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[Beastie45]

 Hello Ladies I'm 45 and peri menopausal, early family history of menopause. Wondered if anybody developed a menopausal speech problem? I seem to have developed a slight stutter along with my anxiety, I understand the two are probably linked. My Gp has just increased  my Elleste Duet to 2mg. I felt some overall improvement with 1mg but still wasn't back to my normal laid back self. My job involves a lot of talking and I'm becoming self conscious. Have other symptoms which are manageable.
Hope everyone is having a good day! 

[dahliagirl]

I don't know if it is meno, but I get this.  Just can't get the words out.  It is so embarrassing- I feel like I am tripping over and landing on my face.  It has definitely got worse in the last few years.  People see it as lacking confidence, which doesn't help.

I am also the Queen of Spoonerisms at the moment.  No idea where that came from    Often, if I am thinking ahead, then that word comes out in the sentence before.

I am never sure if it is a defect in me, or if I just don't get out enough.    I don't get to talk to many people so blamed that.

[Beastie45]

Hi Dahlia, thanks for replying, I too feel embarrassed, my Gp was really understanding and said that when women suffer issues in their mental health, which I suppose is part of the meno, that they can develop a stutter, more so than men.
That combined with my irritability and anxiety is making me a delight to be around!
I was considering going on You Tube to look up videos to help with fluent speech.

[dahliagirl]

I find it helps to slow down to give myself space to think properly, instead of automatically assuming my brain will take care of it.

I have got really bad at being caught on the hop too.  I was always good at winging it, and never prepared or wrote things down.  Now, even if I get the words out, I don't always manage to say what I mean and come out with a load of woolly gibberish.

I have to write a list if I go to the doctor or any sort of meeting.  In that sort of situation (and they are usually time-limited) it seems to signal to the other person that there is actually something to say and they will wait for it.  I learned that when I saw the urogynacologist consultant for a rectocele repair, and realised that I was not able to project what I was intending to say properly, and as he was a fast thinker and not particularly people orientated, I needed to stand up for myself.  I do that as much as I can now.  (It was worth it too - he originally prescribed my vagifem)

[CLKD]

SING!  because it causes us to breath correctly.  My music teacher told me in the 1960s that most people don't breath correctly!  So when the radio is on join in.  Don't think about it, do it.

Anxiety can cause stuttering.  As can stress.  When I had to do a talk many++ years ago I wrote it out and practiced, over and over …….. and told myself, over and over, that the audience are more interested in the topic than in me ? ?. 

Do you have to deliver to strangers or 'in the work place' where you know colleagues well?  If the latter then tell them: "Due to my age you may notice that I stumble occasionally, so bear with me; your time will come!"

[Beastie45]

Hi and thanks for your replies.  Incidentally I was in the brass band at school so was taught how to breathe but in my adult life, I seem to hold my breath without realising it and breath shallow. I was in an abusive relationship for a long time and sometime I couldn't physical speak and I thought those days were gone 
I do a lot of telephone talking to health care professionals so that's always quite stressful.
I will sing loudly and badly every time the radio is on now 

[dahliagirl]

Singing is good for you. 

[Lu2]

Hi. Am new here, too. Everyone seems so lovely. Am also 45 and perimenopausal.

I don't stammer, but do lose words - and usually the ends of my sentences. It's most disconcerting so I do feel for you. I can be in an important meeting and will sit there opening and shutting my mouth like a goldfish whilst I desperately try to remember what I was saying.

I hope you can find some comfort.

[CLKD]

We do have a Meno Choir ……… 

[Hurdity]

Hi Beastie45

 

Sorry to hear about your stutter developing as you have become peri-menopausal. As others have said - one of the common problems around this time is difficulty in finding words for things - although that is also probably connected with age as well. From what you've said maybe you have some unresolved issues re the abuse you suffered and your hormonal upheaval has caused these to re-surface, and the anxiety is manifesting itself as the loss of confidence and slight stutter? In addition to the suggestions you've been given re breathing, relaxing and singing - perhaps you might benefit from some sort of talking therapy or counselling as well at this time?

Do keep posting and let us know whether you see and improvement and what works for you.

Hurdity x

[Beastie45]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I was really struggling with this but you've given me some confidence now, shall def employ some of the techniques suggested and try the talking therapy.
Hugs all round xx

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!

Deep breathing.  Yoga.  Singing.  Humming ………

[Kikie]

wow! I only entered stutter as a query on the off chance, didnt really think it could be hormonal. This stutter is new to me in the last few weeks. (ooo I put myself back up to 2 pumps about that time!) I have ME/CFS and am used to having trouble finding words but this is different. I sigh, pause and start again. Oddly the word finding seems better.

[CLKD]

Sing ……… 

[kiltgirl]

I've not been able to get my words out properly lately...I had supervision with my manager at work yesyerday, we were discussing my health and my forthcoming hysterectomy and bless him he had to finish a lot of my words for me...it's not even that I can't pronounce them any more I get anxious that the word I'm about to use is the right one or even a proper word at all 

It's OK with people you know and feel more relaxed with but it's making me want to avoid other people, don't want them looking at me like I'm mad...school pickups now I get there at last possible moment to avoid having to chat!

I think it's a mix of hormones, anxiety and exhaustion