Hi there ladies,
I am 42 and have been doin this Meno thing now for at least 5 years. It all started with and episode of Unexplained Ovarian Failure,UOF just after my 37 birthday. I had a 1 and a half year old son, my third in fact, and found myself unable to book in for my smear test as I couldnt work out my cycle. Cancer was the worry and I was sent for tests. I was informed that I was displaying hormone levels of a Post Menopausal woman and with the hot flushes, sleeplessness and generally feeling like a basket case I didn't cope well with the diagnosis. being told that my vagina was atrophied was an exceptionally high point for me, please read with sarcastic tone, and when noone was interested in explaining to me why I was in this situation, just have some HRT and go away, I elected to go away and educate myself. I embarked on a course of good living, cut out the booze and caffeine and researched herbal remedies. A year later I seemed to be menstruating again and wondered if it was just a blip, stress maybe, but when I stopped my red clover and didnt take my nightly sage tea everything crumbled again. (Thank goodness for my Dyson Fan in the bedroom and Debra Waterhouses' "Menopause without weight gain" a beautiful book that I return to frequently for its common sense and great vibe.) Periodically my herbs have failed me and I have had to change them around for similar alternatives, I have also found that St Johns Wort has helped my mood issues which have at times been very debilitating
. I am now considering Star flower for mood modulation, this latest cycle has been very draining emotionally, crying almost all day until I began menstruating.
There are some persistent issues that are becoming increasingly unbearable and I am now wondering of I need to seek further guidance on my situation or whether I do in fact need to take some HRT.
I menstruate every 4 weeks but the third cycle I miss. The whole month leading up to the next go is pretty awful. Pains all over my body but especially my neck and the base of my head, my old symphasis pubis injury becomes painful as well, I bloat and feel nausea in the mornings, I am tearful and become insular just about able to continue with daily tasks of child care and the house, incredible tiredness and increased appetite.
As I type I am just midway through being on and although relieved to be finally on I am still racked with aches and pains and feel like getting into bed and staying there indefinitely.
I am a relatively healthy lady, 30 mins of exercise most days, and I am normally a social creature, but this process just lately is leaving me fearful that no matter how hard I try to maintain myself or go with the flow I'm running a loosing race with my body.
The last time I saw a consultant Gynee I was left feeling extremely upset by his hideous attitude, I would prefer a woman but there isn't one locally. There is no specific nurse at my GP practice to discuss such matters with and the GP who is identified as having a specialism I don't have any faith in. Should i go to the GPs and simply ask for a referral to a Gynecologist. How is a woman expected to look after herself at such times. I'm an ex nurse so have some understanding of the system but I cant see how womens' needs are met during the Meno.
Wow what a long post. Any advise greatly appreciated.