How old were you when you first discovered you were in Menopause?

I was 43 years young when I discovered I was in menopause. I was writing my first book – about menopause – and I thought I should practice what I preach and check my own labs. What a surprise to see my levels WAY in the menopause range!

How did you know you were in Menopause?

Around when I turned 40, my periods got closer together AND heavier, which made a nice challenge for me, an OB/GYN doctor! I got the IUD that makes the period go away, which was fine with me. Until I had my first hot flash at age 43. Because I knew about the safe way to replenish hormones, I reached immediately into my samples cabinet in my office for an estrogen patch and never looked back. Looking back over these early years, I realize I had been having “perimenopausal” symptoms and body changes.

What stage of the menopause are you in?

Now, at 55 years young, I am in full-fledged menopause (by the way, I use the word menopause interchangeably with “post-menopause”).

What were/are your symptoms?

In my early 40’s, my boys were both under 10 years old and I had my own part-time OB/GYN practice. I did not have time for frequent heavy periods! I also had weight gain (it took every tool in my toolbox to get my body to release those pounds that had crept onto me).

Have your symptoms affected your relationships with others?

It’s hard to say how my perimenopause and menopausal symptoms affected my relationships because I was already in a difficult marriage. I am sure it did not help my mood to be going through those body and hormone changes, have two young kids, and be dealing with a tough marriage, which eventually ended.

How are you managing your menopause?

Then and now, to manage menopause I have focused on my sleep as a central pillar of staying sane (and being reasonably nice to my family). In addition, as I mentioned before, I have used bioidentical hormone replenishment from the get-go, literally from that very first hot flash.

What has been the worst thing about the menopause for you?

The worst thing about menopause for me was letting go of my dream of having a daughter. I remember when my period first went away. I knew it was from the IUD, but I still fantasized about being pregnant.

What is the best thing to come out of your menopause journey?

The very best thing about menopause has been really feeling like I entered the beginning of the rest of my life. When I turned 40, my friend gave me the book “It’s Only Too Late if You Don’t Start Now.” I have gone on since then to become a Best Selling author, raised two great young adults mostly on my own, gotten remarried to an amazing man who is my true life partner, and have my own fantastic medical practice and speaking career which I enjoy every day.

What do you want other women to know that may help them to get through the menopause?

What I most want women to know is that you do not have to suffer with ANY symptoms related to perimenopause or menopause. There are safe natural ways – both bioidentical hormones and supplements – to relieve symptoms and help you not just “get through” the transition into menopause, or to “survive” once you’re there, but to actually THRIVE in this incredible phase of life.

More about Liz

Dr. Liz Lyster, Midlife Health Expert, is passionate about helping women and men feel their best so they can do their best.

As a Board Certified OB/GYN doctor for almost 30 years, Dr. Liz has helped women and men increase energy, reignite their sex drive, clear up hormonal imbalance, and lose hundreds of pounds. She is the best-selling author of "Dr. Liz’s Easy Guide to Menopause: 5 Simple Steps to Balance Your Hormones and Feel Like Yourself Again" and "Go for GREAT: Dr. Liz’s Guide to Thrive at Every Age."

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