"Menopausal" symptoms causing issues with exercising

[thekarens]

I'm 45. At 43 I started bleeding all the time, got put on birth control pills and my cycle got lighter and lighter. It stopped altogether in March and I quit the pills.

I've had extreme breast pain, bloating, vaginal irritation, insomnia, muscle aches and the most annoying, frequent urination. Thankfully I haven't had any hot flashes. Oh, and for about 3 months I truly thought I was going crazy, my emotions were uncontrollable.

[Crankin]

I am 13 years post menopausal and I'd say I do pee more, but I also drink a lot more water. I always use an electrolyte tab for any ride over 20 miles and/or hot weather. Weird thing is, my urinary system seems to almost shut down once I start a long ride. I go, but not with urgency I often have, especially in the morning. The men I ride with have to pee a lot more than I do!

[ny biker]

I'm 45. At 43 I started bleeding all the time, got put on birth control pills and my cycle got lighter and lighter. It stopped altogether in March and I quit the pills.

I've had extreme breast pain, bloating, vaginal irritation, insomnia, muscle aches and the most annoying, frequent urination. Thankfully I haven't had any hot flashes. Oh, and for about 3 months I truly thought I was going crazy, my emotions were uncontrollable.

Every one is different, and each person's symptoms usually fluctuate over time, I think. I'm 50 and things have been irregular and unpredictable for some years now. Between November and March I had no periods but lots of hot flashes, day and night. I tend to really feel the cold in winter and in the past have worn wool camisoles and heavy sweaters to stay warm, but this past winter all that was too much. Interestingly, I also lost a few pounds and had no trouble with water retention during that time. Then in March I got a period and another in April. Which is all to say that whatever you're experiencing now will probably not last, for better or worse.

To wnyrider's point, one challenge I've dealt with in planning bike rides with sufficient rest stops is that the best areas for cycling in this area (or at least my favorite areas) are rural, and there are not many good options for stops. There aren't many stores and the ones you do find sometimes don't have public restrooms. And just stopping on the side of the road is not really feasible in open farmland with no trees or hedges. I have developed an unconscious habit of noting the location of every portapotty I see, which is kinda weird. I also have a favorite brand -- Don's Johns, headquartered in northern Virginia. They've got some very heavily-used portolets on the trails around here, and even on busy summer weekend those things still smell nice.

[shootingstar]

Every one is different, and each person's symptoms usually fluctuate over time, I think. I'm 50 and things have been irregular and unpredictable for some years now. Between November and March I had no periods but lots of hot flashes, day and night. I tend to really feel the cold in winter and in the past have worn wool camisoles and heavy sweaters to stay warm, but this past winter all that was too much. Interestingly, I also lost a few pounds and had no trouble with water retention during that time. Then in March I got a period and another in April. Which is all to say that whatever you're experiencing now will probably not last, for better or worse.

To wnyrider's point, one challenge I've dealt with in planning bike rides with sufficient rest stops is that the best areas for cycling in this area (or at least my favorite areas) are rural, and there are not many good options for stops. There aren't many stores and the ones you do find sometimes don't have public restrooms. And just stopping on the side of the road is not really feasible in open farmland with no trees or hedges. I have developed an unconscious habit of noting the location of every portapotty I see, which is kinda weird. I also have a favorite brand -- Don's Johns, headquartered in northern Virginia. They've got some very heavily-used portolets on the trails around here, and even on busy summer weekend those things still smell nice.

I have noticed myself over the past 5 years, just simply more aware of my peeing needs. Doesn't mean I do it more frequently. Maybe shorter distances now...I used to be able to ride for 45 km. without need to pee. But now it seems like every 30 km. or so. No hard fast benchmark milepoint. Just guess. Fortunately my partner seems to have a need around the time I do... But men, can get away with more stuff...let's not go into details.

And living on the flat prairies even in big huge urban parks with hardly any trees....can be an issue!!!! I live in a city that hardly offers any washroom facilities in its extensive parks-pathway system. Very different from Toronto and Vancouver. I think it's a shame because it prevents lots more people from going for long walks, jogs, etc. GRRRRRRR.

I have been menopausal for past 3 years. No period so far. I didn't go through extreme symptoms.

But now I seem to be having more short hot flashes....some of it seems to me, related to stress. Oh well. It's not enough that I'm sweating uncontrollably in a huge watery way. I'm 56.