No Symptoms

No don’t have stress incontinence waterwork probs low libido and none of the rest you are saying espree

Esspee

So none of you have stress incontinence, waterworks problems, low libido, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, vaginal atrophy, sleep problems, etc.? Amazing. Being on Gransnet must have some protective benefits as statistically the rest of the population who are post menopausal have high incidences of those medical issues. ?

Why are you so keen on bringing those of us who have not had problems down? Personally I’d be pleased for people. As a matter of fact I have had bladder problems before menopause , but that’s because I’m partially paralysed and I have been able to deal with them with the help of a physiotherapist.

It is amazing the differences in experiences. I went through an abnormally early menopause at 42. Have suffered miserably with hot flashes, but nothing else. At the height of the hot flashes the study regarding HRT and increased risk of cancer was published, so I just suffered through it and became the fastest remover of sweaters ever!

I'm 59 now and pretty much over it. I do worry about osteoporosis, since I have the European background and smaller bone stature that are higher risk factors. But I eat healthy food with added vitamins and get weight bearing exercise to help counteract any onset.

Lucky for those that glide through it!

Blimey Esspee I must be a ticking time bomb, how long until I’m doomed? Fifteen years so far and I have a very fulfilling sex life thank you, after which I sleep well. Not aware of any osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. What a cheery post.

I have a strong urge to tell those with no symptoms to just sod off.

phoenix

I have a strong urge to tell those with no symptoms to just sod off.

Aggression and spite are obviously menopause symptoms, so glad I don’t have those

Feel free, phoenix. I’m another irritating so-and-so who had no symptoms apart from the periods stopping ten years ago when I was 55. I do appreciate how very lucky I’ve been and wouldn’t blame you at all!

Though if esspee’s got it right I’m living in a fool’s paradise and will be getting my come uppance soon.

It's 17 years since my period stopped abruptly after two incredibly heavy ones. I have had no problems, am fit and active. I've wondered if it was because I've been vegetarian all my adult life and now virtually vegan. It's good to see others who have had a straightforward menopause.

This is a very encouraging thread for those of us who are not there yet. Thank you ladies! It's a refreshing change from all the horror stories.

It sounds like most people had periods just stop suddenly. I thought they became less regular and tapered off. Is this wrong?

Esspee- people who don't have problems with menopause don't go to doctors. Therefore all that will be known about to medical research is related to those who actually do have problems. It's quite straightforward.

After the birth of my first son at 39 my period came every 28 days like clockwork until a month before my 54th birthday. They then stopped dead , nothing ever again and no symptoms at all .

All my problems were in my teens and twenties and during my pregnancies so I thought it only fair that I finally had an easy time of it

Blossoming

BlueBelle maybe it’s true that we get the menopause we expect ?

I can vouch for that not being true.

I 'expected' to possibly have hot flushes if I was unlucky, and genuinely had no idea that many of the symptoms that hit me (many of those on Esspee's list) were even a possibility!

Another who sailed through at 55, now a few weeks off 71. No problems, I do have osteoporosis but that is a result of my ignorance about calcium when I cut out dairy products altogether for twenty years as it affected my psoriasis. Psoriasis went after two years but I was frightened to go back to dairy in case it came back. Stupid me.
Now take vit D and calcium so all under control.
Don’t cut out calcium, eat sensibly and exercise. Hope you get lucky too.

OceanMama

This is a very encouraging thread for those of us who are not there yet. Thank you ladies! It's a refreshing change from all the horror stories.

It sounds like most people had periods just stop suddenly. I thought they became less regular and tapered off. Is this wrong?

Well mine were still appearing regularly, OceanMama, but had been much lighter for many years. They were only a real problem when I was in my teens.

Just realise how lucky you are not to have awful symptoms.I certainly didn't get the Menopause I expected .I thought I'd be like my mother ,her period stopped when she was in her early forties,she thought she was pregnant but it was menopause .Apart from some hot flushes she was fine though she did develope osteoporosis later in life.

I on the other hand have had years of misery with sweats and multiple other symtoms when I thought my marriage was at stake and when I seriously tried to figure out how to commit suicide without my family knowing it was suicide.

Thankfully a lovely Greek Gynaecologist at the menopause clinic finally found something that worked.I have scans both internal and external yearly and have been told I can stay on HRT for life.The patches I'm on have given me back my life Sadly the Gynaecologist has left the country due to Brexit ,hope theres someone equally as good when I go back next year

Interesting post. I wonder if there has been any large scale research that includes those that have the traditional problems and those that 'sail through it', though obviously it would probably be the former that are 'medically' recorded. I was one of the lucky ones and don't have many friends who have 'suffered' more than minor symptoms, either during or after the menopause. I have sympathy for those of you who have had such a terrible time but maybe that research would have a chance of finding out why there is a huge variety of experiences and find ways to help avoid the bad ones.

Esspee you mentioned taking oestrogen in one of your early posts.
When is the optimum age / time to take it?
I have not had a 'proper' period for a year. No symptoms other than being hot. I've got very bad osteoarthritis, but Im pretty certain that it isn't connected to menopause.
Thank you.

Hello Fanny. The best time to start oestrogen is when your levels start falling around the menopause. I have a tiny implant twice a year, my choice as I can lead a completely normal life 363 days a year but there are gels or patches as alternatives (never pills).
I have been saddened to get to the stage in life when my peers are now showing the worst symptoms of oestrogen deficiency because they were put off taking HRT when younger by scare stories.
I have taken friends to Hospital and Opticians appointments where it has been assumed I was the daughter. They could have been saved from their debilitating symptoms if only they had refused to go through the menopause.
There is no publicity on the long term effects of lack of oestrogen and this “taboo” is being allowed to continue. For most gransnetters this information is too late but if we tell our daughters the next generation can have a healthier old age.
I have a friend whose relationship with their spouse broke down due to her vaginal atrophy, marriages which are now loveless, others who spend as much on Panty liners or Tena products as they used to spend on periods. The rush to the toilet when we arrive or leave a venue is noticeable. Conversations about cystitis, prolapse, broken bones, joint replacement, osteoarthritis, sleep deprivation......all so easily avoidable. One friend is showing signs of Alzheimer’s, her high soya diet didn’t help there.

Sorry but it frustrates me that lack of education is resulting in my friends becoming old before they have to. Perhaps I should pop over to Mumsnet and warn them of what is to come.

Apart from a fibroid. I went through it without problem.

I read somewhere that 40% of women get through the menopause with outany more than minimal problems.

I think by talking of the menopause only in terms of how awful it is and all the problems you have - and for those that have them they are not pleasant, - women are pre-programmed to expect it to be dreadful, whereas if as well as the discussing and helping those struggling with unpleasant symptoms, there was also regular mentions that many women get through the menopause with very few problems it might help women yet to reach the menopause.

I mean a lot is written and talked about inrelation to childbirth and difficult and problematic births are discussed, but much is also made of the fact that most births are safe and unproblematic.

Sailed through it without any problems.. but I was very young at 46... . I had hot flushes for about 6 months, and that was the end of it.. nothing more.

My mother and both my sisters had hysterectomies before the menopause

I'm in my 60's now... and touch wood never had any problems , not even dry skin...and I don't have to rush to the toilet when I arrive anywhere, nor do I suffer from recurrent cystitis, nor do I have shares in Tenna Lady .

I have had to serious falls and not even cracked a rib, so my bones are clearly not thinning

I've always looked young for my age and that hasn't changed.

As far as HRT is concerned I don't feel that it would have been a benefit to me whatsoever

I think the menopause took place in my early fifties and I had few problems, apart from some hot flushes. Exactly like my mother.
Some of the problems Esspee promises I would put down to old age.
MOnica, I agree with your post, and I think many women who find their periods difficult anticipate the same amount of trouble with the menopause.

Perhaps researchers should focus on those who dont have problems and see what can be learned from them. There may be replicable findings that could help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Jane10 an interesting point. I remember many years ago hearing a programme about a cultural group in India where, once a woman reaches the menopause, she comes out of the contained and cloistered life of women of child bearing age and could go out by herself and unchaperoned and mix with men.

As a result few women had bad menopausal symptoms, the return of freedom made the menopause and any signs of it something to be wished for.

It gave me pause for thought so I made sure I went towards the menopause dwelling on the pleasures that lay the other side - like no more periods, no worries about becoming pregnant etc. Whether it worked or not I do not know, my easy menopause may have been genetic as my mother sailed through with few problems as well.

My symptoms all collided with periods stopping, so not many years later. I started around 57, and seem fine now, 61. I wasn’t really troubled by the more common ones. Insomnia kicked it off. I took magnesium for that, and the odd zopiclone( sleeping tablet). The symptom that plagued me the most was awful morning/ travel type sickness. I had this intermittently for the last two years. Been free of it for about two months now, and hoping it won’t come back. Otherwise, I feel fine. I take vitamin D and Calcium, folic acid. Hopefully, that’s it for me.