Sailed through menopause

Of course every experience is valid - but thank goodness for all the help and advice to support those of us who need it. If you didn’t need it then count yourself very lucky and be grateful you didn’t

The difficulty with this subject, as with a number of other subjects. If your experience of something, MiL's, DiL's, loving AC or whatever has been good where there are many threads talking about what happens when these things go wrong, to say that your experience has been good, inevitably leds to others describing you as either smug or triumphalist - the menopause is another such subject. Yet surely the witness of those for whom things have gone well is as valid and has as much right to be heard as that of those who have had problems.

The menopause ‘industry’ is like every other one that relates to a condition and I’m very glad it exists. It’s so wide ranging, varies from woman to woman and can have debilitating effect on so many aspects of your life. If women didn’t have access to this vital information it would be a terrible backwards step to a time when it wasn’t discussed or women were treated for madness or hysteria.

I had no symptoms, my periods just stopped. I can’t even remember exactly how old I was.

I have no idea why I had such an easy time and can only put it down to genes or just plain good luck. The 'menopause industry' I referred to is the one that had me panicking as menopause approached - all the books, the celebrity interviews, the special diets and supplements etc etc.
I bought them all. Thought this will be the end of life as I know it. It was in a way. It was better. Not meaning to be smug. However, this is the only positive thread I've ever seen re menopause. I thought I was a freak!

Yes, I had very few problems; I can't remember when it was or how long it lasted.

Exactly what and who is this menopause lobby and campaign that has over egged its cause?

My periods started when I was 12 and were few and far between and very light. Following a bout of fibroids, I had a hysterectomy in my early 40s so I have no idea when my menopause was.

I don't remember any hot flushes or restless legs. I have put on loads of weight over the past 10 years though. (now 65)

I know the OP didn't say or even hint at this, far from it, but there have been a lot of very smug, ignorant, holier-than-though posts on this subject in the past where some people seriously suggest that their healthy lifestyle, positive outlook or other such things are probably the reason they have flown through the menopause with such ease.
That's why some of us less fortunate sufferers get hot under the collar (if only that was the only symptom!) when the topic comes up - we know from expetience that it's only a matter of time ...!

Luck of the draw really like periods and labour!

I had an early menopause and it knocked me for six. I envy everyone who had an easy time. I am glad there is so much help for people who are having a difficult menopause as I honestly don't think I could have managed without it. I don't like the sneery tone about the 'menopause industry'. Just think yourself lucky you got through so easily.

Riverwalk do not quote other peoples posts out of context. What I said was:

get fed up with the menopause lobby who go on as if all of us had terrible physical and mental problems for years on end. We don't. Help for those who need it, certainly, but recognise that they are the some not the all.

Not quite the same thing as your quote is it?

I get fed up with any campaign that over eggs its cause because it actually does those it tries to help more harm than good.

I knew I shouldn’t have looked at this thread. Going away to sulk and check on my supply of HRT!

I m another who sailed through without any symptoms at all I ve never ever had a hot flush or any other problem
I was mid to late 40 s so it all seems a very long time ago but such wonderful freedom

but get fed up with the menopause lobby

Do you get fed up with the osteoarthritis lobby, incontinence lobby, prostate cancer lobby, etc. and all the other ailments that are a natural occurrence of older age?

I’m going through it at the moment and having a hideous time - thank god for the menopause ‘industry’, whatever that might be, because without it I’d be on my knees.

I’m incredibly envious of all of you who sailed through it - you lucky things!

Some time in my 30s, I heard an item on Woman's Hour about a community in India where the women were in purdah and wore all covering clothing until the menopause.

Once they were through the menopause they were able to stop covering themselves and go out into the world with freedom. It was found that most of the women sailed through the menopause without any symptoms.

The menopause was seen as something highly desirable, no more child bearing and freedom to take part in society again. I thought 'that is for me'.And thankfully that is what I got.

You lucky lot! I think I was just very healthy before, so when menopause hit, I felt like I’d been struck by an express train! I think I’m coming out of it now though, so about 3 years. The worst has been the nausea, and stiffness. Hot flushes weren’t a major problem, and periods slowly stopped. Wouldn’t want to do it again.

I had a very easy time too. I was so relieved to have finished with messy menstruation and monthly mood swings - I became more even-tempered and happy, and our sex life actually improved. I had some hot-flush problems, and took HRT to relieve this (and to help my bones as the menopause was quite early) but nothing untoward happened when I stopped.

There seems to be a bit of a menopause industry. When I was approaching it I was terrified. I'd been made to believe all hell would break out in my body. I bought all the books and the supplements and - just nothing much happened!

Another who sailed through with little or no problems. A bit of flooding - that proved to be fibroids, no treatment necessary and that was it. I was 51.

I read somewhere that 40% of women have few if any symptoms.I have every sympathy for those who do or have had problems, but get fed up with the menopause lobby who go on as if all of us had terrible physical and mental problems for years on end. We don't. Help for those who need it, certainly, but recognise that they are the some not the all.

The same applies to periods. Yes, I had the occasional painful period or day when I fell flat, but my migrain attacks were far more debilating and far more often and the main cause for me being off work.

I had a few sweaty nights, but it was a hot summer so may well have been nothing to do with the menopause. Nothing to speak of after that. I was 43.

grannymy me too. I sailed through menopause and had very mild symptoms.

I'm glad I'm not the only one! Sometimes when I tell people I had no symptoms they sort of look at me in disbelief.

Nannyjane I was exactly like you. I began my period when I was about twelve and the pain was unbelievable. I used to feel like passing out. I would be white as a sheet and be hanging over the toilet bowl vomiting with the pain. Thank goodness those days are very long gone.

No probs whatsoever just a few night sweats few hot flushes certainly no mood swings nothing. Was advised to try Hrt by dr. On which I said whatever for. My periods stopped at 47. But can honestly say never ever had problems with periods when I’m told about other people that do have problems for years I feel sorry for them