Editor’s note: Guys – this is serious girl talk, you may not want to read any further. Every woman experiences something different as they go through perimenopause and menopause. The following are just two different examples of some things that could happen.
Best (or worst) laid plans
By Deb Hanson
Being a late menopause bloomer, I had years to consider how I would handle “the change.” At 55, when my period abruptly stopped, I followed my plan to go on a hormone replacement. With a family history of heart disease and a desire to stay healthy, I decided to try hormones. My mother had developed heart disease and other health problems after a hysterectomy, which may or may not have been related.
I was somewhat concerned I might have a problem with taking hormones. After I was married, I went on birth control pills, which caused me to gain weight, and was a major grump. When I quit taking the pills, within days my weigh dropped and my mood improved, prompting my husband to say, “You’re back.”
With hormone replacement, I realized I was gaining weight but did not connect it directly to the hormones. When I went to the doctor for my annual physical, all of my numbers were up – my weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. My cholesterol was above 300 and my blood pressure was high enough that they put me on medicine.
At my doctor’s suggestion, I went off the hormones and began to lose weight as well as feel better. At my next check-up, all of my tests improved. My cholesterol was back to a healthy level, but I had to stay on the blood pressure medicine until I lost weight.
I must say that all hormones and individual reactions to them are different. I could have done well with a different hormone, but I chose not to continue experimenting. Today, I am healthy and feel great, probably largely because I eat healthy, maintain a good weight and exercise. I am experiencing my post-menopausal years with some issues but not any that would prompt me to take hormones again.
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Menopause and Random Thoughts on aging
by Anonymous
When I was told, at the age of 40, that I was losing my hormones, I was shocked. I had been experiencing irregular periods and decided to get that checked out. The doctor recommended hormones, but I decided to ride it out. That is, until everything started drying up. EVERYTHING. (I recommend vagifem along with premarin cream or estradiol alone for the vaginal dryness).
The irregular periods lasted for five years until finally, I was free! What a great feeling to not worry about that anymore. However, my body was changing. I couldn’t eat as much as I used to, and my hips were bigger, even though I hadn’t gained any weight. I have always been careful about exercising and eating right, but I had to buy new clothes. (I really didn’t mind the shopping part, just the why).
I did not experience hot flashes, only night sweats. I was instructed to get a bone density scan. I was a little below average at the hip and significantly low at the spine. How does this happen??? I have since improved my score with calcium supplements and just watching what I eat. My cholesterol numbers have been increasing every year, statins have been recommended but I just don’t want to go there. With the heart disease in my family, I may not have a choice soon.
Ten years later, more body changes. As one of my friends said, “ It’s like someone put a spare tire around your middle and adds a little air now and then.” Love the Boho look with all the flowing shirts! Especially now that my breasts are bigger. Not saggier, bigger. Yes, it happens. I checked. Nowhere did I read about the loss of a buttocks. Not sure what happened there.
Thinning skin, check. Spider veins, check. Increased facial hair, check. Change in fat to muscle ratio, check, check & check. This isn’t meant to be depressing, after awhile you can joke about it and just accept it. Everyone is different, but the more I visit with other women, a lot of us are the same.