[orangyred]

So I know I've been in perimenopause for awhile (personally, I think I've been in it way longer than the doctors will admit) and there are a couple things I've wondered if they are normal when it comes to dealing with emotional things in this stage in life.

1) Depression. Is this a normal side effect? The NP I talked to immediately said no. She may be right, but it seems weird to just up and cry for no reason at all. I've had issues in the past, but I could always relate the depression to something.

2) Oddly, in the last few days my emotions are telling me to have child. I don't want a child and I never have. Never in my entire life did I want kids. I thought I'd have them because it's what people do, but when I got older I knew I did not. And I sure don't want to start now that I'm nearly 46. It's a very foreign thing that has happened and I'm quite confused by it. Is this normal that a person gets these sort of irrational feeling to have kids? or is this just another thing I need to deal with in a meeting with a counselor and isn't related to peri at all?

I guess I'm wondering if I'm alone on this or if it happens to others at the stage of life. Or any other weird emotional things...

[Little Lulu]

I'm finished with peri/menopause now I don't recall depression but I do recall not sleeping well and feeling frustrated with the hot fushes (much betterr now :-) The physical changes alone could lead to depression/anxiety and one passes through this time of life.

I do not have children either and while I never longed to be a mother, after menopause and as I've gotten older there is a certain wistfulness I've had about the children/grandchildren thing, that we do not have children. Life has felt a bit lonelier at times for both my husband as we've realized the finality of that issue. Plus, we are at the age where we hear people gush about their grandkids and I'm not bitter about that but it does get old :-)

Your issues are your issues, despite what any medical provider says. We are all unique in how we experience life and the changes that come along the way.

[orangyred]

yeah, the not sleeping thing has been rough. it has definitely accentuated somethings. thanks for the reminder! that's probably what some of this is about.

[possum220]

If you have had issues on the past with being emotional with the hormonal changes then this is not going to disappear now. Hormones are more likely to be in a state of flux and the connected emotional roller coaster.
Having difficulty sleeping is frustrating.