Menstruation during Peri-Menopause/Menopause?

This week my period was not as heavy but I still had to use the Super Tampons for a couple days then I switched over to the Regular size. I always have to also use a pantie liner just in case of leaks. I still have my periods pretty regularly.

What I found out yesterday about tampons is very interesting so I thought I would share it. I normally never get headaches. Every night now, due to the night sweats, or insomnia, I wake up and need to use the bathroom, drink water, and try to get back to sleep. However, this period was different. It was different in the way that I felt when I woke up. I had to urinate almost 3 or 4 times a night, when I awoke, I had slight headaches that could have turned worse had I not talked my self into relaxing again, and I had extreme dehydration.

I am a teacher and I shared this with my aide who is 38 and she said that because of the same symptoms a while back, she had to stop using tampons. I became very interested in her information. She shared that when she uses tampons, she gets headaches, is dehydrated, feels nauseous, and generally does not feel well.

I decided to listen to that inner voice and I realized that these symptoms I had this time were also due to the tampons. I have decided that next month I will use a pad and see if I feel any difference and I will report back to you all.

A tip: If you wake up half asleep during the night while menstruating and you are using a tampon, don't forget to remove it before you pee. I forgot and the next time I awoke I found it while I cleaned myself and realized this dirty tampon had been inside of me for a few hours. Thank God I woke up again to pee. My advice now is -use a pad while sleeping.

Menopause and Melaleuca

Doctor Visit:

I went to see my orthopedic doctor this week for my yearly check up and thank God, the scoliosis has not worsened. I am at 25%, he says no operation needed until 35%.

He told me that I need to take 1200mg of Calcium daily. Especially now that I'm 50 and going through Peri-menopause and then into menopause. This phase of our lives takes a toll on our spine and can lead to osteoporosis. Hence, the 1200mg of calcium.

I don't know about you all but I don't want to have a hump and be an emotional wreck! What I figured out was that the vitamins I got from Melaleuca have an AM and PM packet for me to take. There are about 5 pills in each pack. These are especially designed for women over 50. I got them as a part of my Valu Pak when I joined.

What I was amazed at was that each packet gives me a little over 1500mg of Calcium so I don't have to purchase anything extra, just start taking my vitamin packs daily for AM and PM. Amazing, I had the little guys the whole time but didn't know they had what I needed until I read the label. Once I received them as part of my Valu Pak, I just put them in my cabinet. When I returned from my appointment I read the label and found what I needed. They also contain so many other valuable nutrients and antioxidants that I need.

Suzanne Somers takes 60 different vitamins and minerals each day. I'm glad I only have to take 10 total. What I have found is that if I don't take any vitamins or hormone supplements EstraAval (also Melaleuca) then I have hot flashes, night sweats, and dizziness. However, when I take them I don't experience these things.

My gynecologist believes in the vitamins, herbs, and minerals if they work, so far they are. I have tested it out on myself and even though this week I had a period, it wasn't as bad as previous months. No cramps, not much crying or emotional havoc, but I did have a little. The Melaleuca vitamins are different than any others I have read about and tried. They have a 85% absorption rate with no side affects on the stomach because of their Oligofructose complex that the scientists have added to the compounds. This is a patented formula that you can only get through Melaleuca.

If you want to know more, send me a blog.

Friday, February 13, 2009 Not Sleeping Much

Hi Ladies,

Are any of you experiencing insomnia? Well, it can be due to many reasons, but if you are going through Peri-menopause, or menopause then most likely that is the reason.

Women going through their menopause frequently suffer from insomnia. Menopause and insomnia co-occur due to the reduction and imbalance of hormones associated with menopause. The resulting stress, anxiety, and depression deprive the menopausal woman of sleep. Accompanying these sleep disturbances are hot flashes and sweats that are the characteristic symptoms of menopause. Symptoms Of Menopausal Insomnia Symptoms of insomnia in menopausal women are the same as in other insomniacs. These include: difficulty in falling asleep, waking up very early in the morning, feeling fatigue upon waking up, waking up with hot flashes and sweating. Also, menopause and insomnia, when occurring together, are characterized by having vivid dreams and waking up with a thumping beat. http://www.thehealthcarecenter.com/menopause_and_insomnia.html

The imbalance of hormones is causing the insomnia so we must get them into balance. How do we do this? Based on some research, I know that I have to have blood work done to check the levels of the estrogen and FSH in my body. See your gynecologist to schedule this bloodwork so you can get some answers and get a safe remedy based on what they find. Remember, we want them to balance our hormones that are out of balance and give us what we need instead of just prescribing the pill.

Saturday, Feb 7, 2009- Menopause Meet Up at Starbucks

Hi Ladies,

At our meeting today I met a few more ladies who have some different stories to share:

Joy-is 58 years old and is going through menopause for a second time!! Thankfully, this is not that common amongst women. She has suffered with moods swings, which caused her to have to be on Paxil and Prozac. She desires to stop taking both but her husband doesn't know if he can handle her without them. She says that her girlfriends tell her that she isn't that much fun anymore.

Does this sound familiar ladies? I have found that during this time of change in my life that I no longer want to hassle anything. This means that I can pretty much be happy just sitting on my couch watching a great movie, alone! I didn't use to think this way but lately it just seems like too much work to get ready to go anywhere and way too much work to actually go.

Tonight we are supposed to go to a friends house for dinner, but quite frankly, I would rather go see a chick movie.

However, since I have been using more of my Melaleuca products I have been feeling a little more energetic, a little more like I want to join back into society, other than work.

The one thing I have learned this month is that no matter what, if I am toxed up and constipated I just don't sleep well and I have no energy. When I am cleansed, I sleep better, am happier, and have more energy, and have a better outlook on life.

We need to commit to being kind to ourselves ladies, eat right, don't drink too much wine, don't binge on too much sweets, and drink water, and get a little exercise.