Perimenopause

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been a black coffee drinker. The stronger the better. And love really spicy food.

But since I’ve turned 50 I can’t stand very bitter or spicy. I’ve started putting cream in my coffee and am contemplating just switching to tea. What is happening? (Honestly, up to this point I would have described my PERSONALITY as “black coffee.” I drank so much of it). Are changes in taste preferences a perimenopause thing? Or just a general getting old thing? I don’t get heartburn. I just don’t like the flavor anymore.

This was me! Still do spicy foods, but I’ve been a coffee connoisseur my whole life and now don’t enjoy the taste. Everything tastes bitter. I used to think tea had “ no flavor” but now I only drink tea.

[Anonymous]

Insomnia, anxiety, heavy periods every 3 weeks for about 18 months, then eventually lighter 2 month cycles, waist thickening

[Anonymous]

The hot flashes followed by cold sweat are making me absolutely miserable. Walking around in my own private tropical rain forest ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone else gotten brownish midcycle spotting??

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking back, my main symptom was insomnia for several years. Also, I had very heavy periods during those years, but I always had heavy periods so it didn't seem too abnormal for me. At 51, I skipped a couple of periods, and then they stopped. No hot flashes or other typical issues.

I'm not OP, but it's nice to hear others experiencing this too. I didn't know it's a peri thing.

[Anonymous]

Anxiety, insomnia ramped up, and PMDD-like symptoms. I started low dose effexor which helped with all. I feel more grounded. Cycles vary a good deal and I bleed more intensely. Also oddly enough my menstrual cup fits differently. Switched to disc.

[Anonymous]

My skin looks dryer and flatter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have itching?

Me!

[Anonymous]

Having bouts of insomnia. Thought it was a stress thing, but hmmm...

I am wondering if anyone else experienced Reduced Executive Functioning? Perhaps this goes under the rubric of brain fog?

Ever since the Season 2 or 3 of the pandemic, I have had brain fog. But I am also 3 years older. I am ADHD but had systems in place. I was able to be a parent and a high performer at work. I could hold different calendars/to do lists/complicated work files all in my head all at the same time

[Anonymous]

I recently started having random “ flooding”. It’s a special kind of miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently started having random “ flooding”. It’s a special kind of miserable.

Yup. Yup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having bouts of insomnia. Thought it was a stress thing, but hmmm...

I am wondering if anyone else experienced Reduced Executive Functioning? Perhaps this goes under the rubric of brain fog?

Ever since the Season 2 or 3 of the pandemic, I have had brain fog. But I am also 3 years older. I am ADHD but had systems in place. I was able to be a parent and a high performer at work. I could hold different calendars/to do lists/complicated work files all in my head all at the same time

Perimenopause makes ADHD worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having bouts of insomnia. Thought it was a stress thing, but hmmm...

I am wondering if anyone else experienced Reduced Executive Functioning? Perhaps this goes under the rubric of brain fog?

Ever since the Season 2 or 3 of the pandemic, I have had brain fog. But I am also 3 years older. I am ADHD but had systems in place. I was able to be a parent and a high performer at work. I could hold different calendars/to do lists/complicated work files all in my head all at the same time

Perimenopause makes ADHD worse.

I've always struggled with inattention. Currently perimenopausal and struggling to stay focused. My brain fog is awful. Really hoping that HRT helps with that. I'm getting the prescription later this week. If it doesn't improve, I may need to get an evaluation for ADHD (at age 51) because my job requires attention to detail and need to stay focused in order to function.

[Anonymous]

My obgyn prescribed .25 mg of Zoloft for anxiety and insomnia. It is not the same dosage as what you’d take for depression, and it worked in 48 hours as opposed to the 4-6 weeks it takes for depression. It saved me. Have not had night sweats since I started it. I’ve since talked to my PCP who said studies have shown it works for perimenopausal symptoms, even though nobody is 100% sure why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having bouts of insomnia. Thought it was a stress thing, but hmmm...

I am wondering if anyone else experienced Reduced Executive Functioning? Perhaps this goes under the rubric of brain fog?

Ever since the Season 2 or 3 of the pandemic, I have had brain fog. But I am also 3 years older. I am ADHD but had systems in place. I was able to be a parent and a high performer at work. I could hold different calendars/to do lists/complicated work files all in my head all at the same time

Perimenopause makes ADHD worse.

Oh great. Another thing to look forward to. In all seriousness, thank you for responding.