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Menopause: Questions and answers

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I am 45 years old and I have one ovary - I lost my right one at the age of 15. I am suffering from disabling fatigue now, to the point where it is difficult to function. I've had my hormone levels checked and they are all normal, I am not anaemic either. This month I'm experiencing a lot of pain in my remaining ovary. It is as though my one ovary is really struggling to function now. My periods are more or less regular. Could I be in the Peri-menopausal stage?

It is possible that you may be starting the approach to the menopause, but did the doctor also test you for low thyroid and low vitamin D as both of... Read the full answer 〉

I've been waking up in sweats ever since last autumn. Last week I was very emotional and since last summer, my joints have been aching terribly, especially my ankles when I get out of bed. Now I've noticed that I'm vaginally dry as my husband complained when we had intercourse. The doctor did test me a year ago but mentioned that I was not going through the menopause. This vaginal dryness is really bad though. How can I know if it's a Peri-menopausal symptom.

Hormone levels can change very quickly so I would go back and ask your doctor to test you again. In the meantime, you may find Devils Claw helpful... Read the full answer 〉

I'm 41 years old and I've just had all my tests done. Everything, including thyroid, came back normal. I'm having hot flushes all of the time and I occassionally get hives on my face and chest. I'm moody, suffering from memory loss, and losing my hair! This has got to be the Peri-menopause, right? I am freaking out as my body is changing so much.

Yes, these are all regular menopause symptoms, and they can happen whilst the hormonal changes are too subtle to be detected by a regular blood test.... Read the full answer 〉

Hi I am forty three and my periods have got a bit crazy over the last year and a half a get a small period at fourteen days and then might get a longer heavy period thirty five days later or two short periods every fourteen days. My joints in my hands are stiff and my breasts are very tender nearly all the time some days I feel like they might explode!! they feel like they are growing bigger. Things get on my nerves very easily and then I could feel very low and not care about anything. I am adopted so do not know my mothers history. Do you think I could be peri-menopausal?

Your symptoms are common ones experienced in the menopause but you are slightly under the average age range although some women do start earlier.... Read the full answer 〉

In my mid-thirties I suffered from extremely frequent periods - every 13 days! This continued for a number of years. Usually they were very heavy for the first day or so, but by the time I was 42 this pattern had stopped. My periods returned to the normal 24 day cycle and now I have regular periods for 7-9 months of the year followed by a more lengthly gap. During this gap, my periods would normally start every 36 days. The gap has increased over the years and it is now around 70 days. Lately I am experiencing old blood spotting rather than periods between these gaps, though the flow is still heavy enough to warrent wearing protection. I am doubting whether or not this was a period. I have been going through family stress recently with my mum. On three occasions I've experienced hot flushes at night, although I took Sage tablets for a week and they seem to have worked. I suffered from hair loss around 5 years ago, and I am with a hair clinic who have confirmed that I have typical female pattern baldness. Consequently, I am taking minoxodil drops which have improved my hair growth to a very good rate. My last blood test, which was taken a year go, revealed that I was not menopausal. However, a blood test taken two years prior to that one, indicated that I was borderline. If anything else, I am more concerned with why I am bleeding brown blood, and I was wondering if this was one of the Peri-menopausal symptoms? Your opinion on the other factors would be greatly appreciated too.

Changing periods are often one of the major signs that you are approaching the menopause. Periods at this point can vary between heavy and light, on... Read the full answer 〉

I think I am beginning to become peri-menopausal. I am still menstruating (although irregularly) but I'm having all the symptoms, especially hot flushes and night sweats. My question is:- do the symptoms 'dip in and out'? or remain constant throughout? I feel like I haven't slept for a week and wonder if this is it, night after night, for the next I don't know how many years.......

The peri-menopause and menopause are not static states and your hormone levels can fluctuate a lot and this often gives rise to periods where your... Read the full answer 〉

Hi, i have had hip and lower back pain on and off for a few months now, and only just read up that this can be associated with the perimenopause. Also, upon reading up on symptoms i have anxiety, mild depression, awful fatigue, lack of concentration, and more! Periods still are regular though, despite a browny discharge for one day between periods last month. Have been to the docs with the hip/back pain but he just diagnosed low iron and put me on 200mg a day and go back in 3 months to see if it has helped. Does this sound like perimenopause to you? If so, what do you recommend?

Joint pain is a very common symptom in the peri-menopause as falling oestrogen can affect the hydration of the joints, causing inflammation and... Read the full answer 〉

I'm 47 and am going through perimenopause. I am experiencing night sweats as well as overall achiness and sometimes only in my arm, wrist and finger joints. I feel a bit more fatigued as well. I exercise regularly but I wonder if I shouldn't exercise at a high impact level any longer. I do both cardio and weight bearing exercises. Do I need to wind down with the exercising?

Joint aches and pains are very common in the menopause, falling oestrogen can affect the hydration of the joints causing inflammation and... Read the full answer 〉

I am 50 years old and am perimenopausal. In the past 7-9 months, I have been experiencing significant joint pain. I went to see a Rheumatologist because the pain was in both elbows, knees, wrists and knees. Some of the tests came out elevated; several others came out normal. So, I was told not to worry that I didn't have RA. After reading your website and others, I decided to go to an endocrinologist to evaluate my hormonal levels. I had the following tests done: Thyroid, Estrogen, Lipids, and urine. I have two questions for you: First, in your conversations with other women in perimenopause/menopause, have you found women with symmetrical joint pain such as myself. And two, what other tests are important to have to determine hormonal imbalance. Thanks for your help!!!.

Menopausal joint pain seems to be both single side and odd joints (such as right knee and left elbow) but can also be bi-lateral from one single pair... Read the full answer 〉

I am 51 years old and peri menopausal. The main symptoms I am seeking help with are vaginal dryness, passing large blood clots during irregular periods and anxiety. I seem to worry about everything nowadays and if I wake in the night and my mind starts working - usually worrying about something - I am unable to get back to sleep. The anxiety is awful and sometimes it makes me feel a bit depressed. I also now get joint pain in lower back. I would love to go back to not being anxious as if is causing me a lot of stress. I am lucky in so much that as yet I do not suffer from other symptoms such as hot flushes.

This is actually very common in the menopause.Lowering oestrogen can affect our mood and the menopause itself stresses the nervous system making us... Read the full answer 〉

Can I please ask your advice on perimenopause? My wife is 44 years old, works a very stressful job with long hours, our two children have recently left home, my son in Sseptember to university, and my daughter in November to set up home with her boyfriend. A week or so after my daughter had moved out my wife came home from work and seemed agitated, she said she could not do this any longer and walked out. She will not go to the doctor as she says she will sort herself out and the doctor will only give her antidepresants. I have not pushed her at all and have told her I will support her no matter what and I will always love her. I think she may be perimenopausal. If this is perimenopause how long will she be like this? What I am trying to ask is, is my wife now permanently changed or is this a mood swing? Is there anything else I can to do to help her?

Unfortunately, this is quite common and a combination of stress, hormonal changes and children leaving home can be a major part of the problem. In... Read the full answer 〉

Hi I am 35 years old. Never had children but 6 years ago, after my mother passed away, I began with night sweats, heart palpitations etc. The Dr took blood tests and said I am in my "pre - menopause" - how can that be? Some say it is because of the shock of my Mother’s death. I have my period every month but about 2 weeks before my period my breasts are soooooooo sore and I am soooo irritated. I've tried so many products and vitamins to help for the heavy sore breasts, but it doesn’t help. What can I do??? I am desperate!!!

Severe shock can cause hormonal change so it is possible. I would suggest trying Agnus castus, this is traditionally used to help regulate the... Read the full answer 〉

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