Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: lisa06031510 on November 07, 2022, 07:38:14 PM
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Has anyone noticed that they have aged while going through Menopause?? I swear I look about 10 years older thank I am and my hands look like they should belong to a 90 year old
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I have noticed this. In just one year I have a lot more grey hair too. My actual face looks older then I really am too.
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I went through a stage when I thought I looked older than I was.
Then I thought, Well, you ARE 58 this year, you ARE old. !!!. 🫣
Some days it can get me down, but mostly now, I’ve come to terms that I am getting older and unfortunately, the looks will too.
It’s just the way it is. 🤷🏼♀️
The trick is, don’t let it get to you. xx
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Im 39 and always looked so much younger and people used to be shocked when said how old i was..now no one seems to be shocked lol...
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Hi Lisa, it's tough when you are still young to accept the aging, I looked really young for my age people thought my grandkids were my kids, I managed to hold onto looking young till I hit 48 I'm 49 now and I look like I've aged 10 years in the last year, I hate it I'm not vein but I feel to young to look old, I definitely think menopause has an affect, as do genetics and lifestyle x
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Omg that's exactly how I feel. Like I am far too you g to look this old lol.
I think it's because I have always been told I look younger than I am and now I don't get that. Just hurts my Ego really lol d
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It's that strange woman staring back from a shop window again >:( ::).
Having been through various illnesses over the years: I don't like looking like my Mum nor like that old woman : however, I don't often look at myself ;D ......
Any flabby muscles can be covered with good quality clothing. A good hand cream over the body eases dry skin. Facial creams - we use Nivea or Vaseline hand cream for most areas - are 'me' time.
Long hair can make some look a lot older as can continuing to wear what we might be used to ;-). I would love a styling session but NO tights or skirts :D
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Hi Lisa, yeah I'm totally with you on that, I too have been so used to people not believing my age, its a big hit to the ego when you no longer get that reaction, I'm seriously considering derma fillers at 49 I'm not ready to see an old lady starring back at me in the mirror :( x
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I dyed my hair dark soon as menopause hit, I have always been blonde. And all of a sudden for no reason I have lost a lot of weight and People have always told me when I lose weight of makes me look older... But omg I look on the mirror and see my mother not me!! I always get comments on how good my skin I.. and now I get your skin is so good for your age hahaha
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God I hate that when people say the good for your age thing, I went the opposite to you I had naturally black hair, but went blonde was easier to disguise the grey, I too see my mum when I look in the mirror, I'm not enjoying the whole menopause and aging thing, maybe we get to a point where we embrace the changes but I'm not at that point yet x
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Omg the Grey's with dark hair 🙈... But I will stay dark til this episode is over.
I had started to come to terms with the fact I was a 12-14 and had a belly and then all of a sudden I'm an 8 -10 and to be honest I wish I hadn't lost it again as I know if it goes back on I will then have to get used to it all over again!!!!
Menopause has changed me physically and mentally it's all so crazy
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Why would any1 make personal comments :-\ >:( ......... if any1 did that they would be off our C.mas card list!
It is what it is. I don't have time to stare at myself in the mirror: it's a quick wipe with a flannel, teeth done and away to my breakfast.
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Lisa06031510
I'm totally with you, menopause has totally changed me mentally and physically, you just wake up one day and think who are you staring back at me in the mirror, I've never been one for lots of confidence but this is a whole new level and I live in hope that she will come back one day, my husband says that he sees glimpses of her now and then,
X
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I agree, suddenly I aged, wrinkles under the chin appeared over night. I also used to look younger, now I have to get used to the new me... nobody compliments me anymore. But inside I'm still the same.
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Well said Mollydolly! My cousin died suddenly 4 weeks ago :'( and I have so much left to talk to her about.
MayB do what Granny did when there was a storm: put a blanket over all the mirrors ;-)
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Tnx. 73 is young these days.
I wasn't awake earlier enough today to notice how I might look ::). It's the chin hairs that R my biggest chore each day ;-).
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:rofl:
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I'm just going to embrace it... I'm not as young as I was when menopause started... Maybe I need to stop blaming everything on menopause lol and just accept I am getting older and appreciate that I am lucky to get older
Oh god.. is hair a thing... I think that's the only symptom I haven't had lol
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Sorry to hear about your cousin CKLD, I hope you're coping okay. thinking of you.
I totally get the 10 years older thing (in physical health too, as well as looks)! Although when I look in the mirror now I see my dad! That's really frightening!! And I never thought I'd be cross about losing weight, but it does seem to age me.
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I hate everything about getting/looking older. When I am at the hairdressers I can't bear my reflection in the mirror when my hair is wet etc. I find it so hard to cope with and feel shallow and vain for feeling that way.
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Hi suzysunday, I really feel your pain, you are not vain or shallow for feeling this way, I too struggle with this, it may seem like it's nothing compared to other issues to some people but getting old loosing our beauty and youth is just as detrimental to our mental health as other problems, especially when some of us age before our time but you know how we see ourselves is not what others always see, you are probably being too hard on yourself, but it is genuinely hard to deal with, don't have an answer to how we get over this, I guess in time acceptance does come, but you aren't alone I feel the same way and I absolutely hate it x
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I agree, it's hard to come to terms with. I decided that as I was turning into an old crone I might as well embrace it and not age gracefully. I've let my hair grow long and wild- on my head and armpits!
Last time I went to the hairdresser's she blow dried my hair, because I'd said I was worried about it being thinner - it really made me look middle aged! I much prefer looking like a wild old hippie woman.
I'm trying to focus on what my body can still do, I'm lucky that I can still stay active. I've recently restarted weight training and it's satisfying to see my muscles growing and feeling strong.
I've always steered clear of women's magazines, I think I realised in my 20s that the aspirational stuff can be quite undermining.
Another thing that really helps is spending time with people much older than yourself, going for a walk with my uncle and listening to him complain about his weak knees and aching legs makes me feel positively youthful!
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Hi, sorry, late to the thread.
That made me feel sad for you CKLD, knowing you had so much more to talk to your cousin about. Sorry for your loss.
I'm 56 and had a sudden 'oh my god' moment in August about getting old. Along with some other issues I developed severe anxiety / depression and am now on Sertraline. I'm feeling much better mentally now but have found face yoga recently on Mr Google. I'm going to give that a try, if it's good for the body surely it'll be good for the face muscles. Just a thought.
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Tnx Lainie. Do we have more muscles in the face than anywhere else on the body? It's very often oestrogen loss that's too blame as it's the bodies elastic.
Sitting in the sunshine can age the skin really fast, as it dries and discolours it. Both Grans had very soft skin ........ 1 used Ponds face cream every morning to protect from the elements, not much in the way of sun screen in the 1960s. We accepted their changes, i.e. chicken neck and bat wings, as being alive, having lived well and it didn't seem to stop them being a comfort to us.
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There are many muscles in the face, I think exercising them more deliberately will help tone and tighten. Worth a try for 10 mins a day, I'm going to give it a go, can feel jowls developing ;D
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Oh no I REALLY hate my neck!
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We accepted their changes, i.e. chicken neck and bat wings, as being alive, having lived well and it didn't seem to stop them being a comfort to us.
So true! I used to love stroking my Grans face when I was little. It felt so, so soft and velvety!
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Both Grans died in their mid 80s, with soft skin.
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I have looked older in the last few months. My hair is going grey and I have got neck wrinkles. I also have under chin hair which really bothers me as if I leave it it looks like I am growing a beard. The hair going grey is ok at the moment but it is when I see people having fun and I am just not feeling it that gets to me. I just want to go home and go to bed which I guess comes with age. My skin has also lost its elasticity recently and I have always had soft skin. Ah well not a lot I can do. I dont wear make up often but when I do I feel younger again.