Tag: menopause

Menopause

Menopause (noun)
ceasing of menstruation

MS and menopause have so much in common.
– heat intolerance
– dry / itchy skin
– anxiety
– depression
– difficulty sleeping
– feelings of loss of self
– discomfort during sex
– difficulty sleeping
– fatigue
– hair loss or thinning
– join stiffness, aches, and pains
– loss of self-confidence
– night sweats
– palpitations
– UTIs
– tinnitus
– vaginal dryness & pain
– cognitive changes

It’s challenging going through menopause full stop, but layering a disease that mimics it makes it even worse. Compound that by gynecologists not having much experience with multiple sclerosis and it’s a recipe for disaster. So basically as a woman with MS, I get to play the daily is it the disease or is it menopause.

In a way I was “lucky” because I coasted through the beginning stage of menopause (period stopping) unscathed because I spent 10 years completely suppressing my period which was glorious. I wish I had done that years earlier. There is no reason to get a period except for ovulating to get pregnant. Otherwise, there is no medical reason for it. I wish I’d known that as a teenager, even with the best doctors no one ever provided this huge nugget of knowledge.

In the last few years I’ve learned a ton about hormone replacement therapy from professionals and reading several books. The current HRTs aren’t from the 90s. And moreover, they are safe (speak with your doctor) even if someone has had cancer. Further, there are amazing doctors now extolling the virtues of vaginal estrogen on the socials. I’m seeing post after post, “I was having frequent pain during sex, Dr. Winter (urologist) saved me during a visit with my gyn.” OR “my 90-year old mom frequently has altered mental state, and we found out they were urinary tract infections, and I asked her doctor about vaginal estrogen and she’s a new person.”

We need to normalize talking about what has historically been taboo and overwhelmingly women’s health. The more you know…

Resources

Low estradiol hormone levels tied to worse brain damage in menopause
Information for women with MS about the symptoms and long-term effects of menopause and how these can be managed
Menopause When You Have MS

15 Minutes with: Ashley Winter, M.D. Talks Urology, Sex and All Things Vaginas

Dr. Jen Gunter (ob/gyn) – information & books are fabulous, something for all ages Blood (about periods), Vagina Bible (all things…well you get the point), and Menopause Manifesto (I’ve read this twice)


Menopause

 

Menopause

Menopause (noun)
the period of permanent cessation of menstruation, usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55

I’m not sure how the dictionary definition of menopause could be so simplistic, since this experience is anything but, and then let us layer in multiple sclerosis on top of that, since the MS isn’t enough!

I’m writing about this a) because I’m likely going through it and b) because I haven’t seen much in the way about MS and menopause, other than I’ve heard from women with MS who have been through it. Some say they didn’t really even notice since many of the symptoms mimic each other.

These details are for women who have had regular menstrual cycles throughout childbearing years, and are never meant to take the place of questions to your ob/gyn.

Let’s start with peri or pre which is “around menopause.”  During this time you can expect to experience the early symptoms of menopause: changes in period cycle, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and / or mood swings. This can start eight to 10 years ahead of actual menopause (during your 30s and 40s).

Symptoms of perimenopause may include: irregular periods (you can still get pregnant!), periods that are heavier or lighter than usual, worse PMS, breast tenderness, weight gain, hair changes, increase in heartbeat, headaches, loss of sex drive, difficulties concentrating, memory issues, muscle aches, Sound familiar? Yep MS!

Menopause officially beings when the ovaries produce so little estrogen that eggs are no longer released (this also causes your period to stop), and remember, women are born with a certain number of eggs and that’s it! An official “diagnosis” of menopause is when you have gone a year without having a period. Due to health and other reasons (family history) you may go through menopause earlier than the standard.

Your doctor can do blood work to check hormone levels. For someone with a history of regular periods, this might be in your early 50s. For me this is a bit more complex because my neuro told me to go on the pill (and stay on it) early on after diagnosis to help control symptoms while ovulating and during menstruation and it worked really well. So well that I haven’t had a period in over 10 years and I never plan to again!

As estrogen levels drop, you might start experiencing: hot flashes (get in line!), night sweats (nothing more fun than changing sheets half awake), depression, anxiety or irritability, more mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, dry skin, vaginal dryness, frequent urination. I’m telling you, MS can give menopause a good run for its money.

There are many options for treatment (or not), but always talk to your healthcare provider about any new or changing symptoms. Just like MS there is no reason to suffer in silence.

What has your experience with menopause (and MS) been? Please do comment!

Signed,
Sweating in 27 degree weather…period, end of sentence

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