I'm 37 and am having weird symptoms that I believe to be menopause. I am frustrated at the lack of straight-forward information. For instance, why are they not doing more in-depth studies of progesterone cream, or bioidentical hormones? If men went through menopause, I'd bet they'd have all this figured out by now....

I started "the change" when I turned 40. Bear in mind, I only had spotting during my menses, but also suffered cramping so bad the first day, I was on prescription pain pills to be able to function. Even after the birth of my only child at age 32, I continued to only spot, but no more cramps. I have NOT had any surgery to remove my female parts or tie my tubes, everything is still in tact. Once I had started the change, I went through what my doctor called "classic" text book symptoms. These included: night sweats, hot flashes, irregular periods (not every month), mood swings, increase/decrease in libido, weight changes, etc.. My doctor told me that once I quit having my menses for a full 12 months, I would be "completed" through the change. He was right, but I still have the occasional hot flashes. He said that can happen and may or may not continue the rest of my life. HE SAID EVERY WOMAN IS DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO MENOPAUSE, AND THAT EACH ONE WILL EXPERIENCE A COMBINATION OF SYMPTOMS. He also SUGGESTED (mind you)that if I could deal with going through menopause and afterwards WITHOUT HRT (hormone therapy), I would be better off without it. SO I CHOSE NOT TO TAKE IT. Not every doctor would agree with that, but I believe he is right. I am now 53 yrs old, and my bone density is still the same as it was when I had my first mammogram at age 39. I take 1200 mg of Calcium with Vitamin D daily, and also go for a walk 3 to 4 times a week. I still have the occasional hot flash, but I can live with that. Not having my periods anymore is so wonderful! Menopause ROCKS!!!

I cry it seems almost always, I for the last 3 years have had what I refer to as “gunk", brown discharge along with bleeding. I can't find any info on it, I now for the last 3 months have had almost constant daily nonstop spotting, to the point I always have to wear a pad. I feel depressed, have suicidal thoughts, I wonder how so many woman before me survived this, my husband although for the most part is patient. I think gets just a frustrated as me. I feel alone, our sex life is almost nonexistent which makes me feel distant from my husband of 29 years, I have tried many things, and the only thing that even remotely helps is menocalm, a natural supplement. I feel like I am losing my identity, I want this to end.

I am almost 52 and have all the symptoms of menopause except my periods come every month like clockwork. They have been like that since I was 13, except for pregnancies. I am beginning to think I will never stop. My mom is 72 and takes low-dose hormones and still has a light period. I'm not sure what to make of that. She has no other symptoms and is the healthiest person I know. I am ready for all this to end.

Peri-menopause began in my early 40's when I still had all 4 kids at home. My periods would last 10-14 days and heavy, changing pads and tampons sometimes every hour. Then I would have a week off of them and back again. No Dr. took it seriously, that I felt the bottom was dropping out of my vagina. I didn't want to go on field trips or PTA anything! Now I'm 52 and so very thankful to be menopausal. Hot flashes are temporary and I am sleeping better than when in the peri stage when I was also diagnosed with Graves disease. I thought it was all part of the peri stage until I had palpitations. All good now and my husband is ok with the 20 pound weight gain, even if I hate it and when it cools back off here in AZ, I'll be out walking daily again. Hang in there ladies, we've been through worse!

I certainly wish I could say that menopause is a breeze. It's been anything but, for me. Severe hot flashes began at age 51. They begin at my feet and go up to my head. I feel faint with each one. I hear people talking in the distance first, and then the flash begins. I have them every second week. I'm 55 now. It is still the same. I can have 20 or thirty a day for 3-4 days every second week. Then I get severe anxiety for the remainder of the week. I have severe insomnia, chronic diarrhea, very tender, achy muscles. I have tried everything from synthetic hormones, bio-identical hormones, diet change, and have read whatever I can get my hands on. No success. Oh ya, I also tried acupuncture. Nothing helps. I can honestly say, it's been the worse four years of my life.