*****For Women ONLY*****

OK KP unless you are in a dress and heels ......GET OUT OF MY VERY FEMALE POST!!!.....LOL Okay girls now that I have kicked kp out I need to ask a question. I guess this is more for those that are in or be in menopause. Could someone discribe the symptoms of it I know that everyone can be different. If you would rather not post here please email me. Thanks----Toni

Mine came & went before I knew that is what it was. OK don't start throwing tomatoes at me. I was one of the lucky ones I guess. I did experience some *****iness and impatience for a long period of time (can we say a few years??) but I attributed it to the stress of being a single mom with 2 teenagers who were driving me crazy. Then one day my period just stopped and never returned. I also thought that was stress related but it has never returned. That was almost 7 years ago. After that for about a week I had a small bout of night sweats but didn't even know what they were until afterwards. Again I self diagnosed and figured it was just my fat body reacting to too many covers on the bed..

Toni I am not going through menopause but the lady I work with is... she says her periods are out of whack, and she has extreme hot flashes. I have to wear long johns to work in my office since she is always turning the temp down. Sometimes she gets irritable. My Mom goes through hot flashes too. She has been going through the change for years. I hear that complain the most. Sorry I cannot give you firsthand accounts. Hope it helps though. Suzanne

Not experiencing this myself, but Mom and MIL are. My mom said her doctor told her that she is not doen with menopause until she's been without a period for a year. So far, she's gone like 6 months without, then she'll get one. She's 64. My MIL is 57. She has extreme hot flashes and misses her period every now and again. I'm sure there are other symptoms, but those are the ones they've told me about. Sorry, probably not much help. LOL! Tina

Not experiencing this myself, but Mom and MIL are. My mom said her doctor told her that she is not doen with menopause until she's been without a period for a year. So far, she's gone like 6 months without, then she'll get one. She's 64. My MIL is 57. She has extreme hot flashes and misses her period every now and again. I'm sure there are other symptoms, but those are the ones they've told me about. Sorry, probably not much help. LOL! Tina

Go to your docs they can find out with a simple blood test...Period irregularitys ..Timeing and flow mood swings hot flashes dry skin hair loss sex drive up or down...... They say menopause takes 10 yrs with onset being late 30s early 40s for some women.....Dr can check hormon levals and tell you if your pre mid or post in the 10yr range

Hey there ok, symtoms,m y period was off and for awhile and then stopped, been over a year now with no periods. Daytime hot flashes and night sweats, be sure u see a gyn to confirm nothing else is happing ok? I rec taking the over counter rx of estrovan and theres another one I can't rember, I refused to take the rx too many side effects. Flashes and sweats you will have to endure for quite awhile see a gyn or your pcp ok

i haven't started menopause yet but my girlfriend has. here is what i found. i hope it helps you. the worst part is she gets very moody and says mean things to me like "you love kevin" and i'm going to leave you for jon". i know she doesn't mean it but it is tough. Symptoms The potential symptoms include: Hot flashes and skin flushing Night sweats Insomnia Mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety Irregular menstrual periods Spotting of blood in between periods Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse Decreased sex drive Vaginal infections Urinary tract infections In addition, the long-term effects of menopause include: Bone loss and eventual osteoporosis Changes in cholesterol levels and greater risk of heart disease Signs and tests Blood and urine tests can be used to measure hormone levels that may indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has already gone through menopause. Examples of these tests include: Estradiol FSH LH A pelvic exam may indicate changes in the vaginal lining caused by changes in estrogen levels. A bone density test may be performed to screen for low bone density levels seen with osteoporosis. Treatment Menopause is a natural process. It does not require treatment unless the symptoms, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness, are particularly bothersome. One big decision you may face is whether or not to take hormones to relieve your symptoms. Discuss this thoroughly with your doctor, weighing your risks against any possible benefits. Pay careful attention to the many options currently available to you that do not involve taking hormones. If you have a uterus and decide to take estrogen, you must also take progesterone to prevent endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). If you do not have a uterus, progesterone is not necessary. HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY For years, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was the main treatment for menopause symptoms. Many physicians believed that HRT was not only good for reducing menopausal symptoms, but also reduced the risk of heart disease and bone fractures from osteoporosis. However, the results of a major study -- called the Women's Health Initiative -- has led physicians to revise their recommendations. In fact, this important study was stopped early because the health risks outweighed the health benefits. Women taking the hormones did see some benefits. But they greatly increased their risk for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. If your symptoms are severe, you may still want to consider HRT for short-term use (2-4 years) to reduce vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and other symptoms. To reduce the risks of estrogen replacement therapy and still gain the benefits of the treatment, your doctor may recommend: Using estrogen/progesterone regimens that do not contain the form of progesterone used in the study. Using a lower dose of estrogen or a different estrogen preparation (for instance, a vaginal cream rather than a pill). Having frequent and regular pelvic exams and Pap smears to detect problems as early as possible. Having frequent and regular physical exams, including breast exams and mammograms. ALTERNATIVES TO HRT The good news is that you can take many steps to reduce your symptoms without taking hormones: Dress lightly and in layers Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods Practice slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on (try taking six breaths per minute) See an acupuncturist Use relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi, or meditation Eat soy foods Remain sexually active to preserve elasticity of your vagina Perform Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis Use water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse There are also some medications available to help with mood swings, hot flashes, and other symptoms. These include low doses of antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), bupropion (Wellbutrin), and fluoxetine (Prozac), or clonidine, which is normally used to control high blood pressure. Complications Estrogen is responsible for the buildup of the lining of the uterine cavity. During the reproductive years, this buildup occurs and then is shed (menstruation). This usually happens about a once a month. The menopausal decrease in estrogen prevents this buildup from occurring. However, hormones produced by the adrenal glands are converted to estrogen, and sometimes this will cause postmenopausal bleeding. This is often nothing to worry about, but because postmenopausal bleeding may also be an early indication of other problems, including cancer, a physician should always check any postmenopausal bleeding. Decreased estrogen levels are also associated with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and possibly an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Calling your health care provider Call your health care provider if: You are spotting blood between periods You have had 12 consecutive months with no period and suddenly vaginal bleeding begins again Prevention Menopause is a natural and expected part of a woman's development and does not need to be prevented. However, there are ways to reduce or eliminate some of the symptoms that accompany menopause. You can also reduce your risk of long-term problems like osteoporosis and heart disease. DO NOT smoke -- cigarette use can cause early menopause Exercise regularly to strengthen your bones, including activity that works with the resistance of gravity Take calcium and vitamin D Eat a low-fat diet If you show early signs of bone loss, talk to your doctor about medications that can help stop further weakening Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors for heart disease usta

Couldn't have said it better myself..............WTG usta!

...from a well known children's story.... "My, What big FEET you have!!"