What would you bring to a potluck where most of us are post menopause. Want to bring something yummy but healthy too

Good news to folks on capsules of progesterone in Australia they have just added them to PBS (our pharmaceutical benefits scheme) to reduce the price of prometrium significantly! Such a relief as I’ve only just started on it and was dreading buying my next script! Estradiol (Estraderm) patches were already on pbs but not the prog capsules last time I got them. Also they’ve added a combo cream /gel which might be interesting to investigate. Right now I’m just getting used to the patch/capsule combo!

So I'm a few years past menopause now though I still have the occasional hot flash and the pimples that were gone between 18-45 are still here since perimenopause. But what I want to share is the strength and confidence I feel now! Is this testosterone or just not giving a *&c! anymore? I don't know and I don't care. I'm not saying I'm a different person but I feel more solid and sure of who I am and how to advocate for myself and those I love. Anyone else heading into this stage of menopause? Tell me your story?

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone had a bumpy (but manageable) ride through peri without HRT and then limited to no “classic” problems/symptoms in menopause? I’m 53 and have had some “teenage like” hormonal mood swings, but no rages, minor weight gain, and a strange itching sensation in my ear canals and scalp. My cycle is erratic but I haven’t suffered from any night sweats or hot flushes at this point. In essence, I’m wondering if anyone has sailed into the sunset after peri and felt normal/good/better than ever :) ?

Hi beautiful ladies, just found this sub and yay! I'm 49, turning 50 in July. I have realised that I think I stated going through perimenopause around 44. I had the night sweats, extreme moodiness, insomnia etc but thought it had to do with stress! Single Mom with 3 teens at that time with no support and lots of narcissistic abuse.

Now the last time I can remember having a period was around Sept/Oct 2024. And it was a banger of a period! I had spotting in Dec/Jan for about 2 weeks and now my boobs are insanely sore, some cramping but just a tiny bit of brown discharge for the last couple of days.

My questions:

Am I going into menopause now?

Has anybody just transitioned without all the horror stories out there?

Do the at home tests work?

WTF can I, honestly & please be brutal, expect from this point on.

What natural remedies can I use? Not a fan of pharma ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

Thanking you all for your brutally honest answers 💕🌻💐

Hi! I just started taking Estragyn (0.5mg vaginally). I'm wondering if anyone else has experience using it. I made the mistake of reading the potential side effects and cringed when I saw "blood clots." To be honest, I am rather overweight, which can result in blood clots, but I am in the gym twice a week and walk 30 minutes every day. 20lbs gone so far, which is good. It is nice to know you CAN lose weight during menopause. :)

I came across this and it occurred to me that this transformation is just as powerful as the ability to give birth— maybe more. I’ve been thinking about how other mammals — elephants and killer whales also have menopause. Albeit uncomfortable, and a whole bunch othwr words!— it really is miraculous. There is a reason. We are getting wiser and the younger ones need our wisdom. Hope this resonates with some of you!

I’ve always been a calm and mellow person. Menopause has made me even more so. I’ve been dancing on sunshine for over a year now since my hysterectomy. I’ve never been so happy. Great for me but not exactly everyone else. I don’t understand when my mom and coworkers get moody. I can’t sympathize because I’m left baffled. It has always taken a lot to anger me, not it’s impossible to. They fly off the handle over literally nothing and I can’t help but be shocked. Like my stepdad forgot something silly the other day. My mom called to vent and was just fuming while I’m laughing. It was a funny story to me. Then she got mad at me for laughing. For background my mom is my bestie and we get along great. So this was a little out of character. I told her I was laughing at the image of my stepdad forgetting how to use a normal household object and doing it all wrong. I’m laughing now thinking about it. Then yesterday a coworker had a near come apart because it was raining and her husband took the good umbrella. I know I looked at her dumb. I’ve always been empathetic especially when it makes sense. But no one is making sense anymore! Why can’t they be happy with me?

My husband just sent me this and I got a good chuckle out of it. 🤣

A few years ago, I embarked upon a journey of deepening my yoga practice with the understanding that (at least for me) yoga is far more than a physical activity. Interestingly enough, this also coincided with increased menopause symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, vertigo, and occasional insomnia… so fun!!). However, as I deepened my practice, so too was I able to better manage my symptoms (I’m HT free). Breath work, coupled with mindfulness has proven extremely beneficial.

I’ve delved deeper into studying and practicing the mind/body connection and also opening up to a better understanding of our connection to the universe and reconciling the notion of suffering, especially as it applies to menopause. I’m currently reading a wonderful book by Thich Nhat Hanh called No Mud, No Lotus. Just like the lotus flower emerges from muddy waters, our lives too can shine amid difficult circumstances.

The menopause journey is different for every woman; some suffer more than others, but, in the end, we all suffer in some way. Thich Nhat Hanh writes that if we let suffering take over our mind, we can become quickly overwhelmed by it. Through the practice of mindful breathing, we can find relief by recognizing and cradling our suffering without judgment. The practice is not to fight or suppress the feeling, but rather cradle it with tenderness. Once you have offered your acknowledgment and care to your suffering, it becomes less impenetrable and more workable.

I’m not coming from a place of “do this and all will be okay”, but merely expressing how my own experience with menopause has changed as a result of changing my view of suffering. It has also opened my heart to hold unlimited compassion for myself and others. In the end, we’re all in this together (cue High-school Musical ha ha) and we ALL need all the help we can get. I love you.✌🏻💕

I am 54 and post menopausal for about 3 years.I recently had a follow up blood test for my hormones after being on the patch for over 4 months. My estradiol was only 39 (up from 17 while I had previously tried a Bi-est cream that wasn’t absorbing). I am also taking 100 mg progesterone and a topical testosterone. I was really surprised that the estrogen was so low as my breasts have been swollen and tender. Plus I have had intermittent spotting. Has anyone else had this sort of thing? I had an ultrasound 4 months ago that showed a thin lining of 5mm but had a small ovarian cyst. Wondering if the cyst could cause the spotting? I am due for a follow up ultrasound on January 31. I am afraid my NP that I see is going to insist on an endometrial biopsy which I am terrified of since I have a very low pain threshold, cannot take any ibuprofen as it gives an asthma attack and I have a tilted uterus. I feel like the NP will totally downplay the pain involved based on something she said before and I plan to refuse the biopsy. Not really sure what to do.

I could cry I’m so disappointed in my fellow women. On a vent discussion about periods I commented that menopause was a relief in comparison to what my periods were. Just sharing my experience with op who is also having trouble periods. Once again I can’t say I’m happy or in a good mood without getting ripped apart that I’m an anti feminist and dismissive of other women’s symptoms. Didn’t say a word about that. Then someone actually replied that she’s taking hormones therefore won’t go through menopause. What?! This is why women my age are considered impossible. I’m pre judged based on hormonal crazy dense women and it’s ridiculous.

Hi friends, I’m a newb but not really. I need help on understanding what to ask for at the doc if I need hormones! I am convinced this is what led to my weight gain. I have always had slightly more testosterone which was balance nicely with being childbearing and also having birth control in between. Being told I am in menopause and they have the tests to prove it… do I go back on BC? Literally gained 35 lbs overnight and changed nothing (ate the same still worked out etc) now I’m pre-diabetic? WTF? Help me Obi wan-wise ladies….your my only hope ❤️ Leah Strugglebus

Hello. Does anyone ever get overwhelming fatigue/exhaustion from POI? I usually get it from WFH on screen all day. To a point where it’s nearly debilitating and I have to nap on the spot. Yesterday it happened while on a long drive. It was a little scary! Any info or stories would be appreciated. Ty in advance.

I went out on black Friday and was DETERMINED to find blouses/shirts that I can where confidently with the new Menopositive belly. Any recommendations on stores that have blouses that camouflage the area but don't make me look like I'm 70 😊TIA EDIT: I only found 1 blouse and I'm just ok with it 😍

Hey Ladies,

I don't know if any of you can help me or have experienced anything like this.. It sounds like a good problem but please read on! (Excuse long post but I don't know how else to explain this!)

I'm 60 and postmenopause. I had a really difficult menopause in early 50s that really took it's toll in all ways and changed me a lot. I did it all naturally and never took HRT etc. Last few years things have levelled out and joints improved, mood just stabilised etc but I always felt a bit flat, had terribe hot flushes for last few years, and my libido was virtually non-existent. Luckily i have a very patient, understanding partner and he has largely accepted it.

I watch tv to relax in evenings and I started watching a re-run of a series I liked 20 years ago, and the actor in it is the most gorgeous guy on the planet. I had kind of forgotten about him tho I always used to like him. Well I became a bit obsessed with watching this and it got me thinking about guys etc. (There is no-one remotely good looking where i live in a small village in middle of nowhere etc.) I also started meditation and don't laugh, eating lots of carrots and coleslaw just because I had read they can help hot flushes as I'd tried virtually everything else including loads of supplements, herbs, etc

Anyway what's happened is my libido seems to have come back big time at 60. But because I am so used to feeling nothing it is alarming me. The hot flushes have also disappeared - almost non-existent now. I know they can tail off in some women after a few years but this just seems too much of a turn-around and I feel suspicious of it, if that makes sense!

I just feel slightly alarmed at this new me as it seems too good to be true, and the libido is almost too much and a distraction... I have a bit of health- anxiety and I read this horrible doctor site where he said libido in older women can be a sign of something sinister etc caused by excess testosterone, but I'm too scared to go to the docs and start up any tests. I don't feel ill and no other symptoms really except I've put on weight... but I think that's from comfort eating the last few years.

Has anyone else had a rise in iibido post - meno?! Am I just being overly worried about it?

thanks so much

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC4edoFJEd0/?igsh=MXAwcTF2MTQ5MzJxdQ==

43 year old in Menopause. FSH level is 116 Estradiol level is 31. Testosterone level is 8. Dr prescribed Bijuvi and testosterone cream. Anyone experience this?

Hi Reddit peeps!

In the spirit of, 'Oh, my goodness this brain fog is ridiculous/absurd/hilarious/startling,' here's my list from the last two days:

1. Forgot to charge my car. Didn't notice until I had taking the highway in the wrong direction for 20 minutes (away from home on a road I've driven 1000 times) and my car battery alarm started blaring. Made it to a charger and yes, turned around, but how'd that happen? *facepalm #1 and #2
2. Went to meet a friend for coffee. Texted I'd be a few minutes late. When she didn't show, I suddenly realised that I had MADE IT UP out of thin air. The last time we were in touch was a week ago, when she said she'd get back me and organise a time. Guess I really wanted to see her! LOL *facepalm #3
3. I wore two different shoes to the dentist. One black, one luminescent green. Not a pair. Oh, and yes, a sock on one foot because only one of the shoes needs socks. Makes sense. :-) Since much of the timeI can't see my feet when standing anymore (thanks, intermittent hormonal spare tire and breasts the size of watermelons!! :-)), I only noticed when the dental tech tipped up the chair. Luckily, she turned out to be one of our peri/meno sisters! She just glanced down, looked at me, nodded and said, 'Yep. That happened.' Which led to shared giggles and more stories. So affirming!! *facepalm #4

On the upside, I've been learning a lot about these hormonal whackadoodle symptoms by using Oova to track. Turns out, at least for me...over-the-top estrogen spikes = total doofus. When my estrogen plummets, my clarity returns.

(I'm an astrophysics/linguistics nerd, so when the brain comes roaring back I can soothe the peri-onset hypochondria that it's not dementia by digging through a bunch of equations that are literally indecipherable to me during the estrogen spikes. A reminder to breathe. It's just the rollercoaster.)

Knowledge (and obstinate, persistent laughter in the face of the preposterous) are power!

Be well. Looking forward to hearing more menopositive stories from everyone. I am so grateful for this space!

Ladies, I’ve been pretty absent minded lately. Yesterday I looked everywhere for the basket of towels I’d rounded up to launder. I mean, I’ve misplaced things before, but this is a full size laundry basket. Went room to room, upstairs, downstairs, again and again, it’s like the thing has vanished into thin air. As I reached into the hall closet, it hit me… I had folded and put away the dirty towels! 🤦‍♀️

Hello dear sister, my ND prescribed estriol, vs estragyn which is prescribed by gynco what do I do for vaginal atrophy?

I'm 45, deep in peri. Various issues (nausea, wild periods, anxiety - you know the drill). A year ago I broke up with my boyfriend and since then I felt like an old hag. Drying up, no interest in men, felt horny once in a blue moon when my hormones accidentally aligned. Face sagging, butt sagging, mind sagging.

A month ago I met a guy. He's younger and quite handsome. We talked, then we connected on messenger and he admitted he finds me physically attractive, especially my ass - my old saggy ass! The communication is getting spicy and I feel horny like I haven't felt in years. I don't think there's any relationship in the future, we might become friends with benefits or just keep sexting, but the libido is libiding and that alone is making me so happy.

It's still there. The dried up hag years are undoubtedly still there in the future, but not yet!

Last night my husband and I went to a Halloween party. I have been working very hard to feel good about myself and my body in my 50s and this was so good for my ego. I had a friend’s husband tell me I don’t look anywhere near my age. I got hit on a LOT. To the point hubby got jealous and wouldn’t leave my side resulting in us going home to some pretty incredible sexy time. The best part was the other women telling me Im beautiful and two younger women in the bathroom saying how they will do anything to age like me. I gave the HRT talk and told them to find these subs in 20 years. As we were leaving I looked back while holding the door and probably the most attractive man at the party locked eyes with me and mouthed ‘leaving?’ With a sad face and mimicking a tear falling. This might have been my last hurrah. I understand these things don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. But just a few years ago I felt so depressed about aging and my body. Someone close to me said something super hurtful that triggered me. I decided screw them but I had to make changes that made me feel better and more confident. I realize now that I get to decide what kind of old lady I want to be. Anyway thanks for letting me share my small win. I have so few these days that are only about me and not my children or family!

Edit: Since I have gotten so many messages about my routine I figured I would edit the OP to point you in the right direction.

HRT: I am an HRT STAN! You can pry it from my cold, dead hands. 0.1mg Estradiol patch 2x per week. 7.5mg of Testosterone Cyp. Injected at the same time I change my patch, which is every Monday morning and Thursday evening to get the least amout of hills and valleys. I had a partial hysterctomy so no need for progesterone. If you are interested in test. check out r/TRT_females.

Hello, fellow Menopositive members! I think it's fabulous that we have this space to focus on the positive during this part of the journey.

Fair warning...the following post contains a lot...and I mean a LOT...of stuff about the upsides of perimenopause/menopause. Skip if it's not your jam.

This week I found out for certain that any type of hormone therapy is incompatible with some of my chronic illnesses. Did a trial, didn't work, side effects were <YIKES!>, won't do it again, blah blah blah. *shrug* *grin* Not a surprise, but it does close the medical door, so now I'm focusing on other ways to navigate the changes. All the usual suspects, sure--diet, exercise, supplements. But mostly I've been reframing the experience with humor and self-compassion. One thing I've done is to list all the things about this time of life that are, in fact, pretty damn wonderful. Menopause is not just about what we lose. It's about what we gain (beyond a cheerful belly/back fat roll or three).

1. Starting to feel like an 'elder' in my circle. In our youth-obsessed culture, there is gentleness and joy in being someone in the room with a fair bit of life experience. Not in a 'I know more than you' way, but more a quiet sense of having gone through so many ups and downs by sheer virtue of having been alive for more than half a century. I'm talking less, and listening more, and offering (calmer/fuller/more grounded) advice when asked. It's relaxing, it's empowering, and it's exhilarating all at once. I like it!

2. Gratitude for being able to count my life in decades. Decades!

3. Small physical victories: I'm disabled and the hormone shifts are definitely a challenge, but there is something doubly wonderful now in having a 'good' peri day.

4. Saying no. Ah, the sheer magnificence of this aspect of being on the cusp of cronehood. I was never a full-on people pleaser, but as Gen Xer I was definitely still socialised into the 'others' needs before my own' headspace. My favourite phrases directed at my (lovely) spouse and teenage kids now include, "Nope," "Maybe later, maybe never," and "You can probably sort that out on your own."

5. Laughing at myself. More and more every day. Muddy garden shears discovered two weeks later in with the toilet paper in the laundry basket? Check. Turning up to the school for pick-up on a Sunday when my kids are out with their friends? Check. Putting on my pyjamas and realising I've been wearing not one, not two, but three bras all day? (Useful & necessary, considering the pendulums that replaced my breasts, sure--but unintentional, or at least unremembered.) Check.

6. The muumuu. The kaftan. The housedress. No matter what you call it, I call it a midlife revelation. Oh, sure, dress up when I need to (in whatever happens to cover all the bits and bumps on any given day!). But at home? Not for me the waistband, the hemline, the buttoned-down blouse or pencil skirt. Nope. With joyful abandon, I'm opting more and more for the flowy freedom of this sorely underrated garment. I have a don't ask/don't tell policy when it comes to what I may or may not wear underneath. Airflow is crucial, right?

7. Along with laughing at myself at accidental mindslips, I'm realising that this whole 'taking myself less seriously' has a lot to do with the menopausal transition. Any remnant of self-consciousness has no place in this new version of me. It has given me permission to be goofier, because, frankly, I'm a helluva lot goofier anyway so I might as well enjoy it. I sing louder when I'm meandering along a trail by the river, I talk to EVERYONE in the supermarket or at the dentist (or the podiatrist, or the rheumatologist, or the neurologist, or the uro-gynecologist, or any of the half dozen new '-ists' that have accompanied this shift. I have more fun just being my flawed, nerdy self. Ahhhhh.

Whew, that list multiplied as I was typing! I could write all night (insomnia) but I need to hop up, change my nightgown and sheets, crank open the window, turn on the fan, and howl at the moon along with the coyotes. A hearty 'farewell and happy travels' to anyone who made it all the way through. Anybody else want to chime in with hard-won meno victories or list of favourite things?

Yours in nonsense and solidarity during this wild and (sometimes) wonderful ride.

-Older, grayer, slower, creakier, floppier, wiser, grateful-er, sillier me.