Menopause

[tillyh345]

I was told by a friend today that once you have ceased periods for a year, all the symptoms of menopause decrease, has anyone any views on this?

[boxtops]

Everyone's different, I don't think it's possible to generalise like this!

[tillyh345]

Oh just clutching at straws.....its just that I have been having terribe headaches some that can last up to 2 weeks at a time usually in my temples have had mri and ct and a lumbar pucture which all came back fine, so have come to the conclusion that this is a symptom of menopause, although nobody has said this in the medical field but have read it on a menopause blog and it seemed to be quite common, thought it strange that doctor wouldnt know that this could be the reason for them.

[hc4361]

Ha ha ha.
Ha ha ha,
Stop it already.

[Dris]

Agree with first poster.
I went through an early one -started 38- finished up about 5yrs ago (im 51) but when I had a major shock I started again just once and my body was in such a mess in the lower abdomen due to the excess bleeding.Absolutely covered in one huge bruise.Was dealt with but it just shows that just when you think youre through it -it rers its ugly head again.
Have to say that I still had symptoms of a period even after the menopause.I likened ot to when i was pregnant I still got cramps when my period was due -its just case of your body re-adjusting and the hormones settling down

Im assuming you arent on any form of HRT?

[tillyh345]

No not sure what to do? would u reccomend HRT?

[boxtops]

Yes!

[ethandron]

menopause symptoms can go on for many years after periods stop, although that's not to say that they do for everyone. sometimes the worst of the symptoms only start once periods have ceased. for most people, the symptoms do start to diminish gradually once that magic 12 months has passed although some symptoms can remain for ever - hairy chins, thin hair, dry skin.
personally i wouldn't (and didn't) go down the hrt route, but we're all different and must make our own minds up about it. go and see your doctor and have a good chat about it all, if your headaches are due to menopause then hrt could be the answer for you. i found that doing my own research about it was more useful than anything the doctor could tell me to be honest.
hope you get it sorted out :)

[Dris]

I tried HRT but decided that it only for me was postponing the inevitable so i just went cold turkey.

I know women who went down one particular HRT route and are in their 60's and cant/wont come off it as they still have to go though the menopause.

You are through the worst so i would recommend that you just go with the flow -you should be all done and dusted within the year of your last period.

[Mr Veritas]

The latest Menopause/Periods I have come across was a lady of 70.
She ceased having periods at 48,but still had the Menopausal symptoms up till 70 when they ceased.
They certainly got less as the years went on,but it still took her till 70 for them to disappear entirely.
Sorry.

[Jemisa]

HRT Definately, The menopause lasts anything up to 10 years or more, so don't let 'em kid you its over in a year. No way Hosae....

Aunty Jem

[Dris]

Sorry Jem but I have to disagree -I agree everyone should try it if they want to but I dont think its right to say its the 'elixir' of life per sae as it isnt for a lot of women and even my GP agreed with me on this.

WOW Mr Veritas -thats a long menopause -im definititly well and truly over it now so I cant use it as an excuse for my bad temper and intolerance any more lol !!

[ethandron]

'menopause' is the first 12 months without a period, after that a lady is post-menopausal, with or without symptoms.
i belong to a couple of meno forums and it's really surprised me how old some ladies are when they're still actually getting periods, some are late 60s. and i have spoken to a few ladies in their 70s who still get some of the symptoms. it's worth remembering that these ladies are the exception though.
agree with you, dris, you're only putting off the inevitable if you go on hrt. easy for me to say though, i never had bad headaches or depression or some of the other really awful symptoms some ladies get. maybe if i had, i'd have been begging the doctor for it :) having said that, sometimes it was no picnic but i knew it would settle down at some point...and it did.

[Dris]

agree ethandron -I too had all the worst symptoms of the menopause but I just thought id go for the cold turkey after trying HRT -I just wanted it over with and yeah i did have a couple of really unpleasant years (understatement) but its worth it now cos at 51 I have been unshackled for life and have been apart from the 'shock' i had for 5yrs.Im glad i had the courage tenacity whatever to go it alone but if you arent coping then tat least try the HRT -thats to anyone reading and make your own mind up.
Im naturally a battler so thats why i took it on head on and I won !!!

[Dris]

BTW ^^ above was posted from a Mental Asylum in Perthshire -so who cares at least i didnt take HRT lol!!!

[beejaybee]

I had a hysterectomy at 29, I`m 56 now & still get the dreaded night sweats. I`ve know ladies in their 70`s to still be getting them.

[tillyh345]

Well with me its not really the hot flushes that Im not coping with its the constant headaches all on my left side temple and behing my ear in fact the ear feels clogged but I have all tests done including ct scan and nothing found so putting it down to hormonal...as everything else! Just keep taking painkillers sometimes 7 a day to keep this pain at bay and get on with my life job etc...real misery has anyone else had this?