Through history, women have shared their stories and solutions to pass along information they didn’t get anywhere else. Now with a boost from the Internet, we honor this tradition by compiling a collection of menopause experiences, updated every week.

When did you go into menopause? 

I had my last period in Nov 2018, after a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro….I was 51. 

What did you know about menopause before you hit it? 

I had heard about sweats, lack of sleep, weight gain, and mood disorders. What I got was hair loss and brain fog! 

What you wish you had known? 

That my hair was going to fall out, I was going to lose major muscle mass and my VO2 max was going to go down the drain, all inside of nine months. 

Most vexing symptom? 

Jello-like limbs. Previously, I had appreciated the strength of my thighs and biceps. I worked hard, but not like I have to work now for the same results. 

If this is the worst it’s gonna get, I can deal! I feel lucky to have not had the sweats.

How do/did you treat symptoms? 

I tried bio-hormones without much luck. In fairness, I feel like my doctor didn’t really take me seriously and he (emphasis, “he”) threw me on several drugs at once, and then wasn’t interested in seeing me again for three months. I became a version of the Stay-Puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters in that short period of time. Bloated and pissed off all the time. Needless to say – I came off ALL of the drugs quickly thereafter. Now, I run, bike and swim to fight the symptoms. 

Most memorable menopause story? 

Crying and laughing at the same time over what to do with the rest of my life. I was having a conversation with a girlfriend about “what was next” and I just couldn’t seem to logically think through my options. Prior to this, I had run businesses, started businesses and made executive decisions. All of this functionality went away. 

Three words to describe your menopause experience?