Bipolar and Menopause

I am going to be in the menopause phase of life in a couple years and wondering how it will affect the illness. Anyone?

Have a Happy Day!

Rainwater

Hi Rainwater- I have been in menopause for almost 3 years and I have not noticed any changes in my mental health from it. Only lots of hotflashes!

Thanks Roxiesmom333 I appreciate your comment I sure hope my illness doesnt get affected because it is hard enough the way it is now.

Hugs,
Rainwater

Hi Rainwater - I went thru menopause prior to my diagnosis, so blamed all the symptoms on hormones. There is a phase called perimenopause that can last for years; the medical definition of menopause is when you've gone a full year without a period - which means you don't know if you're menopausal or perimenopausal until it's done!

Anyway, I had every possible symptom times 10, and my mood swings were monumental! I went on a hormone treatment specifically designed for perimenopause, then once I'd gone six months without a period, my gyno put me on the regular hormones. I know there are concerns about hormone therapy, but I know for sure it saved my life, particularly since my BP wasn't being treated. I was on them for 5 years..still get the occasional hot flash, but that's livable. Hope that helps! Oh yeah, I was also about 5 years early for what is considered the menopausal phase, so it's good to be prepared.

Very good question! I have a while yet before I have to worry about that (I'm 34) but I still would be interested in knowing the answers AHEAD of time lol. Thanks for asking this question!

When I became perimenopausal I have a terrible time trying to sleep. Earlier in my life I could drink a pot of coffee and go right to sleep but that changed. Now I have to have meds or I will not sleep until I am exhausted after 48 hours of no sleep.

Thanks so much for this info ((((((PT))))) and thanks for asking the question Rainwater. I'm 46 and I've been reading up a lot about peri-menopause lately. I have not been feeling well physically for some time, and my mental health has also deterioriated, in particular my anxiety and stress levels are very high. I now believe that some of this could be hormonal.

I found a list of 35 typical symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause and I was surprised to find things like "nausea" and "muscle stiffness" on the list (I'm experiencing a lot of nausea and muscle stiffness). Also on the list was this: "feelings of doom and preoccupation with one's own death". That's me to a tee!! And I have a tons of other symptoms on the list too. The link to the list is here:

http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/symptoms.shtml

(Obviously the list isn't geared around Bi polar and menopause though.....)

Good luck to you ((((((Rainwater)))))

I don't know if this helps but I had to have chemical induced menopause in my twenties and again in my thirties for another condition. Had all the classic symptoms and my bipolar meds only had to be adjusted slightly. I did have very slight swings and did have trouble with sleep but was told even without bipolar, this was not unusual for menopause because it varies.

Another friend who has BP just went through menopause and had to have her meds adjusted during it but was not significant and had no trouble with sleep; another with BP had menopause symptoms but no trouble with her BP. It just varies from person to person. Just be prepared and know that it might be an issue so to have help in place should it become a factor.

Sorry that I don't have a positive story to add; mine's a downer.

My bipolar went through the roof, but it is complicated by a dual diagnosis with bpd. Huge episodes, pseudo-psychosis, too erratic to complicate my work, find the work I'd done, good mood in the morning, bad in the afternoon, poor sleep that brought on more stress, hyper-sexuality....geez. It completely sucked and ruined--and I mean ruined important relationships. I am lucky I didn't lose my kids.

I really hope this is a minute percentage of the bipolar woman's response. It was so hard....

I didn't take hormone replacements....Is that where I messed up? But none of my doctors suggested that--I didn't have "medical" problems with menopause.

I am turning 45 the day after christmas. I have always had to take sleep medicine. I was diagnosed bp as a teenager. My worries and anxieties keep me sleepless without taking Trazadone at night..It is a really good med for insomnia without addictive qualities. I have been waking with a feeling of doom also in morning for a few years it is aweful. I am going through this year. Making difficult moves from Seattle to Florida to help my daughters addiction and possible bp I dont know. I am engaged this year and dont know is his job in 2 months going to Texas or back to Seattle. Im overwhelmed and yeah just thinking maybe Pre-menopause getting me down, My thinking has been going blank with such a lack of interest and I am really fearing getting older too. I really enjoy coming here because I dont know anyone around to talk about stuff like we all do.

Dont Worry about Tomorrow..God is Already There Rainwater

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate already! 45 is definitely not too young to be having symptoms - I was completely thru menopause before my 47th birthday. I hope everything goes well for you!

I have gone through menopause and it seems to have made my depressive episodes worse and longer, unfortunately. I hope that isn't the case for most women who are bipolar.

rainwater, you have so much going on! how are you doing?