Newly in menopause - tips?

Shmookitty

Shmookitty

New Member
So I've passed my one year without a cycle date back in September. Yay!

I'm 53.

My issues are insomnia and the inability to get warm. Hot flashes in perimenopause only. Now it's the opposite.

Also, this darn belly!

What tips and tricks do you wish someone had told you when you were in your first year of true menopause? Enlighten me!:giggle:
 

Seek medical help if you have not,I had hot flashes for years at nite and just feeling unwell.I thought I could handle it on my own and I did but it may have been easier with medical help and hormone treatment.
 
Shmookitty said:
So I've passed my one year without a cycle date back in September. Yay!

I'm 53.

My issues are insomnia and the inability to get warm. Hot flashes in perimenopause only. Now it's the opposite.

Also, this darn belly!

What tips and tricks do you wish someone had told you when you were in your first year of true menopause? Enlighten me!:giggle:
Click to expand...
You have my sympathies. I had an unusual situation so I'm afraid I have no advice.
 
I know the insomnia issue all too well. To that, the only thing I can say is embrace napping. I find that curling up on the couch with the TV on low to something that won't catch your attention works best. And for being cold, revamp your wardrobe so that you have good layers that work together. Other than that, it is what it is I'm afraid.

Doesn't it seem unfair though, as our bodies are returning to a somewhat prepubescent state, we're stuck with hot flashes, freezing, mood swings, etc? We put up with our miserable period all our lives, it just seems like it would be more fair if we finally got a break from all that other 'stuff'.
 
Some people can do it without hormone therapy. Some can't. I would definitely visit your doctor and discuss that.

I was placed on hormone therapy because I had to have a full hysterectomy in my late 30s early 40s. Can't recall exactly when. They gave it to me to help keep me from getting Osteoporosis at an early age. Plus it was also to help me sleep. Keeps the hot flashes somewhat at bay. But I get hot and sweat something fierce even in the middle of winter.

Do what you can to stay in shape. Otherwise the fat packs on quick. Good luck.
 
Thank you for the replies everyone!

Sorry for the delayed reply. My husband had surgery last week.

I appreciate all of you who took the time to respond.

I have indeed seen my primary nurse practitioner during this transition. All is normal for menopause.

I have indeed revamped my wardrobe with layers, by the way. I am on disability and haven't been able to work since the beginning of 2015, so I get away with a lot of sweats and leggings, paired with short sleeves under sweatshirts. Lol!
 
Having several serious mental health disorders, I found menopause horrible. Ever since I reached puberty at 12, hormonal changes have consistently done me in. Even birth control pills were a nightmare. I almost left my husband at 50 when I first lost my period. I almost lost my mind. After more than a dozen more years, the deminished estrogen still gets me from time to time. The added weight gain isnā€™t pleasant. My medication has that as side effect so Iā€™m currently overweight which is why Iā€™m doing my yoga daily. Once my body gets used to that Iā€™ll add treadmill walking, weight lifting and punch boxing. Iā€™m creating my own gym / art- music studio.

What was helpful.
Black cohash oil caps
Red raspberry tea
Evening primrose oil caps
Coffee for hair loss
Vitamin D, a multiple and b complex, collagen and ashwagandha for depression
Peppermint tea for nausea
Yoga to relieve aches & pains
Walking to relieve stress

Try to eat an anti inflammatory diet

Welcome to the forum.
 
Last edited:
Shmookitty said:
So I've passed my one year without a cycle date back in September. Yay!

I'm 53.

My issues are insomnia and the inability to get warm. Hot flashes in perimenopause only. Now it's the opposite.

Also, this darn belly!

What tips and tricks do you wish someone had told you when you were in your first year of true menopause? Enlighten me!:giggle:
Click to expand...
I hit menopause during the release of the Women's Health Initiative report when medicine decided that HRT wasn't worth the risk. Now I hear they're questioning that. In retrospect I wish I had done HRT. I probably would've been fine with it, as I am not high risk for strokes or blood clots, or cancer, or whatever they were worried about.
I had a difficult menopause. Of course, having kids late meant that I was going through menopause while my daughters were going through adolescence. Do Not Recommend. It was wacky at our house for a while... My advice- stay very active. It helps a lot. I walk about four miles a day 5-6 days a week and before Covid I was also lap swimming at the YMCA. It's very helpful. The ease of weight gain is a pain in my ever increasing butt, though.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top