35 Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause

The 35 Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause

This list of common symptoms that occur during perimenopause and menopause was developed from the real-life experiences of hundreds of women. All symptoms were experienced by numerous women and were either cyclical in nature, or responded to treatments (both traditional and alternative) known to address hormonal imbalances.

Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling (see note) Irregular heart beat Irritability Mood swings, sudden tears Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats) Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles Loss of libido (see note) Dry vagina (see note) Crashing fatigue Anxiety, feeling ill at ease Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom (see note) Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion Disturbing memory lapses Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence (see note) Itchy, crawly skin (see note) Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons (see note) Increased tension in muscles Breast tenderness Headache change: increase or decrease Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea Sudden bouts of bloat Depression (see note) Exacerbation of existing conditions Increase in allergies Weight gain (see note) Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance Changes in body odor Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head (see note) Tingling in the extremities (see note) Gum problems, increased bleeding Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor Osteoporosis (after several years) Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc. (see note)

NOTES:Symptom 1 (flashes) Hot flashes are due to the hypothalamic response to declining ovarian estrogen production. The declining estrogen state induces hypophysiotropic neurons in the arcuate nucleas of the hypothalamus to release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a pulsatile fashion, which in turn stimulates release of luteinizing hormone (LH). Extremely high pulses of LH occur during the period of declining estrogen production. The LH has vasodilatory effects, which leads to flushing. Symptom 7 (loss of libido) For some women the loss is so great that they actually find sex repulsive, in much the same way as they felt before puberty. What hormones give, loss of hormones can take away. Symptom 8 (dry vagina) results in painful intercourse Symptom 11 (doom thoughts) includes thoughts of death, picturing one's own death Symptom 14(incontinence) reflects a general loss of smooth muscle tone Symptom 15 (itchy, crawly skin) feeling of ants crawling under the skin, not just dry itchy skin Symptom 16 (aching sore joints) may include such problems as carpal tunnel syndrome Symptom 22 (depression) different from other depression, the inability to cope is overwhelming. There is a feeling of loss of self. Hormone therapy ameliorates the depression dramatically. Symptom 25 (weight gain) often around the waist and thighs, resulting in 'the disappearing waistline' Symptom 29 (shock sensation) "the feeling of a rubber band snapping in the layer of tissue between skin and muscle. It is a precursor to a hot flash" Symptom 30 (tingling in extremities) can also be a symptom of B-12 deficiency, diabetes, alterations in the flexibility of blood vessels, or a depletion of potassium or calcium Symptom 35* (tinnitus) one of those physical conditions that seems to manifest in some women at the same time as menopause. It can be associated with health conditions such as hypothyroidism and heart disease, and is a known side-effect of many medications, including aspirin (salicylates) and Prozac. SOME OF THE 35 SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO BE SIGNS OF THE FOLLOWING:hypothyroidism diabetes depression with another etiology other medical conditions

3rd month on the pill

Okay, I have been on the pill for almost 3 consecutive months and I definitely see and feel a difference. When I'm off of them for that placebo week, I feel pretty bad. Now my doc says I can just stay on and forget the no pill week. I guess it's time to refill my prescription then. This pill has eliminated my night sweats, some high intensity emotions, most of my insomnia, and cramping. However, while I'm on the placebo week, I feel all the symptoms intensified. So, I'm going to elect to do the pill without stopping for the next 3 months and see how I do. That one week of symptoms really messes me up physically and I just don't want to do anything. I totally recommend it.

May 13, 2009 - 7 Days off the Pill was hell!

The placebo pills changed my cycle in a huge way. I had a heavy period, I was emotional, I got sick with allergies, insomnia, and I had the worst night sweats ever!! I emailed my doctor and she said that sometimes even when you are taking the pill for peri-menopause purposes your period can be heavy and night sweats can return. That was no joke! She also said that it's possible to take the pill that does not have a placebo week, (I had no knowledge of this) but she encouraged me to continue for two more months to see how the next two cycles go. Easy to say, not easy to experience. I'm back on the pill as of Monday and I am feeling great!

FSH Test

April 29, 2009

My doctor ordered an FSH and my level came back at 3.1 and according to the charts I am not in menopause with that level. However, I have been on the pill for 3 weeks. Did the pill change my level that much? I don't know because an FSH test was not done prior to starting on the pill. I am not having bad mood swings anymore, but I am still having problems sleeping through the night. I am also having mild hot flashes at night while sleeping and I'm having chills for 3 weeks now. I am still experiencing vaginal dryness and not much desire for sexual intercourse. However, sex is still good about every 3 to 4 days. I am also experiencing some minor cramps around my period time. I don't know if this pill is making that much of a difference for the peri-menopausal symptoms but I am feeling much better emotionally, which is a huge deal to me. I have felt a little hyper lately but my doctor says it may be due to my hyper thyroid (Grave's Disease) that I have had for more than 2 years. I am taking Tapazole for that and am hopeful that I won't have to have the radioactive iodine if the medication is a success for remission. Some of my hyper thyroid symptoms mimic peri-menopause symptoms. So if you're not sure perhaps your doctor can order a blood test to check your thyroid levels TSH and T-3.

7 days on the pill

My doctor put me on birth control to help my hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, cysts on my ovaries, and to help my menstrual flow to almost nothing. So far, so good! I haven't noticed any huge changes except I am not as emotional as I would normally be on my cycle. I was still somewhat sensitive but not crazy. The issues didn't seem as huge in my mind. So, I think it's working already. My GYN said I would have significant improvement right away. My period only lasted barely 2 days with light spotting. I also experienced a couple pimples this period and haven't in the past. I had missed a period prior to begin taking the pill so I was confused as to when to start taking them. When I finally began the spotting I started it the next day which is what my doctor told me to do. I feel happier, less judgemental, and less critical. My sleep is getting better but I'm still waking up to pee a few times a night but still sleeping better overall. I have noticed that if I eat sugar late in the evening or drink late in the evening a glass of wine, I don't sleep as well and don't feel that great when I get up the next morning for work. Last night, although I ate late, I did not drink any alcohol but 3 sips of my husband's beer and did not have any sugar. This morning I feel pretty good! Check out this link: http://www.coolzs4women.com/ I guess this sleep wear is good for hot flashes. I have not tried it so I have no clue if it works. If anyone has tried it let us know.

Birth Control for Peri-Menopause Relief

I saw my gynecologist on Tuesday and she prescribed a low dose birth control pill (Levora) to take daily. She suggested I start taking it the Sunday after my period starts so that I'm not on my cycle during the weekend. However, I would rather not be menstruating during my work week due to the constant need to go to the bathroom, the uncleanliness, and just the feeling of "am I leaking". Since I would rather have my period on the weekend if I have to have it at all, I will take the pill the next day if I start menstruating during the week to weaken or stop the cycle completely.

The doctor suggested that I take the Levora to balance my hormones of estrogen and progesterone. She says that from experience this dosage should help with the hot flashes, night sweats, and possibly even the insomnia. If it does not help the insomnia then she will have to prescribe something else.

She believes I will be on the pill for a year by which time, I should be in menopause. When this happens then she will most likely have to start me on hormone therapy for a few more years up to 5 total.

Dr. Amen, Fairfield, CA

Daniel G. Amen, MD is a physician, child and adult psychiatrist, brain imaging specialist, bestselling author, Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the CEO and medical director of Amen Clinics, Inc. (ACI) in Newport Beach and Fairfield, California, Tacoma, Washington and Reston, Virginia .

ACI is the world leader in applying brain imaging science to clinical practice. ACI has the world’s largest database of functional brain scans related to psychiatric medicine, now totaling nearly 50,000 scans, and the clinics have seen patients from 75 countries.

Dr. Amen is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where he teaches medical students and psychiatric residents about using brain imaging in clinical practice.

I watched Dr. Amen's show last night on PBS and it was so interesting because I feel that since I have insomnia and I have been blaming it on menopause, perhaps it's from something else?

When women start menopause, or in my case Peri-menopause, we automatically begin to blame everything we experience on it. I'm not that convinced that every symptom I have is the fault of Peri-menopause. Therefore, I have submitted a request for a consultation with the Amen clinic.

If I can convince my brain and do things that will make my brain healthier, I will begin to have happier thoughts, be at peace, and perhaps with his help have less anxiety and be able to sleep at night. Dr. Amen believes in natural medicines first! He has learned this by his own experience. He has taken brain images of many people and has been able to help those with unhealthy scans live healthier, happier lives.

Visit his website at http://www.amenclinics.com/meet-dr-amen/