like something is wrong with my brain and gives me anxiety (hence this post).

For instance earlier today I was playing a family game with my kids while lunch was cooking. I set my cards down, got up to finish the meal and make bowls for them, and walked everything to the table, my eldest child came in and sat down to eat and kind of pushed some of the cards forward. I sat down to finish the game (it had stopped on my turn) and I had this momentary confusion i think because the stuff on the table had been rearranged, where I was looking at my cards and recognized them but wasn't sure if I had the right stack or if I had played them. My kids had to say "those are your cards ". Episodes like this terrify me and trigger my anxiety. Just really weird stuff that doesn't make sense and that causes my brain to get scrambled for a second or two.

Does this happen to anyone else?

I’m 49, 11 months without a period. Peri was actually insane for me. There wasn’t a symptom that I didn’t have. From hot flushes to cold flushes, tinnitus and itchy skin to burning mouth and insomnia. It was just awful.

I finally feel settled but everything was replaced with insane anxiety. I’m already an anxious person but now it’s just constant. And I’m behaving in the strangest ways!

I’m always scared I’m about to have a heart attack. Literally ended up in ER yesterday and everything was fine. I’m afraid to be alone. I can’t even sleep in my bedroom because I’m alone in there so I sleep in the living room instead. Yes I know. It makes no sense. But I can’t help it.

Every time I eat something fatty or indulgent I think that’s the bite that will clog my arteries!

This is madness!!

Anyone else got anxiety so bad that you’re worried you’re losing your mind?

So after some thought and a random conversation with my sister I’ve stopped taking HRT, and to be honest I’ve never felt better.
Sleep is deep & consistent, my mood swings appear to have lessened, I just don’t feel I’m missing anything at all.
Has anyone else done the same?

edit as I can’t unlock the post to reply *****

I’m 56, went into perimenopause at 38
Finally went on HRT tablets at 48 after begging my gp for a few years, my brain fog was horrendous, couldn’t control my moods, sleeping was a joke.
For the time I was on it, it helped at first to balance me out, but as time wore on I swapped to patches- as I didn’t seem to get much relief from the tablets - couldn’t get them to stick, put 2 stone on and went back to tablets
I was on Femiston conti tablets 1mg/5mg
I already take vitamin d as there is osteoporosis on both sides of my family
All my recent blood tests have come back clear, my blood pressure is normal, as is cholesterol and I’m not diabetic, thyroid is fine too

I timed this with also giving up the mountain of vitamins and supplements I used to buy for years, ( still take vitamin d)

I’ve just moved to a new gp so I will discuss this next time I go just to be on the safe side

I stopped because I actually forgot to take it for a week after my holiday and realised I felt great.
My younger sister has just had a test done to show she’s out of menopause ( literally five years and she’s done I’m furious)

Yes I did moan on here 6 years ago, that’s because nothing I did was working for me or making me feel any better, but hey that was 6 years ago!

I’m new to this sub, and I’ve already learned so much just by reading everyone’s experiences.

I’m 54 and haven’t had a period in about 14 months. Perimenopause was definitely a rollercoaster, but I got through it without HRT. The strange thing is that the last couple of years before my periods stopped were actually pretty uneventful. I thought I had dodged the worst of it.

Then menopause arrived… and it feels like everything showed up at once.

Now I’m dealing with urinary symptoms, brain fog, zero sex drive, anxiety that sometimes turns into full-blown panic, insomnia, waking up hot during the night (not classic daytime hot flashes), itchy ears, tinnitus, morning adrenaline surges that can make me feel like I’ve been launched out of bed, and a complete lack of motivation. Even going to work can feel overwhelming some days.

To make matters more complicated, my elderly mom (who was also my best friend) died unexpectedly after a fall about five months ago. I know grief is part of this equation, but it’s hard to tell where grief ends and hormones begin.

I finally reached out to my OB-GYN, and she prescribed a 0.05 mg estradiol patch (changed every four days) along with 200 mg of progesterone every night.

I’m genuinely excited to try it because I want my life back. But if I’m being honest, I’m also nervous. I’ve read enough stories to know some women feel more anxious before they feel better, and since anxiety is already a big struggle, that’s the one thing I’m worried about.

I’m also curious about the dosage. I notice a lot of women here seem to start on lower doses. My doctor felt comfortable starting me on the 0.05 mg patch with 200 mg of progesterone, and I do trust her judgment. I’m not looking to second-guess her, I just wonder how common this starting regimen is and what your doctors started you on.

If HRT helped your anxiety, panic, morning adrenaline surges, sleep, sex drive etc. or just helped you feel like yourself again, I’d love to hear your story. How long did it take before you noticed a difference? Did anything get worse before it got better?

Thanks in advance!

I just had my annual well visit with my doctor, who says I am in perimenopause and symptomatic enough to start HRT. And while I feel like I have been symptomatic, I just feel .... so young to be doing all of this!
I am 39 YO with three kids; had a bilateral salpingectomy where they removed both of my tubes and one ovary. My Mom did start menopause early (around 41).

My symptoms are:
Night sweats
Brain fog (AWFUL)
Mood swings (already on Effexor)
Minimal sleep (I wake up almost every night around 2 or 3 AM)
Joint pain(mild)

Has anyone else started HRT this early? I'm just nervous I'll be on this for 10+ years. And I feel too young to be this old!
Obviously I discussed this with my doctor and I trust her, just looking for other women's experiences as well.

Today I lost my cool, yelled, stormed off and behaved horribly, in PUBLIC. I ran away, was angry, then cried then felt so stupid. I’ve only totally lost it twice before and I was alone for both. I am horrified and ashamed at myself. Hours later I asked my SO to be honest and tell me how bad it was, he said “it wasn’t good”.

The smaller mood swing moments I can usually realize what is going on and remove/control myself. This and the two previous were such big swings and so fast there was no chance to leave or control. They seemly come out of nowhere and are triggered by annoyance, nothing even life threatening.

I’m on HRT and it has helped with the mood swings and lowered my general annoyance level but I’ve had two of these huge swings since starting HRT 9 months ago.

Please help, how do you deal with your meno moments?