May I introduce you to Perry?

[kate952]

As in Perry (peri-) Menopause.

It appears that I have begun to navigate the wonderful world known as The Change. When my ob/gyn offered me hormone replacement therapy two weeks ago, I thought, "How silly! Nature means for our hormones to ebb and flow; only women who refuse to admit they're aging insist on taking estrogen

Comments

[droxy]

Hugs

[kate952]

I would hug you back, but I'm afraid that my hot flashes would melt your gorgeous hat and/or Nose.

Your kindness is most appreciated, though.

[adaveen]

I'm only 46 and started getting intermittant hot flashes about two years ago. They are MISERABLE. My doc suggested estroven, which I think has soy in it, which I understand affects the old thyroid. I'm using progesterone cream and I think it helps. But yes, they're miserable. My moods are fine, except when people try to get me to be responsive whilst I'm in the middle of bursting into flames.

Luckily, they've seemed to come and go: two months on, a few months off, then a couple of periods, then back again. It really, really sucks. And yes, I've been tempted by the horse-piss pills. But then I wonder if you don't just delay it rather than avoid it. You know?

Anyway, you have my complete sympathy. And my mustache says it feels for you as well.

[kate952]

I'm so there with you on the "delay it rather than avoid it" question ~ but at this point, I'm willing to delay almost anything.

And I'll raise your mustache for my goatee. And chest hair.

Why wasn't any of this mentioned in my junior high health class???

[shadowycat]

I haven't had the hot flashes yet, but the periods are fluctuating a lot and I've had weight gain/bloating and sudden weight loss issues. It's an adventure all right. I hope the doctor can offer you some real relief soon. We can't have you shocking your congregation...;D

[kate952]

Let's hope my 3rd time trying to typed this is a charm...

I'm not ready to be QUITE that memorable at church. ;-D

Here's hoping you don't have to deal with the flashes or anything worse than you've already dealt with!

[shadowycat]

Thanks! I imagine I'll get them eventually. Most women seem to, but I'm certainly not in any hurry. :D

[ann_mcn]

Been there, finished it, and feel much better thank you! I didn't have the horrible hot flashes, so didn't take hormones.

Estrogen therapy has had some very interesting research lately. This article in the NY Times was fascinating. It matters very much when you begin hormone replacement. You are at the right time, likely, but it might be dangerous for me now that I'm years past menopause. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/magazine/18estrogen-t.html?emc=eta1 Excellent gutsy intelligent writing.

[kate952]

What a brilliant article. I'm going to have to re-re-read it once I'm more... uh, normal. Hopefully, that will be shortly (if I decide to take the estrogen).

I don't want to be someone who takes hormones forever; I'm going to hold on to you as an example of spmeone with the ability to get through this and THRIVE!! You are really such an inspiration!

[kate952]

er, that was supposed to be "someone", not "spmeone" which, I believe, is an italian ice cream. ;D

[ann_mcn]

Nonono! Not an example. I just had a lot of luck in never having hot flashes, so my decision process was different.

Let me tell you, I was scared -- my memory was all over the place in little pieces, and I had the mood swings, and I though I was going nuts. I hadn't started missing periods, so that explanation didn't occur to me, but a woman at church said, "Oh, yeah, memory problems are part of perimenopause," so then I started researching.

The memory problems are particular nasty since most women I know who are in their late 40s have complicated lives and schedules, and are at maximum capacity. One flub throws you all over.

[shiv5468]

Oh I'm sorry. Mumsy took it for years and we were grateful for the respite! It does counterbalance the health risks with some benefits as well.

But I hope you feel better soon