Ladies only question please-hormones and food

[ladybird64]

I said ladies only-go away you blokes! 8)

Seeing as we can talk about anything on here.. I have got a weird situation going on. I am of a certain age, 48 and am probably approaching perimenopause, a hormone test a while ago seemed to indicate that.
Now..*ahem*.. again..I was on the Depo contraceptive for more than twenty years, no periods, no problems. I decided to stop using it about a year ago, see what was happening physically.

Anyhoo..2 periods since then, missed one, but obviously something going on so hormone level tests are right. BUT-I have never had a sweet tooth. NEVER. Crisps are-were-my best friend. Olives, cheese, salami..yum.

First period in July and I would have kiiled for a bar of chocolate. Or sweets. Or a fat juicy cake. And I don't even like cakes, not really. Nothing last month but the sweetie urge was lingering again, same thing this month. Toffee Apples. Topic. Damned Chocolate Hob Nobs. I have given in once or twice, with a slice of cake (or 2) and 1 toffee apple. **** it was gorgeous and no, I won't make a habit of it.

But what the heck is going on? I have always though the pms=chocolateinanyform was a bit overdramatic but now I totally get it. Seriously, I cannot see another reason why these cravings for sweet things have suddenly appeared, is there a real proven link?

Thanks to anyone that got through this without giggling. :roll:

 

[Defren]

I got through it and didn't giggle Angie, but I think that's because I have never had a sweet tooth. I will be 47 in January and like you, think the menopause is creeping up as I have always had, on the dot periods, now I am getting my regular one and a mini one a week or so after the proper one is done.

My downfall was corn chips (Space Raiders) but I don't even crave those now. What I do get is around the time of the mini period, an insatiable appetite. I could eat all day and all night. I don't, but could easily. It lasts around a day and a half - two days, then all is normal again. I wonder if it would help if you had a square or two of high cocoa chocolate? I know it's an acquired taste, but it may help. I bake a lot, not all low carb for me, but there is almost always something around or in the freezer. I have cinnamon muffins at the moment, but make all kinds, just to take the edge of. It usually happens if I see someone else munching, I want, sometimes it passes other times not, but I can usually grab something.

I know time is not your friend, but most things can be made and frozen, if you grab a couple of baking hours, that might ease the cravings when they hit.

 

[angua]

Seriously, I cannot see another reason why these cravings for sweet things have suddenly appeared, is there a real proven link?

Thanks to anyone that got through this without giggling. :roll:

LOL :silent: No I never giggled !

I think hormones are at the root of such a lot of things for women - lots of which even we don't understand (like the way it affects us emotionally)

I don't know why you should have just developed a sweet tooth and I don't want to make you feel worse but I haven't had a period for over 18 months - but regular as clockwork I get tearful and I have a couple of days when I really crave sweet things .. then it passes. I've learned to stock up with jellies, nuts and plenty of cream, it helps to keep the feeling of 'full' and of course sugar free coke

As for the proven link - are you kidding we are only women after all :crazy:

Gilly x

 

[Fraddycat]

Hi Ladybird, I get sugar cravings too on first or second day of my period. I have to say its got better since I have been low carbing but I definitely still get it. Last month I bought a bottle of diet coke, it was sweet enough to head it off. Also I have recently discovered double cream with a teaspoon of cocoa powder and a teaspoon of fake sugar, stirred together, instant chocolate mousse - yum.

I too have had extreme munchies like Defren. I hate my periods but I am not really looking forward to the alternative ...

 

[GraceK]

Hi Ladybird ... it's OK you're not going insane or having a personality change, and aliens haven't taken over your body - but I bet it feels like it!

I'm what's called 'post menopausal' - I'm now 59, and I began having prolonged and irregular periods at about 34years. That was probably the start of the peri-menopause but my doctor didn't mention that, he just said I was low on progesterone and gave me hormone treatment for several months. Then at 39 I began with the sweet cravings, memory loss and the mood swings were incredible. What I didn't realise was that I was missing the odd period. To be honest I was so busy with taking care of my own family and my parents, I didn't have time to notice. I went through ten years of absolute hell

Menopause at approx age 39 and it lasted until I was 50. It wasn't recognised as peri-menopause, the doc just said I was low on progesterone and needed hormone treatment.

What they don't tell you is that the lack of progesterone causes the sweet cravings (and I believe that has a bearing on the development of diabetes in some women - one thing leads to another etc).

If, as you say, you feel you're either in or approaching the peri-menopause I think you can have a hormone test to see what your levels are. I'm not saying it is the case, but it may be the case that you're experiencing a lack of progesterone.

I've recently been prescribed progesterone again for complex hyperplasia but I'm going to try a plant based progesterone cream first, which I can buy from Amazon, as the creams are very effective and have less side effects than synthetic forms of progesterone. I do know several women who use these creams and they all swear by them. If you'd like more info on it you can PM me and I'll send you the link as I'm not sure if it would go against any protocol if I posted the link directly into the forum.

I'm not recommending it, and I'm not giving you a diagnosis because I'm not medically qualified but I will point you to where you can find some more information that might help you.

 

[catherinecherub]

This article suggests that cortisone, the stress hormone plays a part.
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/we ... opause.htm

 

[ladybird64]

Aww bless you ladies, I knew you would come to my rescue! It is a relief to read all this, it really is.

My situation isn't helped by the fact that I have spent many years battling anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia so I know all about the fight or flight..my adrenaline levels are often diving up and down!

My 22 yr old daughter has been on HRT for 4 years Grace, she has a rare condition. I will wait and see how things go as it is early days for me yet, I have had the test and my levels show I am approaching menopause..it's just after 20 years without periods I am kind of out of sync with my own body! Thank you all so much for your goodies advice and for being so supportive, it really makes me feel a lot better.

Catherine, I know it's naughty but the link you posted..my eyes automatically zoomed in on this

Another valuable piece of advice is to just give in sometimes. Too often, people will eat several snacks that they perceive to be “healthy” instead of just eating what they wanted in the first place—and still go unsatisfied. We often think of healthy snacks as those that come in a “fat-free” or “low-calorie” packaging. However, these perceptions mentally encourage us to eat more than a full serving size. So we could have consumed fewer calories just by reaching straight for the chocolate in the first place

I especially like the last sentence :lol:

 

[anna29]

Good thread this one just for the ladies...
I didnt giggle either ladybird - but I did smile
I had an early menapause think I was late 30's and it tailed off
when I was 43-45 yrs old.
Felt like it was never going to end - I can tell you.
Went through it all on my tod no HRT or meds for it.
Both my mother and my grandmother had early menapauses so
I was relieved to have the answer for mine being an early one.
Periods were stopped by an hysterectomy in my mid 30's.
Out of it all I can STILL clearly remember the constant hot sweats
and flushes all hours of the day and night...
You could have wrung me out like a wet dishcloth !
Was constantly drained and weary with these neverending .
[this is the only time - when I wished I was a bloke!]
Had terrible foggy memory and dropsy days [kept dropping things]
Grumpy and tetchy too - poor hubby couldnt do right for wrong
sometimes.
Think he would definetely 'agree' that aliens "had" taken over me 'grace' :wink:
My handbag had water mist sprays, wet wipes and fans of all types in it to keep me
hosed/sprayed/wiped down cooler.
Then I would walk about fanning myself in ALL seasons including the depths of
a snowy winter!
Wearing no coat - only a t.shirt :shock:
It was an awful unpleasant experience that lasted far too long for my liking.
Could and would go hours without eating as felt too sickly to do [hormones!]
Then would eat middle of night when ravenous much later.
I was a savoury nibbler and still am, but odd times yes I would crave the opposite
chocolate especially minstrels or maltesers.
It seemed to affect me in extremes without warning either.
Am glad its all behind me, but I so DO feel for those that are going through them now...
Its lovely to know that we gals can talk and share these things together.
This thread now only needs coffee and :shh: (shhh) cakes to share betweeen us all. :lolno:
Anna.