I love menopause. Yes, I must have melatonin every night. Yes, the night sweats were bad, although I have to say, I kind of enjoyed the hot flashes, and now they are for the most part over. Most of all, I love the freedom from the monthly pain, and mess, and emotional rollercoaster.

High estrogen causes breast cancer. Progesterone hormones fall to the floor causing lack of deep sleep or sleep in general as one symptom. Hot flashes and loss of libido as another.

Once I started progesterone, it was SUCH a blessing!

Less fatigue, restful deep sleep, less moody or swings, no breast tenderness, *much* less irritability to name a few...

Just found this when searching on here for perimenopause.

I am just starting this ladies. This is torture! How nausated I am. Today I can't even eat anything! (although it is partially my fault, I had wine last night and I don't think my body can tolerate it anymore - but now I have learned my lesson! ugh!)

I have been using a progest cream for about a month and I followed the directions and stopped using it during my period - UGH!!! No way! I need this stuff all the time!

I was a crying MESS!!! The cream even at a low dosge (I was using too little in the beginning) stops my morning crying jags. The second ugh for me is the nausea. Even with the cream I still get some.

Breast cancer runs in my family too but I honestly don't know if I can make it day by day without this cream.

I also have insomnia which is better since starting the cream.I haven't had any hot flashes or anything like that - I am normally cold so I would probably enjoy an upping of the temps in me. The nausea makes me feel so gross and kind of dizzy.

And even though I have one of the best memories of anyone I know - it is really starting to lapse although only at moments.

Who are these ladies who apparently go through this with no symptoms? Why can't I be one of those?

Before I was thinking I can't wait until menopause because I hate having periods. I don't want any kids so I can't wait to dry up. But why do I have to suffer on the way there???

I've been experiencing hot flashes and irregular cycles for a few years now.

I went to a new gynecologist this summer who told me I was too young (43). I didn't challenge her on that cos I was more interested in the topic that had brought me to her and I forgot to bring it back up.

A few weeks later, I had an annual appt with my family doctor and I brought the subject up again. He ordered a blood test (cos I asked for it) to see if I was going through 'the change'.

Tests came back positive. My levels were so incredibly low that I wondered if I was actually done! I didn't have my cycle for about 3 months.

I was happy to know that it wasn't in my head but at the same time I felt incredibly old.

Thank you Stacey!

So can I ask for this blood test? I am seeing a new OB in a few weeks.

I normally get blood tests for my A1C and lots of other things being diabetic.

Would an OB not do this? I need to find a new general doctor right now.

I am pretty sure I am "in it" - this is not "me" - crying for no reason and the nausea - but I do have other health problems so can't always be sure.

Which levels were low? The progest I am guessing?

Talked to a few ladies and they said that it sounds like the "estrogen domaninance" period which is peri. I never knew that your body drops its progest levels to single the body to have period. Hey, well that is fine with me but this progest is the only thing keeping me relatively normal. Nausea is so high today!

Natalie, you've got a wonderful attitude about your perimenopause.

Melatonin did help me sleep. I hated the mood swings, the hot flashes and night sweats.

Glad it's over. Ummm....my sex drive has increased again That's a bonus.