Ladies, can we talk about menopause?

[Michelle in MO]

Two weeks ago it was . . . that time of the month. Now, two weeks later---again! :( I'm 47 years old, and I know that I'm close to that age when all these bodily functions start changing.

I woke up with a whopper of a headache, which I thought was a sinus headache (due to all the recent storms we had!) I took ibuprofen and rested as much as I could, but it lasted all day until the evening. I'm trying to deal with these headaches with good nutrition (as much as possible), and have found that drinking extra milk, taking extra calcium/magnesium tablets, potassium supplements, and eating bananas all help just before my period starts---but this one yesterday took me by surprise. Has anyone else struggled with this? If so, how do you cope? Can you recommend any good books or websites that I can check out that can help me manage all these changes? Thanks! :)

[Deb in NJ]

I'm 48 and have been in menopause for about 3 plus years (my youngest daughter is going to turn 5 next month!).

Perimenopause can last for a long time. That can consist of light periods or skipping periods or two periods in one month.

But, I would suggest that you see your gyn for a check up. Other things can cause two periods in one month, so it always best to go in for a visit and let them determine the reason.

As for the headaches. I think everyone has headaches the last few days (I know I have). The weather everywhere is a bit odd. But, in addition to the things your doing to help the headaches I would also add no caffine, no suguar, keeping away from salt and adding B complexes in.

Hope your headaches feel better soon.
Deb in NJ

[RoughCollie]

http://www.menopause.org/default.htm

[Michelle in MO]

my body back again, so to speak! The headaches, the frequent periods, etc.---they're a pain!

Thanks for the nutritional tips, Deb, and for the website!

[Laurie]

I got thrown into a surgical menopause last summer. Before that, I'd been having a monthly headache that I knew was hormonal because of the timing. When I started using ProGest progesterone cream the monthly headaches stopped. I'm still using the cream, but I follow the menopause rather than the perimenopause instructions on the package.

I really like Dr. Christiane Northrup's book The Wisdom of Menopause. She also has a website (drnorthrup.com). I also like Dr. John Lee's book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause.

[Michelle in MO]

OB-GYN nurse practitioner also said he had a good reputation. I tried the progesterone cream for a while, and for a while it did really work quite well; my headaches were virtually eliminated. After a while, though, it seemed like I started getting two periods a month again and started getting headaches again! :confused: So, I stopped taking the progesterone cream because I didn't know what was going on with my body. I did try experimenting with using less, or trying to adjust the doses in some way, but never could figure out what I was doing wrong.

If you have any suggestions, I'm certainly open to your advice! Thanks for responding! :)

[MaryM]

BTDT, and you CAN survive!

The best book out there is Northrup's:The Wisdom of MEnopause. Buy it and keep it with you - it has loads of wonderful advice. I looked at tons of books when menopause first came into my mind, about 47 too(!), and this was the best.

Advice? Eat sensibly, cut way back on high glycemic foods(those that are sugary or have high sugar contents) and exercise. That last one is hard to make stick when you have lower energy but it makes a huge difference. And, surround yourself with good friends, pamper yourself at least once a week and realize that your husband will think he is living with a stranger unless you can keep him informed. Northrup's book covers this too!

A positive attitude helps too!

Hope you feel better!

Mary

[Laurie]

Maybe your doctor could check your iron levels to make sure that you're not becoming anemic. I was very anemic for awhile before my surgery and had to take iron pills...headaches can be a symptom.

[HSMom2One]

I went through this too...during perimenopause. I also started having heavy bleeding around that time, sometimes almost like hemoraging. It turned out to be fybroids, which my doctor told me would dissolve during menopause. Then I had emergency abdominal surgery for cancer and after recovery everything just stopped. (I did not have a hysterectomy.)

Every woman is different, so a visit to the gyn is very important. I just want to encourage you that although it may go on for a long time, it eventually does come to an end. I've heard this from a lot of women in our age group. (40's - 50's)

Blessings,
Lucinda

[Michelle in MO]

be life after this, right? I just kind of wish God had given us an "on-off" switch instead of this draining, lingering malaise we suffer! (I probably shouldn't question the Almighty; I guess He knows what He's doing, right?:D)

Thanks again!

Blessings,