4 YEARS IN - MY EXPERIENCE with PERIMENOPAUSE so far!! *part 4* 

Anyone that has restless legs or cramps please think about taking magnesium if I don't take magnesium before I go to bed then I wake up with leg cramps & or restless legs. It helped me so much. I went into full blown menopause because of an operation about 5 years ago. I had so many problems . I can't take any menopause medicine because of a stroke I had years ago. My advise, go to yr doctor, don't take any bullshit from him. You are paying him for a service and he has to listen to you and help you. You are not crazy! Also talk to your friends, family. They are going through the same thing and have good advise. Stay positive it does get better❤❤❤ Andrea thanks a million for been so good at explaining things and for all your advise xxx

Thank you for this topic. I'm 53 and suffer from M.E, Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, Depression and other medical issues. I had the merina coil (not sure if that's spelt correctly) about 6/7 years after my son was born. He'll be 16 this year. I had it fitted due to heavy periods, so they stopped. I did get a show every now and then. I've still got it fitted and I believe it is helping with my menopause. Yes I get moody, lack of sleep, body pain, brain fog but that's also down to my Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia. I only suffer from night sweats occasionally. Yes I'm anxious and I only go out once a week with my husband only. I can cry for England and that's got worse due to me losing my Dad suddenly last May. Unfortunately my husband isn't interested in my health, its taken 7 years to accept my Fibromyalgia and M.E. But thank you from the bottom of my heart for talking about this...I don't feel alone now. Please take care and all my love xx ❤️

Hello my lovelies. I'm 52 and think I'm coming to the end, but if I drink alcohol it will start the hot flushes and headaches off again. It's great listening to you Andrea and reading everybody's symptoms, it's really helped me through this. ❤️

Hi Andrea .i had a-hysterectomy when I was 50 and went into the change a week later .still going though it at 64 so been on HRT for 14 years .i have dry skin headaches and always feel tired .and anxiety and started with panic attacks .i was so outgoing be for the change.i am also a carer for my disabled daughter so have to keep going every day .i think we all need a 🥇 .love watching all you videos xx love to you both ❤

Hey ladies. Great video as usual. I am 50 in December and I started showing some serious symptoms last year. I felt really depressed and emotional, I was getting headaches hot sweats and lack of sleep at night. I’ve had a weight shift where are used to be a size 14 but hourglass shape and now I hold all my weight around my waist which has been a lot to contend with. I work with a woman who has gone through the fight to get the correct HRT from her GP and she was a proper Guru. She advised me that natural is far better than synthetic as it copies your own hormones. She said that if a person still has their womb then they need to have progesterone as well as the oestrogen. Only a person who has had a hysterectomy should just have the oestrogen. I went to my GP with the suggestions that she gave me regarding an oestrogen patch and progesterone tablets and for my symptoms apart from the weight everything else has levelled out. I really don’t think menopause is taken seriously still but I work for the NHS and they have an amazing menopause advice system for staff which is really helpful. Keep up the good work of being open and honest. I think it helps to think we are not alone. ❤

I am 49.. with my perimenopause I have sensory overload.. just my boyfriend drinking is driving me crazy.. hot flushes, aches.. energy up and down.. hard to fall asleep.. sending love to all you lovely ladies ❤❤

I’m on Estradot, too! Progesterone is needed, even if you do no longer have periods. Take “micronized progesterone”, it is much safer than any synthetic ones. My gynecologist agrees with me to stay on such HRT until the rest of my days. It has been a life saver for me. Within days of having started it about 6 years ago, I felt like all my joints are being lubricated, no joking. The most important thing however is, you have to make sure you start HRT no later than within 5-10 years after your periods have stopped for good. And there should not be any medical contra-indications such as a history of breast cancer. Talk to a gynecologist, not just your GP. Your GP can refer you to a gynecologist in an NHS hospital. So you do not have to go private/pay a fortune.

My perimenopausal migraines stopped when the periods stopped completely. My brain fog makes me unable to recall people's names, even people Ive known for years! 😂

Andrea I feel everything you’re going through. I hit peri menopause at 46! My entire journey was not great as no hormone treatments were suitable. I’ve just turned 60 and been symptom free for about 2 years. Hang in there. It does get better.

Hey lovely ladies. What a fab video. I started my menopause journey nearly 17 years ago. It took 8 years to get onto HRT and as you mentioned in your video, it takes a while to find the one that works for you. I am now past peri menopause and have hit the menopause. I feel great in myself and so pleased to never have a period again. I eat reasonably well, drink alcohol very occasionally and exercise. I still have the menopause belly and have never been able to get rid of it. Sadly I am 3 sizes larger than I was and it has been a shock to not be able to lose the weight. But as you said, I have come to terms with my new body shape and grateful that I am still mobile and not in pain. I wish you well on your menopause journey Andrea ❤

Thank you for your words. You make it so easy to understand. You should give talks on this subject to groups.

Hi girlies.....hope you are both well. Im coming up to 64 next month & my periods stopped in 2010 so Ive been going through menopause for 14 yrs.....I put up with it for 10 yrs but it REALLY started to affect me past 4 yrs...finally after lockdowns dr saw me & agreed I needed HRT & prescribed tabs, but I couldnt take them as Id had blood clot on lungs due to hip surgery in 2017, dr knew this, so apologised & prescribed something else....picked up read leaflet & couldnt take due to blood clot! 🤬 got referred to menopause clinic & so called specialist was appalled & prescribed patches but once again it said NOT to use if youve ever had blood clots......4yrs on still havent had ANY meds to help so now Ive given up & just put up with every symptom you mentioned....hot flushes & sleep deprivation being worse. I can be very irritable very quickly over silly lil things, can shout one min, cry the next & then be as nice as pie!!!! I think menopause should be talked about at schools & NOT just for girls & taken seriously not laughed at. My family are supportive but could be better.....its nice to see McKenna being so supportive as she'll be more understanding of it when the time comes for her. Stay strong....youre NOT going mad! Love you two 😘😘 xx

Thanks for your honesty. It was my question about the meno belly. You're so right. My self confidence has been knocked and I feel like a different person but I need to love myself more and not care about what other people think.

I am 45 and I think I have been peri for around 6 years and in the last couple of years I have definitely noticed bigger changes. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. We do need to talk about our symptoms more I spent the whole of this video nodding my head in agreement with you xx

Hi what a very frank topic that was,I’m 65 and when through the change at 38 years old I had a hysterectomy. I was put on HRT straight away .and I came of off it when I was 56 my own decision. I still get some problems with the change but it’s a lot less,also I now have got to the age where I don’t give a shit what people think about me,or how I look.it’s very refreshing state to be in. Also my tastes have changed a lot I used to be a sweet tooth too,but now I crave savoury food a lot especially cheese and onion crisps.😀 I think the best advice is to eat plenty off freash veg and fruit,and cut out the processed foods. And I also cut out bread, tea and coffee. I feel so much more alive now.😊

Hi ladies, thank you so much for posting such an honest and down to earth series about menopause. It all desperately needs to be talked about more and men need to understand more about it!! I’m only 51 but a blood test confirmed that I am officially in full menopause. I suffered terribly until I got my HRT right and now I’m mostly feeling ok. I think the only way to get through it all is to think that having the opportunity to age is a privilege that many are denied and just to try and find the best in every day when you can and just try and be accepting and up the self care 🩷. Much love to you xx

Hi I m 46 and been on a combination patch the last month, nothing has improved yet but early days I guess, the headache everyday is driving me mad but I m hoping it improves in time. Thankyou for this video it gives me a bit of hope.Love all your videos by the way think your both great x

Hi ladies thank you so much for talking about this subject as sometimes when you are going through issues you can feel very isolated. I’m 56 and I have been taking HRT for about 9 months and I can now sleep and there are no hot flashes. I have been bleeding every couple of weeks so had to have a scan and hysteroscopy and the doctor has recommended a mirena coil for the progesterone element of hrt. I’ve also been diagnosed with an under active thyroid so I’m taking meds for that and a statin. I swear I was ok till I hit 55 😂. Life can be a bit of a challenge at the moment but I always think that other people are suffering with worse things. Thank you McKenna for helping your mum you are an absolute angel and you both make me chuckle. Never change 💗🤗

I live in Hampshire and we have menopause cafes ,just I group of ladies and gentlemen sharing their experiences of the menopause. Am 10 years in and only been on patches for 2year ,wish I had done it years ago.xx

Hi, I’ve just turned 59 & had my ovaries removed when I was 53. Prior to the surgery I had Zoladex injections to stop them working before they were removed & it produced instant menopause with ALL of the delightful symptoms 😬. Sadly due to the fact that Im a high stroke risk I couldn’t have HRT, so have just been muddling along & putting up with all the changes for the past 6 years. Funny thing happened recently though, I had a total knee replacement in November & for the first few weeks after the surgery I had no hot flushes at all, it was like my body thought I had enough to be dealing with with the after effects of the surgery. However, about a month ago they came back with a vengeance! 😕

McKenna you said something that so rung a bell! When I was pregnant, I couldn't drink my morning coffee, I couldn't hold it down at all and even the smell ended up repulsing me. Of course it's not any good for you ❤

Lovely video Andrea ,very informative xx

Can relate to so much of this! HRT is def a life saver, I was suffering bad joint pain, hot flashes and the worst insomnia that was ruining my life....HRT totally got rid of all that though!🙂 (I mean it didnt solve the 'menopause brain' issue completely and I did throw important work keys into the bin last night for some reason!!LOL😁). Also its not the end of anything, its just a new phase of life. I managed to lose 7st during peri and have never been as fit, healthy and confident in my life! I look better, I feel better and can now run a 5k when I struggled to get up the stairs before.....So dont let it define you!😉

Once again thank you so much for the honest and open chat Andrea 🙏 You have again highlighted that I need to go back and speak to my doctor. It was because of you I initially went to talk about the menopause but I’ve been thinking ‘this can’t be right’ for some time and putting it off going back but I am also having a period every other week (I’m only on the patches) and yes it’s is draining and just a flipping nuisance. My sleep is non existent more nights than I care to admit. Okay, enough this is enough, I’m calling tomorrow. Thanks again and take care both ❤❤

Hi ladies I am 72 coming to 73 it all goes away just keep your chin up I don't ache I garden shop love dressing up I am the same person I was when I was 20 you both make life fun for others keep doing it❤

Brilliant video ladies you look amazing Andrea thank you for this xx

Just want to correct what you said about taking progesterone for anyone else that needs clarity. If you still have your womb & are taking estrogen, then you must take progesterone to protect your womb from the estrogen! Taking progesterone is not down to still having a period or not, it is down to whether you still have your womb or not.. Thanks for the vid 😊x

Thank you so much Andrea for another brilliant video about menopause. You have helped me tremendously with this. Well done McKenna for being such a great support for your mum and also us xx

Sorry you are having so many problems I was lucky I didn't have a menopause, my periods stopped at age 41. I took several pregnancy tests until I went to the doctor. I was sent to hospital, was told my ovaries weren't working anymore and was put on HRT. I took this until I was 50 and was taken off it x

Thank you Andrea these chats really help. Xx

Thank you again for this. Re the alcohol, I have never been someone who wanted a drink every weekend. I would enjoy alcohol when out but wouldn’t always drink at the weekend. I could go months without a drink. But during menopause I am actually wanting alcohol more!

Hi this is a brilliant video, totally relatable. Not sure if you have watched any of Dr Louise Newsome videos on RU-vid. She is a GP that specialises in HRT. I had to fight to get the right treatment, her videos and APP were an absolute godsend. I would urge every women to watch her videos, so informative and prepares you for the difficulties some of us face with our GPs who sadly receive very little training on this subject. Hope this is useful xx

Thank you once again for discussing this topic. And once again I've gone all emotional! Thanks perimenopause! I just changed to Evorel conti patches and I have been very feisty so I've gone back to the docs to review. Great tips and thanks for the boost - we can do this! 😍🥰

Thank you both x

Really informative Andrea these videos have been very good. Thx for sharing

Great video iam 65 and never thought about hrt. Wish i had taken it ,as i suffered from bloating ,irritability ,,migraines (bad ones ) but my periods stopped 5years ago ,and i still get the odd flush ,and migraines, but i started to drink decaff drinks and they have decreased oh and iam a grandma to 3 lovely grandchildren, i think what they call me is a glamorous granny lol 💕

Hi ladies, The progesterone caps are to protect the womb, when your taking estrogen..You wouldn’t need to take the progesterone if you’d had a hysterectomy.

So insightful, thank you! p.s I'd love a lil shout out! love you girls, Monday eve is always a treat watching you! love your connection and banter! x

Love you both 🤗 xx

Hi ladies just to let you be aware, not heavy periods ,clots and pain is down to pre-menpause. I was having the same has you with the being on my period all the time, the pain was like you was going to pass out. Unfortunately I was told a week before Christmas that I have cancer of the womb. I don't want to put a downer on this channel, but ladies if you know something is not right. Get it checked out. If it wasn't for my doctor pushing the hospital for mri taking a sample, it could of been to late.

I’m 47 next month and definitely think I’m now at the start of being peri menopausal. I’m hoping to find a sensitive doctor to support me. Thank you for sharing Andrea xx

I PERSONALLY hit menopause NO MORE PERIODS AT THE AVG AGE OF 51

Girrrrrrrrrl I totally feel ur pain. The night sweats aches m pains digestive issues brain fog. Just for starters. It’s a nightmare. And that’s with the patches 😂😂😂. Men don’t no there are born. Keep the faith. ❤❤

PLEASE help have i missed something this is the last video i can find and i am missing you both, hope your both well xx

Hi Andrea, this is all very interesting to me. I'm not sure if I'm peri menopausal but I've just hit middle age, getting periods every 2/3 weeks, have put weight on and get hot flushes all the time....love hearing someone elses experiences ❤

Hi Andrea im always curious why on earth doc just doesn't put ladies on the mini pill. Im on it yrs im 52 and zero period zero menopause anything. Working great so far 👌

Great stuff ladies! Thank you so much for this! Andrea, can I ask what patches you were on before Estradot? I am on Estraderm 100 and they get itchy now! X

HI GIRLS I TOOK HRT FOR 10 YEARS NEVER LOOKED BACK

Andrea - where did you get that jumper from? It's gorgeous! Not that I need more clothes!🤣

Absoloutly brilliant, I have two daughters who have supported me through this part of life also. My rocks ❤ So amazing to hear other people’s issues so you know your not going mad 😝

Im really struggling with anxiety. Its now so bad im unable to leave the house. I dont want to see or speak to anyone. Im on the mini pill and started the evorel conti patches. Ive not had a period since 2021 when i had the mini pill. Last week i staryef to bleed which was a bit worrying. Ive had no review to see if im on the right hrt. The anxiety is ruining my life and i dont know where to turn. Doc keeps changing meds and im getting nowhere. If anyone has any advice id really appreciate it because i dont think i can take much more. Love you guys as always ❤

My god I can relate to everything you say I’m a size 12 but see a fat lump in the mirror and I’m really hating my menopause body ! I have started 6 k a day run and 30 mins Infinity hoop so we will see if that helps ! Love you girls xx❤

Hi lovely ladies I have just turned 56 I have been on Everol conti patches for 2 and a half years I have recently started with migraines achy muscles mood swings and really bad rosacea on my face ( I never get spots etc) and very tired thank you for this advice I am going to ask about changing the patch to Estradot I haven’t had a period for over 2 years but need my life back..thank you you both make me laugh and most importantly smile..take care ❤

Fabulous ladies, just a side note and it’s only what I’ve learned through experience, you need to take progesterone if you still have a womb irrespective of periods also adding testosterone has really helped my brain function; you have to fight for it but it’s like making a cake and having all the ingredients and honestly testosterone was the flour to my cake 🤪 love your Channel xxx

Hi girls, sometimes (I don't know how) my name changes from Snuffelbuf to Ann Jurgens and the other way around, same with a game I play. I used to have Snuffelbuf years ago. Thank you for the shoutout. Love you guys so much xxx

Hi well im 53 but do also suffer with having ms 😢 😢😢 and am no signs as yet with the menapose ???? Weird im thinking love watching u both keep up the great work love sharron xxx

Brilliant ❤

❤thanks 😊

Omg I’m still trying to shift baby weight don’t tell me I’m going to get menobelly on top of that 😩 x

ALCOHOL IS A NO NO COFFEE IS A NO NO ALSO

I’m 41 just turned my youngest baby is 2 my other kids are 23 21 18 17 16 i now feel like I’m going through the change but scared of hrt with all the rumours saying it causes cancer etc did that not scare you xx

Hi Andrea you should ask the GP to test your testosterone levels I’m on progesterone everyday and estrogen feel Brillant with the testosterone’ was on the others two for 4 year till they did my bloods for testosterone it was so low brain fog and energy was so bad Iv really struggled all my life with migraine / an my periods an pains in all my joints now I can drink alcohol after 30 yr not been able to ,! Wi migraines testosterone as made me feel like a new women - I had to get the GP to refer me to the hospital menopause clinic ( I’m 55) my skin feels better and I’m much stronger, and I can do exercises wi out feel shit - thanks you 2 for the video x there is also a gel for down below to help with the weeing 😉

I don't know if this is true but doesn't HRT just postponed the menopause? So when you stop taking it the menopause just comes back at you with a vengeance ❤️