Perimenopause

[pyrogen]

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I hope I am not starting this already, at 37...

I am weepy and moody on a nearly constant basis in the last several months and it's like constant PMS. I haven't felt like this since I was a teenager. I'm fine and then the slightest thing sets me off... I was fine and happy earlier and then a friend posted pictures of her baby and it set me off so I was crying off and on the rest of the day, and I don't even think I want children. I used to be a perfectly rational person and now I am changing into a very emotional and irrational one. I also have very frequent brain fog and have a very hard time concentrating at times.

[CoolBee]

Seems a little young, but not impossible.

Get yourself checked out for vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you can.

Don't necessarily accept that just because you are approaching 'that age' that that is the cause.

Not sure what things are like in California, but I started getting very severe symptoms (very heavy bleeding for weeks on ends - leading to severe anemia, weakness, weepiness and so on) when I was around 44-45 which my GP dismissed as 'your age deary' and fortunately I was in a position to afford a private check up (cost me nearly $1000) and an object was found and removed (which luckily work health insurance paid for as I wasn't in the health scheme at the time).

From the experiences of friends and relations (and self!) - the first sort of indicator of perimenopause is first time between periods extends from say 28 days to 30+. Then it starts shortening down to say 23-25 days. Then you may have a couple of days every time of very heavy bleeding - I strongly recommend MoonCup Menstrual Cup, Alternative Feminine Hygiene product Mooncup Moon Cup, - will save you a fortune in sanitary protection and also help the environment! Wish I'd known about them a lot earlier than I did!

[JamesKnochel]

Originally Posted by pyrogen

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I hope I am not starting this already, at 37...

I am weepy and moody on a nearly constant basis in the last several months and it's like constant PMS. I haven't felt like this since I was a teenager. I'm fine and then the slightest thing sets me off... I was fine and happy earlier and then a friend posted pictures of her baby and it set me off so I was crying off and on the rest of the day, and I don't even think I want children. I used to be a perfectly rational person and now I am changing into a very emotional and irrational one. I also have very frequent brain fog and have a very hard time concentrating at times.

Did you get stressed out before the symptoms started?

What kind of foods do you eat? Specifically, what do you eat in the way of unsaturated oils - canola, soy, corn, grape, sesame, etc?

Are you on The Pill (estrogen)?

I'm curious because I'm working with some new information that I think explains a lot... Can explain more once you answer.

sincerely,
James

[spacecadetglow]

You could go the health route and look at your diet and all that... probably not a bad idea to get checked out by a doctor.

It might just be spiritual growing pains, though. Have you been through any significant emotional traumas in the past couple years? What sort of things "set you off?"

I'd recommend vigorous cardio exercise a few times a week to help with the brain fog and mood. It really does make a significant difference.

[Angela]

You might find Dr. Christiane Northrop's books helpful -- I have! She's an MD who insightfully addresses the physiological, mental, spiritual, sexual, and other aspects of perimenopause and menopause -- including very practical things to try.

[pyrogen]

Thank you all for your information and insights, I'm looking into all of this.

There are possibly other reasons that need to be ruled out - first, I'm hyperthyroid and on strong thyroid-blocking meds, and maybe my meds need to either be tweaked or changed or stopped for a while (I could be hypo now).

I also have REALLY bad Seasonal Affect Disorder. I've tried the usual remedies (vitamin D, 5HTP, melatonin, sun lamp...) no help. I'm highly reluctant to use this but just started using an SSRI antidepressant a few days ago.

I know the board's probably gonna not approve of that, but I've used this same one before, and at this point, am willing to take the risks to just stop being so dayum moody.

[spacecadetglow]

I support you in your decision to use medication, pyro. There's no shame in doing that and I know a good number of people who have benefited.

I say, do what works for YOU and forget what others think. Your body, your decision.