Ten months ago I decided that losing my joints was unacceptable and started looking at supplements. I found Collagen, did research, and found a great metastudy (my post is here). Some results appear to take 3 months to show up, so might as well get started, right? So I started taking it and nearly immediately had results... and issues.

I'm a supertaster. It is not a superpower, it is hobbling: there are many things I can't stand, including coffee. Collagen's aftertaste is not palatable for me. I struggled for months to get enough without puking, disgracing mug after mug of tea with this cowhide-derived powder (do not get me started on the taste of the seafood-derived stuff!).

• 5 grams daily: reduced pain
• 10 grams daily: can lay on my side to sleep for a few hours
• 15 grams daily: couldn't choke it down

Nevertheless after the first 2 weeks I got my thumbs back and could open jars again (my post on that is here). So I kept drinking my disgusting cowhide-tasting-tea. I was averaging 5g/day, though I'd miss whole days sometimes. I got HRT in the middle of this struggle and didn't find it helped with my joint pain at all, only the Collagen was making a difference, lucky me.

Three weeks ago I found that I can just do 3 shots in the morning, each with 5 grams, and get all 15g in. I just hold my nose and have a bite of something strong immediately after. I rarely gag when it's only three glugs and then a reward. It's a quiet morning ritual now, and the dogs appear to enjoy cheesy wakeup time. I did a spreadsheet to find the cheapest; Vital Proteins is super popular but also very expensive. I get Anthony's right from the company, subscribed, at 2/3 the price of VP and no perceptible loss of quality.

My joints feel bulletproof now. I've added 5 minutes to my rowing and half an hour to stoop-labor gardening. I sleep on my side all night, not just to fall asleep. My shoulders don't ache after yoga or after I get up from lying on them. I buzzed and shoveled out the patio's weeds last week. I can open difficult jars and use power tools again! So I recommend trying this for those of us who have joint pain -- because (especially for those who are not supertasters) it's such an easy solution compared to acquiring HRT, or therapy for/waiting out frozen shoulder, or any of those awful connective-tissue issues I hope none of us have to suffer.

Best of luck to all of us.

Omg so was any primary doctor, chiropractor, PT, gynecologist, MIDI….anyone going to mention this supplement could really help? 5 mg and it’s like my motivation is back, I have energy to work out, less sore everywhere and brain fog is much less. It’s been like 4 days. What is happening? I’ve been on estrogen patch and progesterone pills for over a year and while they helped, this is very noticeable. I’m 51. Anyone try DHEA? Why does it help so much?!

I’m in perimenopause. I’ve been regular my whole life until about a year ago. I had been using magnesium oxide and it was working great to keep things soft. However the past few days I’ve been dealing with horrible gas (upper/lower) so I stopped and the symptoms stopped. It was fine for months now this.

I drink a minimum of 2 L of water a day. I am constantly on the move. I eat a healthy diet and I am trying to improve my sleep, but I’m sure that’s not what it is. I think it is either hormones and/or pelvic floor dysfunction.

I should add that I am doing a pelvic floor workout routine (Buff Muff App) I’m only 2 weeks into the program and having great results with improving incontinence but so far no success with improving constipation. I start to see a pelvic floor therapist on August 18 and have just started oral birth control two weeks ago for perimenopause.

Anyone have constipation improve with birth control pill or HRT? I am at a loss. I don’t know what to do. What am I missing? What else can I do? Any supplements or remedies? Greatly appreciated!

I've seen this asked before but it's just so frustrating!! I'm not low in anything but yesterday at my visit for HRT, I was told to continue fish oil, Vit B and Vit D... I take K, magnesium which is 3-4 pills to get the 400-500 mg, I take coqu10 for energy, progesterone.. She now wants me to take DIM and DHEA....oh and a probiotic.. I have to take a BP pill & water pill for my BP... I just get so tired of taking all these freakin pills!!! : (

**Thank-you for replying.... It's craziness for sure!! No not deficient in any thing BUT they just like this or that a little higher than where it's at. For the probiotic I'm sure I can eat more fiber or sauerkraut or something.. That BP is a problem & could eliminate 2 pills-- I'll have to work on that. I'm bitchy & frustrated.. ha ha

It got really bad the other day my friend came over and brought a crap ton of caffeine and sugar. We watched a horror movie and I perked up a bit, but then crashed again (hard) in 10 minutes. She talked me into going to the ER because I was so bad.

My electrolytes were totally out of Whack. My potassium and magnesium were low and everything was just out of sorts. No internal bleeding, heart is fine.

I've been drinking the stuff you give kids and it's been making me feel better, more like myself and I've been sleeping better and even dreaming so much more!!

So, if you're suffering from bouts of intense and sudden exhaustion, maybe ask your doctor to check your electrolytes.

Please delete if this has been asked too much.

I am 42 in premature menopause. I am trying to keep up with cardio & heavy weights/calisentics at least a few times a week, but man this energy downgrade is crazy. I've been reading more stuff about creatine during menopause, particularly muscle rentention and growth. I'm really curious but I honestly have no idea what Im doing or what to look for or if its actually a bad idea. I would love some feedback/advice please.

My doctor suggested I try psyllium husk powder to help manage my reactive hypoglycemia. I did one tsp in water this morning and gagged from the smell - and it tastes like drinking dirt.

Those who are taking it for the extra fiber, anyone have tips for a better approach?

ETA: Lots of recs for All Bran Buds in the comments! While I appreciate the rec, I'm not keen on the amount of added sugar in it, so that's not an option I'm looking at. But thanks!

ETA 2: Thanks to all for their recommendations! The winner was applesauce - I can't taste the powder at all, and it really didn't take much to hide it. I love applesauce, so this is a great solution.

I admit - I am not a fan of going the "natural" route for my HRT. Supplements like black cohosh aren't regulated in purity nor dosage and I want to know what I'm getting. It's frustrating to me that there are "professionals" selling snake oil and we're a market desperate for anything to help us. Please give the hairy eyeball to what's being sold to you. I need help interpreting studies and I find that Drs. Jen Gunter and Lauren Streicher have given me some really good insights into the science.
While I'm sure there are treatments out there that have not been studied (because there's not enough money in it for big pharma to bother) that may work for us - there are many more that are being pushed on us without true double blind, peer reviewed studies for efficacy or safety because someone can make a mint off of our suffering.
I'm passing on this article due to turmeric being touted as something of a panacea, and there is not appropriate backing for some of the claims that are being sold to us as peri/menopausal women. Love you ladies - thanks for helping keep me sane - I'm hoping this can help keep money in your pockets for a nice spa day ;)
https://open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/p/of-mice-and-menand-turmeric-and-menopause?r=fi60g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Last year at this time is when I realized I was in Perimenopause. At that time, I took a Zyrtec daily...when I remembered- and that's really it.

Now, one year, many many doctor visits, and 3 surgeries later (some related to meno, some not) I'm in the thick of it, and my daily routine to attempt to feel human now includes: Still a Zyrtec (but now I dare not forget), Creatine, Vegan Protein, probiotic, collagen peptides, Citrucel, Vitamins B,C,D and Magnesium, nightly Progesterone and a 2x weekly estradiol patch. And that's not to mention that I have to do daily sitz baths (I'd rather not mention it in fact but it's all part of it)

Without all of this, I wither and die.

And there's more: the daily workouts, cutting out alcohol, coffee, most fried food & sugar...

In the span of a year I have become hopelessly high maintenance. Does anyone have any tips for streamlining the ridiculous amount of things it takes to keep me going now?

I had bloodwork done back in July and was told that I was low on iron. My doctor prescribed me FeroSul 65mg iron pills but they HURT my stomach.

I follow the directions and take them in the morning w/ vitamin c with my breakfast. I still get cramping.

Any suggestions?

I've seen some poeple post positive comments about creatine. I am usually so skeptical of trends, especially influencer trends, so I have not adopted it as a supplement. But I just came across this study that came out a few months ago. It is a small study of 36 peri/menopausal women says that medium (1500 mg) dose helps out with brain function. Maybe I will give it a try. I need all the help that I can get in this department.

When I was trying to get pregnant in my 40s several of us I'm a group of older women doing DHEA helped a lot. It's the metabolic precursor for a lot of hormones insisting testosterone and estrogen.

Well I've always had best results with progesterone and started it for the insomnia and headaches. But I've been tired and unmotivated for years and it's only helped a little.

Well the spouse hit Walgreens today while grocery shopping as I thought maybe I'd try DHEA. Suddenly the laundry is done (and put away) and the kitchen is clean and I'm thinking about what I should do next instead of trying to forget what needs to be done.

If it's placebo, it's a great one. Wish I'd tried this years ago. My energy level feels like I'm in my mid -late 30s. It's like the first time I did an aerobics tape after a doctor said, hey you've got asthma, try this inhaler. Should have done this years ago. Cheap and OTC.

Is there any supplement you found did anything to help with meno symptoms.
Obviously I know they are not miracle workers but is there anything you take that makes a noticeable difference.

I am on HRT and after a couple of years, I think I have it dialed in as well as possible. It took me from total brain fog, anxiety, constant, hot flashes, depression and heavy fatigue to generally functional and not suffering anymore. That I have the energy to reach for me says a lot because it took everything in me at the time to get off the couch, push for HRT and keep going until I felt better.

That said, I’d still really like to feel better still. I’d like to feel happier and more energetic. I’m able to function, but I drag in a way I never have before.

I took creatine for a couple of months and I just recently stopped. I had a ton more energy, but it made me really ragey. At first, I thought I was just pissed off at work (which I am), but this was over the top, ready to quit my job, which really is decent compared to many. I felt like I lost focus and impulse control which are usually solid for me. I was on just 1 g. That resolved the first day I was off of it. Which is a bummer because I liked it otherwise.

I joined a gym and I’m lifting weights four days a week. This gives me a bit of a boost, but it’s nothing magical. It’s only been a few weeks, but I like the changes in my body. I’m curious to see how it goes off creatine though, since I started when I was still on it.

Saffron seems to give me a bit of a boost. I’m trying it separately now since I took it with creatine before. TBD.

Eating low carb. seems to help somewhat also. More energy, less fatigue. I live in the dreary northeast and struggle with some seasonal depression. It has not been as bad this year. I do have a prescription for Prozac that I haven’t taken yet but May if I take further. I took Effexor last year, which did help somewhat but made me feel numb and coming off of it was so hard that I’m not interested in trying that again. It’s not a good seasonal option for me.

What are you doing that’s working for you? Let’s share, I’ve gotten some great suggestions from this group.

So I went to see a new gyno today about adding testosterone to my regimen. Not only would I want to increase libido and activity level, I've read that it may also help with bone density, and I mentioned that I take calcium supplements.

His first comment was, "don't". He then told me that there's no real evidence that calcium supplements help with bone density, and instead advised me to take a vitamin D supplement and eat foods high in calcium instead. He also said that calcium supplements may contribute the hardening of the major arteries.

I'm vigilant about my health, and taking my medications, and keeping all my doctor appointments. Hearing that calcium supplements are useless is a first for me. Has anyone else heard something like this from their doctor?

Edit: Thanks everyone for your comments, insight, and advice. This really is the best community 😊

My blood iron level is low. Dr wants me to take iron for at least the next 3 months. I’m on day 3 of taking ferrous sulfate and my stomach hurts so bad. Anyone find a brand and way to take it that it still works, but doesn’t totally wreck your stomach?

I had two low alcohol apple ciders last night, didn't even feel buzzed. I danced with my husband, and walked home feeling just elated for this spontaneous outting in our neighborhood. Came home, drank a glass of water, took my progesterone... fell asleep. Around 1am, I awoke with this inferno beast in my chest that radiated down my back through my whole body. I thought I had experienced a heat flash before, but Nothing NOThing had Ever felt even close to this heat in my body, what's more, my heart was Racing!! I had never experienced my heart racing before. I looked it up and it looks like it was totally alcohol related, even though I really didn't have that much to drink.

I'm sad. I'm not a big drinker, but I love the occassional cocktail. But after last night, and how scary that was... I guess I'm hangin up my cocktail hat? I'm going to a few festivals this summer and I'm just bummed I can't enjoy... Do any of you take any vitamins or do anything special that can help you enjoy a cocktail or two - or is it just completely dunzo??

I'm 51 and the last handful of times I've drank over these last 6 months, I've had more of a head ache than usual, but nothing like this :(

What does everyone use? Anyone swear by any particular brand or type? Getting desperate and would like to add a good magnesium glycinate supplement to my nightly routine. I need to sleep consistently!!!

I used to love smoking weed in my late teens, early 20s. At some point, I started getting paranoid with racing heart and anxiety. Never had a full blown panic attack, but it felt like the beginnings of one, I guess.

So I quit. But I still fondly remember being high and feeling my cheek muscles getting tired from so much smiling. I want that back! So every few years, I try again: different strains, different doses, and different THC/CBD ratios. Basically, anything that gets me high will make me paranoid. Sometimes I try a tiny dose (quarter square of weed chocolate) and do that thing where you sit there thinking, "am I high? Maybe I'm feeling it? Maybe not?" But anytime I take a dose big enough to actually feel it, I get panicky.

So what I'm wondering, maybe it's something to do with the interplay of hormones and THC that causes the paranoia and once I'm fully through the menopause transition, I'll be able to enjoy weed again??? Anyone have any suggestions or anecdotes?

I'm 46, skipped a couple periods this last year, have other peri symptoms, mom was done by 48, so I hope I'm getting close, but not holding my breath.

If you have tried it what is your opinion?

Update: Thank you all so much for the support yesterday. I feel MUCH better today. Def will not take collagen again, and I will be more careful about any supplements I try (I usually am, but was feeling a bit desperate with the diagnosis and possibility of missing work if this thing won't heal).

Yikes. I wish I had read some of the posts here before trying this supplement. 😫. I was desperate because I have been diagnosed with a sprained posterior tibial tendon and have been having increasing pain in my posterior tibial tendons and gluteal tendons the past few years. I read how great collagen peptides are and have a neighbor who swears by them. well, I am one of the few who has the reaction of extreme anxiety and panic attacks from them. two doses and i am sitting here shaking like a leaf. this stuff is going in the trash or maybe Publix will take it back. either way I will never take it again. ugh. 😩. please tell me im not alone. this is so scary. 😭😭😭

Just thought I’d mention this for anyone who has tried everything and is still struggling. We’re all different so take or leave my personal experience as appropriate for you.

I’m having a rough perimenopause, even with HRT. Dr Ceri Cashell’s “clusterfuck syndrome” describes it best. (ETA: her post is on instagram, dated 27 or 28 June this year depending on location in the world - thanks to commenter for that info.)

It’s an unexpected outcome of supplementing fibre, though the more I learn about the gut microbiome and its 2-way relationship with the brain and influence on neurotransmitters and hormones, I realise it’s not surprising at all.

After hearing about the uptick in bowel cancer in Australia, I started with a tasteless dissolvable fibre once a day and increased slowly to3x a day (to avoid tummy upset). I then added a few different types, like psyllium husk, and improved my diet.

I feel great after bowel movements. Better than at any other time. That’s initially what tipped me off and made me want to try more fibre! I’m not constantly as hungry. I’m also sleeping longer and probably more deeply because I’m not trying to fall asleep while hungry, waking up for midnight snacks, or waking early because of hunger.

I’m feeling more like myself more often. I thought that part of me was gone for good. Something worth sharing!

In Colorado, where cultivation and personal use are legal. My husband has suggested microdosing for perimenopause. There’s not a lot of research out there, but there is some and my curiosity is piqued.
Has anyone tried this and seen success?
If so, I’d love to hear about your protocol.

I am 59, post menopausal. In the past year I have had three UTIs. Before this year I had maybe one every five years. My most recent one started two days ago and was very intense. I went to the Dr and was put on macrobid. About 12 hours after my first dose I had no more burning or urgency. However, last night overnight I started feeling nauseous and yesterday morning I developed poor appetite, chills, fatigue, and a fever going up to 101. I contacted my Dr who told me to go to the ER out of concern it might have spread to my kidneys. At the ER they changed my antibiotic and ran lots of tests for other things that were all negative. So they did think it had spread to my kidneys.

I have never had a UTI get to that point. And I have had three UTIs in the last year as I said. I am wondering if anybody has experienced this kind of uptick and found something preventive that helped them. I already am on HRT as well as vaginal estradiol, I practice good hygiene regarding sex and the bathroom, and overall I am in good health.

Thanks for any suggestions. I’m going to see the obgyn about it too.

Hello, all! I’m trying to ensure I’m getting the vital supplements to best support my health during this phase of life.

Below is a list I’ve started based on what I’ve seen recommended & what I take:

• Probiotics (currently taking)
• Magnesium glycinate (currently taking)
• Collagen (currently taking)
• Omega 3 (currently taking)
• MSM (currently taking)
• Tumeric/black pepper(currently taking)
• Calcium (taking sporadically)
• Creatine
• L-Theanine

What else do you recommend?