Women and Hormones!

[Determinedtolose]

Hi Ladies,
I'm starting this thread because it seems more and more my hormones are getting the better of me.

I mean, I am at the point where I don't want to be around my husband sometimes. I have been feeling like he is bothering me or annoying me and he's not even doing anything.

I have missed periods now, they go every two months now to about every 3 without one.

I hate that I'm feeling this way. In a way I know I need to see my Dr. but I don't want to go on synthetic hormone pills, I would like to do something natural.

Anyone feel the same way? What did you do about it?

I love my husband, but boy do I feel like I can't stand him sometimes!

Oh and I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm just trying to get some ideas or advice from you all so I can get through this!

Thanks!
Diana

[LaRae]

Do you think that the "irritation" might be caused by hormones? I know that irritability is part of the side effects of menopause. Hopefully, that will diminish because I know that you don't want to feel that way.
Since I was fortunate enough not to have a difficult menopause, I didn't take any HRT or any supplements. I wouldn't have taken HRT, regardless.
I'm sure that some of the women on this board have found some help with natural supplements.

[getnthere]

I found out that those vitamin b were crucial for me all of them. If I don't take them my estrogen is higher according to my temp and get grumpy. Also making sure I get out of the house and move. You probably know this but it may be worth it?

[lily~b]

wow i feel your pain~~ i started out exactly like this no periods for 2 months, 5 months, then the constant sweating and hot flashes. all someone had to do was look at me, not look at me, breath to loud , ect... everything i had read and heard about hormone replacement was bad for you so when i could not take it anymore i finally went to the doctor with an attitude of no hrt~~and he put me on super low dose of hrt (its new called angelique) i feel like a new person i hope i wont be on it for long but it is wonderful to feel good physically , emotional , and mental. dont wait to long to see a doctor. some people are lucky and can just use progesterone cream and it levels them out, just dont wait and keep an open mind.

[Determinedtolose]

Thanks Ladies,
I do need to do something because as I'm thinking about my behavior during the past several weeks, there are times where I do get irritable and things annoy me easily.

But then there are times when I think I'm fine, and it also depends on the person I'm talking too. Isn't that weird?

I may have to talk to my Dr, but maybe I'll try that progestrone cream first and see if that does anything.

My mom went through memopause when she was 48 or 49. I just turned 47, so I wonder if my time is coming soon?
I didn't notice anything different about my mom's behavior during that time.

I just know that I'm getting too moody and I'm up and down. I wish that would be enough movement to help me lose weight faster! LOL

DIANA

[laura169]

Hi, I know how you feel experiencing the same. No not who I am half the time the rest of time don't like myself. I am also looking for another way to control this beast. Black cohash I know very beneficial but there are herbs and such. I am looking for some answers.

[Suzanne]

Well, I thought I was mentalpausal at 45 because I was experiencing many of the above mentioned symptoms plus very severe depression at times. I went from hypO thyroid after my first pregnancy at 39 to hypER thyroid during my last pregnancy at age 42. Spent 15 mos "dealing with it" while breast feeding. Spent almost 18 mos on thyroid suppressant after BFing. Finally had radio active iodine treatment. And at 6 mos post treatment when I should have been going back to hypO....well, I got weird. Thinking it was mentalpausal, I had a full hormone test, plus every other bodily function, and a full physical. It turned out that I have the female hormones "of a 15 year old" according to my GYN, who said he would have no problem with me having another baby at 45 (NOT!) as I am so healthy in that respect. But he also said if I went back and charted my thyroid changes they would probably directly correspond to my depression/mood swings. And they did. At this month's thyroid check up my results came back so bizarre that even my endocrinologist is at a loss except that he recommends another round of radiation after I run the marathon in Feb.

So, if you have had your female hormones tested (good place to start) and they are OK, then have your thyroid tested. Many women experience thyroid changes before, during, or after menopause as well as before, during, and after pregnancies.

[LCforme]

Hi Diana,

Start with a complete hormone panal - but on the first day of your period. As you approach menopause you can feel OK when you are midcycle, but the PMS extends longer and longer. I'd be careful with the progesterone cream, because if you are low in estrogen the last thing you need is progesterone.

I am very sensitive to the hormone changes and chose to go on HRT - bioidentical estradiol. Everyone around me was immediately smarter! If you don't want to go on HRT, try acupuncture. Until I got the estrogen at the right dose, I went weekly for accupuncture and it helped enormously.

Best of luck!

[Determinedtolose]

Hi,
TOM came and for the first time in a long time, I feel pretty good, hormone wise. I didn't get weepy or wasn't sensitive about anything. I had some cramping and thought it was going to be a full on flow, but it's not too bad.

I don't know what to do, I know I should go to the Dr and get checked out, but I'm just putting it off.

[landis]

Just saw this and was wondering if you ever went to the doctor. I am almost 48 and thought I was too young maybe too and wasn't sure because I haven't had periods since I had my uterus out years ago. My doctor said the hormone tests weren't the best thing to go by because they fluctuate and actually the last time I had them done they seemed fine. Several months ago I KNEW something was wrong. I was having extreme mood swings but like you sometimes I felt fine. I decided to try HRT (premarin) and I am not exaggerating the day I started I felt 100 percent better and have been like a new woman. I just wanted to share my experience. Also if you have had depression/anxiety in the past, menopausal symptoms can hit earlier and harder. I felt like I honestly was losing my mind.

[Determinedtolose]

Hi landis!

I haven't seen a Dr yet abou this, I'm really leaning towards this though. I'm just not sure what to go in for? My Dr is the in and out kind. He see's you for 10 to 15 minutes then you're out. I refer to him as my "drive-thru" Dr.

I guess I need to start somewhere though. But right now, I feel fine. I know that doesn't mean I'll be fine next month.

I will do something!

Thank you for sharing your experience, that helps!!!

[landis]

Originally Posted by Determinedtolose

Hi landis!

I haven't seen a Dr yet abou this, I'm really leaning towards this though. I'm just not sure what to go in for? My Dr is the in and out kind. He see's you for 10 to 15 minutes then you're out. I refer to him as my "drive-thru" Dr.

I guess I need to start somewhere though. But right now, I feel fine. I know that doesn't mean I'll be fine next month.

I will do something!

Thank you for sharing your experience, that helps!!!

Just tell them you think you may be having symptoms of menopause or perimenopause. Explain the moodiness/mood swings and whatever else you are experiencing. He may ask if you are having hot flashes but all women DO NOT have hot flashes. Also he may rely on the tests fully and if so be wary because they are not always accurate as in my case. Of course you have to make up your own mind on what to do if anything. In my case I was so looney I had to have something and QUICK! It truly was an answer to prayer!

[Determinedtolose]

Thanks landis, that's good advice! All I have to do is decide when to make an appointment!!

I love the phrase on your signature too! The Newsboys sang that too!!

[diannemc]

Don't you just love "horror"-mones..I am 50..I am going through the same thing and all i can say is PRAY!!!! I went to doctor and he said I was heading toward menopause...
Peri-menopause.. Peri? doesn't that sound sweet? well it's not and I have felt horrible!
He did not put me on anything yet...I am going to try not to take anything..
But if this rollercoaster ride gets any wilder I guees I will try something!!

[sjl330]

If you decide to take hormones, please look into the bio-identical hormones that are compounded by a pharmacist is the dose you need for your hormone levels. Or lack of hormone levels, lol. They are not the ones that increase cancer risks and are like the hormones your body produces naturally. You might have to search for a doctor who is knowledgeable about these, but it's way worth it. I actually like my DH again and let me tell you, for awhile I really thought I hated him, lol.

Good luck to you on your journey.

[Determinedtolose]

Originally Posted by diannemc

Don't you just love "horror"-mones..I am 50..I am going through the same thing and all i can say is PRAY!!!! I went to doctor and he said I was heading toward menopause...
Peri-menopause.. Peri? doesn't that sound sweet? well it's not and I have felt horrible!
He did not put me on anything yet...I am going to try not to take anything..
But if this rollercoaster ride gets any wilder I guees I will try something!!

LOL! Well at least you've got a sense of humor! I think that will help us in the long run!

I do pray too! Oh do I pray!! LOL

Right now, I'm doing good. I haven't had anything weird happen to me lately. . .no crying, no depression, no hot and cold, it's as if I haven't had anything going on!

I just really happy at this point. I'm finally losing, my stall has been broken and I feel good!

[Doitnow!]

This is an interesting topic since I've been going through perimenopause for the last ten years and it has been quite challenging. I've packed on the pounds over the last 10 years and I'm struggling to get the weight off. What works for women like myself?

[Determinedtolose]

Hi Doitnow!

I know it's hard losing. But like I was saying, for me, I just gave up AS and I'm hoping that will keep me losing. Otherwise doing Stillmans is a good way to break a stall. Or Atkins Fat Fast works for someone I know too!

[immelting]

I have been asking this question all over this website and I am going to jump in this thread and ask again. Has anyone tried Holy Basil? I went to a health food store and was told that Holy Basil helps with mood swings and raging and all that nasty stuff related to depression, stress, perimenopause, etc. Has anyone else tried this?

[Determinedtolose]

Originally Posted by immelting

I have been asking this question all over this website and I am going to jump in this thread and ask again. Has anyone tried Holy Basil? I went to a health food store and was told that Holy Basil helps with mood swings and raging and all that nasty stuff related to depression, stress, perimenopause, etc. Has anyone else tried this?

I haven't tried or heard of it. I may have to google that and check it out.

Oh and I finally have an appointment this month to see the dr. I'll have to tell him all about my womenhood!

[sjl330]

I've never heard of it either. Good luck with it.

[Determinedtolose]

Well I'm finally going to the dr today! I don't know what he's going to say and of course I'll be getting blood work done today.

I'm taking with me a list of the hormone info I got from you kind Ladies! I don't want to take synthetic ro Premarin so I'll be prepared for that, just in case!

Any last minute questions I should ask or anything else I should know??

Thanks!!

[Determinedtolose]

You won't believe this, but my blood tests show that I'm not perimenopause. My hormones are normal!

I haven't had a period since last Nov 07!! I wonder what the deal is then!?!!

I guess it's a trip to my gyno!

[blackhillsgirl]

my periods were getting wierd so I opted for endometrial ablation, and I have no more worries about it.

have you thought about 5htp for the mood swings?

[Determinedtolose]

Tom came!!!!! Whoohoo!! After a 6 month hiatus!!