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[vintagefiend]

Hi, would be grateful for any help or commiseration!
I'm 46 and peri, which has been no breeze psychologically.
Physically, not too bad...except, I'm now wondering whether the back-to-back viral illnesses that I experience each winter, are perhaps part of the joy of perimenopause.
Every sodding winter, I begin with some kind of snotty/shitty virus- it started about 3 weeks ago this winter- and it just bleeds into the next illness and the next and so on until Spring.
I'm so tired, my head is foggy and I'm dreading the next few weeks!
When I was a chain-smoking 20 year old, this did not happen to me; I was in rude health! So I figure it's age, but specifically what? Low oestrogen? Thyroid issues?
Periods generally further apart then usual, tho odd surprise earlyish one can occur; can be quite heavy, but tend to be short. Ferritin was low a while ago, but got that back up.
can a fairly small decline in thyroid hormone or oestrogen affect women quite a bit? My ferritin was actually low range of "normal", but luckily GP treated anyway and I felt much better- don't think it's low ferritin this time as fairly recent blood tests showed excellent levels.
Just so susceptible to illness in winter!!
Thanks for any help 

[Taz2]

Hi vintagefiend - I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that the lack of oestrogen dries out even our nasal passages so making the transfer of viruses much easier. Not sure if that's true. To avoid viruses, according to my doc, one of the most important things you can do is never rub your eyes with your fingers. If you really have to rub your eyes due to itchiness then use your knuckle as there are far less germs on them than on your fingers. Also, always wash your hands as soon as you get home or into work as you will have picked up lots of viruses from door handles, train/coach seats, light switches etc. It sounds silly but it does cut down on the amount of viruses getting into your body.

The other one which increases our immunity to illness is regular exercise - a walk each day even if just for ten minutes - and also trying to be optimistic about things. Difficult for me that one!!

How about taking a daily multivitamin? Make sure that it's not one with iron in though if your levels are good.

I work in a school so this time of year I'm surrounded by little germ-machines. I never bite my nails during termtime! 

I have found this but not sure how accurate it is https://www.livescience.com/35908-aging-lowers-your-immunity.html

Taz x

[Hurdity]

To add to Taz's advice about avoiding viruses and attention to hygiene ( I'm one of those that opens communal doors to loos etc with my sleeve although I do use my bare hands for supermarket trolleys!) - I would also agree with exercise exercise and more exercise, and fresh air, as well as diet - lots of fresh food - variety of fruit and veg, fish, lean protein etc cooked from scratch, few processed foods, or sugar, or refined carbs or excess fats, cut down alcohol, good night's sleep etc....

Hurdity x

[vintagefiend]

Thank you, Taz and Hurdity...some good advice there. I'm going to check out that link tomorrow- I'm going to bed now as royally exhausted!!

[Kathleen]

Hello vintagefiend.

Another tip to add to the collection is gargle with plain water several times a day as this washes away any viruses that are attempting to attack your throat and can reduce the incidence of sore throats by up to 70%.  I read this in the news feed of a respected doctor and I assume it is the equivalent of washing your hands to reduce your exposure to germs.

Take care.

K.

[vintagefiend]

Thank you, kathleen! Will do that now