I just turned fifty-six. I think things are getting better now, but getting through this has really been the pits. I agree that the metabolism changes, but I think it might come back to normal once we are through menopause. What I noticed was an increased craving for carbohydrates ~ bread, sugar, cookies, pasta...YUM. But I also found that eating any of these things led to water retention, increased depression and lethargy, and further cravings.
These measures helped me:
First and foremost, understanding what was happening to me was crucial. Forgetfulness, using the wrong word and not, for the life of me, being able to come up with the right one, sleeplessness and heart palpitations, night sweats even in broad daylight, unexplained sadness, lethargy, or irritability, absolutely missing sense of self-regard or efficacy ~ all these things were happening to me, and more. Had I not asked enough women enough questions to learn that this stuff was all a part of menopause and that it would stop happening once I was through it, I don't know what I would have done.
Pamprin, with its diuretic and slight mood elevator, got me through many an occaision that I would otherwise have considered cancelling because I was never sure where I was going to be, emotionally.
Estroven, a mixture of herbs (including black cohosh), B vitamins, and a metabolixm stabilizer has helped so much with the hot flashes and mental fogginess ~ but when things were at their worst, even that was not much help.
I found an over-the-counter diuretic which contained the same ingredient found in Pamprin. That was extremely helpful, as I was retaining so much fluid it wasn't even funny.
Benadryl, also over the counter, would sometimes help me sleep ~ but there were times when nothing helped. Then, I would recite poetry. Pick something before you go to bed to remember when you cannot sleep. If all else fails, say the Serenity Prayer.
I stopped eating carbohydrates. Soon enough the craving went away. The extra pounds I had put on (probably ten pounds) melted effortlessly away. When I really want to eat something sweet I do, but I know darn well it is going to set up a chain reaction kind of thing where I want more and more.
So then, I stop all carbohydrates for two or three days.
This has helped me very much.
Someone here on the site told me once that, once we get through it, we become our own best, gentlest selves again.
I was always afraid I would get stuck in one of those terrible hormonal places and be there for the rest of my life.
But I think the lady who told me we come back to our best selves once we are through it was right.
Hang on.
Everything will be okay.
Appetite, mood, and metabolism do return to normal.
Barbara