Real Life Experiences with Menopause

My Personal Experience

Angela Holloway

I remember when I first began going through menopause, before I started experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. I thought I was going crazy. I was emotionally distraught and easily confused. I also found it very hard to focus and concentrate on things, and I became very forgetful.

It was quite frightening not knowing what was happening to me. I felt like there was another person inside me, taking control of my entire body. I felt so helpless. Sometimes I would just scream out loud, and the littlest things would upset me. Other times I would become so upset I felt like I wanted to run and run and not stop, just to not have to think anymore. I would become angered easily, and I was having anxiety attacks all the time. I had never experienced anything like this before.

It’s very strange how we seem to take our frustration and anger out on the people we love most in our lives, the people who care for us and love us. Sometimes I would yell at my husband and children for the smallest of things. Sometimes I would yell for no reason at all. And then, after I calmed down a bit, I would just stand there and question myself, saying, “What did I just act like that for?” I would then get even more upset because I felt like I could not control it!

It was so overwhelming for me sometimes I would just stand there crying for the slightest thing. Other days I would want to cry and I couldn’t.

I absolutely hated it!

Living Through My Menopause

By Terri Seivers

I was fifty-two years of age when I first started to experience my menopause symptoms. The first signs something was not right was when I started to experience anxiety attacks and became depressed. I did not know it was menopause at first.

This went on for quite a few months. I then started to experience daytime hot flashes and night sweats.

My hot flashes will start with a strange feeling inside me. As soon as I feel it coming, I dread what is coming next. The feeling starts in my stomach and travels all the way through my body up to my head.

My body will then break out into a very hot sweat. These hot flashes can be very embarrassing, especially when I am in company. I never used to break out into such a sweat, and as the months have gone on they have gradually gotten worse.

I also now have broken night’s sleep, because I am also suffering from night sweats. I have to get out of bed to dry myself off. I also find myself having to urinate a lot more at night than I ever have before.

I feel quite exhausted some days after the lack of sleep. The restless nights also make me very emotional some days.

After going to visit my doctor I am now taking mild anti-depressants, which has not only helped with my anxiety and depression but has also helped me sleep better at night.

Living with My Menopause Symptoms

By Roslyn Whitney

My life changes started (peri-menopause) in my mid-forties with occasional hot flashes, but more annoying was the beginning of restless leg syndrome.

At times it was hard to know what were menopausal symptoms and what were a product of my stressful job, which had also caused me to start having severe asthma attacks at the same time.

In my early fifties I was confirmed as being menopausal. The hot flashes became more frequent, especially at night, and I was often unable to sleep. I would wake up every hour on the hour, so regularly that I could almost set my clock by it.

I would get so hot I would go outside and swim in the pool to cool down, or walk around on the cold tiles in winter. My head would be soaked with sweat.

My ability to stay focused during the day was also becoming a problem, and the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness were constant. I felt I was going crazy. There were a few really bad times when I felt I could end my life.

What helped me get a perspective on life was going for early morning walks before work, even though I hated getting up because I was still not getting enough sleep. On the weekend I’d go to the beach, because being around water always makes me feel calm.

I believe that attitude plays a big part as to how the symptoms impact our lives. That’s not to say I didn’t have severe symptoms, and still do. I turn sixty next month and still wake up with hot flashes. I can only stand light covers at night even, though the weather is cooler. And every night my restless legs still drive me crazy.

Although I have never taken hormone replacement, I have tried various natural therapies and participated in exercise/water aerobics programs. I have also seen a counselor.

I am not ashamed that I am taking anti-depressants, which has helped ease my symptoms. Women have a lot to contend with at this stage of life. The majority of us are still working. Most of us are still busily involved with our families, either with children still living at home or by helping out with grandchildren.

I think all women have to find what works for them; we have to listen to our bodies and be kinder to ourselves.