My Menopause Journey
Menopause What? Not me! What is Menopause? When does that happen?
You are generally diagnosed with Menopause after 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s. That is the primary definition, but let me tell you, it's not always that clear. Let's start with the description and stages of Menopause. There are four stages. (Depending on who you ask, they are slightly different, but this is the route I am taking)
Stage 1: Pre-Menopause. Defined as your first menstrual cycle.
Stage 2: Perimenopause. Defined as when estrogen levels decline and fluctuate, causing unpredictable periods. Perimenopause can last several years; some common symptoms are hot flashes, dry skin, and night sweats, to name a few.
Stage 3: Menopause: This is the time when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months. During this stage, the ovaries stop releasing eggs, and the production of hormones significantly decreases.
Stage 4: Postmenopause is the stage after Menopause occurs and lasts the remainder of your life. This stage is where the lack of Estrogen can increase the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, among other things.
So now that is out of the way, it's essential to recognize that menopause affects each woman differently.
The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can vary significantly among women, and even medical professionals may not be familiar with all of them. Some women may experience symptoms during perimenopause, while others may not until menopause. Unfortunately, the education for an OB in medical school only includes one or maybe two days of menopause training, making it difficult for doctors to stay up-to-date on the latest symptoms and treatments. This can complicate the process of being diagnosed. Estrogen affects almost every aspect of our bodies. When its production decreases, it can cause a wide range of symptoms such as soaking night sweats, brain fog, lack of energy, and sleep disturbances, but many women don't have those; they may have other symptoms, including dry mouth, itchy/dry skin, palpitations, panic attacks, constipation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dry eyes, and more. It's worth mentioning that specific symptoms, like tingling in the hands, may be associated with menopause but not necessarily recognized as such. This was the case for me, as I experienced it but was unaware of its connection to menopause. Upon consulting my doctor, he dismissed it. To ensure proper care and reliable information, it's imperative to seek guidance from a reputable healthcare provider who specializes in menopause.
My Journey and the Pellet
When I started the menopause journey, I contacted a few friends I knew had gone through Menopause and started researching. I came across a few options, but the bio-pellet stood out then. A few of my friends were on it and had great success. So I made an appointment with my Doctor, a rep for the pellet, and after talking with him, I decided to go the bio-pellet route. I could not believe how quickly it worked. I slept better, had no night sweats, and had more energy. It was great! At that time, I didn't know it would only mask the problems. I was on the pellet for about seven years, and then my symptoms slowly returned. I decided it was time to become educated on my Menopause. I started researching new information and trying to find a doctor to help me, as the bio-pellet wasn't working. About that time, I found a PA at my favorite Med spa that suggested adding a little estrogen to my pellet to alleviate my symptoms, which worked for about a year. If only someone had taken the time to explain to me what I was experiencing. I realize now how crucial Estrogen is to women and how much I needed it. Eventually, I found a doctor who was well-versed in Menopause; we did my annual checkup and blood work and had a very in-depth conversation about my symptoms. For the first time, I felt heard, and I was diagnosed as perimenopausal because I had not gone an entire year without a period.
However, after following up with my new Doctor and reviewing the results of my annual, there was a problem. My pap smear came back abnormal. After a couple more tests, I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer. It turns out I was in Menopause, and the irregular bleeding was related to my Uterine Cancer, not that I was still in perimenopause. I can’t express enough how important it is to find a Doctor that will listen. I now believe I wasted six months to a year trying to figure things out. What’s terrible is I know women who have gone years without proper help and guidance. The metrics the medical industry uses to diagnose Menopause might need to be revisited just saying.
My experience has proven the need for good Menopause savvy doctors; you must be your best advocate! Reach out to friends and family, talk about what is happening with you and your body, and Get your annual checkups so important!
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All opinions are always 100% honest and my own and are based on what I have been through in my 50s with Perimenopause and Menopause and Cancer. I am not an expert or claim to be one. Just a participant in Menopause.
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