Hi. I'm Nancy from Dallas and I'm 57. My mother died before menopause, so I have no idea if my experience would have been hers. But since I entered meno, I really have NO problems other than vaginal dryness. So it's funny since I can't help but wonder if I just leave it all alone (don't fix what isn't broken), or if I still need to be on progesterone or something.

Tell me what you think. I really feel fine and haven't had a period in at least 3 years.

Nancy

You are very fortunate. I think that doctors and advertising make us think we need drugs, hormones and treatments to be OK and that is very often not the case. Your body is doing what it is supposed to so please don't mess with it - my two cents.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it....lucky you.

If you're feeling good, treasure it, and if it ain't broke don't fix it too. As with so many things, "your mileage can vary"! Best thing to do is just pay attention to good solid health habits that will serve you well into old age, IMO. Some people have nothing but problems leading up to menopause, and then in the first few years afterwards(can take as long as 10 years post in some cases)things stabilize and one feels better than before, and extra weight is more easily lost too, providing one is eating right and training. For some others, they will sail through menopause just fine, but not notice anything until several years post. This happened to me. 4 years post, all of a sudden I gained 6 pounds, which I've not been able to lose for the last 5 years, despite good habits and exercise. Along with that, I got high cholesterol and slightly elevated blood sugar, again, despite good habits and never having had either problem pre-menopause. I always had LOW cholesterol! And I've led a very healthy lifestyle for decades! There are a lot of women who are shocked, as I was until I did some research, that they would have these sorts of problems even with healthy living. Bottom-line, take care, and watch things like a hawk, because they can just sneak up on you while you're not looking. Just my thoughts here. For the blood sugar and cholesterol issues, my acupuncturist recommended a patent(OTC)Chinese formula called Six Flavor Tea Pills, commonly given to diabetics and also to menopausal women as the formula works on both liver and kidney meridians, implicated in menopausal problems. I've been on these for 6 months, and one thing I notice is that I sleep a whole lot better, so that's a start. Haven't had any further blood tests since 6 months ago when I found out about the blood sugar and cholesterol issues.

Hi Nancy,
If you feel good, rejoice. Replacement therapy always carries risks which are worth taking only if you are having awful problems. Can I ask how long you have had thyroid issues? You see, I have this theory that women who suffer really badly at menopause have a thyroid gland that has been triggered into misbehaving by menopause itself. Many go undiagnosed because of general ignorance by doctors about borderline thyroid dysfunction. We know that sub clinical malfunction could be responsible for sleep problems, horrible anxiety, inability to control basal body temperature (hot /cold flashes), heart arrythmias, IBS and formication in extremities, the list goes on.
The other problem is that we never know where we are in the shut down process. I have seen women here who appear to sail through and then crash and burn royally four/five years after their last period. It is all so complicated and unpredictable.
It sounds as if you have that naughty thyroid gland under control, which is very difficult in itself, but this might be the reason that you feel as good as you do. Just a theory.

Take care,

XIII

Dear Nancy
Welcome and I am very pleased that you are one of the lucky ladies that have gone into Menopause so smoothly.KY Jelly will help the vaginal dryness.
However there is no point in taking anything else as you are doing so well Thank God!
Not even one itsy,bitsy,teeny little hot flush? !Just kidding!

Hope you continue to do well
All the Best
Elizabeth



Dear X11
I am on HRT and doing fairly well but I do not believe any Doctor has checked my Thyroid Levels so could you please let me know what to ask for.

Thanks and God Bless
Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,
Sariah has researched thyroid issues very thoroughly and I think that she is the person to ask. I really do feel that anyone who has suffered badly at this time of life should have thyroid issues checked. I think that as the ovaries stop producing oestrogen some ladies' thyroid glands get in a real tizzy. One of the biggest problems is that there is a dispute amongst doctors as to what 'normal' levels should be and this prevents some women from ever getting a proper diagnosis.
I am still convinced that large shifts in certain hormones can set off a vulnerable thyroid.
Here is an interesting one. My daughter is 23 and completely healthly, a really slim athlete. Recently she decided to go onto the BCP. After about 3 weeks she became extremely anxious and depressed which she has never suffered before in her life. This shows me how small changes in hormonal status affect the mind. She then decided to swap BCP to a progesterone only pill. It wrecked her menstrual cycle and made her feel pretty awful and kick started horrible dermatitis, so she decided to come off it. She is now showing signs of having a problem with her thyroid gland. I suspect that the medication has set of mild thyroiditis. At the moment I am watching that one carefully. It just goes to show how, menopause has the potential to destabilise thyroid function.

I am sure that Sariah will help us on this one, when she sees our posts.


Take care,

XIII

My sister, who will be 50 on her next birthday, said the word "menopause" for the very first time last night. I said, "Oh, you are in menopause?" She said, " Well of course I am, I'll be 50 on my next birthday." " But, the funny thing is, the only symptom I have is that I've become even more goofy!" "All my friends talk about the nightmare it has been for them." I said, " You mean you have not had anxiety?" She said, in a very puzzled tone, "noooo." "Hot flashes?" " Well, maybe 1 or 2." "Missed periods?" "I've had 2 in one month."

When she says goofy, she means even more lighthearted than before.

She ended by saying she's not so naive to think that it can't hit her, but I doubt it.

She's also the one who had no pains in labor! Yea, try to figure that one out!!

Enjoy it!!

I am jealous

Thank you so much for your quick reply,my dear friend.
Am very sorry about what your dear daughter went through.
And yes you are right the Menopause certainly brings some weird symptoms and even some new ones too

Big Hugs
Elizabeth

Me too...........

I hate your sister..already!! J/King (or am I?) )~~

You are definitely one of the lucky ones, God bless you!

I go with whoever said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

The only thing I would recommend is a good calcium/mag supplement to keep your bones healthy, anti-oxidants like C & E and perhaps vitamin D, especially if you live in an area without much sunshine.

...count me in too!

Caz

what you can do is give hope to other women that are having a hard time and to maybe give them something to look forward to - a light at the end of a dark tunnel-some thing to cling onto of life after meno-pause- we need all the happy endings we can get !!!

I'd buy a lottery ticket, and CELEBRATE!!!

WAAAAAH!

not fair!

You lucky thing!

dear nancy,

i didn't even know i was postmenopausal! my cycles were irregular over the years, and when i skipped three months instead of my usual two, i scheduled an appointment. the lab work and continuation of absent cycles were indicative of postmeno. no symptoms whatsoever here, hence the name "easypause".

all the best to each of you,
ep

Hi Nancy

Oh lucky you!! Others have posted things to watch out for down the road, but I wanted you to know, my mom sailed through meno in her 50s with nary a hot flash. She just stopped having periods one day.

Now in her mid 70s, she still is in great health. Her only issue is osteoporosis, for which she takes something once a month. That we could all be so lucky. She has been on thyroid meds since she was around 30 or so when she had hers removed. I've always wondered if that helped her transition..

If you and my mom could ever figure out how you managed meno so well, you could make millions

I have not had much of a hard time tell recently when I began some port menopausal bleeding. I have some crankiness and I no longer need covers on at night. I do not sweat, but I get warm. Many people I know have gone through it fine with few problems and no hormones.

Hello ladies,
Is it true if you don't experience any symptoms of hot flashes or night sweats or some other meno crap you don't need hormone replacement? Some women I know sail through and didn't take anything and they are fine. Is the hormone replacement just for relief of symptoms? This whole thing gets confusing. All I have going on right now is the early morning anxiety and loss of appetite. I'm beyond meno now and just think because of personal issues and getting older I can't handle situations like I used to. I've taken nothing for 6yrs and why start now right?
Any opinions.....char

My friend, in peri, uses an estradiol patch. Her only symptom is nightly "warm ups and insomnia". She is also taking it as a preventative for osteo - all under the guidance and advice of her gyn. She also cycles in a small amount of P 4 times a year.

I use, hrt, in peri too for many symptoms, family history/and own of migranes, family history of poor health (starting in peri until death - both mother and grandmother suffered with a variety of peri symtoms/health issues that never ended). Whether or not it will prevent some of the issues they were slammed with in peri onwards (for me) time will only tell. Hrt is prescribed on a supplemental level and not full replacement to the levels our bodies were accostomed to previously. However, my peri migranes have stopped, insomnia gone, energy level is almost normal again, flashes gone, skin looks better, and not anxious or moody witch anymore. I plan on taking it until I die. Just my choice.

I think for the women who sail thru peri and settle fairly comfortable that family genetics plays a huge part. Most docs will say that you follow your mother and perhaps grandmothers path. Seems to have been the case so far for me - unfortunately I didn't win the genetic lottery. It's been difficult to accept because I've always been an avid runner, ate healthy, took care of myself and thought I had won over the cr*ppy genetics. No such luck. Best wishes to all as we make our way through this time in our lives. JZZ

My mother had me late in life, and died of esophageal/stomach cancer when she was 59. I THINK she went through meno when in late 40's, but don't know. Her mother also died young in her 50's of heart failure - so I have no measures. I seem to physically take after my father's side completely - he is 90 and his mother lived well into her 80's but both have/had alzheimer's. I don't think I am getting out alive. My mom also went grey early, which I didn't - but now have solid white strands coming in. I do miss her though - and hope everyone who still has a loving mother with them appreciates it - my mom was my best friend, and this was just one topic we never got to discuss. Genetics are a big factor though, in most of everything in our lives.

If you have no problems -no you don't need to do anything. If its not broke, why fix it?
There are so many of us here who have had a dreadful time during peri (and after) and I am sure we are all quite envious.

You are very lucky and I hope it continues!

janet c

ABSOLUTELY!!!