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Post by pretzels on Nov 13, 2014 20:53:31 GMT
Two words: endometrial ablation. Had one four years ago and it was the best thing ever. GYN put me on the Pill before I had the ablation (DH had a vasectomy years ago) to try to help things, but the side effects were horrible. The ablation has been a Godsend. Hoping it carries me to menopause. I'll be 43 in a few months. I just had a consult for one yesterday. I'm scheduled to have it on the 17th. Is it terribly painful? The biopsy he had to do yesterday about made me pass out...it felt like he had a bottle brush in my uterus. The biopsy did hurt! But the actual procedure was a piece of cake for me. I had it done at 8:30 or so one morning. I was drowsy from the anesthesia until the early evening and then I was fine. I never had any cramping or anything. I was back to running and work the next morning. BEST THING EVER.
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Post by lbp on Nov 13, 2014 21:04:10 GMT
I had periods every 3-4 weeks for years. Finally my Dr. asked if I wanted to have the Novasure abalation. I was 50, and I haven't had a period since! Best decision I have ever made!!!!
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caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
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Post by caro on Nov 13, 2014 21:12:05 GMT
menopause is no walk in the park either. no more periods is the best of it but there could be a new set of symptoms you could experience. the grass isn't always greener. I had problems with my periods until I had a hysterectomy at 45. no more periods, great. hot flashes and other TMI stuff, not so great. Word for word I could have written except I was 38 when I had surgery.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 23:40:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2014 21:14:39 GMT
So many different stories out there and once again a timely post for me. I just got back from seeing my gynecologist. I'm 45 and started having heavy (crime scene) periods early this year. I don't take birth control due to massive hair loss while on it, about 5 years ago. I had an endometrial ablation a month ago, but sadly, it's had no effect on me. I've basically been bleeding for 2 months straight. The next step is to consider a hysterectomy, but I'm not sure if it's the right thing for me. There's so much to consider.
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Post by Lexica on Nov 13, 2014 21:14:52 GMT
I know I sure did. I didn't stop having periods until I was 57 years old. 57 years old! I was begging my doctor to throw me into menopause somehow. She kept saying that it's good to be in my position and that the bone loss and other issues I will face are better prolonged as long as possible. Not from my side of it.
When it finally did hit, I only missed being regular twice. It went from clockwork every 28 days to skipping a month twice. Then it stopped completely. I went for 11 months without one, then I had one during that 12th month. But fortunately, it was like it was just holding its last hurrah. It didn't return. Well, not really return. I went another 11 months then had a bit of spotting, but that was it. The monster finally died.
But the new menopause monster was, for me, more frightening. The night sweats and hot flashes were something to behold. I couldn't believe how often they came and how uncomfortable they were. I couldn't say which was worse, the hot flashes where I began dripping sweat profusely with no advanced warning and typically in front of other people. There was no keeping my menopause quiet. Everyone commented on it because it went from normal to a waterfall coming off my face within a few minutes time. And it lasted for what felt like an hour or more. It wasn't pretty. I got stares when I was doing my grocery shopping and it decided to pop up. I must have looked like an idiot. My hair got soaked and looked shower fresh, all stuck to my head.
Then there was waking up in a puddle of it with my nightgown and sheets so wet that I pulled them off the bed as soon as it woke me up. Sometimes twice in one night. I changed my bedsheets daily. It all sucked big time. I have never been so grateful to not be in a relationship before. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else in my bed during those horrible night sweats. Heaven forbid if one of my cats tried to snuggle up in the cold like they have always done. I couldn't take it. I had to shut them out of my bedroom because they all tend to sleep touching me. I'm sitting on my bed on my ipad right now and I have a cat on my lap, one in the space between my knees and my ankles. The pup is sleeping leaning up on my left side, and another cat is snuggled up with her back to my hip on my right side. I could probably sleep without blankets and just have live covers.
Now after having gone through it, I can see why the doctor said to count myself lucky that I was still having regular periods for so long. But other than the night sweats and hot flashes, I'm not aware of any other changes that are probably going on inside my body. I don't want to know. I do take calcium and iron at my doctor's direction. He also recently added thyroid, but I don't know if that is a normal loss at my age or if it just happened to me.
I didn't go in for any altering medication during the menopause process. I wanted my body to just deal with it naturally until it was over. I'm not sure if that was the right decision or not, but I already take so many pills that I wasn't about to volunteer for more. I already hate having to take the ones I have. You should see my box o' meds. I'm just not a pill person. I do take them. I'm not going to mess with what my doctor wants me on, and I do trust his advice, but I don't have to like it.
After having gone through this, I'd say be content with monster you know. Because for me, the new monster was much more of an imposition than the familiar one. At least before menopause, no one knew when I was on my period. Try keeping a severe hot flash private.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 23:40:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2014 21:48:26 GMT
Is it wrong to hope? No. But at your age, it's probably overly optimistic.
Let me put it this way . . . I live in a retirement community. About a month ago, I had to make an emergency run to the closest grocery store. When the cashier (about my age) asked how I was doing, I said "I live in (name of retirement community) and I'm buying tampons and a donut. How do you think I am?"
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Post by papersilly on Nov 13, 2014 22:01:41 GMT
The next step is to consider a hysterectomy, but I'm not sure if it's the right thing for me. There's so much to consider. yes there is but considering the crime scene bleeding I had too and the anemia, cysts and other stuff, a hysterectomy became my only option. BUT, as everything in life, there are trade offs. some you can live with, the rest you might decide to manage with modern medicine. if I had to do it over again, I would still have it done. wouldn't even think twice. but it shouldn't be a casual decision. for me, the hystersister message board gave me great insight into what other women went through before, during and after.
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Post by librarylady on Nov 13, 2014 22:06:43 GMT
Not wrong to wish for something so annoying to end.
FWIW, I went through menopause at age 40. No problems, "poof" it was over.......... And then, my dr insisted I take HRT. ACKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
15 pounds of weight that is still with me (and now has friends) Horrible, horrible mood swings. 18 months of misery as we found a hormone that worked with my body.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Nov 13, 2014 22:08:34 GMT
I've heard that perimenopause can last for 10 years! I had a hysterectomy last year but still have my ovaries. My doctor doesn't think I'm in menopause yet. I can't take hormones, so I don't know how things will go--well, I hope!
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Post by kkrenn on Nov 13, 2014 22:13:38 GMT
I started menopause at 36, not fun. My dh and dd's said I was a different person for a long time and I remember being so angry and sad. My gyno put me on hormones and it made a world of difference but I don't think I would wish it on anyone so young. I'm 42 now and I still get hot flashes but they aren't too bad. I agree with others that say you are just trading one set of problems for another.
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,752
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Nov 13, 2014 22:16:47 GMT
I pray for it.
I know some people have a rough time with it but my mom sailed through with barely any issues so I am hoping to follow her path.
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Post by heartcat on Nov 13, 2014 22:23:44 GMT
I will be 51 this weekend, and have been having a period for almost 40 years now, so I am soooo done with all of that. The only real sign of peri-menopause that I have noticed is that my once thick, lovely hair is now thin and dull and has been getting so since my mid 40s.
I never had regular periods until I was past 40 (immediately after my breast reduction weirdly enough) so knowing when to anticipate that has been nice. But I would love to not have to worry about it anymore, or to worry about birth control (as almost impossible as pregnancy would be at this age).
I am not looking forward to any of the negative symptoms, so I'm not really complaining about not having to deal with any of those yet. But really, it's just delaying the inevitable, isn't it? It's going to happen eventually, so might as well be sooner rather than later, lol.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Nov 13, 2014 22:45:16 GMT
I had a hysterectomy at 38 but they left my ovaries. At around 50 I went through about 3-6 months of hot flashes but they only happened during the day and were not severe at all and I had no other symptoms. Then I was over it all. I was extremely lucky but you could be too, you just never know. And I don't think you're wrong for hoping for it because we all know you're hoping for an experience like mine and not the awful one some women have had.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Nov 13, 2014 22:50:51 GMT
It's probably too soon but yes, at 41 and no kids yes, I'm SOO ready to be done. The worst of it is when it happens after or during a procedure or I have to have something medically done. The timing is never good. I keep thinking at this point - what is the point, except to suffer through it but dang it does get stupid!
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Post by onlywork2scrap on Nov 13, 2014 23:06:54 GMT
I got thrown into full blown menopause when I started chemo at 42. After a few months of hot flashes, which was the only physical symptom I had, it was done. Twice I even had the test to see if it was over. All I can say is life is good over here on the other side. I consider it my gift from God for doing chemo.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,646
Location: Kansas City -ish
Jun 27, 2014 2:38:58 GMT
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Post by Anita on Nov 13, 2014 23:12:16 GMT
If hoping for menopause is wrong then I don't want to be right. I don't care if it is trading one set of problems for another. It will happen eventually anyway. Bring. It. On. I am sick of this crap.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,618
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Nov 13, 2014 23:17:42 GMT
I'm almost 52, regular as clockwork, my baby is 26 years old. This crap can go away any time. Mom figured she was about 56, shoot me now. I just turned 50 and I'm still regular too. Weird.
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Post by KiwiJo on Nov 13, 2014 23:29:24 GMT
I started menopause at 36, not fun. My dh and dd's said I was a different person for a long time and I remember being so angry and sad. My gyno put me on hormones and it made a world of difference but I don't think I would wish it on anyone so young. I'm 42 now and I still get hot flashes but they aren't too bad. I agree with others that say you are just trading one set of problems for another. I have had almost the opposite experience to you - I although I too started menopause at 36. i discovered it was menopause after going to a counsellor for lots of sudden mood swings. She said if she didn't know my age, she would think I was either a teenager or older and going through menopause - the swings were so typical of 'hormones going crazy'. So after menopause was confirmed by a blood test ordered by my doctor, I knew what what going on, and everything was a piece of cake after that. I had a few hot flushes, but otherwise no problems at all. I have been so glad I went thorough menopause at 36 - no more periods and no downsides at all. It was a lesson though, for a couple of friends who were delaying having babies - don't leave it too long because you don't know what might happen.
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Post by Scrapbrat on Nov 14, 2014 1:50:37 GMT
I'm almost 52, regular as clockwork, my baby is 26 years old. This crap can go away any time. Mom figured she was about 56, shoot me now. To the OP-- you can hope I duppose but my dr. told me the median age for menopause is 55. You are a long way away, I think.
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Post by Rachel on Nov 14, 2014 2:40:57 GMT
I'm also 52, my baby is 26 and things are as regular as ever. But I'm just happy my body is working the way it's supposed to - the alternatives could be much worse.
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Post by leftturnonly on Nov 14, 2014 2:43:43 GMT
I know there'll be hormonal changes and all that, but I've been having my period every three weeks (one week on, two weeks off) when I used to be a "starts every thirty days and lasts three days" kind of gal.
This is freakin' annoying! The only good part is that I'm a total and complete bitch the day it starts but then I'm fine - no cramps or moodiness versus the three-fours days of intense cramping and three-four days of post-period bitchiness I used to have.
I do have an appointment with my gynecologist, but you know I've gotta ask the all-knowing here! I'm almost 41, not on any medication that would alter my cycle - could this be the start of the end of almost three decades of periods??
Totally normal to want menopause, IMO.... but this "Starts every thirty days and lasts three days" makes me kinda hate you just a little. You never knew how good you had it!
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Post by **Angie** on Nov 14, 2014 4:56:34 GMT
I know there'll be hormonal changes and all that, but I've been having my period every three weeks (one week on, two weeks off) when I used to be a "starts every thirty days and lasts three days" kind of gal.
This is freakin' annoying! The only good part is that I'm a total and complete bitch the day it starts but then I'm fine - no cramps or moodiness versus the three-fours days of intense cramping and three-four days of post-period bitchiness I used to have.
I do have an appointment with my gynecologist, but you know I've gotta ask the all-knowing here! I'm almost 41, not on any medication that would alter my cycle - could this be the start of the end of almost three decades of periods??
Totally normal to want menopause, IMO.... but this "Starts every thirty days and lasts three days" makes me kinda hate you just a little. You never knew how good you had it! I know, I hate me a bit now too.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 23:40:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2014 5:18:25 GMT
Oh, I couldn't WAIT for menopause. I entered peri-menpopause when I was about 42. It sucked BAD for 4 or 5 years. Hugely heavy periods that would last for weeks and only to start again 2 weeks later. I had one period that lasted 31 days. A week after it ended, here she came again and stayed for two weeks! Then there were times I would go months and months with no sign of the ol' bitch and I would want soooo bad to reach that 'magical one year' mark. Hot flashes and night sweats were the devil. As were the mood swings. I'm 49 now and have been in menopause for about 3 years and I LOVE it. I still get the occasional hot flash, but I take iCool and that helps a LOT. Lessens the length and severity. I actually have more cold flashes than hot flashed these days, and I'm okay with that. Living in FL and hating heat, that works quite well for me. The only thing I don't like about menopause is the weight gain. I'm having an impossible time losing and maintaining my weight. That sucks, but the rest is awesome. L
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Post by PEAcan pie on Nov 14, 2014 5:52:30 GMT
Two words: endometrial ablation. Had one four years ago and it was the best thing ever. GYN put me on the Pill before I had the ablation (DH had a vasectomy years ago) to try to help things, but the side effects were horrible. The ablation has been a Godsend. Hoping it carries me to menopause. I'll be 43 in a few months. I just had a consult for one yesterday. I'm scheduled to have it on the 17th. Is it terribly painful? The biopsy he had to do yesterday about made me pass out...it felt like he had a bottle brush in my uterus. I am having novasure procedure next week... I CANNOT WAIT. So sick of using bladder control pads for my heavy painful periods. I just turned 46 and my Dr. told me last week I have not signs of menopause per my bloodwork. I am so over having them. Would also like to know how painful it is?
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,394
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Nov 14, 2014 7:08:49 GMT
Another thumbs up for endometrial ablation from me. Best days work I ever did. To have no periods is surprisingly liberating.
I felt very little discomfort, certainly no worse than the cramping I was experiencing with my periods. In fact I was standing on a touch line in the evening, cheering my son on at a football (soccer) match.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 23:40:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2014 7:46:32 GMT
I can deal with the periods (every 22-32 days...) it's the freaking heat! It is 5 degrees above freezing and I love it. Everyone thinks I am crazy being hot all the time. All.the.time. Especially at night. I am not sweating I just feel hot. I don't get mood swings, the weight gain sucks rocks but I will deal with it. How long does menopause last? Do hormones help? Do they make you feel better?
Is this necessary? Didn't we suffer enough giving birth? (Adoptive mothers you still woke every night ever 2 hours so you count too...).
Sigh
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Post by lisacharlotte on Nov 14, 2014 13:37:20 GMT
I took HRT for 5 years and stopped 18 months ago. I have only had a few hot flashes but they were mild in comparison to before I took them. I know people worry about HRT, but it was advised by my gyn oncologist and my type of cancer is most likely to spread to lung or breast and he still recommended. HRT saved my sanity and probably my marriage. it was that bad.
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Nov 14, 2014 14:09:59 GMT
I'm right there with you. I'm 43, and within the last two or three years, I've started having periods closer and closer together (around every three weeks now, like you) and HEAVY bleeding. Lots of clotting. I actually have a sonogram scheduled this afternoon, so she can see what's going on and what my options are from there.
Peri-menopause can last at least 10 years or so as well. The nightsweats, the restlessness, all that, I've had for a few years as well.
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Post by pretzels on Nov 14, 2014 14:16:46 GMT
I'm right there with you. I'm 43, and within the last two or three years, I've started having periods closer and closer together (around every three weeks now, like you) and HEAVY bleeding. Lots of clotting. I actually have a sonogram scheduled this afternoon, so she can see what's going on and what my options are from there. Peri-menopause can last at least 10 years or so as well. The nightsweats, the restlessness, all that, I've had for a few years as well. That's what started happening with me. I was 38 and my always-heavy periods got so heavy, it was ridiculous. I was having to come in three miles into a run and change my clothing. And it was so unpredictable. I'd have four months of 30-day cycles, then a 22-day cycle and then a 42-day cycle. My GYN is the best, though. He told me that he would not make me suffer through that until menopause. He did bloodwork and a biopsy and we did a trial of BCP. Nothing unusual showed up in my bloodwork or the biopsy, and the BCP just sucked. So he offered me a hysterectomy or an ablation. Since I am a runner and am very active, I didn't want to take the downtime of a hysterectomy (although he said he would do one where he basically just cut the uterus out and leave the ovaries, so it wouldn't be as long), so I chose ablation. Seriously, I am four years post-procedure, and I may have a little pink during the time when I usually would have my period. I use a pantyliner, if even that. The procedure was painless and it's so freeing to be able to plan a trip to the beach or plan to run a marathon without having to guess if I'm going to be on my period at that point in time.
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Nov 14, 2014 16:08:03 GMT
I'm right there with you. I'm 43, and within the last two or three years, I've started having periods closer and closer together (around every three weeks now, like you) and HEAVY bleeding. Lots of clotting. I actually have a sonogram scheduled this afternoon, so she can see what's going on and what my options are from there. Peri-menopause can last at least 10 years or so as well. The nightsweats, the restlessness, all that, I've had for a few years as well. That's what started happening with me. I was 38 and my always-heavy periods got so heavy, it was ridiculous. I was having to come in three miles into a run and change my clothing. And it was so unpredictable. I'd have four months of 30-day cycles, then a 22-day cycle and then a 42-day cycle. My GYN is the best, though. He told me that he would not make me suffer through that until menopause. He did bloodwork and a biopsy and we did a trial of BCP. Nothing unusual showed up in my bloodwork or the biopsy, and the BCP just sucked. So he offered me a hysterectomy or an ablation. Since I am a runner and am very active, I didn't want to take the downtime of a hysterectomy (although he said he would do one where he basically just cut the uterus out and leave the ovaries, so it wouldn't be as long), so I chose ablation. Seriously, I am four years post-procedure, and I may have a little pink during the time when I usually would have my period. I use a pantyliner, if even that. The procedure was painless and it's so freeing to be able to plan a trip to the beach or plan to run a marathon without having to guess if I'm going to be on my period at that point in time. This is almost word for word why I'm doing an ablation. I have bleeding after everything all month...sex, bowel movement, long runs, heavy weight lifting. Then, when I'm ON my period, there's about a 4 hour window where I bleed SUPER heavy. We are talking I go through a super pad and tampon every hour. I can't do anything during that 4 hours that leaves me without a bathroom nearby. It sucks! I stress out that my period is going to arrive on race day and I'll be screwed. My doctor told me I probably have about another 10 years of periods...Uh, no thanks! He also said that if I have to choose a hysterectomy the recovery is 2-4 weeks. I'd be the dumbass that felt good at 2 weeks and tried to run a few miles, setting myself back a month. Oh the joys of being a woman!
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