I went in for a whole body osteopathic treatment yesterday to a doctor I have seen for 2 years and is the Director and only doctor of the pelvic floor clinic. I have seen urology on and off over my adult life but no real imaging has been done since 20 years ago.

My only recent urology diagnosis was some trigger points in my pelvic floor. I kept telling this new pelvic floor doctor since May my trips to pee have significantly increased to every 2 hours, but only when lying down. I have told her in multiple visits it felt like something was pressing on my bladder but she just dismissed me. In one visit she claims I have interstitial cystic. Never been diagnosed with that by urology or had any tests done so I silently dismissed that.

Then yesterday she said my muscles were tight and it because I was "anxious." No, you're not listening to me and antagonizing me calling me anxious! I tell her again yesterday and in addition to the being anxious comment again, she then claims I was constipated even though I have zero issues there too. She wants to prescribe some sort of muscle relaxer but I said I don't want that. I'm already on one and 3 OAB medications have not worked and why not a CT scan to get ahead of the urology appointment scheduled for December that she was supposed to see about getting moved up but didn't.

She says she will do a urinalysis instead and to go over to get a post void bladder scan. If urinalysis comes back with blood THEN she will order a CT.

I get the post void bladder scan and it reads as me having over a liter of fluid which is so insane they tested the machine on themselves to make sure it wasn't broken. The nurse scanned me twice and tried to catheterize me twice but very little urine came out so I decided I better go to the ER because I have a work trip out of state next week.

I get to the ER, they can't get much fluid out and are like "we've never seen this before." They do a CT scan and discovered I have a 7 INCH x4 INCH x5 INCH ovarian cyst!! It was so shocking to the ER doctor, she came running back into my room as soon as I got back from CT and said "I gotta show you something wild on this imaging."

It's collapsing on my bladder and seems to a BIG (pun intended) cause of my problem. Bladder works just fine, they tested it to make sure I could leave but it just can't hold much liquid because of how massive the cyst is.

So, after I get back from my work trip next week, I have to consult with a doctor who knows more than my terrible pelvic floor doctor and to get a surgery date to have it taken out. It really pisses me off that a doctor has been gaslighting me for half a year, refusing to do imaging and telling me it's just my pelvic floor being tight from anxiety and to read a book and my pain would go away (yes, those were her exact words 2 months ago).

Moral of the story, don't let doctor's dismiss your concerns. The only reason I continued to see her is because I also work for my healthcare provider and am on the HMO so I can't go anywhere else and since she's the only doc, I was stuck with her.

This year's theme is: Chronic Pain at Midlife

World Menopause Day is held every year on 18 October. Founded by the International Menopause Society (IMS) in 2009, it is a global awareness day that shines a spotlight on the challenges facing women during the menopause transition and highlights advances in research, education, and resources

Factsheet on chronic pain

How are you spending the day?

I might hobble on down to my local cafe and bitch about the state of women's health to some randoms.

At 40, I was a high-functioning professional when I had an ovary-sparing hysterectomy with a mesh implant. I woke up with pelvic pain and having to bear down to pee. My concerns were dismissed. Within six months I'd lost my job and become addicted to drugs, and over the next five years I was institutionalized several times. Meanwhile, the mesh eroded and migrated, causing chronic nerve pain. Eventually my bladder had to be rebuilt, and I now have an artificial urethra. When the mesh was finally removed 12 years later, I sued and received a pittance.
My mind became insidiously agitated. I was hyper-irritable, raging, and miserable to be around. Doctors brushed me off, told me it was in my head, and kept handing me trauma diagnoses. I did so much therapy. It didn't help.

Now, after 17 years, I started on HRT and back to my happy-go-lucky self. At first it was amazing. I was so happy to be happy again, to wake up without that sense of impending doom and ceaseless negative head chat.
Then reality set in. I hurt people I love with years of mean, passive-aggressive, vindictive behavior. My stepkids, now adults, have only known the post-surgery me, and I'll never get back the years we could have had. I'm making amends to my husband, kids, in-laws, friends, and family, but I carry a lot of guilt and shame. I look like the person they've always known, but I'm not her anymore.
I'm also grieving my career and the woman who never got to enjoy her 40s and 50s. Those years were so dark, a constant fight with myself, when suicide felt like the only option that made sense.

Has anyone else come out the other side and started rebuilding their life? How are you dealing with the harm you caused when you weren't yourself? Are there trust issues people experience with you that you may relapse back to the Queen of Mean? Is forgiveness possible?
Thx so much for reading and sharing 🙂

I’m in US and have been struggling with work with body aches, poor sleep, brain fog, and frequent random sickness. For instance, this last week was pretty important at work (strategic planning for next year) but I had flu like symptoms and extremely bad headaches all week. It has been increasingly difficult to meet the work expectation, thought I have gotten good - ok performance ratings so far.

I’ve been seriously thinking about quitting my job, and my colleagues recommended seeking medical leave first. I chatted with my PCP, and he’s skeptical about it at best. He said we should first pursue the solution seriously (whatever that means) and then he might consider signing the papers.

Has anyone gotten approval for medical leaves for menopausal / pre-menopausal symptoms? What was your experience like?

Hello, all! I'm 47. I've been on testosterone for over a year now. I started out at 11 and now I'm at 172! I'm thrilled!!! ZERO side effects, and I feel strong, confident, and amorous 💪😍

My doctor said that was too high and wants me to apply my cream every other day instead of every day. She wants it down to between 80-100. When I asked her why, she stated that those numbers are where she likes her patients to be. Now, I really like my doc. She's my age, she listens, and we have a good rapport. I explained that I feel great and have zero side effects, but that didnt seem to matter. And her explanation about levels didnt make sense either. I dont want to find another doc.

Is there anyone on here who can explain to me why she would be hesitant to allow me to continue on? Some scientific reason based on actual studies done on women? I know that you're all probably laughing at that statement, and admittedly, as I type it, I'm chuckling...but I do want to understand if anyone can help...

Thank you!

The ongoing skin zaps and tingles in my hands, feet, and arms are driving me bonkers. My doctor did a full panel of labs and neurological assessment - which for the most part (thyroid meds are being adjusted up) were all clear.

It’s just annoying! 😒😒😒

https://ranzcog.edu.au/news/menopause-guideline-vasomotor-genitourinary-symptoms/

The main callout is that they are recommending vaginal estrogen even for people with some types of breast cancer

RANZCOG are the Royal Australia & New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

I feel like I haven’t dealt with this in awhile, but it seems to be back with a vengeance. I’m 8 years post meno. We did move to a new apartment and I feel like I am only gradually getting back to my regular exercise routine as it was back in mid summer. But also wondering about all kinds of stuff, allergens in new place, you name it. Would love to know who has fought and conquered this particular symptom.

Had a few days of spotting, confirmed post meno. I am 53. Have a pelvic/vag ultrasound Monday and I'm reading that based on results, some women have had an endometrial biopsy after that. My doc hasn't suggested it, just wondering if she does so I am prepared. What's the honest pain level and do they take a long time?

If there are women on here who have endometriosis and are post menopause, how do you feel? Do you still have your endo symptoms?

I have come to the conclusion that I'm progesterone intolerant and would like to try drospirenone. My PCP has sent in prescriptions for Slynd (denied - "nonformulary") and Angeliq (denied - "nonformulary"). My PCP is not well-versed in postmenopausal issues and generally just prescribes what I ask after I've done my best to educate her on what it is and why I'd like to try it.

Anyone who has had success getting drospirenone covered after denials - can you give me the "magic words" that I can pass along to my PCP to appeal this?

Is it just something like "my patient is progesterone intolerant (recurrent spotting/bleeding, severe mood issues, severe hip/psoas pain, acne, bloating, etc.) and requires a trial of drospirenone for uterine protection while on oral estradiol."

The insurance company has not suggested other forms of progestin to try first or any other communication - just "non-formulary." I don't want an IUD. I don't want a hysterectomy. I just want to feel better. I'm only 56 and cannot accept that this will be my life until I'm dead.

Wow. I gave them an honest 3 weeks. I crashed and BURNED!!! 🔥 🔥🔥

Frustrated, I decided to research quitting HRT-cold turkey-wondering what have I gotten myself into? I mean, what's the point of being given a golden ticket if pharmacies are forced to change your manufacturer due to supply and demand?

CONTEXT: My HRT journey started with generic Minivelle ~aka~Grove/Noven Therapeutics. I experienced Nirvana. Narnia.

My insurance then approved a 90 day supply. $0 copay. Let's go Walgreens! I read the box: "Mylan". IDK? 🤷‍♀️ It's only my 3rd month on HRT. Score! I'm set for 3mos.

...or am I?

3wks later...I. AM. GOLLUM.

I hate it here.

Had to drive 30mi to pick up a single box of Grove/Noven Therapeutics Patches. The pharmacy was unable to fulfill my new 90day Rx.

😑 #onedaywomenwillmatter

EDIT: I want to apologize. I know I came off like a jerk with some of my responses. I'm now shedding the hormone goblin who stole my reason & sanity these last few weeks. 😳

One of my sons mentioned I sounded much better today. He was worried I was having some kind of breakdown.

I was. Hormones are not a joke. 😑

Thank you to all the kind responses and support. Sincere apologies for any rage I may have caused. 🙏

E patch .1, prog 200mg nightly for a year now. Really low ferritin being slowly treated with oral iron bisglycinate. Low-normal b12, treated otc orally. All other labs current and normal. Take magnesium glycinate 400mg nightly.

Ever since I went to .1 patch I bleed/spot, not very heavy mostly small clumps of brown, pretty much 9 out of 18 days, so half the month. Been to two local drs, the last one a meno gyn that I waited to get in with awhile. Was told I’m maxed on both e/p so I either have to switch to bcp for a few years, go with oral e, try Mirena for a few years or suck it up.

I don’t want to switch it up to oral or progestins because of higher risks and a whole new mess of dialing in. BCP were awful when I was younger get and had lots of spotting. Also both drs want me to switch back post meno. And I LoVE prog pills for sleep.

The worst is the horrible anxiety and general blahs/exhaustion. The anxiety kicks up constantly now and has hampered my lifestyle. I can’t perform (music) because I literally shake and obsess before and after. Most social interactions cause anxiety on some level before and after. This was never me until a few years ago. When I have gone up in dosing, I get a break and feel calm and normal. But now drs think I’m at max e/p??Already in therapy. One doc gave me propranolol for performance but haven’t tried yet.

One doc did offer compounded T but will it screw with sleep/make anxiety worse? Going online for drs would be entirely out of pocket and I’m almost at my $6500 deductible so I would love to be able to use this shitty excuse for healthcare vs paying even more. Also online drs require regular check-ins ($$$)

I had one of these done for pelvic pain and even though it says they did not see my ovaries they tell me that would mean that there were notice or tumors on my ovaries. I asked for a CT scan since I did not visualize my ovaries and they’re declining to send me for that. Is it possible that an ultrasound would miss assist or a tumor pertaining to my ovaries? Or am I just being unrealistic and thinking that a CT would catch something ultrasound didn’t?

Has anyone ever double up on the combi patch? I guess this is off label approach. I've been taking one Combi patch for about six weeks now. And honestly, I have not been sleeping. My hot flashes are worse, im clenching my jaw and I have such bags under my eyes. I look terrible. My OB/GYN suggested to take double the dose and I'm trying that today and it's been 2 1/2 hours and honestly, I do not feel well and almost feel nauseous. I feel like I'm super sensitive to this. Has anybody else had any kind of symptoms like this?

I realized tonight after 12 am that I need to order more estrogen patches. I’m so very annoyed. What’s worse is I was at the pharmacy earlier today picking something else up.

Hopefully, my pharmacy can fill it quickly. They’re usually fast, and there is a current prescription. I just didn’t put the patches on auto refill.

Thankfully, they’re open 7 days a week.

Grumble.

I had the Mirena briefly when I was in my 30's but it made me an emotional wreck, so I swapped it for the copper one.

Now I'm 51 and my period is lasting for up to 2 weeks in duration and is occurring as little as 14 days in between each cycle.

My question is this:

If you had Mirena in your "youth" and didn't love it, is it better now? I don't want to go through the cost and angst of changing to it only to become a weepy mess and have to have it removed.

(Fwiw, Depo Provera also leveled me in my 20s.)

Girls honestly I've never felt so undefeated in all of my days. Menopause has just wrecked me this month. I was coping ok, hanging by a thread maybe more like but this month is something else.

I'm still bleeding I've had two this month. I'm so bloody drained.

The last three days I've had headaches from hell.

My f%$#&g bra has become so uncomfortable. Anything touching my skin just drives me up the wall. The itching is unbareable. I literally took it off in the middle of a shop and let the girls hang loose. 😆

I'm crying at everything. 😭

My joints hurt like crazy!

I've never had heart burn in my life and I've had it mostly at night when im in laying down. I don't eat anything out of the ordinary and my diet is fairly clean.

The brain fog! I'm forgetting words and things.

Every single person is annoying me. I HATE people. I just want to be left alone. 😒

I'm anemic and my ferritin is really low. The iron supplements don't do much of anything. I feel like im chasing my tail and never really get on top of it. I'm not eligible for an iron infusion.

My Dr is a waste of space she doesn't care. She keeps banging on about the coil after me telling a hundred times. My body doesn't tolerate it. I'm sensitive to so many drugs they make me so ill. She doesn't seem to have any other option. I've already changed Dr's the last one was even worse. I'm trying so hard to do this naturally.

I feel so depressed and low 😔

I literally sat in fron of Dr last time and told her I was so depressed and and she just ignored me and started talking about something else. 😳

Please tell me I'm not alone in this. Any advice would be truly appreciated.

The combo that works for me is Sandoz 0.0375 twice weekly patch plus 0.25 Divigel every night.

Mylan doesn’t work at all but I still have a stash of Sandoz. But I can’t get any Divigel.

I do have a box of 0.5 Divigel from when the doc had suggested switching over completely to Divigel

How do I measure out half the 0.5 sachet and how do I store the remainder ? I recall someone split the sachet between morning and evening.

Has anyone done it? Thx

I’m 58, been in the peri and full on menopause for about 15 years now. Recently I cannot get enough red meat? Is it just me? I can’t even eat seafood anymore

I started taking 2 sprays Lenzetto 9 days ago, after 18 months taking Utrogestan alone. My symptoms were mild - brain fog, fatigue, mild joint pain.

The past 3 days, 7-8 hours after using the spray I have developed burning purple cheeks, blocked nose and sore throat like I'm coming down with a cold. This is happening around 5pm and lasts until I go to bed, but I'm ok the next morning. Has anyone experienced similar?

I didn’t have my period for 206 days. I was only a handful of months away from finally being in menopause. The last time I had it, it had been 195 days since my last period. It’s sooooooooooo frustrating to think that this has got to be my last period since months pass by without one and then BAM! I’m 53. My tubes were tied at 23. I haven’t needed to have a period in 30 years. I’m so ready to be done with this forever. But nope. On the bright side, getting it randomly twice a year is better than every month.