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[Tempest]

I unearthed this little gem of an article which charts the history of the menopause, attitudes to it throughout history and how women were treated by the medical establishment of the time.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1168710/The-mad-mad-menopause-LOUISE-FOXCROFT-charts-fascinating-gruesome-history-.html

I think what's interesting is how LITTLE has changed in respect of the broad attitude towards women during their menopausal years - you would think that given how many advances we have made in so many areas since Victorian times, that things would have greatly moved on. This is why every one of us who contributes to MM is so important, not only in the wonderful advice and support we offer each other but in that our stories of menopause are broadcast here and recorded - matters of the menopause are at last in the public domain, instead of a secret that women suffer alone behind closed doors.

Thank you to all you amazing ladies, for helping to bring the menopause out of the 'dark ages'.

[matildamouse]

I work in mental health and have noticed how many women have their first admission in their menopausal years. And sadly enough, a high incidence of suicides as well. And it is true that many menopausal women were locked up in the old ages....my grandmother beg my mother not to go for a hysterectomy as "everyone goes mad afterwards"...those were the days before hrt.

[walking the dog]

What a great article tempest.
I have truly felt like I was loosing my mind since the menopause started 7 long years ago and I have ended up in the care of the local cmht due to it. Strangely they wont accept the link between my menopause and my mental health but to me its very much obvious

[babyjane]

Thank you for the article Tempest.

Walking the dog, I have found that the menopause did not cause my slight breakdown 2 years ago, that had been a lifetime coming as I have learned through 11 months of therapy.  However I do believe that the instability of the hormone fluctuations at meno brought it to a head.  I am glad it did as I have been able to deal with it, with medical and psychological help.

[donnacrichton]

I know my peri symptoms did cause me to have a breakdown with hospital admission. I still have the same symptoms but now know it is hormonal and not me going out of my mind. This forum has been a godsend on difficult days xx

[Annie0710]

I really did think I was going crazy in the early days of meno.  I don't EVER want to be at that stage again. How I got through it without meds I'll never know x

[walking the dog]

Sad to read menopause has affected so many of us psychologically but good to know I'm not alone xx

[am#]

Very interesting , being peri at the moment i am becoming quite worried what the future holds for me , have often had suicidal thoughts for years but think thats genetic my mum tried to commit suicide when i was small  i have 2 children and know i have to be here to see them grow up !!!

[CLKD]

sam - time to see your GP if you have any suicidal thoughts, doesn't matter what the reason for them might be!

[am#]

sam - time to see your GP if you have any suicidal thoughts, doesn't matter what the reason for them might be!

thanks for your support CLKD i have been much better now for a few years ,i saw a therapist cried the  hour iwas there talked about it all and seemed to help alot xx but do wonder how i will deal with the ups and downs of menopause , also helps me alot to have plans etc (holidays)to look foward too .

[Annie0710]

Sam all I can suggest is if you get the ups and downs during menopause, which more seem to do than don't, then please don't ignore it, don't suffer needlessly, get some help to help you get through it, look into replacing falling hormones but also be open minded for other medication especially as you have suffered previously xx

[Peroxideblader]

I had a major mental breakdown 3 years ago and looking back now I'm positive it was hormonal ...of course doctors will never agree or my other half...plus although I believe my mum didn't even know she had gone through meno until she'd not had a period for 2 years zero symptoms my maternal grandma was sectioned and put in the local mental unit as it was and three on and off for almost 10 years she stabbed my grandad attacked neighbiurs was caught walking round naked and paranoid and then stopped about 5 years after her last period...people tell me I'm just mental like her but she always said her symptoms were like extreme pmt...who knows

[GypsyRoseLee]

It is terrifying how powerful our hormones are, and how desperate and out of control they can make you feel.

I know when I stumbled across Prof Studd's website it was a HUGE lightbulb moment for me. I recognised myself so much in what he talks about.

The only times I have ever gone totally to pieces was after my first DC was born, and I was diagnosed with severe PND. And, when I turned 43 and my periods started going a bit weird. Just a coincidence? I don't think so.

Hormones. 100% hormones.

I also don't think it a coincidence that my Mum suddenly 'started suffering with her nerves' as she turned 40 and her periods became erratic. She had panic attacks, and ended up in A&E more than once. At 43 she had a hysterectomy (fibroids) and within 2 weeks of the operation all her anxiety/panic had disappeared.

Neither is it a coincidence that my Grandma suddenly started suffering with depression as she hit 40. Every month, like clockwork, she would turn into a hysterical harpy and threaten to commit suicide/divorce her DH/kill my poor Mum.

Also, my Grandmother's sister started acting very erratically in her early 40s. She was once found wandering her garden naked, and used to go shopping with wringing wet hair and just wearing a house coat in the depths of winter. She was admitted to a 'sanatorium' more than once.

[Annie0710]

You're spot on GRL

 I remember when I was about 15 (my periods started at 16) I had funny moments, I became ultra shy and withdrawn and had episodes of out of body experiences.  I confided in my mum and she took me to the Drs.  I remember him saying it's normal but not many people talk about it and that I'll grow out of it.  Because it wasn't explained I thought it was something spiritual and I'd end up a medium or something lol

The phase did pass.  I went on the pill at 16 and went crazy for the short time I took it, hated everyone, didn't take my o levels, and wanted to chuck the bf I'd been devoted to. As soon as I stopped the pill I went back to normal.

PND after 2nd baby but I'd suffered trauma with preg before so kind of put it down to that

When ovaries started failing at 32 I don't recall any emotional symptoms but boy did I when peri hit me hard at 45, anxiety the lot

So yes, when hormones aren't an issue I'm level headed and normal

My mum hit the bottle hard during her menopause (that was very hard to witness) yet beforehand she was so patient and only drank on rare occasions

So yes, all hormone related

X

[nearly50]

It is frightening really. I have been lucky in that I've not had long periods of anxiety or irrational  thoughts, but when I do  I find it impossible to remind myself that it is hormonal and it will pass. Impossible really to be rational at all. It has made me understand my mum far more than I did, she could be very cruel when she was around the age I am now and began drinking heavily which was awful and blighted my teenage years quite significantly. A real shame she didn't get help or have much support.