What Were You Like Before Menopause Started? Options

[enough]

I agree with all of you. The stomach thing has been a problem even before and some days is really bad now. The palps seem s to coincide with ibs. I know it sounds crazy, but when I palp, I usually feel a burp, then I do and it feels better. Doctor's look at me like I am nuts, but I know there's a connection. It happens almost every time.

I hate all the other things that go along with this journey as well. bcp's have saved me from going insane. they gave me back alot of my life. my gyn says it's lack of estogen that causes all of this, antidepressants are not the answer, because depression isn't my problem it's hormones. not to say a xanax every now and then isn't necessary, he believes it can help the rough spots too.

good luck.

[KrissyK]

I agree with all of you. The stomach thing has been a problem even before and some days is really bad now. The palps seem s to coincide with ibs. I know it sounds crazy, but when I palp, I usually feel a burp, then I do and it feels better. Doctor's look at me like I am nuts, but I know there's a connection. It happens almost every time.

I hate all the other things that go along with this journey as well. bcp's have saved me from going insane. they gave me back alot of my life. my gyn says it's lack of estogen that causes all of this, antidepressants are not the answer, because depression isn't my problem it's hormones. not to say a xanax every now and then isn't necessary, he believes it can help the rough spots too.

good luck.

E,

This is not crazy at all. It happens to me...and has all my life. I do not know if it's the pressure in my chest cavity or what, but my heart will begin to skip a beat and then two, and just when I'm almost about to panic because of it, I belch. It's not even a large burp but enough to relieve the pressure and the heart returns to normal rhythm. I talked to my own GP about it and he said, "The day that your heart doesn't return to normal rhythm is the day to start worrying about it." So, I don't. Hope this helps.

[KrissyK]

I thought about this thread all day yesterday. I kept this question in the forefront of my mind and referred to it often. Perhaps its not vanity, perhaps it is indeed a grieving process for the women we "used to be."

This morning, I got out of bed and went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, long and hard. I'm a shell of the woman I once was in terms of "looks" and "thoughts." My hair used to be so long and healthy with a shine you could see for miles, now...it breaks of at about the shoulder and will not grow any further. My grandmother had long gray hair down to her waist that she used to wind in a small bun on the back of her head. It was gorgeous. But not mine. I too was long legged and thin. Very athletic and energetic. I took pride in the fact that men liked to look at me...but now that time has passed.

I cannot get used to this face that has begun to stare back at me from the mirror. Not weathered necessarily but certainly aged. I fear now that the "cute freckles" have turned to age spots, and my long lithe body has rounded itself out. I never cared about having breasts, but I could certainly live without this huge bum. My legs rub together at the top now, and my arms continue to wave long after I have stopped. I think about plastic surgery constantly, and even tho I've started going to the gym, I've managed to lose just two pounds. Depressing...

My thoughts are sometimes chaotic and other times in perfect harmony. This morning, even though my husband stayed with me instead of going into work early, I felt profoundly lonely and began to weep. I suffered mood swings when going thru puberty and I had mild post partum depression, but nothing has touched me like the emotions of menopause. I can be fiercely angry, volitile, weepy, sad, happy and giggly and often, within the same hour. I cannot guard myself against this...it constantly keeps me off balance.

The person I was before menopause does not exist now, but I've been unable to resign myself to the person I see.

[debradoll]

What was i like before, i considered myself a very attractive woman,outgoing & always on the go,,i loved fixing my hair,,putting on makeup,,ECT...During menopause,,I wasn't sleeping that good,,i was very,very moody & at the time sex was still great....After menopause,,,I don't fix my hair like i use too,,the onlytime now i wear makeup is if its a half to,,I'm not as outgoing like i use to be,,,mood swings (like you wouldn't believe) depression,night sweats,hot flashes,,,as for my sex drive,,its gone way downhill,,i tend to worry alot about everything....I'm just glad i'm not the only one thats going through this!!! I would love to have my old self back,,but i know that will never happen!!!

[corky21]

I was energetic, very happy and silly. I kept my house clean; I made plans to do fun things and looked forward to it. Now I'm mostly depressed, anxious over daily back pains and have no desire to do anything. I don't even enjoy the little things I force myself to do. I've also become somewhat agoraphopbic. I go out and take my son to school and also volunteer at school, but when I start to get a back spasm I'm in my bed and afraid to move or go anywhere. I have no interest in my husband and I really don't want to take care of my son. I just feel very depressed and anxious a lot of the time. I'm not even in full blown menopause either. I'm in the peri stage very irregular, but I've been in this stage for about 3 years and in the last year and 1/2 I noticed my symptoms got worse. I just started BHRT last month but didn't notice any changes. Someone on this site said it was b/c it was an oral dose and very low so I was most likely not getting any or the e/p/t that was in it. I changed it to a gel or cream but I've yet to receive so I haven't been on anything for a few days and I feel very depressed today.

I look at pictures of me in the past and I seemed so happy and I was. I was always on the go and happy to make others happy. Now I mostly feel dull and I can't stand to look at old pictures. I want to feel that way again. I just hate my life so much and I hate the problems I've caused in my marriage and with my son. I am praying that my new prescription of the gel or cream will make me feel better.

I have done all the mind/body/spirit/nutrition stuff and I am still working that route and I journal happy thoughts whenever I remember, but still this phase of life has changed me for the worse and I just hate myself and my life. But I know its going to pass through and brighter days will come. I want my old happy, silly, energetic self back.

[libbyl]

I was energetic, very happy and silly. I kept my house clean; I made plans to do fun things and looked forward to it. Now I'm mostly depressed, anxious over daily back pains and have no desire to do anything. I don't even enjoy the little things I force myself to do. I've also become somewhat agoraphopbic. I go out and take my son to school and also volunteer at school, but when I start to get a back spasm I'm in my bed and afraid to move or go anywhere. I have no interest in my husband and I really don't want to take care of my son. I just feel very depressed and anxious a lot of the time. I'm not even in full blown menopause either. I'm in the peri stage very irregular, but I've been in this stage for about 3 years and in the last year and 1/2 I noticed my symptoms got worse. I just started BHRT last month but didn't notice any changes. Someone on this site said it was b/c it was an oral dose and very low so I was most likely not getting any or the e/p/t that was in it. I changed it to a gel or cream but I've yet to receive so I haven't been on anything for a few days and I feel very depressed today.

I look at pictures of me in the past and I seemed so happy and I was. I was always on the go and happy to make others happy. Now I mostly feel dull and I can't stand to look at old pictures. I want to feel that way again. I just hate my life so much and I hate the problems I've caused in my marriage and with my son. I am praying that my new prescription of the gel or cream will make me feel better.

I have done all the mind/body/spirit/nutrition stuff and I am still working that route and I journal happy thoughts whenever I remember, but still this phase of life has changed me for the worse and I just hate myself and my life. But I know its going to pass through and brighter days will come. I want my old happy, silly, energetic self back.

try joining a club that deals with something you are interested in---crafts,programs,etc....It just should be one or two.a) it will really pick up your spirits,get you out of the house,andhelp you achieve a goal.It should also have a memebership fee,that sounds wacy,but it will give you motivation to stay with it.FOCUS on better days.

[ERYNNSMAMA]

WELL GIRLS

ive been pretty messed up all my life, (on AD'S for the past 18 years, weaned off then CRASHED) Back on my paxil for two weeks
but just don't feel myself at all.



I was pretty good the past 12 years i was on paxil, and never went to a therapist. Just the past year of being on paxil i got depressed and really
didn't even think it was menopause related DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (I just turned 51)

I haven't had a period since dec 07, i have barely barely spotted about twice since then,the last time was when I douched. Go figure.

But anyway, so i don't know if the terrible terrible depression i've been suffering is cos of MENO, or cos i stopped my meds by myself after
12 years. I really think it's both.

For the most part, the paxil helped me tremendously in the 'peri' years.


I still don't feel like myself. I'm very 'needy' feeling. Like I feel so alone, like LADYBUG said.


xoxoxo
terri

[rendy]

Hi, just thought I'd pop in and try and offer a little hope. Three years ago I came here and posted on this thread with duplicates of everything you've all said. I never felt pretty so I didn't have a lot of pain over my looks either being here or there. I did however freak out that I became very suddenly AFRAID. Afraid like I've never been in my life. I spent 4 months and over $1000 looking for the answer to my fear. I was blessed, my first and second doctor indicated hormones immediately. I DIDN"T BELIEVE THEM. So the first part of my journey was coming to accept the phase in my life which I personally believe, naturally comes with mourning our youth. Don't know if that is a hormone generated thing or not.

I'm now 47 and still in peri but it is getting better; not all the time and definitely not at once. But I can now keep the house clean, take my kids places and work. Some old hobbies are still difficult for me, but I picked new hobbies in their place that fit me better during this phase. The fear is not completely gone yet. The crying is certainly not gone. But I am beginning to function and to learn how to function accepting that fear and depression come up. I guess part of what helps is knowing that I've survived 3 years. I now have the history to tell myself that I can survive.

Hang in there, find what works both physically and mentally. It does get better

[LynneDorothy4178]

I think having difficulty in remembering how to spell and trouble sleeping could be connected. When I had the interrupted nights I could barely function the next day sometimes, found it hard to get my thoughts together. Proper sleep put paid to all of that.

Hi everyone. Just back after a long break from this great website and happy to say that I think I'm seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 49 and haven't had a period for over 12 months. Went thru a pretty horrrible time for a while; bone crushing fatigue, feeling just blah, hot flashes, felt that I never wanted to be sexually active again and could have cheerfully killed my partner several times a day. Uncomfortable itchiness and thinning of vagina walls, plus weirdo creepy skin on my shoulders and dry scaly skin everywhere else. However! Happy to say that my libido is back and I seem to be having a sort of cycle of hormones every month but without the bleed, plus I have more energy and not so much exhaustion. Flashes are lessening, thank god. I think yoga has helped and getting as many naps in as possible, vitamin D too, apparently lots of us are deficient. I've also bitten the bullet and completely cut out caffeine in all forms. This really helps, altho you get a killer headache for 3 days. I think that recognising that when you feel crap, you feel crap, but it will pass is important too. One thing I am worried about tho is the absent mindedness and woolly brain I seem to have. I dither when I do things now and seriously forget where I've put things. I came downstairs with my toothbrush in my hand the other day. Also forget words or mispronounce them. I hope its not early onset Alzeihmer's! Can anyone tell me if they have this problem and if it lessens with time?
Lynne from Oz

[libbyl]

Hi everyone. Just back after a long break from this great website and happy to say that I think I'm seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 49 and haven't had a period for over 12 months. Went thru a pretty horrrible time for a while; bone crushing fatigue, feeling just blah, hot flashes, felt that I never wanted to be sexually active again and could have cheerfully killed my partner several times a day. Uncomfortable itchiness and thinning of vagina walls, plus weirdo creepy skin on my shoulders and dry scaly skin everywhere else. However! Happy to say that my libido is back and I seem to be having a sort of cycle of hormones every month but without the bleed, plus I have more energy and not so much exhaustion. Flashes are lessening, thank god. I think yoga has helped and getting as many naps in as possible, vitamin D too, apparently lots of us are deficient. I've also bitten the bullet and completely cut out caffeine in all forms. This really helps, altho you get a killer headache for 3 days. I think that recognising that when you feel crap, you feel crap, but it will pass is important too. One thing I am worried about tho is the absent mindedness and woolly brain I seem to have. I dither when I do things now and seriously forget where I've put things. I came downstairs with my toothbrush in my hand the other day. Also forget words or mispronounce them. I hope its not early onset Alzeihmer's! Can anyone tell me if they have this problem and if it lessens with time?
Lynne from Oz

I could have written this myself.I just got the results of my annual appt.back."You are very low on Vitamin D." I have to take a special supplement for the rest of my life.Hope I remember to take it.

[Miz]

Into the vicious blood cycle!

A week of calm after period, then bloating began, then swelling of the brain and mood swings, then wanting to eat every last potato chip on earth, then sleepless nights, then cramps, odor, soiled panties but a good night's sleep!

I love being post menopausal! At 55, it is the best, most regulated time of my life. I've no physical symptoms that are discussed in length by the medical community. I think they make some of that stuff up!

No hot flashes, or mood swings, or poor sleeping, or lack of libido, or weight gain, or bone loss. I am at my prime. The best physical condition of my life!

It is a blessing to be past the blood cycle!

Enjoy!

[Puddock]

Hi girls!

I only found this website last week - wish I'd known it existed years ago...

I'm 50 and definitely post-menopausal now. My issue at the moment is vaginal atrophy, which is driving me absolutely mad. I'm on estrogen cream which is helping a bit - I can only hope that with time, it will get better.

But to answer the question that Dearest asked way back at the beginning of this thread, I would say that until this vaginal thing started, I was pretty comfortable with getting older. I found almost the opposite of what a lot of the girls have said - I went through a bit of fuzzy brain but once that was done I found that my powers of concentration actually got better. For the first time in my adult life, freed from the monthly cycle, I found that I could keep a thought going for longer than two minutes. I took up study with the Open University and actually finished a course. I began to feel like a wise woman, and thought I should really be getting a little hut in the forest so people with problems could come to me for enlightenment.

That has all (temporarily I hope) gone for the moment with this damn vaginal dryness and I'm back to being like a cat on coals again. But I hope it will pass. I'm applying to University to study a full degree so I certainly hope I get the wise old woman thing back!

I do get fed up with the sagging boobs, the thread veins and the hairs that sprout overnight in really visible places. I still feel like I'm 21 in my head and it's a real shock when I realise how other people must see me - being called Madam is the worst!

Happy Monday to my fellow Surgers out there - hope it's going well, and if it's not, take care of yourselves.

[joyceveronica]

Hi girls!

I only found this website last week - wish I'd known it existed years ago...

I'm 50 and definitely post-menopausal now. My issue at the moment is vaginal atrophy, which is driving me absolutely mad. I'm on estrogen cream which is helping a bit - I can only hope that with time, it will get better.

But to answer the question that Dearest asked way back at the beginning of this thread, I would say that until this vaginal thing started, I was pretty comfortable with getting older. I found almost the opposite of what a lot of the girls have said - I went through a bit of fuzzy brain but once that was done I found that my powers of concentration actually got better. For the first time in my adult life, freed from the monthly cycle, I found that I could keep a thought going for longer than two minutes. I took up study with the Open University and actually finished a course. I began to feel like a wise woman, and thought I should really be getting a little hut in the forest so people with problems could come to me for enlightenment.

That has all (temporarily I hope) gone for the moment with this damn vaginal dryness and I'm back to being like a cat on coals again. But I hope it will pass. I'm applying to University to study a full degree so I certainly hope I get the wise old woman thing back!

I do get fed up with the sagging boobs, the thread veins and the hairs that sprout overnight in really visible places. I still feel like I'm 21 in my head and it's a real shock when I realise how other people must see me - being called Madam is the worst!

Happy Monday to my fellow Surgers out there - hope it's going well, and if it's not, take care of yourselves.

Dear 'Puddock'

Welcome to the Forum.It is great to have you with us.

Am so glad that on the whole you transitioned quite nicely.

I too suffered from Vaginal Atrophy,aged 39,which is when my Gyn.suspected Premature Menopause.I was put on HRT and after about six months all was well again.

Good Luck with University.

Keep in Touch
Elizabeth

[joyceveronica]

Hi everyone. Just back after a long break from this great website and happy to say that I think I'm seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 49 and haven't had a period for over 12 months. Went thru a pretty horrrible time for a while; bone crushing fatigue, feeling just blah, hot flashes, felt that I never wanted to be sexually active again and could have cheerfully killed my partner several times a day. Uncomfortable itchiness and thinning of vagina walls, plus weirdo creepy skin on my shoulders and dry scaly skin everywhere else. However! Happy to say that my libido is back and I seem to be having a sort of cycle of hormones every month but without the bleed, plus I have more energy and not so much exhaustion. Flashes are lessening, thank god. I think yoga has helped and getting as many naps in as possible, vitamin D too, apparently lots of us are deficient. I've also bitten the bullet and completely cut out caffeine in all forms. This really helps, altho you get a killer headache for 3 days. I think that recognising that when you feel crap, you feel crap, but it will pass is important too. One thing I am worried about tho is the absent mindedness and woolly brain I seem to have. I dither when I do things now and seriously forget where I've put things. I came downstairs with my toothbrush in my hand the other day. Also forget words or mispronounce them. I hope its not early onset Alzeihmer's! Can anyone tell me if they have this problem and if it lessens with time?
Lynne from Oz

Dear Lynne
Marvellous that your symptoms have eased up and hope this continues to be the case.

I too practise Yoga and cut out caffeine and sugar.Yes it does make a difference.About every month I do have a treat and boy does it feel good!

Please do not worry about early onset Alzeihmer's or the whole Forum would be shuffling around with you!The wooly brain and .absentmindedness are very common and generally start to improve as the other symptoms clear .I have put my Toothbrush in the Freezer and looked for my glasses which I was wearing.I can never remember a phone number not even my own.I have it stored inside my Cell so if anyone wants my number I look it up discreetly!

Wishing you all the Best

P.S. Your letter is far too articulate to have been written by someone with early onset Alzeihmer's.Loosing the car keys is not a problem but forgetting what you use them for is!

God Bless
Elizabeth

[mscamillec]

Into the vicious blood cycle!

A week of calm after period, then bloating began, then swelling of the brain and mood swings, then wanting to eat every last potato chip on earth, then sleepless nights, then cramps, odor, soiled panties but a good night's sleep!

I love being post menopausal! At 55, it is the best, most regulated time of my life. I've no physical symptoms that are discussed in length by the medical community. I think they make some of that stuff up!

No hot flashes, or mood swings, or poor sleeping, or lack of libido, or weight gain, or bone loss. I am at my prime. The best physical condition of my life!

It is a blessing to be past the blood cycle!

Enjoy!

Well,
your post was the one i was looking for i was wondering how life can be after the peri and then menopause... i feel better knowing there is a sunrise afterwards and not being doomed to where i am at right now..... i hope it gets better... 4 me
camille

[Pete Hueseman Ho...]

While the symptoms of hot flashes may now be gone, this is because the ups and downs of hormone levels have leveled off. However, this does not mean that your body is protected. When hormones are deficient, as occurs in all aging females and males, there are a number of aging processes that occur in the body, for example heart disease, osteoporosis. So keep in mind, that hormone therapy is NOT about treating symptoms, it is about protecting the body.

Paul Hueseman, Pharm.D.

[Iradan]

While the symptoms of hot flashes may now be gone, this is because the ups and downs of hormone levels have leveled off. However, this does not mean that your body is protected. When hormones are deficient, as occurs in all aging females and males, there are a number of aging processes that occur in the body, for example heart disease, osteoporosis. So keep in mind, that hormone therapy is NOT about treating symptoms, it is about protecting the body.

Paul Hueseman, Pharm.D.

Hello,
How is HRT protective of heart disease? Osteoporosis seems to be the only beneficial effect of HRT so far, and not every women/men will have it either. it is a bit confusing, seems like those of us that chosen natural approach and can't use HRT, are deliberately harming our bodies?
Could, you, please, provide any data demonstrating that not using HRT will result in faster body degradation and age related ailments in comparison to use of HRT, so far all the data I have seen and all the articles I have read, indicate the opposite.
Every article points to completely the opposite, HRT is linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and each patient should be carefully evaluate before being Rx HRT.
We have been debating here for some time, to use or not to use, but you made this claim and as professional, you probably have data I have no access to, so could, you, please, elaborate, I think we all could benefit from your input.
Thanks,
I.

[Iradan]

Hello,
How is HRT protective of heart disease? Osteoporosis seems to be the only beneficial effect of HRT so far, and not every women/men will have it either. it is a bit confusing, seems like those of us that chosen natural approach and can't use HRT, are deliberately harming our bodies?
Could, you, please, provide any data demonstrating that not using HRT will result in faster body degradation and age related ailments in comparison to use of HRT, so far all the data I have seen and all the articles I have read, indicate the opposite.
Every article points to completely the opposite, HRT is linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and each patient should be carefully evaluate before being Rx HRT.
We have been debating here for some time, to use or not to use, but you made this claim and as professional, you probably have data I have no access to, so could, you, please, elaborate, I think we all could benefit from your input.
Thanks,
I.

I have found this article very informative, it seems that HRT is not preventive measure for heart disease, quite the opposite. I believe genetics, diet and lifestyle, stress management should be a foundation of longevity and good health, but it is JMHO.

http://fugh-berman.com/files/Perspectivespro.pdf

[SandraSmith]

***, how can you possibly think that the loss of reproductive hormones isn't harmful when the risks of cancers and other serious diseases/conditions so drastically increase after ages 40 and 50, precisely the times when most women enter peri and full menopause ? And the risks are much lower when hormones are at their peak ? Do you think the risks increase because the older women suddenly change their diet and exercise and reactions to stress ??

You posted a link to a 16 page document. You have a tendency to dump lots of info into this forum, forcing us readers to either sift through all of it (which can take, literally, hours) or ignore it. Why not just excerpt small amounts to substantiate your points ? In the document pointed to by your link, what specifically is it that you wish to highlight ?

Reason for edit: Poster's name removed

[SandraSmith]

HERS used CEEs and MPA, not bioidenticals
WHI used CEEs and MPA
ERA used CEEs and MPA

Viscoli et al used bioidentical estradiol, but the subjects were limited to those who had already suffered ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. And the mean age was 77 !

ESPRIT used estradiol valerate (bioidentical estradiol injected intramuscularly), but the subjects were limited to those who had already suffered myocardial infarction.

What does this paper say about healthy and relatively newly menopausal women using bioidentical hormones ? From what I can see, nothing.

So how does this support your claims ?

[Iradan]

Iradan, how can you possibly think that the loss of reproductive hormones isn't harmful when the risks of cancers and other serious diseases/conditions so drastically increase after ages 40 and 50, precisely the times when most women enter peri and full menopause ? And the risks are much lower when hormones are at their peak ? Do you think the risks increase because the older women suddenly change their diet and exercise and reactions to stress ??

You posted a link to a 16 page document. You have a tendency to dump lots of info into this forum, forcing us readers to either sift through all of it (which can take, literally, hours) or ignore it. Why not just excerpt small amounts to substantiate your points ? In the document pointed to by your link, what specifically is it that you wish to highlight ?

don't read it if you have no time, 16 pages is not much,
i can't post excerpts, you must read it all, very interesting.
I am not forcing anyone. I addressed this to a professional.

[Iradan]

HERS used CEEs and MPA, not bioidenticals
WHI used CEEs and MPA
ERA used CEEs and MPA

Viscoli et al used bioidentical estradiol, but the subjects were limited to those who had already suffered ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. And the mean age was 77 !

ESPRIT used estradiol valerate (bioidentical estradiol injected intramuscularly), but the subjects were limited to those who had already suffered myocardial infarction.

What does this paper say about healthy and relatively newly menopausal women using bioidentical hormones ? From what I can see, nothing.

So how does this support your claims ?

I asked for data showing that BHRT prevents heart disease, and I asked someone who has access to professional database.
The whole point of discussion is back to square one, and stop with your "how could you possibly think", because I do have right to think, when someone basically tells us: you will die from heart disease if you don't use BHRT.

[SandraSmith]

Here's a study using estradiol, focusing on atherosclerosis which is a major cause of heart attacks:

http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/135/11/939

Patients: 222 postmenopausal women 45 years of age or older without preexisting cardiovascular disease and with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of 3.37 mmol/L or greater (≥ 130 mg/dL).

Intervention: Unopposed micronized 17ß-estradiol (1 mg/d) or placebo. All women received dietary counseling. Women received lipid-lowering medication if their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level exceeded 4.15 mmol/L (160 mg/dL).

Conclusions: Overall, the average rate of progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was slower in healthy postmenopausal women taking unopposed ERT with 17ß-estradiol than in women taking placebo. Reduction in the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was seen in women who did not take lipid-lowering medication but not in those who took these medications.

[Iradan]

Here's a study using estradiol, focusing on atherosclerosis which is a major cause of heart attacks:

http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/135/11/939

Patients: 222 postmenopausal women 45 years of age or older without preexisting cardiovascular disease and with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of 3.37 mmol/L or greater (≥ 130 mg/dL).

Intervention: Unopposed micronized 17ß-estradiol (1 mg/d) or placebo. All women received dietary counseling. Women received lipid-lowering medication if their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level exceeded 4.15 mmol/L (160 mg/dL).

Conclusions: Overall, the average rate of progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was slower in healthy postmenopausal women taking unopposed ERT with 17ß-estradiol than in women taking placebo. Reduction in the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was seen in women who did not take lipid-lowering medication but not in those who took these medications.

Estradiol is vasodilator, no news in it. The key word: Unopposed , how many women with intact uterus will use just ERT? I assume these women underwent hysterectomy prior to the studies.

[SandraSmith]

Message to women on PS: get BHRT or get heart disease and osteoporosis, not, did I miss something?

Again, the exaggeration !

I'm getting the feeling that because BHRT didn't work for you (I don't remember why), you get upset when anyone else has success with it, and you get even more upset when anyone promotes it.

Power-Surge is pro-BHRT and this forum is not excluded. Look at the top of the forum pages ... "Power Surge has recommended only natural, bioidentical hormones (molecularly the same as yours) for the past 15+ years" alongside a nice ad for Bellevue which supplies only bioidentical hormones. Pete Hueseman contributes occasionally to the forum, and obviously he is pro-BHRT.

You are in BHRT territory, even in this forum, and no amount of bullying or insults or exaggerations is going to change that.

[Rehma]

I'm going to say it again ...

You are in BHRT territory, even in this forum, and no amount of bullying or insults or exaggerations is going to change that.

I was under the impression it was a MENOPAUSE site and this forum was Menopause: Before, During and After. I don't believe it is BHRT territory. I thought it was for all peri and menopausal women to come compare notes, comiserate, offer suggestions and generally support each other. It's taking on a combative, intimidating tone and I don't think that was the original concept.

[krobbins68]

Well, back to the subject that this thread originated on, Before peri, I was a very happy, bubbly, outgoing, love to shop type of person. Yes, I have always been a worrier but nothing like I am now. I never before had health anxiety or intense anxiety. Boy do I miss those days already and it has only been a few years. Here's hoping that my journey to beyond meno goes quickly (symptom wise anyways)and that I may be even more enlightened and in tune with my body as the years move on. I wish peace and love to all of you here on PS for your wisdom regarding whatever topic is discussed and that someone will be helped by what others have learned. That others will be comforted knowing that you are not alone in whatever issues this lovely time of life is throwing at you, whatever stage you may be in.

Love and Hugs to All,

Kim

[joyceveronica]

Well, back to the subject that this thread originated on, Before peri, I was a very happy, bubbly, outgoing, love to shop type of person. Yes, I have always been a worrier but nothing like I am now. I never before had health anxiety or intense anxiety. Boy do I miss those days already and it has only been a few years. Here's hoping that my journey to beyond meno goes quickly (symptom wise anyways)and that I may be even more enlightened and in tune with my body as the years move on. I wish peace and love to all of you here on PS for your wisdom regarding whatever topic is discussed and that someone will be helped by what others have learned. That others will be comforted knowing that you are not alone in whatever issues this lovely time of life is throwing at you, whatever stage you may be in.

Love and Hugs to All,

Kim

Dear Kim

Thank you for a most encouraging Post.And yes there are lots of good times to come.

Here I am at 57 and a young man I passed on the street said Your'e Pretty.Of course he might be very short sighted or have a Mamma complex, like Norman Bates from Psycho!But it gave me a nice boost

Stay Well
Elizabeth

[stitchnanny]

Before peri I was not afraid of life. I lived everyday pretty happily. I did not mope around. I enjoyed everything I could. I took chances.

[places2go]

I still hope to somehow find a way back to being comfortable as me. Before for me was... when my energy seemed to flow, my determination was fierce, I fought my depression and anxiety and bounced back from my bouts of sadness and letdowns. I cannot say I was a really "happy" person but I believed in the overall goodness in life and was OK with how I existed, working on contentment. I felt physically that I was fairly strong and mentally that I could hold my own. I felt capable. I also felt attractive, even if only at times. I guess I really even felt like I was achieving balance in my life and felt mostly that I was moving in a positive direction. Then I started feeling like I was regressing and wondered what was happening. Now, today, this site just in this one day has given me back a bit of hope. I love lighthouses and this is site a beacon from a lighthouse through the rough seas I feel like I have been drowning in.