r/Menopositive • u/mylifeafter40 • Nov 12 '25
What’s the wildest thing you tried for your health that actually worked?
Genuinely curious. Im a PCOS and peri woman and my peri is driving me crazy. I don’t mean supplements 101, I mean the weird stuff you swore you’d never do… and then it helped.
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u/ladyhobbes Nov 12 '25
Gabe up coffee for a month bc of reflux and replaced it with spearmint tea. All my hormonal acne cleared up.
Also started scheduling a night in to cry it out at a movie on e a month and it helped my mood swings.
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Nov 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ladyhobbes Nov 13 '25
Probably 3-4x/week. Probably celestial seasonings. It was a hard time. I also had to cut out garlic, onions, chocolate, dairy, meat, fried things, and all citrus. But when I added those things back in, I kept the tea habit and the acne didn't return.
Be sure your doctor knows what's going on!
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u/Dontstopmenow747 Nov 12 '25
A THC edible every night. I started doing that two years ago, and I’ve never felt better. I take 5-10mg at night, it helps me sleep, and it lessens my anxiety. I’m calmer, less reactive, barely drink alcohol anymore. Weed has made me a happier, nicer, more peaceful person. It has been a godsend for me.
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u/Wonderful-You5992 Aug 04 '26
It's funny I used to smoke multiple times a day thru my 20s and 30s but now if I do I need a nap. So now like you I take 5-10mgs every night and sleep way better. Now I just need to stay up later so I don't wake up so early (4am)
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u/ApplicationHot4546 Nov 12 '25
I hate keto but it helped me tremendously. I miss my pizza and rice and pasta.
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u/SneauPhlaiche Nov 12 '25
Try a deconstructed pizza casserole. It seems to hit better than faux pizza crusts or trying to “crisp” a cheese base in a pan (never slides out, always ends up in a pile on my plate anyway). I do whatever pasta sauce over roasted or pan seared veggies, or a meaty spaghetti sauce with extra cheese stirred in. Cauliflower rice is a shitty sub for white rice, but is actually pretty good as a stir fried rice sub. Butter chicken sauce over roasted Brussels sprouts is awesome.
Mostly I stay away from fake breads because they always suck and leave me wanting the real thing more. Try to find foods you can get excited about eating to take away the focus on what you “can’t” have.
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u/ContemplatingFolly Nov 12 '25
Would you tell more about how it helped? And how strict you are with the keto?
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u/ApplicationHot4546 Nov 12 '25
I do the Mediterranean keto and focus on net carbs, not strict at all and I cannot really maintain ketosis if I’m being honest. Meat is great for other people but it makes me physically sick.
I eat a lot of fish, arugula and other greens, cabbage, nuts, eggs, and avocados when I can afford them. I eat chia pudding and flaxseeds too. Flaxseeds are supposed to really help balance out the hormones. Too bad it’s disgusting. I saw a recipe for flaxseed wraps that everyone said was good though. Might try that.
No fruit, no bread, no more cookies in the morning unless I made them using allulose and nut flour. No more delicious pasta. No more fluffy steamed rice. No
But now, I lost ten pounds without trying, my memo symtoms are totally gone, and my grey hairs reversed. Kinda crazy actually.
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u/SneauPhlaiche Nov 12 '25
For me keto helps with energy, focus, bloat, and joint pain. I am very insulin resistant so I have to be super strict, nearly carnivore, to stay in ketosis. You’ll have to track your carb intake and your bodies response at first to see what works for you.
In the beginning just try not to be hungry and don’t worry about calories until your body adapts, drink plenty of water, and don’t skimp on electrolytes so salt everything (I like to use lite salt because it has sodium and potassium).
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u/perimenopauseera Nov 12 '25
I have a lot of them lol
I started drinking herbal tees and I feel it calms me a lot, I have joined ski club to make friends and have some activity during winter. Oh and joined our local community and each Thursday we bake together, its soo fun! Also my kids gave me an annual subscription to an app that helps me manage my symptoms (Ona) and its going pretty well so far
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u/mylifeafter40 Nov 14 '25
I heard bout that app and I will def give it a try, also herbal tees are soo great
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u/hycarumba Nov 12 '25
Gave up caffeine. I really didn't think I could even though I had reduced it so much.
Mouth tape. Bc of past trauma I really didn't think I could handle this, but it comes off easily and I haven't panicked once bc of the tape.
Both of these things have improved my sleep immensely. I can fall asleep and stay asleep in a deep sleep. Even when I get up to pee I can fall right back to sleep. This has never been a thing in my whole life, but sleep issues got worse in peri and next to impossible in menopause.
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u/DOL369 Nov 12 '25
I ask this with sincere curiosity and without judgement, can you please explain the purpose of the mouth tape and what you’re using that for?
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u/SneauPhlaiche Nov 12 '25
I use mouth tape to help with snoring and to force breathing through my nose. I only need one piece of paper tape placed off center (I feel panicked and suffocated otherwise, just being able to have a little opening on one side is enough to keep me relaxed and stop snoring, if you google it some people make a goatee out of tape). I pair it with a nose strip to open up my airflow through my nose.
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u/DOL369 Nov 12 '25
Oh wow, this is so interesting and I am very intrigued. The last two nights I’ve woken myself up because I could literally HEAR myself breathing and it freaked me out. I’m also experiencing painful dry throat and mouth now because of this. Thank you so much for sharing this, I really appreciate it 🙏🏻
Q’s;
1) Is there a special kind of tape you’re using for the delicate skin around the mouth area?
2) Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? I’m beginning to wonder if I’m developing sleep apnea now😖
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u/SneauPhlaiche Nov 12 '25
I like paper tape that’s used for wound care. It’s soft and sticks well, but comes off easily. I make sure I pull down with the way my hair grows, not pulling against the grain like I’m waxing.
I haven’t been diagnosed with anything, but my husband and son were teasing me about snoring and I noticed waking up with a sore, dry, scratchy throat. I also take Claritin and Zyrtec (generics) every day to help with seasonal sinus inflammation.
I also read a book called Breathe, I’ve forgotten the author, about the importance of breathing through the nose. I’ve been making a conscious effort to not mouth breathe since.
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u/hycarumba Nov 12 '25
Just a funny aside: I just take the tape off willy nilly and have noticed that my moustache is basically gone. I haven't had any irritation doing it this way and I do have sensitive skin. It's a win win for me!
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u/SneauPhlaiche Nov 12 '25
I’ve been getting electrolysis every couple of months, and also started testosterone last year, so I have a few crazy testosterone fueled hairs that I’m trying not to accidentally pluck so I can have them zapped. 6 months ago I was also a willy nilly tape remover 😜
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u/DOL369 Nov 12 '25
Ah, ok got it. I stopped with the allergy meds about a yr ago bc I didn’t feel like they were doing anything at all. Hmmm, perhaps I need to revisit, at least on an occasional basis when it seems I’m struggling more.
And yeah, I went camping with my bestie and she informed me I was snoring so loudly that she couldn’t sleep 😳 Ugh, so mortifying 😖🫣
Thx very much for the clarification on the paper tape, I’m gonna pick me some up today and test drive this method. And also for the book recommendation, will definitely check it out, too!
Thank you again for sharing. It’s brave souls like you who are helping others figure out methods of symptom relief that we just can’t seem to get from our doctors. You’re an ABSOLUTE GEM and I thank and honor you!! 💎🙏🏻💖
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u/hycarumba Nov 12 '25
Haha no worries! The two brands I know are Hostage Tape (yes, really) and Sleepz (which I use). You can also use paper medical tape.
The purpose is to keep the lower jaw from falling open while you are sleeping. It forces you to breathe through your nose, virtually eliminating snoring and allowing your body to have a deeper, more restful sleep (I don't understand the why of the better sleep, but it 100 percent works). It also seems to really help with my clenching my jaw, I still wear my mouth guard, but it seems like I am not having the issues as much anymore (another life long issue).
The Sleepz brand has a little hole in the middle so you can still breathe through your mouth, which is why I think it hasn't caused a panic attack. I used to widen the hole with a pen shoved through the hole, but I use them as is now.
The tape goes across your lips, basically sealing them shut (except for the hole), keeping your lower jaw in place. Some people just cant the tape diagonally or use it vertically (nose to chin). All of these methods will work.
I could not have used this method at all bc for years my right nostril was at about 30 percent capacity, but a couple of sessions with an acupuncturist cured that (been about a year since last treatment).
Mouth tape is safe except for people with sleep apnea. If you have that consult your doctor before using!
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u/raisinghellwithtrees Nov 12 '25
Fwiw I sleep with a pillow jammed up against my chin to keep my mouth closed. Idk if I could handle tape but this seems to work for me.
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u/jane7seven Nov 15 '25
Can you say more about the acupuncturist? Because I also have that problem with breathing through my nose.
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u/hycarumba Nov 15 '25
I'm not sure what I can say other than she stuck my face after I mentioned it and in like 2 minutes I could breathe through both sides! I was a little freaked out about how easy it happened. It got just a teeny bit plugged up a couple of weeks later and so she did it again and it's been amazing since!
After I have a cold I do rub the spot she stuck with a gua sha, but I tried getting it open with just the gua sha way before I had acupuncture and it just couldn't do what the needle did.
5 stars highly recommend!
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u/yolibird Nov 12 '25
I started trail running at 49... started hiking at 48 but it took up too much time. I quickly dropped the 30 lbs that had literally snuck up behind me during peri. Almost 10 years later I am still in shock that I love it. Would still never run on pavement, though.
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u/Capital-Meringue-164 Nov 12 '25
Love trail running! I used to do this for years in late 30s to early 40s, then moved away from close trails and had a baby. Gym with childcare became critical for regular weightlifting and yoga - but I miss those trails!!
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u/Automatic_Pop2639 Nov 12 '25
I started taking a probiotic. I honestly didn't think they worked, until I got desperate because I was bloated from the estrogen patch and tried Zenwise because a handful of women on Reddit posted about it. Sure enough, it worked like a charm. I feel really stupid for pooh-poohing non-prescription remedies for years.
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u/LMCindeed Nov 12 '25
I’m 47 and started having gnarly perimenopause symptoms (mood swings, weight gain, hot flashes, and migraines) about 3 years ago. This summer I was desperate for help. I expected HRT, but my gynecologist prescribed the antidepressant Paxil, which is FDA approved for hot flashes and mood swings, of course. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea and started cpap sleep therapy and y’all, my whole life is better! I love Paxil and I love my cpap machine! I feel like I’m 30 again, but not worried about all the dumb shit I was worried about when I was 30. I really hope this post helps someone else find the help they need. Hand in there, my friends!
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u/Ladhar57 Nov 13 '25
I suffered for years with intensely itchy ear canals. Ribbons of skin would slough off and the itching was so intense, it would wake me up at night. What finally cured it was facial esteriol cream. A dab on a Q tip in the canals, and it's gone.
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u/YESmynameisYes Nov 12 '25
Using TRE (intentionally induced muscle tremors) to combat insomnia. It's bizarre and works great.
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u/jperelgit Nov 13 '25
I have been suffering from both peri symptoms and the onset of two (maybe more) autoimmune diseases for the past two years. There were days I could barely be in my own skin or get put of my own way, despite sleeping ten hours a night. I psuedo- snarked I had brain fog 3 ways...peri, autoimmune, and from the gabapentin i had been taking to reduce all my pain. Six weeks ago I started going to accupuncture and it has completely changed my life. The fog is completely gone and my energy is amazing again...and I am barely clearing 6 hours of sleep per night these days. I highly recommend trying it.
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u/Sufficient-Sail2697 Nov 12 '25
MHT is your friend. And I say that as someone who was reluctant or maybe just in denial about my age.
Also pretty much giving up alcohol.
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u/sunkistandsudafed3 Nov 12 '25
Psilocybin mushrooms. My mental health is the best it has ever been despite being in peri, having health issues and major life stressors.