I was peri-menopausal at 35ish...went into menopause naturally at age 38. I'm now almost 43 and things are kind of getting better. I took an over the counter supplement off and on for a few years...and that helped a lot. I think it's just a wait it out game. I've also dealt with the libido issue. Mostly I'm self-conscious because menopause took away my waistline and gave me a spare tire. That's been a big adjustment. I swear I'm going insane because of the memory loss! However, I'm finding that the fog is beginning to lift ever so slightly.... Your body is going to do what it has to. Things will settle down eventually. Until then try to explain to everyone, and yourself, that this is temporary. Your 'regular' self has gone on a vacation and someone you don't know is filling in....it is temporary! Patience is the key!

Doctors, whether promoting alternative treatments or prescribed medications, are subject to propaganda and are well paid by the corporate companies. I would guess less so by the alternative manufacturers since they don't have the millions of dollars to spend. But as the consumer we have to go with our educated guesses. I have resisted hrt after a hysterectomy (uterus, ovaries, cervix) although my oncologist offers it every time I see him. Even though my cancer was estrogen receptive and my mother had breast cancer. And my symptoms are very mild infrequent hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Since he is one of the best gyn oncologists in NYC I trust him for the oncology side but use my endocrinologist for hrt consultations - tomorrow we review a recent bone scan. And by the way - Replens seems to work well for the vaginal dryness and is cheapest at Walmart.

I have recently been diagnosed with AAADD - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder This is how it goes... I decide to do work on the car, start to the garage and notice the mail on the table. OK, I'm going to work on the car... BUT FIRST I'm going to go through the mail. Lay car keys down on desk. While discarding the junk mail, I notice the trash can is full. OK, I'll just put the bills on my desk.... BUT FIRST I'll take the trash out, but since I'm going to be near the mailbox, I'll address a few bills.... Yes, Now where is the checkbook? Oops..there's only one check left. Where did I put the extra checks? Oh, there is my empty plastic cup from last night on my desk. I'm going to look for those checks... BUT FIRST I need to put the cup back in the kitchen. I head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice the flowers need a drink of water, I put the cup on the counter and there's my extra pair of glasses on the kitchen counter. What are they doing here? I'll just put them away... BUT FIRST I need to water those plants. I head for the door and... Aaaagh! someone left the TV remote on the wrong spot. Okay, I'll put the remote away and water the plants... BUT FIRST I need to find those checks. END OF DAY: Oil in car not changed, trash not emptied, bills still unpaid, cup still on the counter, glasses still on the counter, checkbook still has only one check left, plants not watered, lost my car keys, . . . . where's the TV remote? . . . And, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I'm baffled because... I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY! I realize this condition is serious... I'd better get help... BUT FIRST...I think I'll check my e-mail. Who was I going to send this to???

I to thought that my mom and her mom would be an indicator of what I might face with menopause but they weren't. Grandma had a hysterectomy and mom had six kids. I have none. Mom's lasted about 10 years, hot flashes real bad and just couldn't make sound decisions. Very moody as well. For me, 50 today, last period a year ago. Hot flashes a few times a day but the thing that bothers me most is the mood changes. I have always been a pretty even keeled kind of person. Mom always called me laid back Laura. Stress never got to me before but now, I have a real hard time with it. Fortuneately I work with men, my husband being one of them and a our boss is a friend I've known for 20 years. I've always been able to be brutally honest with him and if I'm having a bad day, I forwarn him and he keeps his distance. Leg cramps have also been real bad since this all started. Fortuneately I can control it to some degree with supplements of calcium/magnesium along with black strap molasses.