I adore my husband. I don’t think I deserve such a loving man, and I go through times of crying daily out of gratitude.

As long as I have known him, he has been considered obese. Most members of his family are also overweight, and genetics do play a factor, but my husband has had a higher BMI than any of his family members for longer than the entirety of his adult life. I did not care about his weight initially, especially since he was more active than the skinny little thing I was.

This isn’t a matter of just not getting exercise and overeating. He exercised more than I did, and he still does (though I’m catching up in that area), and I’ve always been the one who eats more.

Since our marriage, he has gained more and more. He is only in his thirties; but he has recently begun to wheeze daily and use a walking stick, insisting he doesn’t need an electric scooter when I know that he has gotten to the point that he does.

I have also gained since our marriage, yet I am still on the slender side. Our bodies were built in completely different ways. My weight gain has come largely from pregnancy and perimenopause whereas his gain does not seem to have a medical explanation. At any rate, I would feel like a hypocrite talking to him about his weight gain when anyone can see that I have also gained. I also don’t want him to feel bad because my gain is not something worth caring about while his is something potentially dangerous.

Furthermore, my husband views me as a smart nonconforming woman who looks beyond appearances. He is more than used to skinny people exaggerating the health risks of fat people and badgering them to lose weight, and he thinks that I am a wonderful exception. The last thing I want to be is a shallow bitch who insists that her household to be perfect.

I wish there was a way that I could tell my husband that I am worried about him without coming across as shallow and clueless, and hypocritical. I also wish that my husband took better care of himself. He tries to take care of everyone else, never himself. Still, I can’t blame him for not being fond of doctors; I’ve seen their prejudice against him, thinking that everything has to be a result of his weight.

Help, please?

I am 20 and me and my hubby have unprotected sex about every 3-4 days. my last period was May 20th. before that i missed 3 periods and my doctor had to give me meds to jump start one because my boobs hurt so bad. about a week and half-2 weeks after my period ended i had some spotting. so now i will have missed 2 periods this thursday. im having mild cramps in my lower pelvic area, my boobs hurt, and in the last week or so ive gotten hungrier and im craving so many things all the time. (mostly brownies or fruit) my cervical mucus is thick white and sticky. i have also been getting hot flashes. I want to know if anyone else has had this problme. could i be pregnant, have PCOD, or early perimenopause. also how likey am i ovulating if im skipping so much?

I’m 24 years old and have been with my boyfriend for about two years. We have a five month old baby together and I love him very much but he thinks I am cheating on him. The primary reason for this is because I have absolutely NO sex drive at all.

I know what you’re all going to say, you’re a new young mother, blah blah blah… but I know that’s not the cause and I have other symptoms that I believe are related.

- Constant exhaustion and fatique
- Severe insomnia (seems ironic given the constant exhaustion…)
- Unable to loose the baby weight
- Irritable and short-tempered
- Hot and cold flashes
- Loss of appetite
- Foggy memory
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention (my mind wanders in mid-conversation with people, to the point that I have NO idea what they just said once they finish)
- Absolutely NO sex drive at all (my poor boyfriend will try and try to make me horny, but nothing ever happens, I usually end up giving in and having sex because I feel bad)

I know that these symptoms are not due to being a new mother, however, because I felt wonderful and my sex drive peaked when my baby was about 1-2 months old, then disappeared.

I googled my symptoms and it said that I have a hormonal imbalance where my estrogen levels are far higher than my progesterone levels… and that this typically happens during perimenopause and menopause… I’m only 24!!!

Oh, by the way, these symptoms were here BEFORE I got pregnant as well, I’ve been living with them for a while but they seem to be getting worse.

Please, does anyone know what is going on? Am I going through premature menopause?? What can I do to feel better and have more energy to play with my baby? How can I get my sex drive back? (my boyfriend has tried pretty much everything that you can think of, romantic dinner, foreplay, etc… nothing works so far)
Now that you mention it I have always had very low blood pressure. I didn’t think it was related because I’ve had it for so long.

Even when i was 9 months pregnant the nurse commented that I had the blood pressure of a 10 year old.

Take Whole Cycle:
1 Prenatal Vitamin Daily
1 Baby Aspirin Daily
1 50 mg B6 Vitamin in the morning.
1 B-50 Complex in the evening

From Cycle Day 1 until Ovulation:
Two Vitex, 500mg Capsules in the morning
Two Vitex, 500mg Capsules in the evening

From End of Period until Ovulation:

Robitussin::full strength as if you have a bad cough. Label Directions: adults and children 12 years and over, 2-4 teaspoonsfuls every 4 hours. Do not take more than 6 doses in any 24 hour period. Consult label for accuracy, warnings, and ingredients. Active ingredient: Guaifenesin ONLY, do NOT get any type with other active ingredients or letters such as Robitussin DM or Robitussin CF.

Vitex Information – Vitex has been used holistically for many years to balance the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone. It eases symptoms of PMS, menopause, perimenopause, and menstruation. It has been reported to aid fertility in women by increasing progesterone in particular. Many women suffering from LPD (luteal phase defect) may gain particular benefit. Members have reported reduction in breast tenderness and acne while on vitex.

Vitex Dosage – Dosages are included in each recipe. If you have a different brand or potency, please refer to the label directions.

Things to Avoid: Do not take vitex with clomid or any other fertility drug. They can counteract each other.

When to Take Vitex – There are two schools of thought about taking vitex. One says to not take it during pregnancy so vitex is stopped at ovulation. The other theory says that vitex needs to build up in your system to really work and stopping at ovulation doesn’t allow it to build up enough to work. So, vitex is stopped when there is a positive HPT. Our members have reported both methods as working and some of those beautiful children are the result of their mommies using one of these recipes. Be informed about your choice.

Possible Side Effects: While many sources report no side effects with vitex we have heard a few things on our forums.

Headaches – Some have reported headaches that disappeared when vitex was stopped.

Cysts – Some have reported an increase in ovarian cysts. This makes sense as clomid also can potentially cause cysts.

B6 Information:

B6 is taken to help improve mucus quality and quantity. It is safe to take B6 as it is a water soluble vitamin and passes through your system. Some people have experienced numbness or tingling of the hands or arms while on higher doses. If you experience this, stop taking B6 or lower your dosage to something you can tolerate.

B Complex:

B Compex is taken to aid in the absorption of B6 and the two should be taken together. Taking a timed release B complex also gives benefits throughout the day.

Robitussin:

Robitussin is taken to help with mucus quality. It thins out the mucus in the body, making it easier for the sperm to travel. Some women like to take robi all cycle long and some only take around ovulation. This is a matter of preference and how you think your body reacts to it.

Prenatal Vitamin:

Prenatal vitamins can be obtained through a prescription or purchased over the counter wherever vitamins are sold. Prenatal vitamins are a good choice when trying to conceive because they have folic acid which has been proven to prevent certain birth defects. Prenatals also have a variety of other vitamins that are a good idea when trying to conceive.

Baby Aspirin:

Baby Aspirin is a good idea for any woman trying to conceive or not. It has been shown to have heart healthy effects over a lifetime and is recommended by many doctors. It has a slight blood thinning effect. Many women who have had repeated miscarriages have taken baby aspirin when ttc. There has been a link in recent years to blood clotting disorders and miscarriage. Most doctors seem to think it can’t hurt when trying to conceive

and what is your age. How long have you been in perimenopause?
I’m 31, have PCOS and don’t have kids.

I have been on Birth control for early perimenopause for about two years.I am on the third brand I have tried and it seems to be helping a lot.My problem is that on the week off at the end of the month(sugar pill week) sometimes I have headaches almost every day.I know it is from the drop in hormones,but does anyone else have this problem,and if so how do you deal.GOD-bless
My Dr does not want me to skip the sugar pills?She says I can only do this every two months?Maybe I will try that next time.
The sugar pills are not the problem-the lack of hormones is.My dr said I need the week off in order to have a withdrawel bleed.

I have been having a variety of problems this year. As much as I hate to think it, I think that my irregular cycles may be caused by perimenopause. I have missed like 3 periods in the last 6 months or so. I am gaining weight no matter how little or how much I eat. My skin is breaking out for no reason. I am 33, 34 in january. I have not had hot flashes or anything like that. the mian thing that bothers me is the skipped periods. I have been VERY good about my birth control for the last 6 months or so, so pregnancy is not an issue. Has anyone had this kind of thing happen to them
In was on the nuvaring until about april. I saw my GYN at the end of march, then skipped for the first time at the end of april. May was very heavy, then june was light, skipped july, august was light, and now I skipped september.

After being so irregular I voluntarily went off nuvaring in case that was the problem. I have been using condoms or VCF film for contraceptive since then.

I am seeing a gynecologist this coming week.

I am 37. For the past eight months, my periods have gone down from 3 days and moderate flow to 1 day and very light. I am not pregnant; this we know for 200% sure. Also, for the past eight months, I will have hot flashes (some days I have them all day, while other days I might have them just a couple of times a day). In addition, whereas in the past I would feel rageful and suicidally depressed just two or three days’ before my period, this time the only time I don’t feel this way is on the day of my period and three days’ after; the other 25 days of the month, I either feel meaner than a snake or suicidally depressed. My primary care doctor thinks I’m starting to go through perimenopause in the very, very early stages. Do these symptoms sound like the earmarks of the beginning of the change of life?

(NOTE: I have never beared children nor do I plan to do so. I would rather have the above symptoms for 10 years than to be pregnant for nine months and give birth.)

My husbands 40 year old paranoid skitzophrenic brother lives with us and he is constantly saying things to me when my husband is not home like he never should of married you your a bitch he dosent love you and so on. He is not as bad when my husband is around and when I try to tell my husband what goes on he tells me I probably start it but I dont. This is my house to and I deserve the right noot to have somebody in my face all day. I also just found out I am in perimenopause and I just feel like I cant take life anymore I dont know what to do PLEASE HELP ME?????

4 years ago I had a tubal ligation after my 3rd pregnancy. I have every symptom of pregnancy; vomiting, here and there w &w/o bile but don’t feel sick, nauseated from time to time through out the day, very sore and swollen breast and nipples, swollen lower abdomen, my pants don’t fit at all, I even look prego (I usually have a flat stomach) I spotted the last 3 months skipping days/weeks ect, My nerves are shot form time to time, roller coaster ride w/ the emotions, I have an outbreak of pimples on face, back, and shoulders, I get shortness of breath especially when talking, I could of sworn I felt fluttering 3 days ago and 2-3 times everyday for 3 days, heart burn, gas, burping, I’ve been having all of these for at least 3 weeks,
This would be my 4th pregnancy but, I took an EPT that showed neg.
I have NO PAINS anywhere that would indicate something to be wrong. It truly feels like it could be a normal pregnancy!
Before all of this though back in Oct 2008 my hormone levels were very low, a state of perimenopause, I have read if you have weak or low levels the EPT won’t pick up? If I am prego it would put me anywhere 9- 13 weeks I think.
A little help here please? If it were tubal or ectopic would my belly grow still and w/ no pain?

But for the last 2 months I have had 4 periods. For example this month I had one on the 31st that lasted its regular 4 days. Then I had another one on the 16th of this month, and it seemed that it was going away around the 4th day but I continue bleeding and now is a constant flow, bright red and huge clots or tissue or something. Not much cramping, but I do have a perpetual headache!!! Could it be perimenopause? or something more serious?

PS: The previous dates were Feb 13, Mar 1, Mar 31, and Apr 16.

Thanks,

Been on Low dose BCP to help with heavy irregular periods caused by perimenopause it’s working been on 4 mo but now have a little vaginal dryness, irritation and redness so I called the Dr in hopes of getting some cream to help the outside problem he wants me to finish this pack of BCP and start on Premphase (hormone replacement therapy HRT didn’t work that’s why I was put on the BCP) which is so many days of estrogen by itself and then days of progestin by itself which means a pill every day of the month. I’m so afraid all that heavy bleeding and 16 days of periods will come back. I have 2 packs of BCP left thinking about finishing them and just tuff out the irritation maybe I need a second opinion what do you think? Thanks for your in put

The second I go outside I get a headache that lasts all day, if I fall asleep and the room is hotter than 65 F I wake up with a headache. It doesn’t matter how much water I drink or how many pills I take, the headache won’t go away. When I walk to the bus stop two blocks away from my house I’ll start sweating and my head will hurt, even when it’s around 70 degrees. If I’m taking a shower and the water is hotter than lukewarm my head will hurt for about an hour. If I’m in a room and the fan isn’t on my head will hurt. When I’m straightening my hair my head will hurt.

Where I live it is usually around 80-90 degrees.

Again, I am sensitive to heat, not the sun. And I don’t have hyperthyroidism, nor am I going through menopause/perimenopause.

I have all of the classic symptoms of menopause, quite severely. Except I still have periods. BUT they last anywhere from 2 to 8 days and can be from 28 to 58 days apart, usually extremely light. This has been going on for about 2 1/2 years and I am not pregnant as I have a tubal and my husband a vasectomy! My doctor just kind of looks at me as if I am making it all up!
My mother and all other female relatives were anywhere from their early tolate 50′s when they experienced menopause with a minimal amount of symptoms. None of them experienced anything like perimenopause whatsoever………….

I had Hodgkins when I was 15 and went through 6 months of MOPP. I am 42 years old and for the past 2-3 years have experienced inconsistent periods (prior to that, ALWAYS 28 day cycle). I chalked it up to stress (due to various issues). This year has been very stressful and again my cycle is messed up. At one point this summer I had a period within 2 weeks of each other, went back to 30 days and now haven’t had one since Sept. I have horrible, sudden "oh my gosh I’m so hot" and perspire to being cold. I don’t sleep well, and snap at stupid stuff. Anyway, when I look it up on line it seems like perimenopause but I worry because of my cancer history. Unfortunately, I’m petrified to go to the doctors. I feel like I’m too young to be experiencing this – thoughts?????