Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
I'm wondering when it gets better. I know that post menopause can be different for each woman, but I wonder if I'll get energy back? Will I sleep better? Does the depression go away? I don't mind the stray eyebrows that show up on my chin, or the migraines (which are better under control), but the emotional roller coaster and energy drain bugs me the most. Thanks in advance.
It WILL go away. You will start sleeping better, you will slowly gain your energy back, and the depressed times will get fewer and farther between...all this I promise you..
....what I can't say is WHEN, nor which symptoms will go away first.
All I can tell you is that, for me, the length of time between bouts are gradually getting longer. While this does not make being in the bouts any easier, at least in between the bad times, the recuperation period is longer and that gives me a little more time to get back on my feet and actually get some living done before the next bout.
But it's a SLOW process. I wish to all the Powers That Be that it would just STOP. BOOM. and never come back, but like I said, for me, it's been a very, very slow process.
Additionally, the decline is not smooth. I've had a week of Normalcy, followed by a bad day, followed by 3 good days, followed by 2 bad days, followed by a good day, followed by a so-so day, followed by 5 good days, etc. This is better than what it was; 1-3 WEEKS of bad days, followed by 2 so-so days, followed by 4 bad days, then a good day, etc. You get my drift.
What you need to do is help it along by keeping your caffeine, sugar, and stress down. Allow yourself enough time to rest when you can. Do things that make you happy. (You can read my discussion on "Preparing For the Bouts In Between the Bouts" on the Discussion board for more pointers).
And hang in there, sister, because it WILL be over with someday! I know that I am much better off than I was 2 years ago when I became post-menopausal. Keep a journal of the days that you feel bad (you can just use the 5 DS emoticons on a wall calendar- I use 2 per day, one for how I feel in the morning and one for how I feel in the evening). At some point, you will see that there are longer stretches of good days, and that the bad days are getting fewer.
....and there will come the time when it's all smiley faces!
THEN...WE PARTY!! :D
Good luck to you, friend! and be Good to yourself!