Is it just me, or does it seem as if menopause symptoms tend to fluctuate? For example, some weeks my armpits smell like onions, my night sweats are so bad I’m up every hour, and my anxiety is through the roof . Then other weeks, my armpits smells are not as bad, I can get a decent amount of sleep, and my anxiety is only present during my hot flashes, but the hot flashes aren’t as intense. Do any of you ladies notice any differences? – Robin, Texas
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Rowena5 years ago
Yes, not so much having sweaty arm pits. But my anxiety gets real bad for a week or two. Then I’m ok but then my hot flashes come back or my headaches.
Beth5 years ago
Yes! Same! Now that I haven’t had a period in a few months I have noticed that. I have been wondering if it correlates with when ovulation would have been and when period would have been? I always had stinky armpits, emotional, etc about a week before my periods. This has been my theory!
Ari5 years ago
What I have noticed us that sometimes my boobs KILL ME, and some others they don’t even feel tender. I thought it was a weight thing, but when I was younger they always hurt, it was an always thing.
Katherine5 years ago
Hi Robin I can definitely relate to your symptoms .I noticed fluctuations so much so I’ve been keeping track and it seems as though every 25 days,, all the exact same symptoms anxiety hot flashes ,,irritability ,moody ,emotional ? can’t stop crying ,, ,, I find those symptoms are usually more intense in the morning and decrease throughout the day. The anxiety is new it started when Covid hit and the crying , just started three months ago I am 52 and had my last period at age 47,,, I find it interesting to now see all these different new symptoms popping up,, which really took me by surprise but I find reading about it really has helped I have a better understanding of what’s happening and why“ The seven transforming gifts of menopause” by Cheryl Bridges Johns , is empowering information and it truly is a gift of understanding and learning about ourselves . Stay strong all you lovely ladies
Mel5 years ago
Low dose bioidentical progesterone helped me with all of this a lot, especially the anxiety, crying, etc. But also sleep, neck pain, other physical symptoms, and for me, skin breakouts. It was immediate and tangible. I would get your hormones checked. It’s easy, but everyone is different (my girlfriend needed a mix of estrogen and progesterone)
Katherinereplying to Mel5 years ago
Thanks Mel , I will, I had my last period five years ago , and have never been checked ?
Leliareplying to Mel5 years ago
I looked into it and my doc recommended but I am concerned about the impact on fibroids. I have three small ones.
Lelia5 years ago
Thanks for sharing your experience and the book rec!
Barbi5 years ago
Yup! I hadn’t bled since April, until last month. Then the cramps were so bad that I had to set timers for Ibuprofen. My hot flashes were near nonexistent for about 4 months, now they’re back with a vengeance and brought stench pits and neck sweat with them.
Caron5 years ago
This is the essence of menopause! Because our hormones are fluctuating wildly, all the symptoms do too.
CK5 years ago
Yes. From June to September I had hot flashes all the time, day and night. But lately I haven’t had any. It’s nice to have a reprieve.
Di M5 years ago
I’ve decided that they are like a form of pmt! Definitely fluctuating. But I tell myself that each time I have a bad time , it’s because I’ve got rid of another load of hormones, so I’m “emptying the tank” and that sooner or later I WILL return it to a normal me! Someone once shared a graph with me. It showed hormone levels during the fertile years. There was a definite pattern of ups and downs. Then they showed a graph of post menopause and it was almost flat. They then Showed a graph of hormone levels during menopause .... it’s was basically a scatter graph with no pattern whatsoever. I wish I could reproduce it here. It made so much sense .
Iona5 years ago
Emptying the tank is a great way to think about it. I love that. Thank you for sharing. ?
Sharon5 years ago
Totally agree, I haven’t had a period for a while but last month had a massive bleed lasted 2 days this month have had painful armpit and painful boobs! Which I haven’t had for a few months due to weight loss and now I’ve gained weight it’s all back annoying I suffer night sweats too
Christine2 years ago
I’ve had the painful armpit happen several months in a row!
Shem5 years ago
Oh yes same here ! I always feel like I’m a different person every week . The new thing was joint and muscle pain !
Warty5 years ago
Yes! Me too! The onion pits anxiety and night sweats - they stop abruptly and then return! - I so wish someone could solve this. I haven’t slept properly for years any tips? I’ve ditched my HRT as it just was not covering the night sweats anymore. It’s my 2nd week off HRT and I am into full mode of feeling cold in the day constantly and night sweats at night. I Just need something to regulate the thermostat and switch off anxiety - any recommendations?
Mel5 years ago
Low dose bioidentical progesterone helped me with all of this a lot, especially the anxiety, crying, etc. But also sleep, neck pain, other physical symptoms, and for me, skin breakouts. It was immediate and tangible. I would get your hormones checked. It’s easy, but everyone is different (my girlfriend needed a mix of estrogen and progesterone). This isn’t the same as standard HRT. I have done mine through naturopaths for year, but started with a western MD who specialized in hormones and aesthetic medicine. If you can get away with a low does, you can get them at any pharmacy, doesn’t need to be compounding (some people are more comfortable with that)
Ju5 years ago
It feels like I’m on a rollercoaster. I got to twelve months no period after 4 years of starting to change through to stopping for months and starting again. Then I bled for a few days ? Mood swings are better. It’s the on and off sleeping and lack of motivation and the weight gain around my middle. The joys of being a woman !!!
Jolange5 years ago
I realised there is a definite pattern to my symptoms, my emotions run riot on the last week of my HRT tablets, I believe this would have been my pmt week, those closest to me now know about this pattern and one of my fav parts of this app are the trackers.
Jilly5 years ago
Definitely think I am still in a monthly cycle of sorts, I haven’t kept a diary but I know that I have a week of not sleeping well and having to pee up to four times in the night. Also bladder weakness during the day. I feel tearful and moody and have hot flushes. Oh and I ache, especially my ankles in the morning. Then I’m back to “normal” which is all of the above but not so acute . Will it ever end?
Jenn5 years ago
Yes! I feel the same way. Especially this year. This is the first year I’ve experienced the anxiety. Earlier in the year I pretty much had an anxiety attack and made a trip to the ER. I’m trying to do better with coping with the anxiety. Finding Caria has been one of the best things for me and I can see it helping me too.
Lelia5 years ago
Jenn, thanks for sharing. My trip to the ER three years ago because of a panic attack started me on my journey of really researching peri menopause symptoms. I never had a panic attack like that and wasn’t sure where it came from. I’ve had my hormones checked and my doc felt they were not showing per signs. My intuition tells me differently. I’ve tried the seed supplement approach and added reishi mushroom to my diet. I think it helps. Glad you found the app!
Leliareplying to Lelia4 years ago
Thank you Robin for sharing. I too, have felt the fluctuations. I can relate to your journey Jenn. My first panic attack was three years ago and took me to the hospital and I’ve been searching since then. I try to be consistent with the documentation/journaling, seed cycling and reishi. My gynecologist said my hormones were all fine. I feel differently. My period is regular, every 25 days, so twice a month pretty much. The drop in hormones from menstruation to ovulation can be rough. I too have a few small fibroids and worry about taking a low dose pill to support.
Rachel5 years ago
Like the others on here I have been tracking symptoms and yup twice a month i am way more emotional and exhausted and have hormonal headache ( I am assuming it’s ovulation and my period but they stopped in March ) .
Kate5 years ago
Oh yes!! I’ve finally realised for me that the week before and the week my period would normally be caused all of my symptoms go into overdrive. Night sweats, hot flushes, dry mouth, anxiety, lack of sleep etc to name a few!! I take a variety of vitamins, use LadyPlus, meditation for disturbed sleep and yoga during the day. I’m not saying it stops these fluctuations but it’s helping me cope a little better. I also use Bionsen Underarm deodorant which is a 0% aluminium free deodorant which helps me. Stay strong and know you are not alone x
Beta5 years ago
Yup. Nothing is even keel or normal. New symptoms all the time. I feel like a hypochondriac.
Millie5 years ago
Glad to know it’s not in my head. I feel like I’ve had every symptom imaginable.
Val5 years ago
Hi Robin, I’m currently going through Perimenapause and have noticed my anxiety is present during hot flashes as well. My periods are also irregular. I’m also experiencing a ton of brain fog. I forget things easily.
Lelia5 years ago
I really appreciate this app and the community of folks! I’m 44, 45 in a few months and I swear I started experiencing peri menopause symptoms three years ago. My Gynecologist is wonderful in the way that she listens. That said, she said bc my hormones came back within range I was not peri. I definitely experience exactly what you described Robin, fluctuating symptoms from month to months. I really appreciated your armpit onion description and night sweats, especially the anxiety and hot flash connection. I feel sooo seen! I actually don’t mind the night sweats if it means my anxiety is low which it has been this month. Anyone notice dry hair? I just can’t keep my hair moisturized! It’s been every other month something new or different. Last month was inflammation so I cut back on gluten and drank more water! This month is nigh sweats, so I’ll kick up my exercise! Always something!
Lelia4 years ago
Yesss to all of this! I turned 45 a few weeks ago and I have had these symptoms on and off over the last two years, with this year being the most. The hair, inflammation, period flu and post bleeding/ovulation pms! It is always something! Love this group!
Leslie4 years ago
For me it’s been hot flashes, night sweats and anxiety! Heart palpitations as well. Loosing control of my emotions makes me fearful! I’ve had hysterectomy and still have ovaries. I’m 58, so hopefully this will end soon!
Lori2 years ago
I mentioned this to my doctor - that my symptoms seem to happen like a period. I get nausea, hot flashes and night sweats etc around mid month. I have been tracking for 4 months. She said that isn’t how menopause works. She also said nausea isn’t a symptom. It’s so disappointing how little is known for something 1/2 the population of the world suffers from!
Kim2 years ago
I’m going threw right know I’m scared to death next thurnesday im going to the doctor in a mess help
Kin2 years ago
I started noticing fluctuations over the past year. My period was very regular up to the last five months but more noticeable difference was last month, late two weeks. I feel so irritable. I have a boyfriend and I know I love him but I still feel like I want to break up especially when I have those mood swing. At some point I thought I might have some mental health concerns. I don’t feel like I can talk to my boyfriend about my feelings or anyone else. I feel so lonely. I try to be outdoor as much as I can e.g. camping, gardening while swimming’s which helps. How do people manage their mood swing.