Cousin of a Friend POV on Menopause (WF 72)

 

This is my last secondhand account on menopause, I thought it was important to share because it comes from a different demographic and with life changing side effects.

 

A mother of two, grandmother of four. She starts by describing her first experiences with hot flashes: "They started when I was about 45. I would have what I called "burners."  My chest got warm first and the whole of my upper body. Even my arms would sweat. They would last about 3 minutes and would happen 3 or 4 times a day, day, or night. It was horrible. (she had a separate "menopause bed" so she would not disturb her husband when the burners hit).

 

She goes on..."My gynecologist put me on Prempro--a combination of premarin and progesterone hormones, which helped tremendously. I was on Prempro for 15 years. I tried getting off of Prempro and trying over-the-counter meds, but they didn't help at all. I got back on Prempro for a couple of years until my doctor retired.

 

Her new doctor would not prescribe Prempro because of its connection to breast cancer. That was about 10 years ago. Thankfully, for her the flashes have diminished to warm flashes, which she can usually manage by taking off a sweater or sweatshirt.

 

She said..."The only thing I can remember about some kind of emotional change was when I dropped a chicken leg on the floor. I was cooking them for supper, and somehow one fell off the plate. I started crying like crazy. My daughter, Laura, came into the kitchen and asked what was wrong. I pointed to the chicken leg, and she said, 'Mom, it's okay.'  She picked it up and threw it out. And that's the only thing I remember about some kind of emotional problem."

 #Menopause #women #womenshealth #sideeffects #changeoflife

                Please remember to share your experiences and comments here to help me achieve my assignment goals, thanks.

 

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