Menopause Matters Forum
Forum Guide and News => Forum and Website News => Topic started by: Emma on December 16, 2014, 11:38:05 AM
-
The average menopause lasts 3 years, 8 months and 20 days – and a THIRD of women say their sex life ends afterwards.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2874534/The-average-menopause-lasts-3-years-8-months-20-days-women-say-sex-life-ends-afterwards.html
-
that doesn't sound very long. My hot flushes started four and a half years ago and although they are less now they are still there. The article doesn't mention Vagifem at all just Balance Activ ???
-
I was surprised by length too, but it does say average.
-
It's great that information is being put across to raise awareness of menopause issues.
babyjane and cubagirl - don't forget that the behind any headline like this is a study - so it dooesn't actually mean that this is the definitive average length of the menopause - but these are the results of a study of 2000 women carried out by the Balance Activ company that make vaginal lubricants. That will be what prompted the article - I presume they made a press release, so it was good that Dr Currie was asked to make a statement too.
The question is whether it is a representative sample - another study of a different group of women might find a different time length. Also you could argue that it is likely to be an under-estimate if it only covers those who are not on HRT and able to answer the questionnaire. For example I have no idea how long my menopause would have lasted had I not gone on HRT. No-one on HRT could take part in such a survey - it would have to be a different study. Those who have severe symptoms and which might go on longer, may well be more likely to use HRT and would be under-represented in such a survey - do you see what I mean?
The most significant thing I thought was the sex drive or lack of it - it's about time something more was done about this! ie more reserach, treatments appropriate for women etc (ie testosterone...).
Hurdity x
-
Very true Hurdity.
-
I have not read this article. Am very suspicious of anything published in the Daily Mail. My own experience is that once you are in menopause you are in it for the rest of your natural and women's experiences seem to vary hugely. Those who are unlucky enough can experience the symptoms long term! We dont seem to know much about why this is.
-
It looks like a thinly veiled advertisement for Balance Activ to me. I'm surprised at Dr Currie endorsing one particular product. I too take anything the Daily Mail publishes with a big pinch of salt.
-
Well said Morwenna. The Daily Mail some time ago published an article on women whose menopause just went on and on, I dont buy this paper but I read that article on line, so they publish different viewpoints all the time, perhaps it sells the paper, who knows.
Meg
-
Just to confirm, I was misquoted here and as rightly pointed out, I do not endorse particular products. I am happy that the press publish articles to increase awareness of menopausal issues, but misquotes are annoying! Sadly we may not get to see an article before it is published. Hey ho!
Best wishes
Heather
-
I dislike the Daily Mail as a paper, I think it is manipulative, but I do buy it a couple of times a month for the puzzle section. I do like their cryptic crossword and it is good for my brain and about the level I can work at (I digress....)
-
Thank you Dr Currie for taking the time out to explain. I suspected as much! Some journalists clearly need a :kick:
:)
-
Unfortunately, I am one of the unlucky ones whose meno just goes on and on!! 62 now and still plagued by my hormones. :(
-
I am in that category too and I suspect so are many other women.
Meg
-
Hi, did I just read that some one is still going through this menopause phase at the age of 62 ?????? That can't be right.....I started at the age of 38 I am now 48 and loosing the will to live. The thought that this could go on for many more years is depressing me further. If I carry on like this I am going to loose my job as I just can't function any more.
-
Hi Marauder - welcome to the forum.
Are you on any kind of HRT and do you mean that your periods ceased at 38 or that you began to experience symptoms?
Taz x
-
Hi and welcome MARAUDA
I went through meno in my mid 30s and have needed HRT for many years to protect my heart and bones. If you have been oestrogen deficient since 38 then you need to have your bones checked. I'm 59 and hope I can stay on HRT for a few more years yet so I can keep working - every time I come off HRT my symptoms make my life hell. If you are suffering get to the GP fast and insist on some treatment. Do read up all the info on this site and get back to us with questions. DG x
-
Hi Taz, Unfortunately like so many women I do not know when my last period was as I have not had one since 2009 which lasted for 6 months after coming off my contraceptive pill. I was having the contraceptive injections for over 7 years and my periods stopped when I was on it. Suddenly I started bleeding and it didn't stop for 6 months. I was back and forth to the doctors who suggested after months of trying different tablets to control the bleeding to have a mirena coil fitted which stopped the bleeding once again. That was over 6 years ago. I am now on my second mirena coil which was fitted last year and still no periods although I did bleed a little for a day when it was fitted.
I have had one blood test done in 2009 when I started bleeding and was told I was in the early stages of the menopause I was 41 then and wasn't offered any more treatment other than the mirena coil.
I have coped well over the years with the flushes and night sweats only seeking help due to lack of sleep because they kept me awake at night. I haven't found any thing that really helps. Tried the herbal remedies, then HRT - Elleste Solo 1mg then 2 mg that didn't seem to work either. (could be I didn't take it long enough though, I really don't know). Some one suggested that vitamin E helps so that's what I am trying at the moment.
I am now suffering permanent brain freeze, I can't concentrate and I am finding it very difficult to do the easiest tasks of the day. I feel panicky because of this, feel like I am loosing control. I am a bit of a control freak I must admit.
The doctor has now given me antidepression tablets - citalopram 20mg which I believe take at least 2-4 weeks to see any improvement. Not sure I am able to wait that long.
I think I need to talk to some one who knows what they are talking about who is able to help me make an informed choice of what medication to try that might actually help control my symtoms. There are too many choice's out there and different medications that I feel overwhelmed with the amount of info and what to try and I don't have the brain power anymore to even sieve through it all.
I hate blood tests and hate taking medications and i'm not over enthralled with taking antidepresion medication but what choice do I have......... :(
Hence why I have enrolled on this site.
I apologise for this being so long winded but due to the lack of brain function I found it very difficult to write.
Regards Janice
-
:welcomemm: from me Janice - have a browse, menus top of screen. Look round the various threads and if you post in any that seem appropriate, you won't get 'lost' on the Forum ;)
You can being your own thread in the 'personal' area if you like!
Aso for Press - one can be quoted or parts taken from other articles without the Journalist having to ask permission ::). I have been mis-quoted at local level so often I don't offer comments any more nor do I buy that particular local paper!
-
Hi MARAUDER
:welcomemm: from me too.
Fortunately it would be very unusual for someone not to have reached menopause by 62, but yes the actual symptoms of flushes and sweats can go on for years and if you are going to be one of those women (and you don't know until you get there) then HRT is the best bet.
If your Mirena coil is controlling your bleeding then it would be far better for you to take perhaps a transdermal HRT (patch or gel) which would give you oestrogen along with the progestogen from the Mirena - and this will control your symptoms and be better for you than the medication you say you don't want to take ie the anti-depressants. The doctor should not have prescribed these for menopausal symptpoms but should have suggested a different type of HRT.
Replacing deficient oestrogen with bio-identical oestrogen ie the estradiol that is in the patches and the gel (and the Elleste too) is not like taking medication and certainly not like ADs. Personally I would stop these and get some oestrogen if you can!
Fine to take vits if you think you are deficient but far better also to make sure your diet is really healthy and you get most of what you need from that.
Hurdity x