#perimenopause

[chadots]

Everyone should receive a guide at age 39 to prepare themselves and their loved ones for the absolute absurdity of perimenopause. I’ll get it started:

Has your personal temperature has lost all contact with reality?

Can you not fall asleep because your feet feel dry?

Do certain smells make you inexplicably angry?

Congratulations! You’re perimenopausal. Don’t worry. It only lasts 4 to 10 years.

[its-all-down-hill]

[cleoselene]

in a comment with my ol' pal @elon-musks-disrespectful-nipples I bemoaned the fact that no one really warned me how fucking shitty perimenopause would be

like I got plenty of warnings from lots of women and girls about my period but LADIES we are falling down on warning women about perimenopause

I didn't have migraine headaches before perimenopause. Oh, I got headaches. Bad ones, even. BUT NOT MIGRAINES!

Hot flashes feel like they come from the inside of your soul, btw. You can try to stick your head in a freezer or stand under an air conditioning vent, but until it passes, NOTHING will make you feel cool and comfortable.

I had some wicked PMDD in the first couple of years but that has THANKFULLY passed as my periods become less of a thing

feel free anyone to reblog and add your perimenopausal nightmares to warn your good sisters what might be coming

[ursulakats]

Okay, we need to talk about perimenopause. Again.

I've been suffering from severe panic attacks that like to pretend they're a heart attack (as in, near-indistinguishable) and come without trigger or warning for years and years. No doctor, no therapist, no gynaecologist, no one ever mentioned that this exact symptom could occur due to fluctuations in oestrogen and/or progesterone levels.

I only figured it out now, because we were trying to treat excessive sweating with oestrogen gel for three months, and when that didn't work, I stopped taking it. And, after a break of three months (which had never happened in the years I've had the attacks), the panic attacks were back. Only now, I knew what to look for, and guess what I found 😑

So, should you ever be treated for something that behaves like a heart attack, and your heart is checked and okay, it might be (early) symptoms of perimenopause. Even if you think you're too young. Talk to your gynaecologist. (Just, really have your heart checked, okay? 😅)

Please share! Someone might need to hear this.

[mydonkeyfeet]

Perimenopause

who's going to explain perimenopause to us ancient tumblrinas? I don't remember learning anything about it in school or even college human anatomy and physiology. I can't tell if I'm starting or not. I have irregular periods but they've always been irregular. Anyway, SOMEBODY has to be the old ancient crone on Tumblr talking about perimenopause so it might as well be me. Be the perimenopause discussion you wish to see in the world.

From webmd:

Perimenopause symptoms may include:

Hot flashes and night sweats, or vasomotor symptoms (VMS)

Breast tenderness

Worse premenstrual symptoms 

Lower sex drive 

Fatigue 

Irregular periods (also called perimenopause periods) 

Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex

Leaking pee when you cough or sneeze

Having an urgent need to pee more frequently

Mood swings

Trouble sleeping 

Short-term memory problems

Trouble concentrating 

[cillianmurphysdimples]

Okay fuck periods, dude.

I'm almost 36, I've been perimenopausal since I was 30. When will the big nature shift hit, because I'm sick of this now?!

[cleolinda]

Excited to announce that I have been dealing with some kind of mysterious neck strain with absolutely no cause for the last two days, and it has finally occurred to me that it could be a silent migraine symptom (“silent” migraine in that it doesn’t feel like a headache, it’s just all the other side symptoms). Extra fun: I’ve had a lot of stress or weather headaches in my life, but I don’t think I had silent migraines until after perimenopause started last year. (Please refer to my discussion of pre-menopause hot flashes, cold sweats, and itchy eardrums here.) I am absolutely disgusted with human existence and will be applying migraine meds and an ice pack after lunch.

[jhscdood]

Ok so as a trans man about to enter my 40's, I took advantage of my annual HRT refill appointment with the provider at Planned Parenthood to talk about

perimenopause

which is the period leading up to your body shutting down the ovaries and fertility for good. It usually starts in your 40's but can also start as early as your mid-30's.

Among people who still get their period, period changes (change in flow, schedule, etc) are one of the first and most obvious symptoms that perimenopause has begun.

As I am on both long-term birth control and testosterone, and thus haven't had a period in 4 years (and my periods were never regular to begin with thanks to PCOS), I'm not likely to have that symptom.

The other symptoms of perimenopause to look out for are:

Mood changes (including mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability)

Hot flashes

Weight changes / fluctuations

Sleep changes

Headaches / worsening of headaches

Symptoms CAN be treated, such as with SSRIs or estrogen.

Estrogen HRT for perimenopause is not contraindicated with Testosterone - you can take both at once and it will not reduce the effectiveness of the T. Estrogen does have other side effects to be aware of (Nausea, diarrhea, the usual).

So, if you are transmasculine, in your mid-late 30's or 40's, and you're starting to feel inexplicably funky, talk to your PCP about perimenopause.

[allhailthe70shousewife]

[zelphafrost]

The perimenopausal urge to sequester yourself away from everyone so you stop feeling so fucking combative and angry.

[jadedbirch]

As follow up to my rant post about Peri/menopause, I wanted to provide this resource to the trans/nb community since I'm not an expert, but this guy seems to be. Also, yes, you can still go through Peri/menopause after a hysterectomy - another common question on my original post.

There's also a Reddit for trans men over 50 that seems to have some discussion and resources.

[tramblr]

For the moms

[eatclean-bewhole]

As women enter midlife and perimenopause, changes in hormones, particularly a drop in estrogen, can lead to a loss of muscle and bone mass. This natural shift in our bodies can make us more prone to osteoporosis, joint pain, and decreased strength. Prioritizing resistance training is key to maintaining muscle mass, improving balance, and supporting bone health.

Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, while fiber helps regulate hormones and digestive health. Healthy fats support joint health and keep our skin glowing. Together, these factors can help us feel strong, vibrant, and empowered during this phase of life.

Let’s make our strength and health a priority! 💪🏽

[iamveryold]

Harry Potter, specifically Dramione, fanfics are my midlife crisis. Going through perimenopause and wanting to cry every 37 seconds is so confusing. Is it my kids? My parents? My job? My attachment to fictional characters?… that is making me cry in public? Who knows? I wish I had real life friends who read what I read, I need someone to talk to about this stuff!!!!

Edit to add: Narcissa just told Draco “I’m proud of you” at the same time as my son walked in and now I’m actually sobbing in public so…….. yay hormones?

[lamajaoscura]

"Q: What is the average age for perimenopause? The average age for perimenopause is whatever age you happen to be when you google any of the following:

What age perimenopause?

Skipped period start of menopause?

Why do I have free floating rage?

Additionally, you may have started perimenopause if you call your mother or any older woman in your life to ask her what a hot flash feels like."

[legoloveletters]

I am an Old Person. Like, Ask Jeeves old. Netscape Navigator old. Friendster old. Tom was everyone’s friend old.Tumblr used to be super spicy old. Feral GenX middle child old.

Between a childhood formed by my parents’ religion, to military service, to public school teaching my life has largely spent Following Rules. They got me, y’all. I stopped buying physical books, my entire music library is digital, and even if I did have my old VHS and DVD movies, I have no way to view them. Whatever word processing device I’m using corrects my spelling and suggests a softer tone.

Have I given up thinking for myself? Did I, in fact, ever start? I think about Luigi Mangione every day. That young man suffered, recognized the suffering around him, and ALLEGEDLY (because innocent until proven guilty still exists if only in our stupidly optimistic minds) made a very powerful statement.

Think a moment on that extraordinary act of self-sacrifice.

I’m sure I had a point but my perimenopausal brain loses focus like … well now I can’t even come up with an adequate simile.

Free your minds. Free Luigi. Take care of each other. Look for mutual aid organizations in your area.

Best of luck to us all during the shitbird’s second administration. (jk we’re all fucked.)