u/Frequent-Willow-6502

I'm 45. I've had an IUD for 15 years so I don't know if my cycle is f'ed up or not though I've had some spotting in the past month or two. I haven't had an actual period since insertion.

I've struggled with mental health my whole life and finally got things under control with bupropion (Wellbutrin) but I've had to pause it to reset as it was losing its efficacy. I'm overweight and have been on Mounjaro since February. But these mood swings are legendary.

Some days I'm okay, other days all I want to do is punch people and be rude. I am not a people person to begin with, so this isn't so far from my norm. Men especially get on my nerves. I'm single with a dog and live alone. I am not in the US, though I'm from there.

I have two fake hips and an arthritic knee, which makes exercise complicated. I walk about 4km every day. But days like today... I feel like I'm losing it. I'm studying for a Microsoft Copilot exam (I'm currently unemployed and trying to make myself more marketable) and have to take the exam in about an hour and I cannot concentrate.

January will be when I have to remove or change out my IUD. I don't know what to do - I've read hormonal IUDs can be used for HRT but I don't fucking know. I'll talk to the OB/GYN and see, though while Spain has a great reputation for women's health, it mostly applies to moms and fertile women.

My mom has no idea when she went through menopause. My sister, who's a year younger than me, has started it.

Due to being unemployed I have given in to my natural circadian rhythm and stay up until about 4AM and sleep until 12. It's hot af where I am (Madrid) but frankly it doesn't bother me much.

Some days all I can do is watch dog rescue/adoption videos and just cry.

I don't really know what I am expecting from this rant/post but jfc this shit is hard. I have older friends who aren't much help and a lot are just like, "I woke up one day and didn't bleed anymore," and that was that, which is extremely unhelpful.

I'll have days where I'm fine. No rage, no depression, though I am still testy. That is to say, one catcall or ugly remark from a passing male and they'll get my wrath.

My sleep is all over the place and I'm lucky if I get six solid hours.

Sorry if this isn't appropriate. Just looking to commiserate I guess.

So, I (45F) live in a busy Spanish city in the center and am frequently getting approached by men. This is not a flex, I hate it. I do not live in the country of my birth (USA), and my neighborhood is populated by people from all over the world. (it’s the most diverse neighborhood in the city.)

Growing up this was never the norm. It makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I have a dog and I walk her and I really wish people would just leave me alone to walk her; while I’m single and would like to date someone this is not my preferred choice on how to meet guys. (I’m actually quite awkward when it comes to meeting guys generally.)

I get so uncomfortable I am probably seen as quite rude. But, I just don’t get how women are expected to act. I have permanent Resting Bitch Face which I would think deter men from approaching me. I’m not even made up or dressed nice most of the time.

Like today, a guy approached me, shouting, “Amiga!” and I groaned inwardly. He asked if I remembered him and I said no (in reality I did, this guy hit on me a few years ago and I had to be really frank with him to get him to leave me alone.). He introduced himself and said where he was from and I was like, “Great, I’m walking my dog.” And walked away. Regardless my reaction is the same whether or not I recognize the guy from my neighborhood.

How do I not get so agitated and nervous so I can handle it better and it’s less stressful? And why, in this day and age, do guys think this is okay?

So, I (45F) live in a busy Spanish city in the center and am frequently getting approached by men. This is not a flex, I hate it. I do not live in the country of my birth (USA), and my neighborhood is populated by people from all over the world. (it’s the most diverse neighborhood in the city.)

Growing up this was never the norm. It makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I have a dog and I walk her and I really wish people would just leave me alone to walk her; while I’m single and would like to date someone this is not my preferred choice on how to meet guys. (I’m actually quite awkward when it comes to meeting guys generally.)

I get so uncomfortable I am probably seen as quite rude. But, I just don’t get how women are expected to act. I have permanent Resting Bitch Face which I would think deter men from approaching me. I’m not even made up or dressed nice most of the time.

Like today, a guy approached me, shouting, “Amiga!” and I groaned inwardly. He asked if I remembered him and I said no (in reality I did, this guy hit on me a few years ago and I had to be really frank with him to get him to leave me alone.). He introduced himself and said where he was from and I was like, “Great, I’m walking my dog.” And walked away. Regardless my reaction is the same whether or not I recognize the guy from my neighborhood.

How do I not get so agitated and nervous so I can handle it better and it’s less stressful? And why, in this day and age, do guys think this is okay?

So, I (45F) live in a busy Spanish city in the center and am frequently getting approached by men. This is not a flex, I hate it. I do not live in the country of my birth (USA), and my neighborhood is populated by people from all over the world. (it’s the most diverse neighborhood in the city.)

Growing up this was never the norm. It makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I have a dog and I walk her and I really wish people would just leave me alone to walk her; while I’m single and would like to date someone this is not my preferred choice on how to meet guys. (I’m actually quite awkward when it comes to meeting guys generally.)

I get so uncomfortable I am probably seen as quite rude. But, I just don’t get how women are expected to act. I have permanent Resting Bitch Face which I would think deter men from approaching me. I’m not even made up or dressed nice most of the time.

Like today, a guy approached me, shouting, “Amiga!” and I groaned inwardly. He asked if I remembered him and I said no (in reality I did, this guy hit on me a few years ago and I had to be really frank with him to get him to leave me alone.). He introduced himself and said where he was from and I was like, “Great, I’m walking my dog.” And walked away. Regardless my reaction is the same whether or not I recognize the guy from my neighborhood.

How do I not get so agitated and nervous so I can handle it better and it’s less stressful? And why, in this day and age, do guys think this is okay?

So, for various reasons, I'm doing an insane thing this Saturday and am going to London for the day from Madrid to see a show.

The show will end at 5 in Walthamstow. My flight departs T5 at 8. I've been looking at travel options on the tube and it seems it can take anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half to get there. I won't have any checked baggage.

Google maps says the quickest is Victoria to Hammersmith to Heathrow Express, at about an hour and ten minutes. It doesn't look like hiring a cab would be any quicker. Other options would be less stops but longer.

Is this doable? Will I be okay and catch my flight?