Menopause - Like PMS, but Worse?

While talking with some older friends at a baby shower recently, several were complaining about Menopause, and how crabby, (okay, they used a different word, but you know what I mean), they have become. They likened it to how they felt when having PMS.

Here's my concern: When I have PMS, I become weepy - not crabby. (I just cry, for no apparent reason.) At 44 years of age, I expect that menopause is not far off for me, and I really do not want to go through a drawn-out crying phase as I go through the change of life. Have others noticed parallels between menopause and how they felt during PMS? I know about the "personal summers," "CRS (Can't remember, uh, stuff), and the end of the menses, but I've never heard of tears. Frankly, I'd rather be crabby than weepy, any day!!

Older cyber-sisters, please let me know if you noticed similarities with your own menopause and PMS.

Thanks in advance,

Cyndi

I started early with perimenopause (36). Its been rough, but I am still on the pill, so my doctor simply changed my formula to YAZ, plus she started me on Omega-3 supplements, and the two things have helped considerably.
My husband complained that my worst things were my "ability" to fly into a rage over the littlest thing (burning toast, for example!) and crying for no reason. Both things have gotten much better, plus fewer night sweats and hot flashes.

There is a new drug on the market called PremPro; its similar to BCPs but is specifically developed menopausal women.
If, after you've started your change (and who knows...maybe you already have and just don't know it! My mom was like that!) if your symptoms become troublesome, it might be something to talk to your doctor about.

I'm hard put to tell you that my change went 'smoothly'. In a sense it did. I heard all the horror stories but mine was a general roller coaster of mild emotions. I was frightened by others stories, especially from one woman who was nearly kicked out of the military because her mood swings were so severe. My worst part was night sweats.

Being weepy during your time of the month could also mean other things. You might want your doc to check out your thyroid just to rule it out.

As far as parallels, no. PMS for me was cravings of salt and chocolate. I never got this during menopause. Nor did I have the roller coaster ride during PMS. But everyone is different. You need to talk to your doc right now. Let her or him get a good physical on you so they can monitor you from here on out. Absolutely let her or him know about the crying jags. They need to know this and can prescribe a mild something to get you over this.

Read up on perimenopause. Read---read---read. You're in your forties. It's time to get a jump on what's ahead. Good luck.

The symptoms differs. Menopause is a stage in life when a woman stops having her monthly period.It is a normal part of aging, marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. More information and remedies at http://useinfo4.blogspot.com/