If you're 44 and over, did you notice?

[thebreakfastclub]

I just turned 48. I haven't had a period since Sep '23 so I'm on the doorstep of official menopause. I have had some hot flashes at night but have found that if I'm consistently working out, they are better. They were almost nightly for a few months but now they're pretty much gone.

Otherwise I feel pretty much the same. I've needed glasses for 25 years now but my rx is holding constant.

[lucybrown]

I turned 44 recently. Over the past year or so, I feel like my IQ has plummeted. It’s hard to feel so stupid.

I definitely need more sleep than I used to as well.

[mofongo]

I’m 46, I haven’t noticed anything tragic yet. More preventative doctor appts and screenings, for sure. I’ve needed bifocals for a few years, and now take my glasses off to read small print/my phone, but every year when I go I say I’ll do it next year. Ha. I mean, I did pull a back muscle getting my small dog out of bed, so def things like that, but I feel pretty good.

[lostrn]

First of all I need to break out the calendar to figure out my age lol.

I'm 47 and I've been going downhill for a long time. But 3 years ago I definitely noticed my ankles acting up all.the.time and its just been one thing after another. But to be fair I keep putting off going to my ankle/foot specialist for a diagnosis and treatment. I can't remember when I had to start blood pressure medications, I think it was about 2 years ago.

[tiki]

For me it was an abrupt change between 39 and 41. Gained 20 lbs in a year, developed afib and had it treated, and my eyelids started doing this diagonal creasing thing that I don't like at all.

[fivechickens]

I started therapy this week for shoulder pain. The therapist told me I needed to start sleeping on my back because the way I have slept my entire life isn’t working for my old age anymore. 😫

So yes I can relate.

[ellipses84]

I’m almost 43 so not there yet, but I had a full oophorectomy/ hysterectomy in my late 30’s which sent me into surgical menopause. I take estrogen only HRT, but I feel like I’ve already had the impacts of some of the things that might age you at 44. The biggest issue was weight gain despite eating better and exercising more than I ever had previously. Mostly in my stomach which was formerly a best feature - I used to have an hourglass figure and amazing abs. I’ve had some joint / pain issues since my late 20s but it’s been worse with the weight gain. I’ve always looked super young and people often tell me I don’t look in my 40s (like when I was seeking an anti-aging skincare routine at the store yesterday inspired by this post, ha!) but I definitely don’t get carded anymore and see a lot more wrinkles. I’ve been good about daily SPF on my face but I wish I’d paid more attention to my neck, collarbone area and hands. I’m desperately trying to lose weight but I think it may make my face look older. My eye Dr warned me that my eyesight might go downhill rapidly after 40 and not to bother with lasic surgery because I’ll need bifocals soon, but shockingly my prescription has been exactly the same for 3 years.

I noticed a big change with DH’s aging at 44.

[scm1011]

Aug 17, 2024 6:03:25 GMT -5 tiki said:

For me it was an abrupt change between 39 and 41. Gained 20 lbs in a year, developed afib and had it treated, and my eyelids started doing this diagonal creasing thing that I don't like at all.

Same timing (which also coincided with Covid so I’m not sure which to blame lol). After a lifetime of being effortlessly thin I gained 25lbs and my face visibly aged dramatically. Thankfully no health stuff (yet). I turn 43 in a few days.

[Eagles]

Aug 15, 2024 9:43:26 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I just turned 47 last week. I feel 45 was the real turning point for me. It's all downhill from here, lol.

My body has been in shambles since the week before my 45th birthday. I met my deductible 5 months later 😭

[Eagles]

Aug 15, 2024 10:03:49 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Aug 15, 2024 9:55:10 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

A lot of what is being posted here is almost certainly all related to loss of estrogen/perimenopause. I joined the menopause subreddit a few months ago, and my eyes are opened. I now think my Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is also caused by menopause (started 4 months after my last period 2+ years ago).

I'm at the beginning of a quest to get vaginal estrogen (very safe, stays localized) and hopefully topical estrogen of some sort (difficult with my medical history), which is much safer than oral tablets. The Women's Health Initiative study from 2002 wound up shafting a TON of women who's quality of life could have been much improved by HRT. I have learned SO MUCH from that subreddit, there are links to studies and other kinds of info for anyone interested. I have been shocked to learn how many things estrogen effects.

As to the original question, 44 (8 years ago) is just about the age I was when I started having a lot of trouble concentrating at work. I've been at the same job since 2001 and I just chalked it up to boredome/being in a rut. I don't think that now.

I agree with this also. I had to change OB/Gyn this year and tried to broach perimenopause as a cause of a lot of symptoms I've had the past few years. I was really disappointed by how dismissive she was-- she basically told me that I could try some over the counter supplements, but otherwise she didn't think my symptoms were likely to be perimenopause and I should talk to my PCP about them (despite them all being classic perimenopause symptoms-- serious brain fog, hair loss, weight gain, etc). 

I really thought she would listen since she was a 50-something woman herself, and was so disappointed to be dismissed. It's so daunting to try to find a doctor to take women's health seriously.

My gynecologist is with Main Line Health and she's amazing. DM me if you want her name.

[intheden]

Aug 15, 2024 9:27:36 GMT -5 onomatopoeia said:

I'm 47 and between 42-44 was when I noticed things started to fall apart. Joints, skin, hair, body composition, etc. I remember being so sure I'd cruise into middle age slowly then BAM. I'm trying to embrace it as just another life stage but man, it takes a lot more work to feel and look good now lol.

Same for me. 47 now and it all started to fall to crap around 42-43.

[sonrisa]

44 was 2020 and the whole world took a nose dive so it’s hard for me to know what was caused by circumstances/ changed routine and what was me. My insomnia when crazy and never went back.

[basilosaurus]

44 soon. And just this month I noticed joint pain in my fingers.

I've always had knee and shoulder pain but this is new.

Also I know when my period is coming based on when I vomit for a night. 2 days later... So that's fun.

[dirtyred]

I'm one of the olds, so I don't remember what happened at 44, but I can tell you a BIG change happened at 60--my energy levels plummeted.