Perimenopausal? Is it affecting your weight and your mind?

Not menopausal yet but it's the next landmark on my life journey, no doubt.  Have you spoken to your doctor?  I'm currently taking a leaf out of my mothers' book (she's 71 now).  She seems to have retained her health and kept her weight under control although her sense of humour disappeared for a few years.  She's a big fan of 'the supplement'... specifically things like Gingko Biloba and Evening Primrose Oil.  I'm more of a subscriber to the 'wholefoods' angle and I'm trying to keep things on an even keel with soy foods like tofu and  plenty of berries.   But even I think supplements are a good move once you hit 50.

Mum's a great exerciser.. always digging the garden or pedalling away on her exercise bike.  I've taken up cycling again recently so let's hope that helps. 

I'm rambling.... anyway.....  sending moral support. 

The hot flashes are the best, everyone around me is cold and wearing sweaters and I am sweating and want to take off my clothes.

What you eat is a factor and don't ever lose your sense of humour and it helps to be a little insane.  People just think that you are eccentric.

I read  a fascinating article recently that explained that as you go through the menopause your progesterone hormone levels fall to zero, and it is the lack of this hormone (not estrogen) that causes the hot flashes, dry skin and all that other nasty stuff.

One doctor had done several studies with patients exhibiting peri-menopause and hypothyroid symptoms such as hot flashes and weight gain around the belly and hips. He says that estrogen and progesterone counteract each other and that symptoms  such as those mentioned above could be helped by using natural progesterone cream.

He treated these patients with natural progesterone cream, 1/4 teaspoon of cream rubbed into arms or legs once or twice per day(depending on severity of symptoms). and said patients should see signs of improvement after 3 months of use. 

I was googling it because my menstrual cramps are severe, I just typed in .."treatments for menstrual cramps" ... and this came up. The article I found stated that the progesterone cream could help relieve those symptoms too. Subsequently those that had been exhibiting the early signs of hypothyroid symptoms began to lose that weight and feel better. The ones suffering from hot flashes found they went away.

I don't know how to do links, but I found several sites that explain this very well, (just google natural progesterone cream) and you don't even have to get a prescription for it. Walgreens sell it for about $25 and I found it at an even better price at Walmart  for $12 I read the customer comments for this cream on the Walgreen's site.. most of the women who had tried it found that it worked for them.

I also spoke to my doctor about it.. we have tried many birth control pills for my menstrual/pre-menstrual symptoms with no success. She said not to expect miracles, or be disappointed if it didn't work, but I figure for $12 it is worth a try... so I started using the cream this last weekend.

Sorry this is a long post, but despite my doctor's thoughts, I am hopeful this will work for me and it may help you too.... good luck!

I am 48 and IT has begun!

I struggle to lose, even more than just last year.  I have gain all in my stomach area, gained everything that l worked so hard to lose and it was very a quick gain.  I have begun to have bouts of hot flashes.  Not all the time, but there was a week right after Christmas when it was 40 below here and I wanted to bury myself in a snowbank, naked!

I went to see my GYN and she did an HCG (I think) test, but it showed nothing.  I have to go back in a couple of months and have my levels tested again.

Good luck to you.  And please if anyone can share how they were able to lose weight while going through this, please share your stories!

Thanks everybody!  What a great response.  Ive had the hot flashes they seem to have dissipated somewhat.  They lasted about 6 months so I guess I'm lucky! I have heard that some people suffer for years.  Ugh.  I think the perimenopause symptoms started 5 years ago but my doctor chalked it up to anxiety.  They have a model they use and if you dont fit into it then its something else.  I had bouts of low level nauseau off and on for months and my doctor seemed stumped.  I now find out that many women complain of nausea during this time.  Hello!  You get nauseous when your hormones are going wild during pregnancy!  Doesnt it make sense that a drop in hormones may cause the same symptoms.  I never had the HCG test but you know your body and it is showing you whats up well before any test can tell.

I also find that I have bouts of fuzzy thinking or fogginess.  I cant grasp the right word at the right time and cant concentrate as well as used to. 

Another issue is my intolerance for my family's helpless behavior.  You know, cant find their own belongings, cant make their own lunch, expect you to be interested in what they are saying doing all the time.  I guess my Mommy setting is off the station.  Instead of getting help with everything they get an I dont know and a blank stare.  Sounds horrible.  My kids are 15 and 19.  I dont want you to think i'm Mommie Dearest.

Oh my what a rant.  Thanks for listening.