I'm in a tailspin chemically and don't know which way is up. looking for suggestions, including other boards. I'm 38, no perimenopause symptoms (that I identify), not on bc of any type (use condoms and abstention), married 11 years, partnered 12. I have one ovary since age 5 months (cysts on the rt ovary and rt twisted fallopian tube: both removed, others fine.) normal period patters in bleeding days, BUT the midcycle has gone wacky in the past three years. mid cycle (ovulation) I get serious breast pain. slightly tied to caffiene consumption, but laying off does not cure the problem. a couple days later, bloat starts.breast pain centers into nipples (owwwch) and then vanishes until 2-3 days before bleeding starts. no serious cramping, sort of dyslexic menstrual syndrome. also zip sex drive. I've never been a nympho after the initial infatuation, but I have to pep talk myself into it, or go through the motions. It's all well and good, and I have decent orgasms, but I don't look forward to coming home and kidnapping my mate for the evening. some mild depression issues, sexual abuse as a child (brother's friend, over many years). I hear rumours tha wellbutrin can help the deression and the apathy in bed. well, my full of ideas sisters? where do I look now?
How's your soy consumption? Are you sure these problems aren't perimenipause symptoms? You know, my cycle is constantly changing. Before dd1, I had horrible cramps and 10 day menses. After dd2 and before dd2, zilch cramps or any pms symptoms at all. Also finally a 5-7 day of bleeding. After dd2, I get super sore breasts right before menstruation and mild crankiness. Lately, (last few months) my sore breasts coinside with ovulation and super-extreme bloating and emotional fluctuations.
It may very well be perimenopause symptoms, Drumminmama...my periods went wacky for no apparent reason when I was about 36, some of the same symptoms you have. I started getting PMS with a vengeance (never had it before), and general depression, and just felt "different" My periods, strangely, started getting very regular eventually (they were every 8 weeks most of my menstruating life), but the PMS still happens. I'm still dealing with this in my mid-40's...still in perimenopause, no hot flashes, night sweats or any of that. And, I'm still bleeding with the best of 'em...
I was afraid of that. and sus, eight-ten years of this? I'll off myself with this depression! shhhhhhhhht. think I'll have a chat with the doc now that I can finally afford insurance. any decent boards for dealing with peri-m holistically? (grumble grumble)
I agree with Sugarmg (hope I'm spelling that right!)...the herbalist, Susun Weed has an excellent forum on all types of subjects (menopause included)...I think you would really like it: www.susunweed.com Just go to the section entitled "Wise Womens Forum"..I've been there for a couple of years...another one of my internet homes.... I just learned to chock up the depression to hormones..that helps me downplay it a bit. Also, Peri and actual menopause seem to be a very good reflecting glass (for me, anyway) to use for exploring un-dealt with issues in life...a good time to do some inner exploration... BTW, Susun's website in general is a real treasure trove of herbal info., health info., etc. And, she has an excelent book on menopause as well...talks about it on her site...I'm sure there are other sites that deal with this, but Susun's seems like a good one.. Good luck, Durmminmama...don't let it get ya' down!!
Some advice on depression. For years I would get depressed. Actually it was probably more of a case of bi-polar disorder. Even though I knew it was unhealthy for me I would smoke to cope with depression. I would attempt time and time again to go cold turkey with the fags. Each time would last until something went wrong and I would feel suicidal and I would be back on the fags. I tried giving up coffee, going on anti-depressants and going on St. John’s Wort .None proved satisfactory. I only discovered the relationship between a high quality fat diet and depression by accident. If you are unconvinced so far you might like to look at the following studies: http://www.calolive.org/nutritionists/findings/findings_2002q2.html http://health.yahoo.com/topic/depre...Psychology_Today_articles_pto-20030429-000002 I know you are philosophically uncomfortable with idea of consuming animal fats, so would it be possible to obtain non-hydronated coconut oil where you are? If you cannot but it in the supermarket, try one of those Asian grocery stores or Asian supermarket. Failing that you can get coconut oil on e-bay. If you still think all vegetable oils are good, Maybe you should read the book Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, by Udo Erasmus. I am sorry you had to endure sexual abuse as young girl. I don’t know how anyone could live with themselves for doing that. Do you eat much chocolate? You might need to eat some more. As it is a long time since you have had an uncontrollable fit of laughter, I think you should get hold of the Duckman DVD set. It becomes funnier the more you watch it. Some episodes are better than others. One of my favourite episodes is Apocalypse Not.
Bilby, I tried the high fat diet related to epilepsy. I'm not wired to process it right, but I am getting more of the better fats (I will occasionally eat butter. Frankly, I don't like it) as my cholesterol is out of balance, esp for someone with low triglycerides overall. Hormones are fat carried, i beleive (anyone know for sure?) so fat must be in a healthy diet.
When I switched back to butter it did taste a bit funny but after a week I got used to it. I always find pastry made with butter is easier to work with and the end results are better as they are for making cakes. What we should all avoid is trans fat as it does not occur naturally in nature. The human body is not designed to deal with it. The damage can be reversed by consuming long chain omega-3’s. If trans fat is included in the diet of pigs aka hogs, the die soon afterwards. If you philosophically ok with butter, maybe you could try having croissants for breakfast. Check the ingredients label first! I know they are not cheapest food but breakfast cereals give you very little for you money in terms of actual nutrition. I would suggest you don’t waste your time and money on cholesterol tests. At your age, it is probably the effect of a problem rather than the cause. Even if you could lower it down with diet as is claimed by some very expensive brands of margarine, you would increase your chance of getting cancer. Statin medications are for sheeple. Remember the Glycemic Index is a theory not a indisputable fact that has stood the test of time. It is not without its critics. In any case it is essentially of interest to people who are watching their weight and looking are your sig pic, I don’t think is a problem for you.
triglycerides are lipid fats, not sugars. (which is the GI. well over three quarters of my carbs are whole grain, so GI is a moot point for me: unless I need a kick, then I whip out carrots and, yes, chocolate. I'm not taking, and do not plan to take, any statins or use weird chemical margarines. I have a vegan zero trans fat margarine for baking and for the occasional corn tortilla binge. After that I love olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or nut butter if i'm going sweet
From reading about what some genetic women go through, there might be some advantages for those of us who were born male and were made into women. There are advantages being a genetic lady, but also advantages being a transexual lady. I may have to go every week to my doctor for my estrogen shot, I had to endure painful facial feminization surgery to give me a woman's face, I had to have women's breast, hip and buttocks implants to enhance my estrogen influenced body to give me a woman's body, it is for certain something of a hassle being made into a beautiful feminine translady too, but some of what you beautiful feminine genetic women go through can also be rough stuff. Of course us transladies can't have the joy of getting pregnant as genetic women can, we have had to either had children before when we were still men (as I did with genetic women), or after being made into women and getting our legal status changed to female, adopt children with our husbands. (which my man and I have decided not to do, since we both have children from previous relationships). It would be lovely being pregnant though, and the breast feeding a baby. That is one pleasure I won't have, and it is so lovely that many of you genetic women can experience that. I wish the best for you DrumminMama, and hope these days you are feeling well. 'hugs and kisses' Lady Angela
