How can you know when it is done

[Ginni]

I've been in Menapause for 12 years. I know all the things to do to help with symptoms. I have been on a number of medications.  Apparently I have this pretty bad. Although it has improved (hot flashes from 5 minutes apart 24 hours a day to 45 minutes apart 24 hours a day and not so severe).  My question is "Is there any test that can be given to let me know how much longer this lasts?  I am so tired of it.

Thank you.
Ginni

[Bon-Bon]

Hi Ginni.  When I asked my doctors, "How long will this perimenopause phase last?"  Of course, as you know, every women enters at various ages.  They tell me that the symptoms will lesson after no longer having periods for at least one year (meaning no longer perimenopausal - now reached "menopause"); however, many woman can continue experiencing the symptoms hot flashes, ect. indeffinately; but, usually to a much lesser degree.  

Personally, I have not heard if there is a "test" that determines "how long" the perimenopause phase will last.  

[Ginni]

Three tricks.  Stay away from sugar and caffeine.  Read labels because you will be amazed what has sugar in it.  Rice Krispies has sugar as, I believe, their second ingredient.  Cheerios is up there too. You have to read labels to know where the sugars are.  Second, do avoid the caffeine, especially chocolate and that is a double wammy. Candy bars become the enemy.  I do de-caffeinated tea.  Decaf coffee would probably work also. If you are overweight, get on a healthy food plan and lose it.  I have lost 45 pounds and it does help a lot.  Third, being inactive is not good.  After losing this weight, I started teaching the water aerobics class that I was in for a couple years.  We do a hard cardio workout, then general stuff.  The water keeps you cool. You don't notice as much when you sweat in a pool of cool water.  This has helped too.  One other thing, don't overeat whatever you do.  When I have overeaten, I flash heavily for about 3 hours, just boom, boom, boom.  it is awful. If you overeat and a hot flash hits, your stomach is very queasy. I have even vomited.  I have found it is better to always be a little hungry and keep ice water handy.  My frig has several containers of very cold water all the time.

Unfortunately, these things do not make them go away. Everyone has told me of things to do. Herbal remedies are fine if you symptoms are not bad. They didn't even come close to working for me.  Premerin and Prem-Pro scared me because of the cancer scare. Five women in my area who were taking it got cancer.  I've used the yam cream, Effexor, stuff I have gotten off the Internet. You name it.  My house is set at 65 degrees and in the Winter I wear tank tops. Don't buy sweaters or sweatshirts. I haven't worn one in several years. This year I finally gave them all away. If you work in an office, I purchased lots of different tank tops and the Sag Harbor linen type jackets. The jackets come off and are put back on all day long. They work well with the flashes. I even take cool showers, sometimes. Make sure you have a good washer because you can't wear anything more than once. Sheets get washed every day or every other day so get several sets.  

Hopefully you will not have it this bad.  My sister had three or four hot flashes a week for a couple years, then was over it. I wasn't that lucky. I've made friends with several women who have this as bad as I have it and for about as long.  We have become a pretty good support team for each other.  Friends are wonderful and in menapause they know what you are going through.

I wish you the best of luck

[coastal77]

Oh my gosh! Say it aint soooo!!!! 12 years???? You poor thing!
I just had labs done and my blood test indicated that I am premenopausal and I took my last birth control pill on Saturday.
What do I have to look forward to?
Do you think some people just breeze through? Yeah right. LOL. Well, I am hanging on for dear life. Any advice?

[jpw710]

have you looked into  bioidentical hormones for the relief of symptoms you describe?  .  first you must find a Dr. who subscribes to this relief.  you can take either a blood test to determine your hormonal lack/balance or a saliva test.  it can be a bit pricey at first but once it's determined what you need, i understand that it's not too expensive.