Need Help with Menapause Symptons!
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
January 30, 2008 7:56pm CST
I have been having menapause symptons on & off for more than two years. Mostly it didn't bother me. But the last 6 months or so have been terrible with one particular sympton. That is hot flushes & night sweats. I should say 24 hour sweats rather than night sweats. As that is how it is for me. I am hot constantly. I perspire on my forehead, face & neck regularly. I am hot all night. I am hot when my husband is almost cold.
It has become a real nuisance because I am perspiring at times when it is annoying, plus, I want the fan or aircon on when my husband doesn't. It is also affecting my sleep.
I finally told me Doctor & said I was a candidate for Hormone Replacement therapy(HRT). He said it would bring good relief for my symptons. I was reluctant to try this, as there are side effects for HRT, mainly a slight rise in breast cancer. So I refused this.
But it has got so bad lately, that I really think I may need to have HRT. I have heard that some alternative, natural products may help relieve the symptons I suffer.
What I am wondering is, do any of you have experience with HRT or a natural alternative?
8 people like this
8 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
31 Jan 08
I have been using black cohosh root, evening primrose oil and increased my soy intake. I am so glad that you didn't take the HRT. When I was a mastectomy fitter many of the women I met said they had been on HRT. I would rather try this on my own. For me the symptoms only come when my monthly cycle nears and I am done when it is over. Your husband sounds like mine! They could be brothers for all we know! I usually sleep with a fan on next to my side of the bed in the warmer months. I keep cornstarch baby powder on hand too! Big huggers to you. Welcome to the menopause club!
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
31 Jan 08
I have certainly heard of evening primrose oil, so that should easy to get. I dont like some soy products, but I can get soy bread & I am planning to make my daughter soy biccies anyway.
I dont know when my monthly cycle comes anymore,. because it is all over the place, but not very often.
So did you really think the incidence of women you met who had mastectomies(who had used HRT) was too high?
Was the baby powder on your hands to wipe where you were perspiring? Wouldn't you get it on other things?
3 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Feb 08
I have decided that On Monday I am going to the chemist to buy a herbal treatment. I have noted the ones recommended here.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
31 Jan 08
I had those symptoms almost ten years before I had my hysterectomy. I started taking cod liver oil supplements and walking, for another problem, but the night sweats and hot flashes then stopped. After my hysterectomy I was not happy with the HRT I tried, and tended to get headaches that my doctor said were caused by it. I switched to Black Cohosh, which was helpful to me. Each person responds differently to different herbs and supplements. The general consensus is that you should start out by finding single ingredient herbal supplements, rather than multi ingredient ones. Then you can determine which supplement is actually helpful to you. Good luck. Swimming and extra exercise did seem to help normalize me.
3 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
31 Jan 08
Someone else mentioned the black cohosh too, which I had never heard of.
Your summary of trying individual ingredients make sense to me, esp for allergy problems.
I should walk more too.
3 people like this
@plumwish07 (4057)
• Indonesia
4 Feb 08
it seems that i could not help you in this case dear since i have not yet face those stage. but from your topic discussion i would concern how and what it is about. have you tried herbal medicine to overcome this situation? it would be better if you also search related articles about this matter. and i think you should follow what your doctor said. i believe with good supervision of expert doctor, the side effect HRT would not come up at least can be minimized. i wish you the best, my dear.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
4 Feb 08
I have decided that I will try herbal first & if that doesn't work, I will go onto HRT.
@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
7 Feb 08
You may want to try the fish oil capsules, too, as they will help with your cholesterol. The stores here sell a little neck piece that is a tube of fabric that has crystals in it. You soak those tubes in water, keep them in the fridge. Wear them around your neck like a bandanna and the coolness and evaporation really help. Guys wear them working outdoors in the heat, as well. You could make your own by sewing a bandanna diagonally and filling it with 2-3 Tbs. of silica gel crystals.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
7 Feb 08
I purchased fish oil capsules a few days ago.
These help with lowering cholesterol level, so it's a double benefit if they are going to help with menapause.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
9 Feb 08
I'm going for the natural alternative. First of all my doctor told me to change my diet. And boy!!! It has helped tremendously. Added a lot of fish, fruit and veggies etc. Check out this site for more info http://www.womentowomen.com . It has saved my life and I don't have hot flashes anymore.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
10 Feb 08
About four days I bought remifemin, a natural product. In just that short time, there has been a noticeable improvement.
I am grateful to all the people who provided advice in this discussion
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
10 Feb 08
And that site you provided looks very good too.Thank You.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Feb 08
I drink lots of coffee. I rarely have spicy food as my husband is allergic to it, although I love spices & hot food myself.
1 person likes this
@plumwish07 (4057)
• Indonesia
4 Feb 08
it seems that i could not help you in this case dear since i have not yet face those stage. but from your topic discussion i would concern how and what it is about. have you tried herbal medicine to overcome this situation? it would be better if you also search related articles about this matter. and i think you should follow what your doctor said. i believe with good supervision of expert doctor, the side effect HRT would not come up at least can be minimized. i wish you the best, my dear.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
3 Feb 08
I have these symptoms also and was told to reduce stress, eat right, drink tea and take my vitamins. My workouts are helping me reduce stress with some Yoga. I was given a sample pack of pills and they also really helped me.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
4 Feb 08
Stress has been a big part of my life the passt 6 months, & it doesn't surprise me that it would make my menapause symptons worse.
