menopause/perimenopause symptoms?

First, I have to say that I am diagnosed with recurrent depression. what I am having now though seems different than the “normal” bouts of depression I have. Sometimes I feel fine and then other times I feel very emotional and on the verge of tears. I sweat buckets, not really so much at night, just sort of whenever, I’m tired alot, not much interest in sex, terrible memory problems, cant seem to focus/concentrate, my periods will be regular for a few months and then I may skip one. can any of you ladies that are going through or have gone through menopause tell me about your symptoms to reassure me that I am not losing my mind.

Menopause and perimenopause are two different things and should not be confused as one. Perimenopause refers a 10 to 15 year period of time before regular menopause begins. The main cause of perimenopause is because of a hormonal imbalance. These imbalances can start for women in their mid to late 30’s, but most women do not experience hormonal imbalance until their 40’s. Early Menopause Symptoms are much like normal or regular menopausal symptoms. Some of the most common early menopausal complaints are hot flashes, Night Sweats, vaginal dryness, and body odor change, depression, anxiety, and thinning hair.

First, I have to say that I am diagnosed with recurrent depression. what I am having now though seems different than the "normal" bouts of depression I have. sometimes I feel fine and then other times I feel very emotional and on the verge of tears. I sweat buckets, not really so much at night, just sort of whenever, I'm tired alot, not much interest in sex, terrible memory problems, cant seem to focus/concentrate, my periods will be regular for a few months and then I may skip one. Can any of you ladies that are going through or have gone through menopause tell me about your symptoms to reassure me that I am not losing my mind.

I sympathize with you. my periods stopped years ago in my early 40s and over time I started having all the things you are talking about – hot and cold sweats, loss of memory, lack of concentration, just even feeling mean. I think that menopause is an extremely trying time for a lot of women. I always think,"getting hormones was fun, having them taken away is so NOT." after quite a few years and a lot of thought, I think the best thing to do about it is to just regard it as a part of life and deal with the symptoms as best you can. for the memory problems – make notes and to do lists, reminders. for the sweats – wear layers that you can peel, have a fan nearby. for the lack of interest in sex – think of how good it feels to pick a partner based on things other than raging hormones. I think that soy milk helps a little. People have recommended soy milk and soy powder to me and I just think the soy milk is better. I drink a couple of glasses a day. You are not losing your mind – you are just going through a transition. And you certainly are not alone.

When I turned 48 I left my husband – moved out and took my 7-year old son with me. I started having alot of intense emotions, crying, grief, anger – which I thought were related to my marriage break-up. I also started having migraines for the first time. I was tired also. it took me about a year to figure out that my symptoms were related to pre menopause. I didn't get hot flashes until I reached menopause (when your periods stop for good), but they can vary greatly in the way you experience them as well. for more info on symptoms, see natural-approaches-to-menopau…