OS menopause memories?

moneyistooshorttomention

I just assumed that my supervisors and that female doctor couldnt have any problems with their own periods and them both having hysterectomy operations later must have been down to them suddenly starting having problems. It hadnt occurred to me that they might have problems too - I guess because I assumed that, if they had, then they would have "understood".

21 days!!!:eek:

Am now trying to recall how long the longest was that I had ever. Certainly a week long wasnt uncommon and that was annoying enough and I used to frequently tell myself "But it's only supposed to be 3-5 days long - so how come?". I think the longest ever must have been about 9-10 days - and that was "driving me nuts" wondering just how much longer I was going to have to put up with it. It just feels so "primitive" to have a body that is out of control and bleeding like that.

One thing I would say - do keep an eye on your iron levels. Periods that bad must be depleting them. I suspect the ones I had are the reason I found my iron levels are low recently - ie a hangover from those days. Maybe low iron levels won't affect your health now - but once your body gets a bit older, then there might be a belated effect from that imo.

beecher2

It has been heavy for 8 of those days, just in case you're imagining me looking like a vampire victim
I have had loads of blood tests over the past 6 months - my ferritin level went down to 10 at the beginning of the year but was at 44 in June after taking iron. I think I might go back on it for a wee while after my holidays so thanks for reminding me.

patchwork_cat

I have had electrolysis since my mid twenties, and it is not a case of 20 treatments and then top ups, you have it for life. There are creams you can get on prescription. I wouldn't recommend waxing as you have to leave it for a fair amount of regrowth. What about no no or Nads facial depilatory cream. I don't know if I am peri (I am 50), but I am much warmer than I used to be and will come over very hot sometimes, but not the description of warmth moving up my body, more moving down it.

suki1964

End of the day there is no permanent hair remover. Even laser has to be topped up

It's the reason skin transplants can only be taken from certain areas , like inner thigh and stomach- fewer hair follicles

For me as I mentioned it's a case of daily plucking. I'm never far from a pair of tweezers.. I can't always see them but I can feel them and get the super magnifying mirror out and whip them out. I have both side of my chin, top lip and working their way down my neck. If I left them to grow I'd have quite a trendy beard lol

So every day,mow hen I'm out the shower, I'm there scrutinising and plucking away. Takes about 5 mins out of my day every day

I did go for a wax for our daughters wedding. I think since then I've had more stronger growth in areas, such as down my neck. Who knows, it could just be coincidence

LameWolf

beecher2 wrote: »

scaredy_cat, I'm 48 too and I remember having a time when everything just smelled awful, and no-one else knew what I was on about.

Ah yes, the phantom smells! I get those a lot - for several days a couple of weeks ago I could swear I could smell cigar smoke - neither of us smokes at all, and I don't allow visitors to smoke in the house, so it was deffo a phantom; and DH couldn't smell anything. Weird. :cool:

Oh yes, while I think to say, I'm 56, and happily waved goodbye to "Auntie Flo" seven years ago, having had five years of her turning up at intervals of anything from 13 days to 99 days apart!

moneyistooshorttomention

beecher2 wrote: »

It has been heavy for 8 of those days, just in case you're imagining me looking like a vampire victim
I have had loads of blood tests over the past 6 months - my ferritin level went down to 10 at the beginning of the year but was at 44 in June after taking iron. I think I might go back on it for a wee while after my holidays so thanks for reminding me.

According to a health forum I've been reading - they say that the lowest the ferritin level can be without risk of hairloss is 70 and really it should be more around the 100 mark. Hence my own ferritin level was very much the same as yours (ie 44) and I recently started taking iron supplementation to bring it up to normal (ie that 100 or so figure). I've had a friend and my hairdresser both comment my hair is looking thicker - but I know it's not back to normal yet...so carrying on taking it.

beecher2

Mine increased by 30 in a month, so I suppose taking ferrous fumarate for another couple of months would be a good idea. They cause me real stomach problems so it is a bit of a juggling act. What kind do you use? I have some Hemaplex in the house which might be easier to tolerate.

My hairdresser tells me my hair is fine but I have a lot of it, never really understood that, lol.

LameWolf, this better not last for 5 years - I wouldn't even be half way through if that's the case. Eek.

moneyistooshorttomention

I take ferrous sulphate.

I understand that different types of iron affect people different ways and, from what I read, this type won't have undesirable side effects on me. I take Vitamin C and lysine at the same time (first thing in morning) in order to help it get absorbed.

My hair was never my "crowning glory":( - and hence being very concerned it doesnt go from "not up to much" to "oh heck" iyswim. I always feel very sorry for those old women I spot with hair thickness problems - and I certainly don't want that happening to me ever.:eek:

beecher2

I'll look into that all again when I'm back from holidays, thanks.

Talking of supplements, anyone have anything that particularly worked? I take loads:
sage - nightsweats seem worse when I don't take it
agnus castus - not sure if it makes any difference or not
Starflower oil with B6 - not sure about this one either!
Vitamin D - blood tests showed I was a bit deficient, but then I am Scottish so no surprise there
Magnesium - helped with migraines, touch wood haven't had one in months

moneyistooshorttomention

Beeching

What difference does it make how far north one is to Vitamin D levels?

As far as I can make out - then I think it's possible to get enough Vit. D just from sun exposure and I've got a vague idea (couldnt swear to it mind...) that around 20 minutes or so per day will do the trick. I have often wondered just how much of one's skin needs to be exposed to the sun to "do the trick". I am guessing that the pretty low amount of exposure is set at only "normal" parts of the body exposed (ie faces/necks/hands/possibly part of the arms?) on the one hand v. that's probably the amount of time set for someone in Southern England and it gets higher the further up country one lives on the other hand???