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Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Are Extreme Menopause Symptoms Normal? Should We Embrace Our Muffin Top?

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*Amazon or other affiliate links may be included, see full disclosure after the post. I'm not a medical professional, so use anything you read here only as a starting point for your own research.

extreme menopause symptoms

If you're having extreme menopause symptoms, or *any* menopause symptoms, you're probably wondering if this is normal. 

When the dreaded signs crept into my life a little over a year ago, that's definitely what I was wondering, but I wanted to know if there was more to it…  From what I can gather, the normal age of menopause is pretty broad, so I wasn't sure at first if that's what this even was.  (I'm 47.)

Note: this post is longer than most, and I hope that if you're any where near this stage in your life you'll read through and share your own research and experiences in the comments, because while I'll share a lot of what I learned, I also still have a lot of questions.  There are basically 3 sections below: 

  1. My own experience and symptoms
  2. Information I've found
  3. What I'm doing now

And remember, I'm not a doctor or anywhere close, do your own research!

UPDATE:  After you read this post, read the follow-up post:  Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe? Plus My Menopause Update and Breast Cancer Rants.  And thoughts from the other side here:  Are Bioidentical Hormones Natural? Thoughts from the Other Side of the Issue.

1.  Here is what my menopausal symptoms looked like:

  • My peri-menopause symptoms first began when I realized I was becoming mineral deficient. (Did you know that most people are mineral deficient?) I started getting leg cramps, or “charley horses”, at night, along with heart palpitations. I especially noticed it on the days when I drank more than one cup of coffee, that's how I knew coffee was the culprit, and this makes sense since I know it does deplete minerals. Apparently mineral depletion, specifically Magnesium, is heightened in menopause due to low estrogen, because estrogen helps our body utilize Mg, and this can be dangerous (source). The first thing I did was cut way back on caffeine. I already didn’t drink much, usually one cup a day, but now I don’t always drink coffee every day, and if I do, it’s fairly weak.  Or often I'll have half-caffeinated/half decaf.  (I drink Dandy Blend now and then instead, or drink more raw milk, or if I have bone broth on the stove, which I do a lot, I’ll just drink some of that to try and put more minerals IN! Here are more good coffee replacements to try.)  UPDATE:  How I Stopped Painful Leg Cramps at Night (They came with menopause, yippee) & Why I Love Our New Water Filter!
  • Then my periods started stretching way out or just being all over the place.  My cycles would be anywhere from 20 days to 65 days.  Good times!
  • I began having hot flashes and WOW did I have hot flashes.  Thankfully I didn't drip with sweat like some women do, my face would just get really really hot, and sticking my head out a moving car window like a dog felt amazing, LOL.  I was having hot flashes 5-6 times or more per DAY last week and sometimes 3 times or more each night!  It was no biggy really, except for the weird looks when I'd fan myself like crazy or stick a cold drink into my cleavage.  (Okay I only did that once or twice, and not in public unless it was absolutely necessary, ha!)  Update that I'm adding later:  I've heard that many women get relief from hot flashes by drinking 2 Tablespoons of ACV in 6-8 ounces of water am & pm — let me know if it works for you!
  • During the times when I was having longer cycles and not ovulating, THAT is when I noticed extra weight coming on, mostly in my belly, but also just more “thickness” throughout my middle.  Thankfully it wasn't a lot, maybe about 10#, which may not seem like much to some people, but it's a lot to someone whose weight had been pretty much the same for years.  (Except for when I actually went down a pant size after my “food conversion” 12 years ago.)  By the way, later when ovulating and normal cycles kicked back in, my pants fit normal again, the weight came back off, and the hot flashes let up, too, weird huh?!  But that didn't last of course.
  • I already eat pretty well (not perfectly, but I'd say 95% homemade, with ingredients I trust), however I made an effort to decrease sugar/wine consumption.  🙁          (Side note:  I'm looking over my handwritten notes over the past few months on all of this and I see…  “Avoid caffeine and alcohol?!  How bad do I want my clothes to fit?!!”  I've since decreased them both big time, though, and guess what?  It didn't kill me!  And I do plan to indulge a little next week…)
  • I had low ambition to exercise.  I try to still make myself get out (with varying success, and of course this always depends on other life factors), but when my cycles fire up again, then I actually like it and look forward to it.
  • Very mild eczema, which isn't a big deal at all, but it's noticeable because normally I don't have any skin issues at all.
  • This one is hard to explain, but sometimes I feel like I have “dull brain”, like I'm not 100% present in each moment.  I don't notice it much until I ovulate, and overnight I feel my senses are sharpened.  (And not just related to libido, ha!)  I'm VERY curious about this one and if anyone else has felt this; if so, how do you describe it?  (Turns out it's called “fog brain”, and it's very common at this stage of life!)
  • Another symptom that isn't a big deal, it's just interesting:  my nails don't grow as well.  I fixed this, though, by adding in more gelatin and/or collagen, both are easy to get more in, just add gelatin to your bone broth or soups (hot liquids), and add collagen to anything, hot or cold, and no one even notices:  smoothies, homemade ice cream, soups, pudding, etc.
  • This may not be related, but I'll wake up with a sore neck for weeks (can't seem to get my pillow right, but it was never a problem for years prior), and once my cycles normalize, this significantly lessens.  Weird huh?
  • What are your peri-menopause/menopause symptoms like??

These symptoms of menopause have become so accepted and “normal” in our society that I was tempted to write it off as just that, but for me, it went much deeper. 

As many of you know, my Mom passed away recently of breast cancer that metastasized.  (Yet I still hate the pink campaigns because I don't think they are helping much – scroll down through these breast cancer/pink posts for more about why I feel that way, or see all the links at the bottom of this post.)

I'm convinced that she originally got breast cancer due to the accepted menopausal therapy at the time she began having these symptoms:  Prempro, which is a Premarin/Provera — estrogen/progesterone hormonal combo pill.  It just makes sense that when you start messing with the hormones in your body, you're putting yourself at great risk.  Do some searching online and you'll see that many studies have now found this to be true and that those are toxic pills.  (More related posts on that are listed at the bottom, too.)  Of course no one is held responsible for these deadly drugs, because her breast cancer wasn't until years later.

So obviously I knew “going on something” wasn't an option, but I also knew that there are many natural options out there as well. 

What I was concerned about, however, is this:  When you start taking something new, natural or not, you have to be careful because one thing always affects another, and I just wasn't knowledgeable enough to trust whatever I could piece together with internet research.

2.  I did learn a lot in my research though… could a muffin-top be protective?

I figured out that this was an obvious periodic low estrogen issue (not constant, because my cycles return here and there).  My naturopath friend, Kathy, told me years ago that a muffin-top is normal as women age, because adipose tissue (fat) makes estrogen, and estrogen protects bones and prevents osteoporosis.  It's our body's natural defense mechanism and, she says, it's a good thing because it's better than no estrogen.

This Weston Price Foundation article also suggests we just accept this stage in life.

Start at the “menopause” section to read their advice.   Here's my short version:  It's all a normal part of aging, just avoid processed foods, seek out nutrient-dense foods, and embrace this new era as we age.

So as long as we're eating well, not taking fake meds to counteract these symptoms, and we're keeping stress in check (adrenal exhaustion from stress can make it all worse), all will be okay?

Other things I read said something different…

This fat isn’t just unsightly. It’s dangerous — because a muffin top is made of the visceral fat that builds up around the organs, increasing your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and an early death.”  (Source)

Here's more info that shows it's not just an estrogen issue:

Traditionally it was thought declining levels of estrogen were to blame for the weight gain, hot flashes and flooding periods at this time in a woman's life, but research has shown that it's not actually that simple.  Estrogen doesn't work in isolation. While it courses through our body at fluctuating levels throughout our monthly cycle, its partner progesterone is working alongside it as a soothing, calming balm to minimize the negative impacts of estrogen's peaks and troughs.”

“Between the ages of 37 and 50, estrogen levels in women typically decline by about 35 per cent in total. Over the same period, progesterone levels drop by up to a massive 75 per cent which means there is a bigger gap between levels of the two hormones and less balm to calm the fiery behavior of the estrogen as it peaks and troughs throughout the month. This is why women in their 40s often begin to experience more dramatic premenstrual symptoms such as mood swings.“

“To add insult to injury, during peri-menopause our levels of androgen are increasing. Androgen is a hormone responsible for body weight distribution and it distributes it around your waist.”  (Source no longer available.)

As you can see, I was still unsure of what to think.  Things weren't setting right with me.

Hot flashes I can deal with.  My clothes still fit, just not always comfortably, and if I knew this was normal and not dangerous long-term, then whatever, but what about the women who are really struggling and have extreme menopause symptoms?  How do they just “accept this new era”?  For these women is it just that their diet may not be the best?

It's not that I think I need a flat tummy as I age. 

My tummy has never been what I'd call perfectly flat anyway, and as long as my clothes fit, I can handle that.  But there's just part of me that wonders, is extra weight really normal as we age?  Or is it just the first step toward diabetes and possibly cancer and other health issues later???  And will the extra weight just keep coming?!!

I'm not going to wait around to find out.

I wanted to make sure that there wasn't some simple solution, what if hormonal changes cause the body to become deficient in certain nutrients, and if I'm supporting my body where it's needed, will things just level out for a smooth transition?

Keep in mind that I'm being totally real here. 

I'll share what I know and what I don't know.  If any of you can fill in the blanks, please share in the comments!

3.  So here's what I did… too young for this

  • I asked around to find a highly recommended naturopath and set up my appointment for next month. I knew I needed help figuring all this out.

In the meantime, I began doing the things I knew wouldn't hurt and that wouldn't interact with or affect anything else, but that I knew could make a big difference:

  • In the past year or so I've been MUCH better about getting sleep, and I'm thankful that insomnia has not been one of my peri-menopause symptoms as it is for many. I sleep about 7-8 hours at least 5 or 6 nights a week. Yay! (This only works because we are homeschooling and I can work in the mornings while the kids sleep in.) More on sleep: “Women who sleep less than six hours per night on average have significantly greater odds of obesity than women who sleep between 7-8 hours nightly. An imbalance of progesterone to estrogen can trigger insomnia, and fluctuating blood sugar causes that 3am wake-up – making it harder for women to lose weight.” (Source no longer available.)  My question is, which came first, not sleeping enough which can mess up the hormones, or the hormones going nuts causing insomnia? None of this is simple!  (Here's more about how we've finally found our groove around here.)

Here are other supplements to consider:

  • I know most of us are also deficient in iodine (and here's the kind I have), but I want to talk to my naturopath first, because I've heard that supplementing with this can cause other deficiencies, so I'm just taking one ever other day.
  • Here are the B complex vitamins I take — good for regulating blood sugar, for mood, memory, energy, a metabolism boost, and building up the immune system.
  • Menoremin menopause tabs have also been recommended (each pill has black cohosh and red clover, both good for low libido and other menopause symptoms).

UPDATE:  Thank you Diane, a reader who just sent me this:

Dr. Hobbins and Sellens furthermore recommend thermography because it can help women see the effects on their breasts of the many foods, herbs, supplements and other products commonly recommended to support breast health. They’ve consistently seen ill effects from the following:

  • Birth control pills
  • Hormone replacement therapies (including bioidentical hormone replacement therapies)
  • Soy, flax, red clover, alfalfa and other foods high in phytoestrogens
  • Black cohosh, red clover, xiang fu and other herbs high in phytoestrogens
  • Supplements such as DIM and calcium D-glucorate.“

“Similarly, black cohosh, red clover, evening primrose and xiang fu (cyperus rhizome) are estrogenic herbs.”

“Stop believing flax, soy and bioidentical estrogen are healthy because they come from a plant. Stop believing they are weak estrogens because they are natural. Stop believing propaganda that estrogen keeps women young when it is in fact killing us.”  (Source)

So maybe the answer IS to just do nothing?!

My appointment is next month and I look forward to discussing all of this with her and getting answers from a professional about how best to move forward. I'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, please comment below to share your experience and your thoughts.

And will you share this post with those who may be interested using the social share buttons below?!

(See recommended books below.)

ADDED LATER — FOLLOW UP POSTS: 

Here are the breast cancer/pink campaign related posts:

More related posts & other stuff:  

Here are books that I haven't read yet but have been recommended:

hormone hell

belly fat

doctor menopause

middleIf you read any of those books, I'd LOVE for you to do a guest post/book review on them for me and I may post it!

photo credit, Creative Commons 2.0

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Comments

  1. Jill-David Boman says

    I listened to a talk from a functional medicine doctor a while back, who said that stress and adrenal fatigue in the years leading up to menopause will cause the body to increase abdominal fat, and because it’s put on as a type of protective, “planning ahead”, mechanism (the explanation of which I can’t quite remember), it’s extremely, extremely difficult to get rid of. Yikes.

    Reply

  2. Fiona Shearer-Hann says

    No intention of growing a thicker waist (I’m working on whittling down my midsection). Don’t think I’m peri-menopausal yet, but it’s only a matter of time!

    Reply

  3. Heather W. says

    Kelly, I am almost 44 and have been peri-menopausal for about 7 years. I have religiously followed WAFP since 2003 and started putting on weight in 2012. By 2014 I looked pregnant and felt awful. Jan 2015 I began the AIP diet and within 2 weeks I looked as if I had delivered that “wheat baby”. I have transitioned to a Primal diet, but wrote all of this to say that I STILL have my muffin-top– even after being a form of paleo for over 2 years and loosing 25 pounds (I was always tall, thin, and athletic). I do take a natural progesterone in Vitamin E to try to combat the annoyance of spotting, but it hasn’t helped yet.

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      Ugh, it’s not a fun process is it Heather?!!!

      p.s. For others: I had to look it up to remember what AIP diet was — it’s an autoimmune protocol diet — it’s like paleo but more strict I think.

      Reply

  4. Susan says

    Kelly, Hi thanks for all these posts on menopause. The neck thing is interesting. I also had a neck pain in the morning and thought it was my pillow. I changed pillows and it is a little better. Do you ferment your foods? I noticed you are taking a probiotic. Do you still feel the need to supplement with a probiotic if you are eating fermented foods? I recently have been using the Probiotic Jar to make my fermented foods and have decided to stop probiotic supplements. What’s your opinion?

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      I would think that if you’re consistent with fermented foods you’re probably fine without probiotics, but I’m not! I go in streaks.

      Kel

      Reply

  5. chandra says

    Hi Kelly, June of 2013, I received news from a GI doctor that he wanted me to see a Infectious disease doctor, because he couldn’t find anything wrong with me after doing a endoscopy. I had been having pain in my gallbladder and liver area when I would eat. Boy, that threw me into a panic attack. First one, I ever had. At the time, I didn’t know what it was, but later was told that is what it was. I am also very claustrophobic and my fears started getting heightened. I would be anxious and have panic attacks quite frequently. During this time, I believe I was also peri-menopausal. Fast forward to August 2013, periods stopped and haven’t had one since. In September 2013 I started the intro phase of the GAPS diet, where you do the broth with vegetables and meat and drink the broth till your pain subsides. Well, I was on it for a couple of weeks, and I was still having some of my pain, I had been dealing with when I ate. That’s when I went into keto acidosis. My breath would smell like finger nail polish remover. So I went off the diet. During this diet, I remember having heart palpitations for the first time ever. I am wondering if this was due to the diet I was on, and was this diet causing a deficiency in me? The heart palpitations started then, and I still have them now. All of 2014 was about the same, I had most of the symptoms that you talked about in your article. One that has really bothered me is the dry eyes. My eyes would hurt some nights right before I fell asleep. I would wake up with such dry eyes, I had to put drops in them. So I still put drops in them before bed, and when I wake. I just use the homeopathic kind for dry eyes. Another thing I noticed about my eyes was that if I stare at something, I can almost see my heart beat in my eyes. Like they dance with my heart beats. I don’t really know how to explain it. My mind just whirls around when I lay down at night, like I can’t relax and go to sleep. Once I am asleep, I sleep pretty good, but will wake up to turn over. I also have achey joints in my elbows. It seems they hurt worse when I wake in the morning and through the nite when I turn over in bed. It’s not just the joints, but it also seems to be the muscles close to the elbow joint. Fingers also have some aches and pains, but not all the time like my elbows. I think certain foods trigger it more. I have discussed these symptoms with my sisters and mom, who all three have thyroid diseases. I have had regular TSH test done, but doctors do not think I have thyroid issues. But I am wondering if they are not doing the right test, and what symptoms I am still having is either menopause or thyroid issues. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      Chandra,
      It sounds like you have a lot going on, if I were you I’d find a good naturopath to help you get to the bottom of all this!
      Maybe ask for recommendations through your local WAPF chapter or ask your natural-minded friends.
      Let us know later how you are and what you found out.
      Kelly

      Reply

  6. SherryJ says

    Thinking that homeopathy might be a mild estrogen substitute shows that you are thinking of homeopathy like drugs. Homeopathy is an energy medicine. It heals at the deepest level. It corrects conditions and balances the body, so no “side effects”!

    Reply

  7. Lesley says

    Thanks so much for this, Kelly and commenters. (I didn’t find it too long, either, just FYI.)

    I never would have associated my crazy neck pain with menopause if it hadn’t been for these comments — millions of other symptoms, but not the neck pain. 🙂

    Exactly the same feeling as you, Kelly — that I just can’t get my pillow right. Isn’t that weird? And it’s the same pillow I’ve had since high school, and just as good as it was back then!

    I know a great deal of it must be due to mineral loss, as I now feel like when I crack my neck, it’s bone on bone back there. It makes an incredible gross noise, now. 🙂

    Made some bone broth at Christmas though I’m a vegetarian. I can tolerate chicken broth, so that’s what I’m trying.

    Also, almost 100% of us (menopausal or not) can benefit from proper (bioavailable, non-laxative) magnesium supplementation. Check out Dr. Carolyn Dean’s line. It’s too expensive for me to get to Canada, but Americans should be able to get it for a reasonable shipping cost.

    Good luck, everybody! It really does help for us to share our experiences, doesn’t it? Thanks!

    (By my 48th birthday in three months, I’ll be two years period-free. Woo hoo!)

    Reply

  8. Julie VP says

    Hi Kelly!! It’s been awhile!! I am so sorry to hear about your mom!! I had a bad score on a thermogram a few years ago and am in full menopause now! I am 49 and would love to talk to you more on these topics!! I am currently taking DiM and Calcium D Glucarate and it helped me a lot! I also use progesterone cream! Another blessing!! Magnesium too!! Totally relate to everything you are talking about!!

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      Hi Julie, I miss chatting with you!

      So are you seeing anyone in town to help you wade through all of this? My naturopath appointment was today but I just rescheduled due to the crazy storm, but it’s okay because I have more research I’d like to do first anyway!

      Kel

      Reply

  9. Lisa says

    My estrogen went sky high about 2 years ago. In hindsight, it had been creeping up for years. I had flooding. Horrendous flooding. I am still re-building my iron stores. I found the work of Ray Peat and his Progest-e and it saved me. It was the most awful time of my life but I came through it.

    Reply

  10. Jae says

    I started having symptoms about a year and a half ago and have tried a number of things, including seeing an Ayurvedic doctor which was helpful to some extent but I eventually opted not to continue. I have found two remedies, though, which have changed everything for me. The first is maca in the form of Femmenessence, which didn’t appear on Kayla’s list of estrogenic herbs and I hope very much doesn’t fit into the category because it’s really helped regulate my cycle (they’re long and occasionally I skip a month but somehow they feel less like my body is a skipping record), gotten rid of my brain fog, low energy, and depression, and improved my sleep. I wasn’t having hot flashes so I don’t know whether those would be helped, but my nighttime sleep is much improved. I’ve tried powdered maca before and not gotten this effect, but the Femmenessence does the trick. The other thing that has been absolutely a miracle is what I call my “magic exercises,” the Five Tibetan Rites. I started doing them last summer to help with energy and because I’ve been told over the years that they help regulate the thyroid. But amazingly if I do them at least 4-5 days/week I sleep straight through the night instead of waking up hot at 5 am. My eyebrows have also gotten longer and thicker, which is weird but seems like a good sign about my thyroid. A zillion people have made YouTube videos of the exercises so that’s the easiest place to learn them, though you can also go to amazon to get the original book, The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth by Peter Kelder. The book is completely kooky but the exercises really, really work.

    Reply

  11. Jodi says

    I’ve tried all these things from magnesium flakes to herbal supplements to iodine supplementation to bentonite clay detox baths. The funniest experience was when I tried Milk Thistle, as it ended up inducing my cycle. Having tried nearly every herbal remedy on the planet for one thing or another, I laughed when you said the answer was to do nothing. The truth is, people age and these changes come with the territory. Despite the cramping, awkward periods, weight gain, fuzzy brain, skin changes, and hot flashes, I honestly wouldn’t trade places with a 21 year old any day. I like being in a place in life where I can focus on making myself and this transition more comfortable. Despite being doubled-over with back pain some days, I do find it soothing to sip my homemade bone broth or whip up a batch of kombucha. Whether it really does anything, I don’t know. But, at the end of the day, I figure I can’t stop mother nature. There is no secret cure to getting older, but I might as well enjoy the chance I have to try new things in an effort to make it easier. I’m glad I have a good doctor.

    Reply

  12. Jennifer Moore says

    52 been in peri for 5 years or so.
    Only 20lbs or so over ideal weight so hot flashes aren’t a big deal, yet!
    DO NOT TAKE black cohosh. It makes you bleed more.
    When your periods come they’ll be of flood proportions.
    I am taking fermented cod liver oil, a good probiotic
    and a vitamin supplement for ladies over 5o.
    Also following Dr. Terry Wahls diet so loads of nutirient dense foods.
    Limiting sugar and alcohol though I have lapses. I get up, dust myself off
    and climb back on the Wahls warrior band wagon. All good.
    Keep calm ladies, all is normal. Eat well, sleep as much as you need
    and drink loads of water. Oh, and love. Cats, rats and elephants or
    better still your humanoid partner. Dr. Christina Northrup writes a great
    menopause book, all about looking after ourselves for a change.
    That’s really what menopause is all about. “Of all the responsibilities
    you have or can think of, where do you place “you”? Most of us don’t even
    make the list. It’s time that changed! / Hence the change of life!
    Look after you. When you do you’ll move mountains.

    Reply

  13. Heather says

    Hi, just a few comments: I had an arrhythmia for a while, but it disappeared when I started taking fish oil or cod liver oil. My naturopath (which I no longer go to, since she screwed me up several times) put me on iodine for low thyroid (per testing, I didn’t have any symptoms), and it caused my thyroid to crash HARD – I was dead tired all the time, like I have never experienced before. It took a month off the iodine before I started feeling normal again. So I would recommend being careful if you try that. She also put me on progesterone cream, which I LOVED for the first month or so. I had tons of energy, was so happy, the most amazing drug. But then my period cycle got all screwed up, was completely unpredictable (it had been regular before), and my moods also were totally unpredictable. It totally defeated the purpose. I have noticed a bit of belly fat (so I thought) but it turns out it is a large uterine fibroid (soft ball size), which is making me look and feel fat. I finally decided to lose some weight, not that I was fat, just can’t stand that belly fat. I just ate less, pretty simple, no special diet – just have to tolerate being hungry for a while, until your body/brain reset at a lower rate of intake. My gynecologist said several times that I am a “trooper” for putting up with this fibroid, and the terrible symptoms she assumes I must have, but honestly it hasn’t really been that bad. i do attribute the relatively minimal degree of symptoms to my diet (Weston Price-ish), and to not being overweight, and to being active. I also want to add that this winter I have been using a tanning salon. They have various beds with different amounts of UVB, and the one I use has made a HUGE difference in my mood. My husband is grateful! Good luck to everyone!!

    Reply

  14. Kelly Scanlon says

    Hi Kelly! I am only 42…but I have noticed changes as well. I try to be “in tune” with my body and have noticed patterns month to month. I have eaten, what I call ” WAPF Paleo” for several years now…this prompted by a series of events that led me doing the GAPS diet. GAPS was hard for me as I have an intolerance to eggs and also dairy. When I was done with GAPS, I realized how much better I felt eating that way (broth, meat, veggies fruits) . I have struggled with hypoglycemia since I can remember and Paleo eliminated that..so I stuck with it. I noticed a pattern when I would go off my eating pattern (trips home to Michigan for holidays etc) over indulgence of sugar, sneaking dairy into my meals, grains and GF goodies . My next period would be horrendous. ..killer cramps, mood swings and heavy bleeding …but sticking with my diet my period would be normal with min to no cramps and best of all. ..more stable moods. Also I notice that weight gain is starting to be targeted to the “muffin top area” but only if I over consume sugar/grains. Otherwise my weight is stable.
    I take CLO, b12, methyl-folate, b6, D3, magnesium in several forms, and have recently started iodine as I am hypothyroid on Armour 30 mg.

    Other things I notice: weird muscle knots in my neck and back, heart palpitations right before or at the start of my period, headache 1 or 2 days before period starts, night sweats during the first few days of my period (I don’t think these are hot flashes).

    I remember going to a WAPF conference where Sally Fallon spoke about her terrible back pain stopping one she hit menopause. ..hmmm

    A good book my Dr had me read was “Dr Bob’s drugless guide to balancing female hormones”

    Thank you for an interesting and informative post!

    Reply

  15. Charlotte says

    I am 54. I’m having hot flashes mostly at night. I’ll have a period about every 3 months – this for about a year now. My mind is foggy sometimes. My middle is getting more middling. I had a lot of joint pain. I exercise a fair amount and I eat fairly well. Both could use improvement.

    I cut back on my coffee. That helped with the joint pain. I have an old booklet from a Dr. John H. Gerath in West Virginia that says Dolomite will remove high levels of uric acid. High levels of uric acid will cause heart stress where the heart beats HARDER not faster especially at night when the heart should be resting. I had that. He says to use Dolomite in the capsule or powdered form – tablets do not work. I have ordered Dolomite. I have the idea that high uric level is related to joint pain. I have also ordered Hyaluronic Acid with MSM. An all natural rabbit group I belong to advocated for this supplement. I will start the Hyaluronic Acid and then the Dolomite. I want to know what’s working and if I think of it I’ll write back. I use a Progesterone creme by Emerita and need to get more consistent. I need to get more consistent with my probiotics. I do not believe I am destined to spend the last of my life with this odd assortment of physical maladies. I believe I can change at least some of what’s going on. Oh I eat too much sugar in the form of hot chocolate. But it’s organic coco and sugar so surely that helps??
    Charlotte

    Reply

  16. Shelley says

    I’m so glad that I read this article! I turned 50 this year and have been dealing with some of these symptoms for the past few years, my first symptom being heart palpitations which scared me so much that I went in to urgent care. They did all the tests, said there was nothing wrong, and sent me home with no answers. As I researched I found it could be from peri-menopause. I have a magnesium deficiency ( with the cramping, etc.) which I am trying to remedy by using mag. oil on my skin and a supplement. I have been meaning to soak in epsom salt baths or at least a foot soak, but haven’t done much yet. I went to a local herbalist who told me to get a book by Susun Weed called New Menopausal Years. I don’t at all like the new age funky stuff in it, but the herbal, supplemental, natural healing info in it has been very helpful. She says that we should gain a little weight at menopause to protect our bones. I had been drinking an herbal tea mixture of red clover, red raspberry leaf, lady’s mantle and nettles for menopausal symptoms and thought it helped me, but I too read recently about some of these herbs being estrogenic and bad for us so I am now more confused. I recently read Joette Calabrese’ article on menopause and am ordering the ammonium carb to see if it will get rid of my palpitations that have gotten worse lately. It’s interesting that you mention the sore neck, because that is what I was dealing with for several months along with body aching that made me think I was either getting sick or was developing a thyroid problem. Dull brain and sleeping problems at times are a problem too. Thanks so much for this post!

    Reply

    • chandra says

      Shelley, I have been having the heart palpitations also. It scared me so much I went to the ER. They had me all wired up, but couldn’t find anything wrong with my heart. I noticed the heart palpitations started when I went on the GAPS diet. So I am wondering if the GAPS diet caused a deficiency that started the palpitations. Have you had any good results with getting rid of the palpitations?

      Reply

      • Shelley says

        Chandra, I still have the palpitations, though not every day. I have not been as consistent in taking my magnesium supplements, putting the oil on my skin, and the epsom salt baths as I should be to see if that is really the problem. I would like to get my hormones tested sometime as I wonder if that might be doing it. It seems to be worse at certain times of the month. It can’t hurt to take extra magnesium to see if that is what is doing it for you as most of us are deficient. Hope you find good results.

        Reply

  17. Anonymous says

    What about the dreaded loss of libido? Honestly, I can handle the hot flashes, brain fog, and insomnia, but the thinning vaginal tissues and loss of libido are the worst. I completed menopause two years ago, at 48. After trying many different alternatives, my integrative doc prescribed bioindentical hormones, and the tiniest, lowest does of estrogen and progesterone has made a tremendous difference. Intimacy is very important to maintaining a healthy marriage, and I have chosen to use BHRT for the time being.

    Reply

    • Carmen says

      I guess that’s the point I was tring to make in my comments earlier in this post, without a broader conversation concerning female endocrine health, women are indeed left to fetter out various isolated hormonal treatments – whether they work or not, whether they provide some symptomatic relief in the short term, whether they have long-term consequences. And everyone are forced to re-invent the wheel going down the same blind and unsure path, because afterall we are all unique (or so they say).

      Reply

  18. Andrea says

    Late to the game at 55 – I was sure I had skirted the issues… then WHAMMO; the hot flashes, flabby mid-section, fuzzy brain et al. It seemed to hit overnight.

    I have always been fit, prided myself on my ability to gain muscle, very healthy eater, and never drink alcohol. I take natural supplements (some for joint issues) and have tried Primrose oil and Blackcohash to no improvement. I take mineral supplements, Vit D, Sam-E, oregano oil, and a multiple vitamin. Yet – I have lost my muscularity, gained weight, and feel like a flabby mess.

    I am considering the progesterone cream next. BTW – I am 300 days since my last period. I must be close.

    Reply

  19. Jeanmarie says

    Kelly, I had my first hot flashes 15 or so years ago, but it was chemically induced by Luprin, which an idiot doctor put me on for endometriosis. That was a mistake. I later had endoscopic surgery and no Luprin. When my natural menopause hit a few years ago, I had just 2-3 hot flashes, and I tightened up my diet to be more careful about sugar, and that was it, never had any more hot flashes.

    I have struggled with periodic insomnia my whole life, and I’d just like to add a reminder that I read in the Costco Connection yesterday: sleep in a cool room, 62-65 degrees. Obviously, pile on the blankets (or puppies!) to stay warm enough, but don’t crank up the heat at night; instead, reduce it. That, plus a dark room, eye mask/shades, quiet, and minimal screen time in the hour before bed will all help. So does regular magnesium intake (it’s not an instant quick fix, just something you need to do daily), and I like melatonin, especially kinds that come mixed with relaxing herbs. Some lavender essential oil on your pillow or skin is always nice, too. I will even take OTC sleep aids from time to time just to break a cycle of insomnia, but I think it’s important to not get dependent on those. Long-term use of sleeping pills is correlated with early death, so, they should be only used now and then in a pinch. Of the prescription sleeping pills, I used to like Lunesta (I have no prescriptions now). It’s much safer than Ambien, which I would avoid at all costs. It’s the one that causes sleepwalking in some people, and other dangerous behaviors.

    Something I’ve learned from my elderly mother’s situation: if your thyroid is low, or you forget to take your thyroid meds, you may feel chilled to the bone all the time, no matter how many blankets you pile on. That’s how we figured out that Mom had been forgetting to take her thyroid meds, the only pharmaceuticals she is on any more. After a couple of weeks of taking it diligently, she is starting to feel more comfortable. I am hoping she will soon consent to lowering the thermostat at night so that *I* can sleep better! She has been sleeping with light covers and a heated house because heavy covers hurt her feet. Now that she’s back on her thyroid pill and I’m giving her magnesium plus rubbing her feet with magnesium gel from time to time, her feet are doing much better at night. So, I am hopeful.

    Thanks for an informative post. I have many links to follow up on now!

    Reply

  20. Martha says

    I have no insight to add, but I appreciate the email. It is such a daunting subject. I’m 47 and dealing with some of this as well, and am a little overwhelmed by all the conflicting information. For now, I have no severe symptoms and I’m just working on continuing to make healthier eating choices and I need to get into a good exercise routine and start going to bed earlier.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family! Christ is born.

    Reply

  21. Kathy says

    I just turned 49. I was surgically thrown into menopause at the age of 40. I couldn’t keep any of my girl parts so it all broke loose on me pretty quickly and to say I was unprepared is an understatement. I left my male surgeon and went to a female ARNP. Started on some supplement, soy based etc. Was OK for awhile. Then started learning about GMO’s…well you know that story. Then last year I was introduced to DoTERRA essential oils. They’ve been my lifesaver. For most of a year I’m on no supplements. I use Ylang Ylang on my feet every morning, clary calm on my tummy and Whisper at least twice a day. If I’m under a lot of stress then my hot flashes seem to appear a little bit. If I get my rest and keep stress and the sugar under control I’m good to go. No night sweats at all anymore. The brain fog is from stress as far as I’m concerned and probably crappy food in the diet.

    Nothing scientific but hope it helps. The books you listed are wonderful. I own a few of them. There is a part of me that believe embracing menopause is a good attitude to have. It’s a change of life, it’s not the end of life. But that does not mean you have to suffer. Research and postings like you have done today are one of the greatest resources. Experiment with different things, just cause it works for me doesn’t mean it’ll work for you.

    You have my email, don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything.
    Merry Christmas

    Reply

  22. Terri says

    Kelly, I’ve been through much of what you are dealing with plus breast cancer treatment. I’m now sixty and sorry to say still have mild hot flashes. I’ve come to embrace them, especially when it’s cold and I want to get out of bed. I’ve started homeopathy and am on the GAPS diet for other reasons. Weight is absolutely not an issue now. I think the brain fog is the worst part of menopause. I found a supplement that helped, but the company discontinued it soon after.:( And I so agree with you about all the pink washing!

    Reply

  23. Tammy R. says

    Kelly, Great post! I am 48 and dealing with many of the same problems. No hot flashes but totally messed up sleeping pattern, really strange cycles and major brain fog. 🙁 Seems to make it especially hard since we homeschool too. I decided long ago that I would not go the conventional route if I ever suffered with menopause.

    I concur with Meredith above- homeopathy! I recently read Joette Calabrese’s blog post about menopause (I think I saw you posted a question there as well?) and ordered the remedy right away. I have only been taking it a little less than a week so can’t report a whole lot yet but I noticed it is already calming my, oh shall I say…. “easily angered” issues. :/ Along with making sure I get more bone broth and fermented cod liver oil than I had been, I am hoping it will eventually take care of the other issues too.

    Really looking forward to hearing what all you learn.
    Merry Christmas to you & your family!

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      Tammy,

      Here’s what a dingbat I am. I did read (and comment) at Joette’s post (https://joettecalabrese.com/blog/saving-menopausal-woman-homeopathy/), but by the time the stuff I ordered came (Ammonium Carb), I had forgotten what the heck I ordered it for, so I’m very thankful that you mentioned this.

      My problem though is that now my hot flashes have let up for a bit, so I don’t know if I should still take these or not. Stuff like that make me glad I have a naturopath appointment coming up, for these type of specific questions!

      Reply

      • Tammy R. says

        Arrggg! I do that all to often so don’t feel bad you forgot what you ordered it for! 🙂 You might want to call Joette’s office for a free consultation too because she answered someone else that there are other measures to deal with the flashes. I have never talked to her before but I have learned so much from her website. Hopefully, though your naturopath can help you fix this.

        I re-read her article and it seems that the symptoms for this remedy were anger, depression, chronic fatigue, mental sluggishness and feeling worse around and after menses. Most apply to me, so I am giving it shot. Will let you know how it goes. Good luck and please do keep us posted!

        Reply

        • Tammy R. says

          Kelly,
          Sorry you had to reschedule your appointment! Wasn’t that storm something?! I am ready for winter to be over 🙂
          Just wanted to update you on the Ammonium Carb. I have taken it following Joette’s directions for 3 1/2 weeks now and it has made a tremendous difference for me! Noticing improvements in all the areas she mentioned in her article. I just had the easiest period I’ve had in years and years! I just pray it lasts. But then, I guess if it doesn’t I can always go back to Ammonium Carb again.
          Happy New Year!

          Reply

      • Carmen says

        Kelly,
        Thanks for remembering Joette’s post, while I come to this topic not due to peri-menopause or the natural menopause phase, but due to surgery, I’ve given the topic of menopause a lot of thought.

        The way the discussion is framed it is limited to the flucturation of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is framed around the declining reproductive capacity of women. I think the discussion of menopause would have to be much broader and would include the entire female endocrine system.

        With that as my theory then my conclusions on what would be helpful would definitely center on nutritional support, just like we use during preganancy, when breatfeeding, during those developmental years of childhood, what we learned from traditional diets in preparing for contraception and what we should understand about how to maintain health during the adult non-growth years.

        WAPF has noted that cholesterol is the “Mother of All Hormones” but cholesterol in conjuction with thyroid hormones and Vit A is at the top of the hormonal cascade; conversly the sex hormones are at the bottom. They also note that Vit A is needed for each hormonal conversion step. So the WAPF principles of cod liver oil, fermented foods, bone broth, good fats, raw diary, soaked grains, pastured organs and meat, and wild seafood will go far in supporting health through the peri and menopausal phase.

        To this I would add any additional complementary actions that increase comfort at this time (massage, acupuncture, natural fiber matteress and linens, homeopathics, exercise, etc.)

        A book one might find interesting on the topic:
        The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed on Women: Exploring the Estrogen Myth
        by Barbara Seaman

        Additionally, I would keep the following in mind when the issue of external hormonal supplementation, these are quotes I discovered during my search for answers:

        Quote 4
        Doctors are enthusiastically embracing this latest fad of supplementing hormone levels because their patients are usually able to notice an immediate, dramatic change in how they feel. But no one, not anyone, nobody at all seems to be taking a longer range view of the effects of these hormones on health status. This is very troubling and worrisome because some of the sickest patients we talk to on the telephone hotline have been those who had taken various hormonal supplements (both natural and synthetic ones).

        (Candida & Dysbiosis Information Foundation, College Station, TX 77841 – Feb. 1998 Vol. 2, No. 4&5 (double issue))

        Quote 5
        Endocrine substitution or augmentation is at best a crude method of furnishing the desired hormones. It is impossible to supply the products at the natural rate of glandular secretion, or to know exactly just what secretions need augmentation.

        (Your Body is Your Best Doctor!, Melvin E. Page, DDS and H. Leon Abrams, Jr.- pp. 151)

        Reply

        • Carmen says

          One more thing, I also like to keep this in mind:

          Every treatment is unique: “no treatment” is also a form of treatment, and what is treatment is often a euphemism for palliation.

          Reply

          • Carmen says

            Sambucus vs. Hormones
            A Natural and Preventative Approach to Female Health
            Fall/Winter 1997: Women’s Health (Lilipoh Journal)

            Quote from article:
            Hormones are primiarily the result of life processes, not their cause. A healthy female body will produce the amount of estrogen best suited to her constitution.”

            Reply

  24. Meredith says

    Great Post Kelly! I enjoyed reading through your experiences with this part of your life. I imagine that many many readers can relate to this and predict you will have a long comment section! I have been through menopause, am 62 now. Mine began around age 48. I believe that what helped me most was homeopathy. It has been part of my life since my thirties, raised my kids with it, and have seen its effectiveness in all life’s circumstances. Same with menopause. It gently stimulates our bodies to balance themselves, putting things aright without the need for pharmaceutics. I have continued to develop my knowledge in this field, it is fun and fascinating to learn and work with, especially with our children and family members. I would encourage you and readers to take advantage of the homeopathic information provided by Joette Calabrese (who writes in the WAPF Journal and speaks at their conferences). I know she addresses menopause, along with a multitude of other needs of the human condition. Happy final day of Advent and Merry Christmas to all!

    Reply

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