The Knowledge Board:
Menopause
Hi I'm Belinda I'm your community manager at The Patients Voice.
If you would like to leave a comment please click on link at the bottom of the page.
You can reach me at belinda.shale@healthcarelandscape.com.
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The purpose of this blog is to help The Patients’ Voice find out more about the issues surrounding Menopause treatment. Please feel free to tell us your story or those of family or friends.
The kinds of this you might like to include would be
- The issues surrounding Menopause treatment – risks involved, preferences, ethical issues
- Your experience with HRT - what is your perception of HRT treatments, safety or tolerability issues
- Your experience with herbal treatment or over the counter medication and/or vitamins
Silvia | 05/04/2007 11:35:00
I have been going through the menopause for a number of years and still find the whole experience overwhelming. When i consider the full extent of my symptoms my greatest need is to find the right balance of treatments to cover these. I have tried herbal treatments and am currently on HRT but the risk in so doing are always at the back of my mind. when you hear the stories about what other women go through with Breast cancer you have to wonder if it is all worth it!
jaycee2 | 05/04/2007 11:58:00
Unfortuantely,I didnt have time to 'prepare' myself for the menopause-illness dictated it for me after a total abdominal hysterectomy. Initially, as I had been put onto HRT staightaway, I didn`t really notice any difference. It was only when I stopped taking the HRT for a couple of weeks, did I really understand the full effects of the menopause-disturbed sleep patterns, nervy and hot flushes. But with the HRT, these very unpleasant effects are kept to a minimum. I think also, you have to be a very strong minded individual to withstand all this and keep on thinking positively.
Elizabeth | 05/04/2007 12:00:00
I have been going through the menopause for a while now, not had a period for two years. I haven't had any treatment for hot flushes or anything. They are more annoying than anything else. Worst part is the mood swings for me. Bit like PMT without the M, lol! How do you know when the menopause is over? Is it when stuff like hot flushes and mood awings stop or when there have been no periods for a set amount of time?
ann demaret | 05/04/2007 12:01:00
I had a surgical menopause at 39, and at 50 I am still suffering dreadfully. I have tried every herb potion and medicine possible, and am now reluctantly back on hrt reluctantly because I know that it is not good for me, but with-out it my life is unbearable. I have tried eating photo-oestrogren rich foods, I have tried evertything, I think that the women who have success on these products must have a different and lot easier menopause then me. it is a nightmare, and how much longer do I have to endure this for?
kayisobel | 05/04/2007 12:04:00
I too, had a total hysterectomy then after being on HRT for 5 years, my gp took me off it with no warning. I have had three years of:- hot flushes, night sweats, dry skin, complete and total lack of interest in sex and many more - when does it end? My gp can only suggest herbal remedies of which I have spent a fortune and nothing has helped - I would inspite of the risks take hrt if offered
Carrie | 05/04/2007 12:06:00
I have been going through the Menopause for a few years and although the hot flushes have lessened, I find night sweats more of a problem now. Also, why has my brain turned to mush? I go to say something and find I've forgotten what it was! My memory has got worse generally too. I'm not taking anything specifically, but take Efamarine evening primrose oil capsules for M.E. which apparently is also recommended for the Menopause.
Wendy | 05/04/2007 12:07:00
l have been going through the menopause for about a year. The worst part for me is the hot flushes which i seem to get more at work than at home probably due to stress. I am also woken at night due to the flushes l tried using sage extract but that didn't help at all. So now i am taking 3 evening primrose oil capsules and a Vitamin B5 tablet once a day it does help a little. What do others use to overcome hot flushes without resorting to HRT treatment? ln answer to Elizabeth's question i think you are over the menopause because you have not had a period for 2 years. My mum went through the menopause many years ago she is now 80 and still suffers with hot flushes.
Margaret | 05/04/2007 12:12:00
Hi, I have been going through the menopause for about a year, although I am 55. Well my periods stopped about then anyway. I get the odd hot flush - the worse thing is my moods. I never used to be so moody - and forgetfull am now thinking of going to the doctors. Used to be full of energy and tht has also disappeared
susan | 05/04/2007 12:18:00
memopause nightmare i have gone from a happy out going person who feels goog for nothing no energy forget ful depressed sometimes suisidle doc gave me antidpressents but really no help never have a good nights sleep because of the sweats next time ill come back as a man lol.
Ruth 05/04/2007 12:10 | 05/04/2007 12:18:00
I started with pre-menopausal systems in my late thirties, although at the time NO Doctor would admit I had it. I though I was going mad. Finallly in my early Forties a Doctor said 'Ah you are on the early menopause trail' and thus started my on a course of tablets. In the last year I have finally been given HRT which was a RELIEF. I have no ill effects and think I am not worried about the side effects (haven't experienced any) if it means I can continue a Normal Life without having the hysterics I used to have. I had no-one to ask about the menopause in my family as my mother & 2 elder sisters all had hysterectomies in there late thirties. The sister next to me wouldn't talk about it, it was a complete Taboo Subject. I have an occasional bleed, not much, but at least now I don't have to buy about 90 - 150 tampons once a month, that is how much I used to bleed each month. I only had one bout of hot flushes, no night sweats, so consider myself very fortunate. Fortnuately, I can now let my neice know that what she is experiencing is what I went through at her age. So she was able to go and see her doctor quicker than I ever did. Let's hope that when the finally STOP the HRT I don't go backwards with any of the syptoms other people seem to suffer from.
Liz V | 05/04/2007 12:20:00
I had a vaginal hysterectomy in 1992 when I was 36. I am now 53 and I think that I am at last coming out of the menopausal woods! The worst thing for me was identifying some of the symptoms as they are similar to those of the depressive illness I have to cope with and mood swings due to a bi polar disorder that I have. For years the mood swings were endless and 5 times, in desparation, I tried to take my own life. On a less complicated note, the hot flushes were unrelenting and I'd end up with wet-through hair and runny make up -not a pretty sight!! I resolved to try changing things and purchased my first 'over the counter' remedy. It was called Ymea and for me, was useless. Next, I decided to go 'decaff' which helped immediately with the sweats. I've been on HRT (Premarin) for 18 months now and my GP has just taken me off them. She said the sweats could possibly come back and told me not to get too over-excited. (That's encouraging - not!!) So now it is 2 weeks since I finished with the HRT and I don't feel too bad. I've been 'warm' a couple of times but I haven't burst into flames like before! Maybe I've cracked it girls, or is this the lull before the storm? MMMWWWHHOOOAAAAR!
Jackie | 05/04/2007 12:33:00
At 47 I had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries. I then went on to the tablet form of HRT which did not suit me at all. I changed to the full patch and was very happy with that. I experienced no menopausal sumptoms, I was not moody, had no hot flushes and felt fine. I was advised by my doctor after 15 years that using the patch for so long was not advisable, I then went on the half patch which was also great. When I was 64 my sister had breast cancer (10 years younger than I) and it frightened me into giving up the HRT. What I didn't know was that I had to experience the menopause when I stopped it. I thought that the patch would get me through it so I could come out the other end with no symptoms. Wrong! I am now nearly 66 and I have hot flushes, mood changes and I have put on a lot of weight as I have no energy any more. My joints ache and I feel tired too. I am so fed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
patricia payne | 05/04/2007 12:40:00
i understand all these womens systems, i have been going through it for years i could not have hrt due to other illness,so the only way i am getting through it with evening primrose which helps the hot flushes caramine tea which helps when you feel like killing someone and just takeing a moment to my self when i feel i cant take any more and just sit and relax i take deep breaths in hold it for a count of 5 and let it out makeing sure that my stomach comes out with it,i do this a few times and i feel a lot better after and find i can cope with the day ahead i have found it dose help alot, its took a while but i feel a lot better for doing it,it saves me going to the gp and having to try all other tablets which could do me more harm,i which you all good luck and hope its over for you all soon.
Esther | 05/04/2007 12:41:00
I have found that diet and eating times has alot to do with my night flushes. I try not to eat after seven at night so that the hardest digestive work is done before bedtime. Also am carfeul about what I eat. Lighter'lunchtime' food is best in the evenings. Though you can feel the cold without the natural body heat genereated by digestion. The worst bit for me is not being able to think straight, unable to make a firm decision on anything and total functionality leaving me completely. The processing and retaining of information is zero. I have three days when I cannot drive anywhere i am not totally familiar with and I have to admit to having to drive slower than normal, say 30 in a 40 zone to give myself a second longer just in case! The only comfort I take from this is that I am aware enough to know all these things and take appropriate action to accomodate this. I do feel that the Medical Proffession do not 'listen'. To try to explain that this is not who you are, how you are. I am not an educated woman, but that doesnt make me stupid. I know how I was before this change and I do not recpgnise myself at all. I feel that when it comes to Menopause we are second class citizens and Doctors just throw pills or HRT at you or frighten the life out of you with 'Hysterectomy'. There must be a better way to deal with this dibilitating state of life. Miriam Stoopard said she took about 50 different HRT treatments before she found the one for her. The NHS don't offer that to the ordinary woman.It is a shoddy affair for us. It is little wonder good marrages breakdown when middle age is reached. I am not the woman my husband married. I just want to feel 'well' and half a cup that is half full again.
MVMS | 05/04/2007 12:42:00
I have been lucky compared to the ladies I have just read about. I experienced sudden bleeds that came on without warning while in mylate 30s, and for that reason was put onto HRT back then. As a result my periods stopped immediately. I was on the tablets for about 6 years when I was suddenly taken off them but had only a few hot flushes, nothing like I expected. My doctor has now put me back on HRT as my family history includes a lot of heart attacks and strokes, and I must admit compared to many I have had few symptoms. I have been told it is beneficial with my family background for me to be on HRT and I have had no problems at all, and just sailed though the menopause as a result. I am now 55, but cannot comment much on mood swings and sex life as my husband was ill for many years, and passed away last August so sex is not something that has been part of my life for many years now.
Susan | 05/04/2007 12:43:00
I must be very fortunate, my periods ended seven years ago when I was fifty, I carried on with my life with no symtoms at all! I have just as much energy as before, still have oily skin, nothing has altered.
Evelyn Wolpert | 05/04/2007 12:47:00
I had a full hysterectomy 5 years ago. and find the worst thing is the hot flushes, and putting on weight, I am not a very big eater, but seemed to have grown from a size 10-12 to a size 14-16, this is very upsetting and all the dieting in the world dosent help, because you are always hungry. I am on Menu Herbs11 which you can get on the internet from Victoria Health and they are better than most herbal tablets, I wish there was an answer to stop the flushes, mood swings and wieight.
Sarah | 05/04/2007 12:59:00
I have gone from a confident, happy out going person to one who feels as though she is good for nothing, I dont recognise my self anymore, i have no energy at all, am very forgetful , depressed sometimes suicidle,extremly moody, very weepy, hot,sweaty, cold, oh my god when will it end? am i going mad ? where has my sex drive gone? will my very patient husband get fed up with me? will my children hate me, why dosent anyone understand? i have had breast cancer and other health problems so cannot have hrt have tried herbal remedys, eating sensably etc, nothing seems to help! the only thing the gp gave me was antidepressents and his advice was "Nothing will help, its just one of those things you have to cope with as he cannot give me HRT" MEN!! Sometimes i feel as though i will just get on a bus and leave, maybe everyone else will be happier, all i want to do at this moment in time is scream and scream and scream! but then i would be mad, so instead i will just sit here hot and sweating and bottle it all up. oh well another day tomorrow!
mandy | 05/04/2007 13:01:00
I had a hysterectomy fifteen years ago and at the time of the op was given an hrt implant although there may be a risk the benefits to me are worth it once a year I go to my gp and have an implant done under a local no pills to take patches to wear might not suit some people but to me a godsend
Rejina | 05/04/2007 13:05:00
I had a total hysterectomy when I was 36. I am not 48 and ever since the operation I have been using HRT patches. I tried tablets at first but they didnt agree with me but the patches are amazing. I am worried about using HRT but its like a no-win situation as without it I feel terrible. When I stopped for about a month I felt so depressed, starting losing my hair, hot flushes, loss of sex drive, etc., etc! I too have a history of heart disease in my family so I have been told HRT would be beneficial for me but ofcourse the risk of Breast Cancer terrifies me too - so what can I do? All I know is that only with HRT I can live a 'normal' life as possible and I also take calcium, evening primrose oil and some herbal tablets called 'Menopace'. I have a great GP who gives me regular breast examinations and I have mammograms when necessary and also bone scan to check for oestorarosis. Women should generally take extra calcium as they are at a risk of oestoparosis and also try and keep fit. Even with the potential risk of taking HRT for so long, I am dreading the time if/when my GP tells me to stop taking it.
Louise | 05/04/2007 13:06:00
I have been menopausal for the past ten years although I am only 49. When I was 39 I was treated for breast cancer, chemotherapy, operation and radiotherapy. Obviously, I cannot take HRT as it promotes oestrogen production and as my cancer was oestrogen positive, this was too much of a risk to take. I still get hot flushes and night sweats and have put on a lot of weight. I have also been insulin dependant diabetic for the past 17 years which may add to the weight problem. I haven't had sex for years as I have absolutely no interest in it whatsoever. The only medication I have taken is progesterone which my oncologist said may help with the hot flushes. My only conclusion with this is how much worse would it have been without that. Hopefully it will all stop soon.
MPM | 05/04/2007 13:07:00
I started with the perimenopause when I was in my late 30s although my male GP was negative that this was the start of my menopause. All he offered was HRT which I did not want to go on at that time. For the next few years my main problem was mood swings for which I used a homeopathic remedy, pulsatilla, successfully alongside Rescue Remedy for instant relief. After I was widowed 4 years ago, I could not get any relief from the night sweats and hot flushes. I went back to my GP who refused to prescribe HRT - strange how attitudes change! I again turned to homeopathy and this time used belladonna - an intensive course for a few days and I was clear! When the symptoms returned again I took another successful course. I have now come through the menopause with the help of homeopathy - I am remarried and have a full life. There is definitely light at the end of menopause even though I had to switch it on myself!
Claire M | 05/04/2007 13:10:00
You poor ladies! I can honestly say that I have not suffered any ill effects from the menopause. My periods ceased around age of 52 and I am now almost 57. I do confess to putting on some weight but was told recently that I have high blood pressure so have lost over 2 stone to try and bring this down. I must be one of the lucky ones.
margaret | 05/04/2007 13:32:00
I had to go through the menopause early due to a total hysterctomy. I was put on HRT some weeks later and this treatment lasted 10 years. I took myself off them as I was putting on excessive weight, I had mood swings and was tottally reclusive. It was as though I'd changed into a completely different person whilst on it. Now, I am still overweight , do have the odd hot flush but have gone back to the happy, cheerful and out going person I was before the operation. Also, anad I don't know if this works except psycologically I am wearing a magnet on my underwear in the pelvic region. This is supposed to help counteract the side effects of the menopause. It works, but should it for a person who doesn't have any of the equipment it is supposed to work with to counteract the symptons. I have a very fll life despite being single and no children. Best of all is sex which is better now as there are no contraception worries to work through.
Christine | 05/04/2007 13:36:00
I started having hot flushes when I was in my 40s but still had periods fairly regularly. My doctor suggested HRT, feeling that because I was tall and slender - alas no longer - I would be a good contender for osteoporosis in later life. I was prescribed Estracombie patches and used these for the following 9 years with no problems other than a monthly bleed and the pre-menstrual symptoms that go with it, such as tender breasts and stomach aches. However, as time went on and because of the breast cancer scares my doctor started to suggest I come off HRT. I was a smoker then and had a history of varicose veins so had more chance of developing thrombosis as well. I was also fed up with the monthly periods and quite frankly embarassed to be still buying tampons now that I was in my 50s. Due to an accident which hospitalised me I suddenly stopped using the patches, feeling I couldn't cope with periods while I was confined to a hospital bed. Despite what I had read about stopping HRT suddenly nothing awful happened, but some months later I started getting really bad hot flushes and unbearable night sweats. I went off sex completely though that could have been more due to my recovering broken limb than the menopause. To my dismay I also developed osteoporosis which had been kept at bay by the HRT, only discovering this when it was found I had a spinal fracture. I'm now informed that osteoporosis is exacerbated when HRT is stopped and is worse than if HRT had never been taken. Wish I'd know that then. Suffice to say, I couldn't stand the menopause symptoms and my doctor prescribed Kliovance tablets, one a day every day with no break. They were meant to do away with periods but I bled nearly every day, and although my sex drive came back it was pretty futile because I had a permanent period. The accompanying crippling cramplike pains in my lower back and abdomen were unbearable and I couldn't bear my breasts to come into contact with anything, even bedsheets. After three or four months of persevering I had to stop taking the HRT. I tried Agnus Castus (I think that's what it's called) and Maca, also Black Cohosh, but all these remedies haven't really help and I felt I was just wasting money. Now I just put up with the night sweats and flushes which seem to appear in a cycle every so often, but they're not as bad as they used to be. I have lost all interest in sex again, and I do get grumpy and bad tempered. I do forget things but because I have a dread of developing dementia I make sure my brain is active. I think that diet plays a very big part in alleviating the symptoms of the menopause and most of my food is steamed rather than fried or boiled to keep the vitamins in. I eat the best food I can that is organic and I try to include soya in my diet using So Good milk on my cereal - it's not so nice in tea and coffee though. My osteoporosis is almost nil now as well because of my improved diet and the calcium supplements I take, my bone density has improved significantly thanks to residronate which I take once a week. I feel I can now live with and manage my menopause these days.
Sonia | 05/04/2007 13:41:00
I am 43 and going through the menopause officially for nearly 2 years although in hindsight probably longer, once the doctor confirmed it and even though I knew it I felt very weepy at first, but at last I knew the reason for headaches, intermittent periods and mood swings. My periods seemed to have stopped but each month I seem to suffer from pmt, which is not only not fair but very confusing, I feel like I did when I was fourteen when I would have an overwhelming desire to punch anyone who gets on my nerves. Although I am open about it and the fact I chose to go on HRT almost straight away and I also use supplements like starflower and evening primrose oil. I find it difficult to admit that I not entirely sure how long this all going to take as I have been totally unable to read and take in any information regarding the menopause.
Sheila | 05/04/2007 13:47:00
I sarted the menopause at around 50. The doctor prescribed HRT, what he didn't say was then when I came off this the symptoms would be even worse! I tried to reduce my dose by taking it every other day, but then the doctor would no loger prescribe at all. After a year I was desperate and went to the surgery gain, fortuneately I saw another doctor who said he would prescribe another form of HRT. This pill has now been discontinued, but my own doctor is prescribing a lose dose HRT tablet. I am nearly 62 and I still have night sweats even though hot flushes are not too frequent.I don't know how much longer I will be allowed to take this and am worried that the symptoms will come back just as bad as ever.
Denise Stevens | 05/04/2007 14:29:00
I am 56 and still suffering the symptons of menopause my brain is so forgetful I reckon I started when I was about 50 had terrible mood swings would cry if things did not go as I wanted them and then I got palpitations the dr then admited I was menapausal put me on H.R.T which did not agree with me I started seeing blood again for weeks at a time so eventually they took me of them and I have coped since by my self not seen for 3 years or more (I forget) my children think I have altzeimers and they are worrying me more than my forgetfulness I say we forget for a purpose it is our bodie preparing us for death cutting us of from things that worry us because in fact our reproduction bits have died so has my sex life I have to fake it these days and it would not bother me if I never slept with a man again
Maggie | 05/04/2007 14:51:00
I suffered mainly from interrupted sleep brought on by overheating at night. I was fortunate to have a friend who recommended a private specialist who takes a hloistic approach. He is not a one size fits all man. I have my hormone levels monitored in detail, as well as blood/minerals etc. He uses bio indentical oestrogens, DHEA and pregnenolone - dosages according to my blood test 'scores'. My friend uses Red Clover, DHEA and pregnenolone. I feel great, I believe that because my hormone levels are properly monitored I am reducing risk. I can tell still if the balance shifts and doeses can be tweaked accordingly and my sex drive is great. I am 57 and feel years younger.
Cath | 05/04/2007 14:59:00
I had a hysterectomy in my early thirties and was on HRT for many years. Suddenly my doctor decided that I could not have it anymore because of the risks of breast cancer. I turned into a gibbering wreck overnight because no one had the foresight to wean me off it. Now I suffer horrendously with night sweats and feel completely worn out. My skin is dry, my bones hurt and I am tired. As for sex if I never saw a man again it would be too soon. When I asked my doctor if I could go back on it she refused and I am only 51, what am I going to be like in 5 years if I continue to dry up like a prune inside and out.
Pinkie | 05/04/2007 14:59:00
So, what can we DO? It's undeniable that this natural, biological event is often very debilitating and turns us into unrecognisable people through no fault of our own which makes it damned unfair on women, doesn't it! ALSO, I find it disturbing that Society, in spite of acceptance of other rights/mores: 'new man'; 'new mother+career woman'; 'gay marriage'; 'trans-sexuals'; 'human rights for anyone who doesn't deserve them', etc... is still unable to recognise the, 'past-by-reproduction-date' female as a worthy contributor to society!! (except, of course, as a desperate, gullible, exploitable consumer in contant pursuit of disappearing youth or remedies for 'neurotic' symptoms). I feel that society & the (STILL mostly male -dominated) medical profession discriminates against us by 'writing-off' women with menopausal symptoms who are no longer able to produce children. However, I feel it's so deeply rooted in our psyche and culture, that it's a difficult one to contend with and really, it's this attitude that women need to confront! Menopause was, and still is, something spoken about in almost apologetic hushed tones! NO! Like death, it's part of life...it's our biology and I feel it's our right as women to educate everyone...we should NOT apologise for feeling as we do..we have the right to ask for whatever it takes (medically) to alleviate our symptoms .. and remember... there are a lot of politics involved here girls, with the drug companies and the NHS ..it's a minefield!! Also, note that we pay double for one HRT treatment prescription... the reason given? Because it's TWO different drugs!! (Many pharmact assistants are unaware of this, keep it quiet!) So is paracaetamol and codeine, but we aren;t expected to pay double for it!! Discrimination!! I appreciate the menopause is NOT a terminal illness but all the same...smoking, drug and alcohol- related ilness is self-inflicted, but has more sympathy!!! I'm sorry girls, I don't know the answer... I think half the battle is the psychology of it...I just do my bit against the odds and I find it helps.. I have a life, I have a value, and ..I WILL NOT apologise for my biology!! I go to work after three hours sleep and put a sticky note on my chest with the message: 'BEWARE: hormonal sleep deprivation symptoms may be displayed today'... ! Everyone knows that a 'bad hair day' is Hormone Hair Day'.. and so on.. For Fun, just imagine a male menopause...men would demand ot be hospitalised and there would be a booming industry in 'menopause nursing homes/therapists'; working days lost would quadruple...the economy would collapse!! Lucky it's we stronger girls that have to suffer!
Pinkie | 05/04/2007 14:59:00
So, what can we DO? It's undeniable that this natural, biological event is often very debilitating and turns us into unrecognisable people through no fault of our own which makes it damned unfair on women, doesn't it! ALSO, I find it disturbing that Society, in spite of acceptance of other rights/mores: 'new man'; 'new mother+career woman'; 'gay marriage'; 'trans-sexuals'; 'human rights for anyone who doesn't deserve them', etc... is still unable to recognise the, 'past-by-reproduction-date' female as a worthy contributor to society!! (except, of course, as a desperate, gullible, exploitable consumer in contant pursuit of disappearing youth or remedies for 'neurotic' symptoms). I feel that society & the (STILL mostly male -dominated) medical profession discriminates against us by 'writing-off' women with menopausal symptoms who are no longer able to produce children. However, I feel it's so deeply rooted in our psyche and culture, that it's a difficult one to contend with and really, it's this attitude that women need to confront! Menopause was, and still is, something spoken about in almost apologetic hushed tones! NO! Like death, it's part of life...it's our biology and I feel it's our right as women to educate everyone...we should NOT apologise for feeling as we do..we have the right to ask for whatever it takes (medically) to alleviate our symptoms .. and remember... there are a lot of politics involved here girls, with the drug companies and the NHS ..it's a minefield!! Also, note that we pay double for one HRT treatment prescription... the reason given? Because it's TWO different drugs!! (Many pharmact assistants are unaware of this, keep it quiet!) So is paracaetamol and codeine, but we aren;t expected to pay double for it!! Discrimination!! I appreciate the menopause is NOT a terminal illness but all the same...smoking, drug and alcohol- related ilness is self-inflicted, but has more sympathy!!! I'm sorry girls, I don't know the answer... I think half the battle is the psychology of it...I just do my bit against the odds and I find it helps.. I have a life, I have a value, and ..I WILL NOT apologise for my biology!! I go to work after three hours sleep and put a sticky note on my chest with the message: 'BEWARE: hormonal sleep deprivation symptoms may be displayed today'... ! Everyone knows that a 'bad hair day' is Hormone Hair Day'.. and so on.. For Fun, just imagine a male menopause...men would demand ot be hospitalised and there would be a booming industry in 'menopause nursing homes/therapists'; working days lost would quadruple...the economy would collapse!! Lucky it's we stronger girls that have to suffer!
joyce | 05/04/2007 15:03:00
I went through the menopause at 40 due to having to have a full hystrectomy for womb cancer. I got so frustrated at the time I wastrying to find out anything about the cancer, all i kept getting was thats an old ladies cancer why do you want information on that. Due to the cancer i couldnt go on HRT so had to go through the hot flushes and night sweats unaided. A couple of months ago the symptoms returned, so i went to the doctors to be told there was nothing that could be done for me. I was then taken ill and was diagnosed with diverticulitis, one of the symptoms of the diverticulitis are hot flushes. I wish people would just give the information requested to the person requesting it. Yes I had just turned 40 and young to have the type of cancer that i had but I did have it and hated the runn around i got
Anne | 05/04/2007 15:05:00
I have had menopausal symptoms for around 18 months and am now on my fourth HRT combination. I had mainly night sweats, with some hot flushes druing the day; my periods had been heavy and painful for some years but were eased a little by taking progestogen. I have seen a gynae conuslatnt several times and I feel like a guinea pig - I don't think the 'specialists' really know how to treat menopausal symptoms and to be fair they do vary a lot between women. My first visit to the gynaecologist resulted in being pur on an oestrogen-only HRT - it was only when I read the leaflet that I realised I should have progestogen as well, becasue apparently if you are not through the menopause, oestrogen only can predispose to cancer of the womb! This didn't exactly increase my confidence in the specialist! I was then given 1mg of Norethisterone but the breakthrough bleeding was quite bad, so it was upped to 2mg, then 3mg, and at some times of the month I was taking 4mg - not good when the normal dose is 1mg. After an ultrasound scan of the womb (fairly normal) I was put on a combination of 2mg oetrogen (11 days) and 1 mg progestogen (10 days) and it's early days yet but no breakthrouhg bleeding, and much less in the way of hot flushes. I also have palpitations - does anyone else suffer from these? They were worse before HRT but are still noticeable, ECGs have ruled out heart problesm but the consultant says there is no connection with the menopause. I'm not convinced.
Diane | 05/04/2007 15:08:00
Its nice to read that I'm not on my own, as I feel the menopause is quite a lonely thing. Nobody seems to quite know what to suggest and even my own doctor wont try me on HRT as I'm not over 50. The mood swings and hot flushes are defiinately the worst things,any my periods are very hit and miss which is annoying because you never know when they're coming. I still seem to bloat and put on a couple of pounds every month though even when the periods dont appear. Everything Ive read on here I can sympathise with,its a subject that nobody talks about and I feel its something Ive just got to get on with. Good luck everyone!!
Maggy | 05/04/2007 15:14:00
I have not had any great problems during the menopause, mainly due to having exercised all my life, I am now 60 and do not agree in taking medication to solve any ailment unless absolutely necessary. I have run, swam, gone to the gym, and now walk my dog at least 1.5 hours a day at a good pace in all weathers. Also, eating sensibly and wisely has helped - I try to eat at least 5 fruit and veg. per day and eat a varied diet, including fish and meat, not too much red meat though. I have not ever taken HRT and because of the aforementioned I am sure this has helped me feel well most of the time!! I have had very few symptoms, maybe the occasional night hot flush but that is all. My mother also sailed through the menopause and I am sure this has some bearing on why I have had very few symptoms.
gill | 05/04/2007 15:26:00
Had a hysterectomy in 1995 but they left my ovaries in, 3 years ago I started to suffer with hot flushes, violent mood swings, tiredness, night sweats, tearfulness, and a feeling of waking up and wondering just why I was born, what use was I? before I started the menopause I was a lively happy person with bags of pesonality and suddenly I feel like a freak, after 1 very bad argument with my eldest daughter whom I love dearly and have always been the best of friends with I finally went to the doctors to see if they could help... what did I get from the VERY YOUNG FEMALE doctor, it sounds like you are suffering from depression, well yeah by then I might have been because I was in a endless loop of mood swings, weight gain and forgetfullnes and felt like I was going mad, but I wasn't before these symptoms appeared, so she put me on anti depressants (which I may add had the added side effect of making me sick) for a month to see if this would help...she also told me that HRT was contraindicated because of my wieight,(which had ballooned to 15 stone) after 2 weeks I had to stop taking them as I got stomach cramps and was being very sick after each tablet, I went back to my doctors 2 weeks later feeling worse than before and saw another doctor, after listening to what I had told HIM, and what the other doctor had given me, he said "you sound like a ripe case for HRT", I asked him if my weight didn't contraindicate this, and he told me not to be silly, he put me on Hrt and slowly the flushes and mood swings dissapeared, I am on the lowest possible dose I can take to relive the symptoms and it is the safer HRT pill dont know what that means, he told me at the time that I'm only supposed to take the for 2 years, I have been on them a year, what worried me at the time and still worries me now is all that going to come back when I come off of them, reading these comments it seems very likely it will, he has told me he wont cut me off, cold and the dose will be gradually reduced, but I cant function as that other person, so what will happen next
Christine | 05/04/2007 15:28:00
I started the menopause naturally but early, the first 'symptoms' appearing around the age of 36! This was not too much a surprise as my Mother's side of the family seem to do this. When I developed the hot flushes, missed periods (that was a panic!), was given a blood test and put on HRT. This worked for me. Ifelt better, lost my tummy and the flushes went away - for about 4 years anyway! Then I decided myself to stop taking HRT as all the anti- hrt news was hitting the papers. Everything was fine (apart from the odd hot flush), till I reached about 44. Then no hot flushes but a period that lasted 3 months and was so heavy it came through my clothes. I was sent to a gynacologist, had a scan and he order an investgating operation. They found nothing nasty and the bleeding stopped! And now at 51, I have not seen a period since. I do now get a hot flush now and again and can be bloated but it is less and less. I think I have been realtively lucky as I do not take any supplements or medicines and I appear to have come through the other end still sane! My mother went through the same but of course at that time it was not recognised and was out down to 'womens troubles'! I have to admit that we did refer to Mum's hot flushes as " one of her funny spells" - but we didn't know any better. Thankfully the Menopause is now in the public domain and not before time. My recommendation for those going through a natural menopause, - if you can, try a year without suppliments and over the counter remedies. Let your body try to sort it itself. It is a natural ageing process for us females. Good luck!
Evelyn | 05/04/2007 15:43:00
I guess I am quite lucky in that I don't seem to have many symptoms. I drink soya milk and take Agnus Castus sometimes. I haven't really had any hot flushes, but family have mentioned "moods" on occasion. I have had three episodes of bleeding in the last two years although these were not really periods. Because of this I had a smear test which was OK. I am just hoping that my symptoms don't worsen.
Liz Douglas | 05/04/2007 15:54:00
I'm currently going through the menopause and have been for several years. I'm unable due to family medical history to use HRT. I suffered the usual night sweats and hot flushes, or 'Inner Summers' as I understand the Americans call it lol! In the beginning I used a natural suppliment called Menopace, which I currently take to make sure I'm getting all that I need particularly for bone health. Then I started using Black Kohosh, and now I'm almost completely free of flushes. What I've noticed which is a bit strange is that I often get flushes when I eat things like carbohydrates or chocolate indeed virtually anything with a high sugar content, which i've not heard of before! The flushing begins almost immediatley after I consume this type of thing. I had my first period with attendant cramps for about 2 years recently, I thought I was done with that, I'm 50 years old and this was one of the things I was most happy to give up lol! I'd be really interested to hear if anyone else has noticed the carb/chocolate thing?
audrie | 05/04/2007 16:07:00
I had a total hysterectomy in 1994, to cure some real heavy bleeding, that had been going on for years. I wasn't offered HRT (mum had breast cancer) so the hot sweats and night sleep patterns only started about 2 years ago, i take a low dose of Amitriptyline 25mg for some painrelief and this seems to have cured the hot sweats and i now sleep through the night. I was in effect really pleased to have my hysterectomy, so had postive thoughts from day one, and this probably sounds silly, but for years and years i had problems with peroids that lasted 28 days plus, so to me it was great, i didn't want anymore children. its nice to hold a baby but lovely to be able to give it back.
judith | 05/04/2007 16:18:00
at the age of 40 i had what i thought was a nervous breakdown, was prescribed anti depressants, since then i have suffered very badly with anxiety, i have had flushes for about 4 yr but now they are happening every half hour and only last about a minute , last year i thought i was haemorrhageing it was so bad i didnt dare go out and spent a fortune on sanitary towels, my periods went back to normal for a couple of months but now are hitty missy and very light, i still have awful mood swings that seem to come on all of a sudden, i will be 53 in may and have no idea how long this will last, no one seems to like to talk about this subject although a friend said you can have a test to see if you are in the menopause, my doctor said there is no test for this? i no longer take anti depresants as i felt they were making me feel like a zombie , i also wont take HRT as there is a chance of cancer,i know i had a couple of small polyps on my womb that was supposedly causeing the heavy bleeding i was advised to leave them alone as they would dissapear with the menopause
Judy Summers | 05/04/2007 16:19:00
I haven't had a period for 6 months, but started with the hot flushes long before that. I now take Black Cohosh and although I occasionally I feel a little warm, they have really worked for me.
Georgie | 05/04/2007 16:39:00
I've been going throught the meopause for the past 3 yrs, I get night sweats ,flushes etc, I have completly gone of sex and have days were I feel really down .I dont seem to get a lot of mood swings but maybe thats to come yet! I tried hrt for a month but I just bleed so I stopped it and decided to try and go through it without any help . The sweats and flushes can be really bad but they seem to come in a cycle I asked my Dr how long would this last for and he said that there was no answer and that everyone is differant.My mother went throught it for about 5 yrs so I'm hoping that I will be the same , she also went of sex and said that it never came back ,her and my dad had seperate beds cos she couldnt have anyone near her because she was always to hot. Theres some weeks I dont have any symtoms at all then I'll suddenly start having them. I was always a cold person now I run about in t-shirts even in the coldest of winter I hate shopping as well cos I forget everything and because I sweat I cant be bothered trying anything on. Its a nightmare for women and I think that we should be recognised eg: work , home , etc It really is like having an illness , my bones have never been so sore and I'm constantly tired oh! and I'm also putting on wieght I was the same size for 25 yrs now I'm 2 sizes bigger I feel ugly and my self esteems gone down the tube Sorry to hear about all you girls as well I hope you all can get some form of help.
Rebecca | 05/04/2007 16:48:00
I have been going thru meopause for about a year or better now. I have a lot of flushing. I will just be doing something and my face will just feel so hot. This happens a few times a day. I get night sweats to. Not so much. I was taking hrt but my doctor took me of it because of the risk of breast cancer and blood clots. I am not taking anything right now. I hope i do not have the mood swings. I do not care about sesx at all now. The thing i find embarrising about the flushing is when i go to church and i have the ceiling fan turned on. If not i have to fan with something so i cool down. I hate the flushing and night sweats. It just sucks that women have to go thru this and i wish there were somethng that would take care of it. I have been wearing short sleeve shirts all winter because i burn up in long sleeves. I hate it for other women to have to go thur this to.
Mary G | 05/04/2007 17:06:00
When I was 45 all I could think about was that in a few years time I would be able to go to my GP and pick up this wonder drug called HRT which, would make me feel great, look better,and have fantastic sex. hey who was I kidding. When I went to my GP at age 54 I was told that HRT was not the way to go "Grin and bear it". My poor husband spent years with a wife with PMT now he had a raging virago whose temper was held by a thread, if he was hot I was cold if it was white I said it was black in mid winter we had no heating on because I was so hot I felt I could melt the fridge. Ladies did you ever walk into a room and think why am I here, and the worst thing is no one can tell you when the menopause ends. Still thank god for small mercies at least we dont have to spend a small fortune on sanitary wear. On that point I'll say my goodbyes.
patricia clegg | 05/04/2007 17:08:00
I had a hysterectomy when I was thirty two as I had severe bleeding for nineteen years when I had my period, after ten years I was put on hrt, (premarin) At the time I had terrible migraine which dissapeared after going on hrt, I put on a lot of weight which Ive never lost Im not fifty five, i was on hrt for ten years when my doctor advised me to come off it in 2002, since then I have never felt well I sweat constantly and have not had a nights sleep since, I was put on antidepressants which I came off myself as I dont want to be a pill popper, I suffer with arthritus and was constantly given prescriptions for pain , ie, inflammotory, I dont take anything now other than shop bought remedies, no one as ever given me any checks for anything so I dont know if Im still going through the menapause or not , I put up with all these things because I wont go to my doctors because they are not interested all they do is write you out a prescription, i must say that I didnt have any problems on hrt except all the weight I put on,
linda dibnah | 05/04/2007 17:08:00
I had a hysterectomy in 1981 but still went through the menopause symptems quite suddenly in 1989,I was put on HRT right away and stayed on this with no checks or reviews until I was diagnosed with breast cancer in1995,but was not told to stop takeing it until after the first operation for a lumpectomoy,then a couple of months later I had a full mastectomoy and all the chemo.and radiation treatment,since then I have had all the horrid symptoms but after 11 years they are easeing off and I have times when there are none at all
Su | 05/04/2007 18:06:00
I like some others here have had a total surgical hysterectomy. It was on my 30th birthday. I am now 48 yrs old. I am on HRT and I feel very lucky, because I have had no adverse effects to the HRT. I also take Royal Jelly and have a meat free diet.I don't know if this helps. I do know that if I miss a few days of taking my tablet,I suffer hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, water retention and mood swings. Nothing I have tried has helped relieve these symptoms and they stay with me until a few days after restarting HRT. I am very lucky because I know that some women have an absolutly terrible time during the menopause and nothing helps them at all.When I had my Hysterectomy, it was the start of a new life for me. I had my 3 children and had been sterilised at 26 as i did not want anymore family. It was after this that the problems started. Periods lasting around 10 to 25 days then a few day clear, then heavy bleeding and constant abdominal pain again. I was almost suicidal because of the pain and I could not enjoy a normal family life. My late Mother also went through the same thing. I think back to what I went through before my hysterectomy and the symptoms I get when I do not take my HRT,at the moment I will opt for the Menopausal Symptoms anytime ,but I am still not looking forward to the day when I must stop my HRT and the full reality of the menopause hits me.. P.S Has anyone else noticed rhat Male Doctors are more likely to be more sympathetic and understanding towards the menopause (could be they are scared of us scary hormonely unstable women) than some female doctors who tell you to put up with it, it's natural. (just wait till it's their turn)
MELODY REDHEAD | 05/04/2007 18:11:00
I had a full hysterectomy in Jan 2005 after suffering for 10-15 years with chronic PMT PMS what ever you call it these days and then in the last few years periods every 2 weeks.I fell wonderful as no pain after a full recovery from the surgery.I suffered bad hot sweats lethargy sleepless nights feeling down for 9-10 months after until I went back to see the consultant.He said no wonder you are feeling so bad as I neded testosterone implants. Once I had them I felt marvellous I was also having a nasal spray Aerodiol and using Ovestin cream. I feel like a different woman now. I have been checked for osteoporosis and bone density scan showed thinning so have to keep eye on that. I do not know what else is in score for me. I hope not to much as I have been a Lupus sufferer for years and just lost my husband 2 days ago so feel very depressed
Jo Morrison | 05/04/2007 18:26:00
I have been suffering with the menopause for 4 years and it is hell, I have a hot fulsh at least every hour during the day and nite time is worse, I sleep with a bath towel wrapped around me and another one under me, I have tried just about every herbal remedy, searched the net for info, you name it I've done it, my sweats are quite painfull, it's difficult to explain how i feel, and I have noticed over the last few monthes my heart rate increases during a sweat, and I get a strange pins and needles feeling, the cool down is just as bad I visibly shake when the flush dies down, the menopause has taken over my life and I just hope it ends soon
Suburbitown | 05/04/2007 18:40:00
I started the menopause at the age of 51 in 2000 and initially I tried to control it with Black Cohosh. Things became more difficult and stressful when my elder daughter was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukaemia, so in July 2001 I took the easy option and went onto HRT. Wonderful, no hot flushes, or night sweats, but periods often painful and heavy with lots of blood clots. Eventually after 5 years and all the publicity about the dangers of HRT I stopped taking it last year. The only good benefit has been the lack of period. Hot flushes are back with a vengence, night sweats as well. It is rare that I have a complete nights rest. Most nights find me getting up overheated at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning playing computer games until I cool down, get really cold to enable me to go back to bed. Have tried/ am trying Black Cohosh and Red Clover. But there are worries that Black Cohosh can cause liver problems. Not convinced that they are having any effect, but reluctant to stop in case they are and the problems will get worse if I stop. A friend has recommended a herbalist who I have an appointment to see next week. Hopefully there may be some relief there, as it is extremely embarrassing to have a hot flush in the middle of a work meeting.
ANN4SAINTS | 05/04/2007 19:03:00
I had a full hysterectomy 11 years ago at the age of 40 due to medical reasons Having tried HRT for a number of months I decided to stop taking the tablets This was for a variety of reasons including bad press I have not taken HRT for 9 years and more and find that I can cope with the hot flushes and night sweats Yes it can be uncomfortable but I am prepared to put up with that rather than the worry of whether there are any adverse health risks from taking HRT
Margaret Adams | 05/04/2007 19:14:00
I am now 56 and have come out the other side of the menopause, it is a very hard time what ever anyone says but the worst thing for me was the depression but I had a very understanding GP, a woman, and I had anti depressants which REALLY helped and I am still on and very thankful I am.
Anne | 05/04/2007 19:24:00
I am going through the menopause at the moment, Due to a full surgical hysterectomy like a lot of you other ladies. I was put straight onto HRT the tablets didn't suit so I went onto the Implants. These worked well for me and although I did have some minor symptoms I was quite OK. But unfortunately, in December 2004 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, so had to stop the HRT right away, and the symptoms have just escalated so much and so fast that now I do not sleep more than 3 hours, and when I do I wake feeling as if I have slept in a swimming pool. Sexdrive well you could that, but mine has driven off somewhere not to return. Terrible hot flushes during the day as well, but these and the night sweats are made worse by the Cancer Tablets Tamoxifen, which I will not stop taking like a lot of other women who have suffered these side effects. Mood swings are not so much temper as depression and sometimes I just sit and loose a complete day. Needless to say the house is suffering. Memory has flown the coop and I cannot even remember what I am saying at times, which is very embarrassing. I do think that there should be more clinics for Menopause Sufferers, where they could just go and chat with other like minded women, and get a little therapy maybe, massages and aroma therapy would help, because nothing the NHS have to offer helps and as we are 50% if not more of the population I also think that there should be more work and research by the drugs companies to come up with some relief for us sufferers. Now I have forgotton what else I was going to say, and I know that it was something important, but see this is how it goes.......................... I absolutely dread the thought of summer again this year if it is like last years, as I was showering three or four times a day, and as a adoment sun worshipper in the past it really does get my annoyed that I now cannot stand to be out in the sun. Having said that I have found that going out of the hot humid air of summer into a air conditioned place just brings on a hot flush worse than anything else. I have two fans permanently going in the bedroom even at this time of year God help us girls the next few months.
Sandra Parsons | 05/04/2007 19:41:00
I worried about the menopause because both my mother and sister had a really terrible time. However, the significant factor for them was that they were both heavy smokers whilst I have never smoked in my life. A chronic illness has made me 'clean up my act' and so I pre-menopause I was already very careful to eat 'pure' foods and keep things like caffeine and alcohol to a minimum. I have found that the only symptom I have had with the menopause has been getting slightly hot at times. However, this has not been the debilitating hot flashes that my mother and sister suffered. I do take soya foods and calcium/magnesium supplements and these seem to keep symptoms to a minimum. I think the secret is to try to be as healthy as possible going into menopause.
Joy | 05/04/2007 20:26:00
I had a hysterectomy over 20 years ago at the age of 32, but my ovaries were left. however by the time I reached 40 I was so tired all the time that my GP put me on HRT. My 2 elder sisters also had hyesterectomies, so far the youngest one is fine. We are all on a plant based HRT. whilst the risk of heart attack etc is increased, looking at the overall risk rate, which if I remember correctly is very low - something like 0.3% I feel that the benefits outweigh the risks as I have to hold down a full time job. If I had the luxury of not working then I guess my lack of energy would not be too much of a problem, so I shall have to stay on HRT until I retire.
michelle | 05/04/2007 20:44:00
I think I am starting to experience the begginning of the perimenopause. I am fast approaching 38yrs old and have recently been experiencing terrible mood swings and my patience is at an all time low. I am very moody and restless I realise that something is happening to me but i feel unable to control my symptoms.Moods swings are definately getting worse.
Ruth Watters | 05/04/2007 20:53:00
I am now 43 and feel that I am at the beginning of a long haul as far as the menopause goes. I have always had very eratic periods (usually early by up to a week), but now find that they have begun to be later instead, and I have missed the odd ones too. I started waking up in the night dripping with sweat and have felt very moody and irritable - especially with my children (aged 11 and 12) so I feel that it is a hard time for us all with two pre-teen girls at home too. As far as my GP goes, I haven't seen her yet, and don't really know a lot about HRT. What I have done is to start taking a liquid nutraceutical supplement called "VIBE" by Eniva. This is new to the UK and is marketed as a health supplement far superior to shop bought vitamins and minerals, however in addition to this, testimonials show varied medical benefits too. This has certainly made a big difference to me and has helped ease stress and other symptoms on a daily basis. I feel so much more healthy again and I would highly recommend trying it, although you can't get it in the shops.
Pauline | 05/04/2007 21:01:00
Hi all i am nearly 57 and have been on tridestra (HRT) for about 9 years. When i first started going through the menopause i was also having really bad problems in my marriage. I didn't know whether the way i felt had to do with the menopause or the state of my marriage which had never been very good. I went to the doctor but didn't say anything about my marriage just told him how i felt and that it would be good to get a good nights sleep. He put me on HRT and told me to expect a period about every 3 months. After a few years i started to bleed more often and decided to come off them. The nurse told me there was no need to come off gradually just stop. After about 9 months I couldn't stand the symptoms any more so went back on. I then went to see the doctor about the bleeding and he put me on a different pill and i had a period every month which lasted about 8-10 days. I then went back to the original doctor who then told me to try the tridestra again. I have now been on them again quite happily for about 4 years. During my break i tried various herbal remidies but they didn't work. last year i had a medication check with the pharmasist. I had a chat about how long i should stay on the HRT and he said there was no reason i should come off them and that they prevented osteoporosis. So i shall stay on them and remain sane. Insidently I don't get hot sweats i just used to feel like my thermostat had stopped working and got hotter and hotter but never sweated. Long live HRT
Liz | 05/04/2007 21:01:00
I've been on HRT for at least 10 years, after mild symptons which led to my then GP getting a blood test which showed I was menopausal.I really went on HRT then to stop my bones crumbling,but it hasn't worked, I am being treated for oeseoporosis of the spine,L1&2 have collapsed, and I have a lot of back pain.But this may be cos I have a kidney condition that is VERY painful, and stops me getting enough excercise, or taking calcium supplements.I have one treatment to go and then a scan, to see if it's worked.Liz, Nottingham
db101 | 05/04/2007 21:41:00
My former GP diagnosed the start of the menopause when I was in my late 30s' now 47 I haven't seen a period for almost a year. I have had no treatment at all for hot flushes or any other symptoms. The only thing that really bothers me about the menopause at present is the loss of sexual appetite. I have always had a good sexual appetite but once the menopause hit I found I just didn't want sex any more. My breast have no feeling at all, and I have terrible vaginal dryness. Its like my body has been de-sensitised. My husband is tolerent of the situation, but at the same time frustrated. I feel I am dealing with the whole thing well, but would love my sensual side back.
catwoman | 05/04/2007 21:50:00
I had a hystorectomy when I was 32 but had my ovaries left in. Not long after I was started on HRT, which I took for 15 years. In 1990 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia which is very painful and involves very bad sleep patterns, Stress also sets of this condition too. Suddenly two years ago after two family bereavements I was taken off the HRT. I had already gone from 7 stone to 11 stone and it is very difficult to get the weight off. My hair has been thinning too. I am more disorganised than I ever was, snappy and I have no interest in sex at all.I am really suffering with the hot flushes, they are very noticeable and completely saturate me, which is becoming very embarrasing as well as being very uncomfortable. I haven't as yet found a remedy to this and my doctor (who is female) just does not seem interested. The slightest tension of any sort and a hot flush comes I wish there was some releif although the night flushes don't happen too often. I am now 57 I wonder how long this will go on.
pjl | 05/04/2007 21:51:00
I have not gone to a doctor because I think that it is all a part of growing up!! But I must say that the fluctuations in temperature - hot to super hot to boiling to cold are rather disturbing. Memory? well what was that? I am sure that if I saw a doctor I would obtain some chemical benefit but somehow I am comforted by the fact that my gran and mum went through the same thing and came out the other side non the worse for wear. I am also comforted by the fact that if I changed my lifestyle - curries and wine I would feel a lot better and not be so hot and sweaty. AS yet I am only 49 so feel in the process but maybe there is a lot worse to come and I will resort to medical or herbal help. I hope that you all get the help you need and get through this and for those of you with other added complications I hope that they will also get better and you get to enjoy a good quality of life, the other side of the menopause has got to be better.
barbara | 05/04/2007 21:56:00
It may not work for everyone but as far as hot flushes are concerned I would swear by black kohosh. You do have to persevere as i think it takes a while to get into the system. I took it for a year or so, with hardly any hot flushes or night sweatsafter several weeks. I then decided to stop to see if i actually still needed it. It was about a month before they started gradually again (presumably it was going out of my system), so i restarted the black kohosh and, again, several weeks later they virtually disappeared. Don't just try for a couple of days and expect the flushes to instantly go. Still have problems with my weight and tiredness, but difficult to say how much that is menopausal or lifestyle. Do tend to be more forgetful, but so does my husband!! Some phsical conditions are obviously menopausal, but I think sometimes we shouldn't attribute everything to that. And that isn't meant to belittle anyone, just a passing thought.
Christine Scott | 05/04/2007 21:59:00
I have been going through the menopause for almost 10 years now. I had a hysterectomy and went straight into the hot flushes and night sweats etc. I had the HRT patch for 8 years but had to come off it 2 years ago when I had to have 2 hip replacements. They wouldn't operate until I had been off the patch for 2 months. I never went back on it although I found it brilliant. No menopause symptoms at all. I though after being off it for over 2 months I would carry on and try to see if things would now get better without HRT. It is a little better now but it has taken 2 years and I still get a lot of night sweats and hot flushes in the daytime. I was lucky never to have had the mood swings. Heres hoping that one day all the menopause symptoms will have disappeared.
Ann Marie | 05/04/2007 22:18:00
i was diagnosed with early menopause last year - i'm now nearly 44. My mother went through the same thing at an early age so it obviously runs in the family. The sweats that i got were worse on a night, i would wake up soaked in a thick sticky sweat, throwing the bed clothes off then putting them back on. At work i need a fan on constantly as my temperature is up and down all the time. I'm on HRT now and it does help. However, i'm always thinking about side effects and breast cancer is uppermost. I also worry about osteoporosis too - so you can't win. I do excercise regulary and try to eat sensibly. Luckily i have not gone off sex and do not suffer from vaginal dryness. I am forgetful though and thats another worry. My doctor did mention Black Kohosh and i wonder if i should maybe try that instead of HRT.
Diane | 05/04/2007 22:36:00
I am 47 and had a total hysterectomy last year, plunging me headfirst into the menopause. Its been a very bumpy ride; I've always been a get up and go person, and very sexual. Now I am tired all the time, get hot and clammy and have no sex drive whatsoever. Organisation in my life is no more. I cannot take HRT as I had a pulmonary embolism 9 years ago. So, I just have to cope as best as I can, but with 2 young children it is often difficult. When will I feel human again? I have my up days, but mostly I seem to dwell on the past which I never, ever did before. For the first time in my life, I feel old.
Sue O'Brien | 05/04/2007 22:50:00
I would also swear by black kohosh. I take it with evening primrose oil tablets and soya (Ymea). I took it for 2 months before it "kicked in", but now I have no more hot flushes and I feel much better in myself. My GP recommended it after attending a conference on menopause in the United States. I also find that my hair, which was falling out in clumps when I started the menopause is now regrowing. I had my two children in my mid-forties so at 53 I need all my energy to cope. I didn't realise that forgetfulness is part and parcel of the menopause, but loss of sex-drive is still a problem for me. Lets hope a cure is not too far away - reading some of these comments makes you realise how many women are suffering in silence.
Ruth | 05/04/2007 23:42:00
the worst thing for me are the hot flushes. I do get mood swings but I am coping with them. I havent had a period for 18 months. The hot flushes started when I was 49, I am now 55 and totaly fed up with them. I do get them at night acording to my husbend but they wake him not me !! Just dont want to face another summer of them !!!! the hotweather makes them worse.And will I ever get my brain back?
Helen | 05/04/2007 23:50:00
I have been going through the menopause for seveal years and found it very hard in some ways as it made some of my M.E. symptoms worse. I don't suffer much from mood swings, luckily but nigth sweats and weight gain have been a real problem, amongst other annoying physical problems. I haven't gone on HRT but I take P5P vitamin B6 supplements which have helped enormously. I see a kineseologist regularly, who has helped me significantly. I also use a chillow pillow at night and that is a great help too. I believe that many mainstream medicine is not helpful but I know that other routes can be costly. I do know others who have been helped by going on HRT. I just prefer not to use HRT if I can avoid it and stay sane.
june | 06/04/2007 01:02:00
i started my menopause at the age of 44 and now i have finihsed 10 years on. i had no problem at all i didnt need hrt at all. just glad that it is all over now hope there is nothing else to come along. i feel great befor and after it all.
carol sewell | 06/04/2007 01:33:00
i started the menopause eight years ago i had a hysterectomy when i was 33 am now 51 i,ve been on hrt the last eight years i came off for about six months but had to go back on as the sweats started again and i could not cope with them my g p wanted to take me off the hrt 4 months ago but i did not want to am worried about breast cancer as my paternal grandmother and my oldest sister both had breast cancer and i also worry my bones thinging i had a fall 10 weeks ago and broke my hand and it still has not mended i have to have a bonescan am worried it could be ostioporousise as i already suffer with arthritouse i would love to come off hrt but am really scared to
SandraW | 06/04/2007 09:11:00
After having cervical abnormalities removed in 1985, I was told that I would have to have a hysterectomy once I built my strength back up. However during a consultants appointment 5 months later, I was immediately taken into theatre where the hysterectomy was performed. I was under the impression that I had had a total one. 2 years later I was having terrible problems with hot flushes literally minutes apart. The doctor put me on HRT, unfortunately less than 6 weeks later I was doubled over in absolute agony and my stomach was so swollen that it looked as if I was about 8 months pregnant. I was rushed into hospital where I underwent an ultra sound examination and was told that there was another growth about the size of a matchbox, I was taken to surgery the follwing day. When they looked inside me they could not see anything as it turned out that whatever the growth had been it had burst and stuck to most of my vital organs, which had to disected. My surgeon (as I was told later) had to call for help from another surgeon to assist as my life was in grave danger. It took over eight hours before I was out of danger and everything had been done. Since then I have undergone numerous other surgeries on my bladder, my large intestine and my bowel, which were an after effect of that operation. I still have my hot flushes, but cannot take any HRT or other medication because of having had DVT's after some of these ops. I sincerely hope no one else has to go threw the same as I have. (Prior to all this I had had an ectopic pregnancy in 1971, and 2 ovarian cysts removed on different occasions, 1in 1974, and another in 1978.) I have now informed my family that if there is such a thing as reincarnation, I will not come back without a spout!!!
Chris Lewis 6/04/2007 9.14 | 06/04/2007 09:22:00
I went through the menopause and suffered all the same symptoms as hot flushes, night sweats, mental blocks forgetfulness, I even used ti break out with sweat all over my body even when I was driving, I used to feel so uncomfortable and the sweat had a sour smell and I just couldn't put up with it any longer and was put on HRT and I'm still on it now , It's been about 9 years of takingthe tablets but the GP says I should stay on them because of my bones problems, I to am worried by the risk of breast cancer but I think It's only minimal and I am afraid to stpo taking the HRT In case my syptems start up again, I still suffer with memory loss and mental blanks but a lot less.
Angela Hodges | 06/04/2007 10:26:00
I was dianosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2004 and immediately following surgery for total Hysterectomy and other abdominal bits found myself going through a surgical menopause along with dealing with chemo and all the other emotional turmoil that follows a cancer diagnosis. I knew nothing about what to expect, my mother had died two years before, I have no sisters or close female family members to inquire about what to expect. I have plenty of Male medical specialists who treat me and they have been wonderful, however I cannot have HRT to help with my symptoms, and no one can tell me how long my symptoms will continue for.I have tried other herbal remedies makes no difference. I have not had a nights sleep in years, feel like an angry alien a lot of the time and despite having access to leading experts in their fields nobody seems to be able to tell me how long it will last or what would make it easier to deal with. It seems that the Menopause is a real mystery and a real misery. Sometimes I wonder if it were something affecting men there would be more interest and research into helping with the symptoms.
maggie | 06/04/2007 10:38:00
I too seem to be a lucky one. I have a coil fitted and apparently according to my doctor this will see me thru the menopause, hopefully without having to take anything else. periods have stopped, only very slight sweating (hubby sweats more than me at night!). loose my patience more than I used to but aprt from that I am Fine and enjoying life.
SusieJ | 06/04/2007 10:46:00
What we women have to go through eh!!! I'm 54 now and I'm convinced i've been going through the menopause for several years now, although whenever I went to my doctor she always asked if I was still getting periods. When I said, yes I was, she always said, well it can't be the menopause then!!! I beg to differ. I've been going through these sweats (I call them sweats rather than hot flushes because that is what they are SWEATS). I hate the summer because it's so embarrasing. I can only wear black or white because it doesn't show my 'wet' clothes. Actually saw a consultant last year about these sweats and i'm still awaiting the results ..he said it 'probably' was the menopause. No hope is there!! Periods haven't stopped completely but I've only had about 2 full ones in about 9 months. Yes, I get the mood swings but the other thing is loss of libido! I've gone right off sex...is that normal?? And yes I've put on loads of weight too. I also have very low energy levels and the tiredness too. I'm with the other poster further back - think i'll come back as a man!!
Collette | 06/04/2007 10:51:00
I started the menopause at 45, when I started with hot flushes day and night, forgetfulness, skin changes and loss of libido. I initially took HRT which totally removed all symptoms really for 12 months (bliss!) after which I stopped due to the adverse reports about cancer etc. I then had a few months of hell. Flushes were back, memory loss, loss of libido and narkiness went a new level! You name it, I lost it! I then started on homeopathic medication, Soy Isoflavines of which I take 2 daily (these do work for me but doesn't totally stop the flushes but it has minimised them). I have been taking St Johns Wort (hypericum perforartum) from Oct-May yearly for the last 10 yrs which does help me. I have been using IUD for the last 20 or so years but had a Mirena coil (to stop the bleeding which lasted for approx 28 days of every month) for about 10 years which was a godsend as I didn't bleed with it (side effect). On reaching 50 in October 06, five years after the onset of the menopause I started to feel worse. Eventually going to the GP who determined with blood tests (early Feb 07) that I had an underactive thyroid and put me on medication for same. I must say that when this got so bad I did go to the GP saying I felt like an alien! which wasn't far from the truth. I think all women should be aware that a change in thyroid function can be usual for some women and I totally put ALL my symptoms down to the menopause, this time incorrectly. I was told to remove the coil (as this releases hormones and my body was battling everything). I have felt somewhat better after 2 months of the tabs and have to have another blood test in another 2 months to assess thyroid levels. Never having suffered any skin complains I burnt my scalp 12 months ago with a faulty hair dryer resulting in blisters which have now turned into psoriasis. N.B. skin problems are as a result of the meopause and an underactive thryoid. Good news(!) is that I am no longer fertile and have not bled since the removal of the coil and the GP thinks I will not bleed again. All in all I am not a fan of the menopause! But think my life is going back on track now at last!
Julie | 06/04/2007 12:12:00
I had breast cancer when I just turned 40 & after the op., chemo & radiotherapy went on tamoxifen for 5 years, this produced menopausal symptoms & the hot flushes were a nightmare! The symptoms mainly subsided when I came off the medication but I've since had my ovaries removed as a precaution against my breast cancer returnig & was told I could go through the menopause all over again!! So far I've had a few hot flushes but not as bad (touch wood). I did a lot of research when I was diagnosed & Evening Primrose does seem to be of some benefit. The best help seems to come from Soya. If you don't like Tofu ( I don't much) there are Soya @milkshakes@ which are nice, soya yoghurt (flavoured is best) & a fruit drink called Adez. You have to stick with it for a few weeks before you notice much but it does seem to help the hot flushes
amanda | 06/04/2007 12:36:00
I went into the perimenopause straight after the birth of my 3rd child aged 30. It took my doctors and various specailists a whole year to diagnose me. My symptoms were so severe I even had an MRI as they thought I had a brain tumour! I had memory loss, dizziness, panic attacks and 2years on ended up in counselling and on antidepresants, as I had coping depression. I tried all the different tablets and patches plus all the normal herbal remedies, changed my diet the works until as a last resort my gynaecologist put me on Tibolone. I had an almost immediate relief, and although still get some hot flushes mainly at night or first thing in the morning all my mental facalties are now back to normal. I have even managed to hold down 2 very different and taxing jobs. They are still not convinced I am in the full menopause and I continue on my HRT 13 years after the birth of my daughter. I will probably remain on HRT well into my 50s but as far as I am concerned the benefits far outweigh the risks.
jayne | 06/04/2007 12:46:00
i started the menapors at 38 morethan 10 years ago should be near end now its been difficult at times thinking your going nuts hrt helped a lot hot flushes ahh hated that it feels as if your body belongs to some one els hrt pactes helped a lot in all aspets.i think im sane agine now iat one time i wouldnt go shoping on my own in case i nikd any thingwith out knowing it.
Rita | 06/04/2007 13:31:00
I started the Menopause at 38 and it was ah horrible time. I tried HRT but it affected my eyes so had to stop. Tried herbal remedies to control hot flushes and the whole process made me feel miserable. There should be more remedies available for women instead of Doctors saying we just have to put up with it.
chrissy | 06/04/2007 17:18:00
having read these posts I seem to have had a really easy time. When my periods became erratic, my G.P. gave me H.R.T.But because of scare stories in the media I decided after a year to come off it only to find that I never had a another period. It has been 2 years now and I am 53 yrs old,so have I come out the other end? My only symptoms are the odd hot flusheswhich is a nuisance only to me as I don`t blush easily so no-one else knows.
jenna | 06/04/2007 17:27:00
well theres not much to add is there? I had my last period at 56. now 59. and the flushes are HORRENDOUS day and night. I can`t loose weight, can`t remember anything feel ecstatic one moment and depressed the next and the worse part is there doesn`t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
Linda | 06/04/2007 17:59:00
I had a Hys at 34 (now 49) - the full works were removed so it was full on with the sweats etc. I was put on hrt straight away and for about 3 months it worked, I then had to change brand as the sweats came back, and this happened about every 6/9 months. Eventually I had an implant and that was the best! I didn't have to think about it. I found that having to take a pill every day or put on a patch ( and have a sticky backside and knickers!) was a reminder of the fact that I couldn't have kids any more and that was awfull. Then I became very very ill in 2002 with blood clots in my brain so off hrt I came. I still suffer sweats, my head is permantly wet and my face is dripping all the time. My pillow needs changed every month (if I was honest!) and there is no way I can ever wear a jumper again! My weight, which has always been a prob, is now dreadful. Really wish this would all go away.
Janet | 06/04/2007 18:26:00
I had a hysterectomy at 39 due to fibroids and suffered badly after that - crying, moods etc and then my doctor put me on HRT. Immediately the depression, mood swings and crying stopped. BUT the weight piled on and no matter what, I couldn't lose it. A couple of years ago, due to the cancer scares she weaned me off it - but it was very hard to start with, the hot sweats and memory losses were harder to cope with. I took al the suggested cohosh etc, and they made no difference at all. My dr was my saviour, she put me on anti-depressants and I am still on them. Sex forget it!
Kathy | 06/04/2007 18:26:00
Ihad a hysterectomy when I was 43 and have been on HRT (premarin) since. I have no side effects and dread to think how I felt when I tried to stop taking it for a few months. I felt confused, tired, irritable, panic stricken, hot and totally unconfortable, need I go on. Life was miserable. So off I went to the doctor's and begged him for HRT. He gave in and reinstated my supply. Happy days, but what do I do when he refuses to give me any more. As in one of the previous stories, my mother who is now 80 still has hot flushes, so where does that leave me? I sympathise with all the other women who have to go through this.
June | 06/04/2007 19:05:00
After a total hysterectomy and ovary removal when I was 39 I was suddenly inundated with hot sweats, flushes which no one seemed to be that bothered about when I asked about stopping them.My memory went and I felt completely ga-ga! I finally tried HRT and after trying patches I settled on the tablets which made me feel fine although I never really stopped all the hot flushes. I treied supplementing with evening primrose oil but still no joy. I'm now 54 and was told I had to come off HRT 4 years ago as I had been on it long enough.I wasn't asked I was told which I found really upsetting at the time. I still get menopausal symptoms and now take clonidine to help with hot flushes. I have a notebook to help with the memory loss -if you've told me something and not seen me write it down then don't complain if I forget!The anti depressants help with the confusion and give me a good nights sleep so I'm not so tired. So when do I know when these symptoms have ended and what I'm feeling is something else? It's amazing how you can change overnight from a rational, pleasant, woman interested in sex on a somewhat regular basis....to a confused, irrational, sweaty, bloated person who's only interest in a bed is...are the sheets clean!
Janet Aveling | 06/04/2007 19:54:00
My doctor doesn't give out HRT if he can help it and wouldn't give it to me as there are strokes in the family. I have varicose veins too. I have tried Black Cohosh which made everything worse, heavier periods etc. I've had a hysterectomy now because of prolapsed womb. I have hot flashes which are inconvenient but not too bad. I find the worst thing is insomnia. I wake every night at around 3 am and cannot sleep again until about 5. I have to get up at 6.45 when I would rather sleep on, but try to stay up and awake all day in the hope that my body clock will learn to sleep through the night. I am 58 years old and find anxiety is the worst emotional symptom. I think the anxiety triggers the hot flash rather like a panic attack. The doctor often suggests I may be depressed and of course this is possible, but prozac which he described, keeps me asleep almost permenantly. I am confused and forgetful. Even though I worked for years as a secretary before the days of the spell check, I cannot now spell the most simple words. I forget everything, tickets, where my keys are, even my own sons' birthdays and ages. Help me please.
Julie Wilkinson | 06/04/2007 20:28:00
At 53 I am fairly sure that I am going throught he menopause, although my present doctor's blood test begs to differ! A previous doctor took my symptoms, Night sweats, mood swings etc to be the menopause, and prescribed HRT, which definately helped, except for the premenant blood loss and although we tried different ones the problem persisted. So i now just soldier on. Most of the time my periods are normal, but not always. But its the two weeks before when not just my brain packs up but also my body. I feels like a bad cold, with all the inherent sysptoms but goes away as soon as my periods start. About the same time the sleep - never good - gets worse as do the night sweats, and the irrationality and mood swings get me down - never mind the rest of the family. What would be nice would be a drop in clinic when one could go for support, help and advice without having to make an appointment with the Doctor. I get on well with mine but don't feel there is an empathy. I thinkl you need to be going through it to understand.
chris | 06/04/2007 21:04:00
i have been in the menopause for the last 5 years my periods stopped then i will be 59 next month i am still having flushes and disturbed sleep but it is the tiredness i have struggled with i have not used hrt but have used evening primrose oil caps and omega 3 caps which i think have helped me i was told to try black cohosh but i didn't feel it helped me
Sioux Mingaye | 06/04/2007 22:06:00
Nobody ever prepared me for the fact that this could be ongoing into my seventies. I hate the sweats and wish I could get rid of them. I will NOT take HRT as I am a horse lover and would never condem a horse to have to suffer so as I will not have these issues.
hazel | 06/04/2007 22:52:00
having had a hysterectomy in 2001 i was put on hrt, everything was great at first. I changed from a deranged out of control lunatic to an average human being.B ut after a couple of years i started having severe migraines. My gp said i should stop taking hrt as they aggrevated a migraine. I then had sleepless nights, hot flushes (I can cope with the day time flushes but when i could get 3-4 a night....)and weight gain. I eat healthily & exercise 3-4 times a week, but none of this seems to have any impact on my size! I now take 'clonodine' on precription from my gp. this helps the flushes & migraines, but is not a cure.
ANN ABBATT | 06/04/2007 23:52:00
I had a hysterectomy at 35 but kept my ovaries, so only had a slight drop in hormones, at first,but this was 28yrs ago and I would say I have had all the nastie elements of the menopause for the last 20yrs. I took HRT for several years but became concerned about the long term effects of it, so stoped. I then tried various herbal remedy with no relief. I eventualy started taking Clonidine which helped with the temperature control if nothing else. This balance was upset last year when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and ended up with a mastectomy, this has, because of complcations entailed me having four operations, with more to come, but the bad news was having to take tamoxifen so all the menopausel symptoms came back with a vengence. Now whether taking HRT had any effect on me having cancer who knows. I some times think a lot of the medical profession take the attitude that as its an inevetable event we should just get on with it and they dont fully realise how disruptive the symtoms can be on an every day basis. I can only hope that I will have finished the menopause before I get to 70yrs.
susan | 07/04/2007 07:02:00
I started with menopausal symptoms around the age of 47. The hot flushes were the most noticable but nothing I couldnt cope with. I found that my sex drive increased and my now ex husband used to make comments about mood swings but I was unaware of these myself. I am now 52 and in a much happier new marriage and have had no periods or any other symptons for the last 2 years.
julie 47 | 07/04/2007 11:05:00
well im not sure if i have started the menopause , i have all the symptoms dry skin , periods well on for months at a time , so painfull and heavy ,crying at the drop of an hat , sex whats that ...lol , but yes the blood tests come back and say im not on the menopause ....lol oh to be a women . then gp is on hollidays so see a locum he says never mind the results you have started the menopause , gave me pain killers told me come back to see my gp about haveing the mirna coil fitted , but only heard all bad about that from friends so what do you do ? my mum says a packet of yeast vite tablets thats all she took and just go with the flow .....lol .so will have to wait and see.
beryl | 07/04/2007 12:05:00
nearly finished the menopause, got through on evening primrose oil and royle jelly. found my g.p. very helpfull, but she understood.
emily | 07/04/2007 14:21:00
I was in my late 40's early 50's and had hot flushes and mood swings. I took nothing for quite a while My Dr tried HRT in tab form and these caused terrible migraine headaches. Tried various patches but could not put up with the migraines so stopped them. Tried evening primrose and royal jelly but they allso caused migraines. Evenually took nothing and put up with the hotflushes and mood swings but the depression got really bad and after trying various treatments settled for Venlafaxine and as long as I am taking them I lead a happy, normal life. I am now 67 and have not had the hot flushes and mood swings for years. My sister and I were in our teens when my Mother went through the change on NOTHING and we kept out of her way as even the turning of a page in a book sent her into a bad mood. It lasted about ten years or more and now sadly she is in care with alzheimers. She will be 90 this year.
carol | 07/04/2007 16:44:00
I changed jobs when i was 39 and after a few months found i couldt eat and kept wanting to be sick on the way to work.One morning i could not get out of bed or stop crying and just could not function at all.I saw my doctor who put me on anti depressants and said he thought it was the start of the menopause,fifteen years on i am still on anti depresants, & thyroxin and although i have had no periods for nearly a year i still suffer the mood swings ,bloating and weight gain, and my children take great delight at my lack of memory and my dark days, but God is good and so are my family and friends and like so many of the other ladies i tried the HRT and it worked but i came of it after all the scares too. now i just take a day at a time , if i feel good i do plenty and when i dont i take it easy and wait patientlyfor the end of it all.
Irene | 08/04/2007 15:41:00
I started the menapause 3-4 yrs ago, I am 55. On the whole I think I've been quite lucky but then I am quite an optimistic person anyway. I had a spell of forgetfulness and poor sleep. Night sweats seemed to last about a month at most and happened early on. Havn't had any for a couple of years. I have had hot flushes off and on for the whole time but they were only bad for a few months. I would say that the worst thing for me is the sudden feeling of depression and foreboding that I feel. It is then that I know I am about to have a flush. I have the need to take a deep breath which seems to act like a switch. I have a strange sensation in my chest which then spreads outwards all over my body and I feel warm/hot. I just talk myself through it telling myself it will be over in a matter of minutes even though it feels as if it will last for ages. I have considered HRT but wonder is it worth going through all this again when I eventually stop taking it? I don't think so.
Barbara | 08/04/2007 23:16:00
I will be 60 in a few months time and have been going through menapausal symptoms for about 10 years. I had a tubal ligation 33 years ago and a hysterectomy about 9 years ago but kept my ovaries. The main problem is insomnia and hot flushes. I have tried many herbal remedies (black cohosh, sage, soya, etc etc) I am not allowed on HRT because my Mother had breast cancer. I now take many health supplements including EPO, Omega 3.
joy | 09/04/2007 08:09:00
overnight I became menapausal due to a total Hysterectomy nearly six years ago.Treatment HRT patches,checks by Gp every six months.Having some medical background,I had prepared myself for the 'flushes' but the bursting in to tears for no apparent reason was out of the blue.I usually wear the patches for a couple of months and then rest for a couple i.e weaning myself off.(GP aware!!!!)I feel there should be more research in the 'menapuse 'more education especially on what signs and symptoms you might expect not only for women,but for the opposite sex as well ( and i do not mean just given a leaflet to read.......)
Kris | 09/04/2007 13:33:00
I had a hysterectomy aged 43 and my GP put me straight onto HRT tablets. I was happy to take the HRT and whilst on them the only menopausal symptoms I had were reduced memory, some acceptable forgetfulness and very mild hot flushes. When the latest research hit the press about the dangers of taking HRT I took myself off the tablets. This proved to be a bad mistake for me as I experienced awful symptoms of hot flushes that had me 'spurting' sweat from my face which occured approx every 2 hours, hot and cold sweats at night, memory loss that was embarassing and a general 'fog' on my brain! So for many months I felt really weary and found it hard to cope with everyday activities. In the end I went to my GP and told her what had happened and that I was happy and eager to get back on HRT. My GP said that the research I had heard about did not apply as much to women like me who had had hysterectomies, started HRT under fifty years of age and that my risk was still relatively small as I was still under fifty. This time I am on a lower dose amd am using patches which means the medication does not have to go through my system the same. The only problem I had with the patches was in getting the sticky stuff off but was advised to use baby oil which gets it off easily and without scrubbing and causing a skin irritation. I am so much better using HRT that the slight risk is worth it for me as the level of symptoms I experienced were so debilitating. I had tried using soya products and an Evening Primrose oil based menopausal product but they did not help me at all. I'm prepared to stay on HRT as long as possible as menopausal symptoms made my life a misery. I had no idea that the symptoms could be so severe until I experienced them and had thought that a few 'hot flushes' wouldn't be much to deal with. Some of the articles I read in the media made me feel that I was being soft as it was 'natural' to go through the menopause but I now know that people who usually talk like that had very few and very mild symptoms. Now I no longer apologise for being on HRT and am just glad there was something for me to restore my quality of life.
ANN W | 09/04/2007 13:54:00
ALTHOUGH I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY WHEN I WAS 40 YRS OLD ,I KEPT MY OVARIES,SO DID NOT NEED ANY HRT FOR A WHILE.JUST A FEW YEARS LATER ,I BEGAN TO SUFFER FROM HOT FLUSHES AND NIGHT SWEATS WHICH WERE ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS ,ESPECIALLY THE NIGHT SWEATS,AS MY BED AND NIGHTWEAR WOULD BE SOAKING WET ,SO I WOULD HAVE TO GET UP AND STRIP OFF BOTH. I WAS PRESCRIBED HORMONIN TABLETS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS,WHICH HELPED A BIT ,BUT THEY ALSO ANTAGANISED MY MIGRAINE HEADACHES ,AS THE DOSE WAS TAKEN IN ONE FELL SWOOP, SO THEN I WAS GIVEN ELLESTE PATCHES, WHICH DID NOT MAKE MY HEADACHES WORSE AS THE DOSE WAS A SLOW RELEASE TYPE. ALTHOUGH THESE HELPED,I NEVER FELT THAT I WAS IN CONTROL OF MY BODY ,AND STILL HAD SYMPTOMS. I EVENTUALLY CAME OFF ALL MEDICATION AFTER A TOTAL OF AROUND 12 YEARS, BECAUSE MY GP FELT THAT I HAD BEEN ON THEM LONG ENOUGH. MY FLUSHES STILL OCCUR BUT I HAVE USED BLACK COHOSH FOR A COUPLE OFDYEARS NOW ,AND FIND THEY THEY HAVE HELPED ME. CONSIDERING THAT I AM NEARLY 59 YEARS OLD ,I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE FINISHED WITH ALL THE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS BY NOW (AFTER AROUND 17 YRS) BUT I'M AFRAID THAT I STILL DO SUFFER A BIT. SUCH IS LIFE!
Jackie | 09/04/2007 19:15:00
I am 52 and have been going through the menopause for only about 6 months. Up to yet i have a few hot sweats in the day time and a couple at night before i get to sleep. I can honestly say i am more calm now than before, i used to suffer from PMS and i was very moody and depressed about a week before a period but since my periods stopped about 9 months ago things that would really upset me i couldn't care less about. I have to say though the memory thing is quite bad i forget names and places and where i've put things. I take a food supplement Evening Primrose Oil with Multivitamins £2.95 30 capsules one a day from Asda my symtoms are not getting any worse so they could be working.
Lorraine | 10/04/2007 12:09:00
I had a partial hysterectomy at 44. I started HRT but put on so much weight that I stopped it. Also my mother died from breast cancer so my doctor thought it inadvisable to take HRT. Have had years of hot flushes, night sweats etc. Now at 57 I still get the occasional hot flush but this is much more manageable. I take a multivitamin for the over 50s and also Superdrug's omega 3,6 and 9 and co-enzyme Q10. I also take gingko biloba to try and improve my memory. I wouldn't want to come back as a woman!!
Linda | 10/04/2007 16:47:00
I have just started going through the menopause it is horrible,hot flushes,head aches, tearful. I am only 44(GP said I was quite young considering I have not had a hysterectomy) my doctor has put me on HRT I did want to try it. I am only on day 11 and already the hot flushes and head aches have reduced. So far so good, but it is early days, I will just see how I go on at the moment. The only up side is no periods, but they will start again with this HRT that I am on. If it makes me feel better I will stay on it.
Mrs diana mary stansall | 11/04/2007 00:12:00
yes i am 59 was on HRT it worked a treat - no hot flushes or sweating but after taking it for 3 years decided to stop. I reduced the dose gradually - and of course the hot flushes , accompanied by prickling skin and sweating have returned. i feel that the 3 years on HRt only postponed the symptons. If I had known this I would not have bothered taking it, prescriptions are not cheap and it cost me about £300 during the time i took it. Have tried black cohash and sage since, they make life more berable, but do not stop the heat completley. suppose I should be glad i dont suffer from headaches or migraine as well! cant say that it is pleasurable experience! 9.04.07
Jean Brown | 11/04/2007 09:40:00
I started with the menopause a few years ago, starting with severe mennoragia (not proper spelling), the treatment was the Mirena coil, which I thought made the symptoms worse, although it did stop the bleeding, but I think prolonged the main symptoms. Eventually I asked for it to be removed and I have been period free for 2 years. I get the odd hot flush, but my symptoms are few and far between now, so I think I escaped quite well. My specialist advised an hysterectomy, but I fought against it, and luckily it turned out OK, as I am not allowed HRT with having suffered a DVT after the birth of my first child when I was 18. The only real problem I suffer is weight gain, but that could also have something to do with the cravings I now have for chocolate, which could be a symptom of the menopause too, as I haven't always had this. But at 54 I think size "0" wouldn't suit me anyway!
susan stewart | 11/04/2007 09:47:00
i am 51 and have not had a period for almost a year, hot flushes sleepless nights major mood swings. Was on HRT for a while but took myself off, thought i could manage without. That was because i had non of the above, wouldnt go back on though. just decided to go with the flow and get on with my life. I am bringing up two of my grandchildren so sometimes i think i need an energy boost, and a memory stick implanted.
Rache Hamer | 11/04/2007 10:32:00
I had a full hysterectomy at the age of 36 when my consultant put me on HRT (Premarin) with the proviso that when I got to 55 I would have to come off the HRT. I'm 46 now, still on the HRT but the GP has recently changed it from Premarin to Elleste-Solo, lets hope they work better than the Premarin did as I still got hot flushes and my memory has deteriorated since the hysterectomy. My labido is low and so are my energy levels. My mother has recently died of breast cancer is making me re-evaluate the risks of taking HRT long-term. Hopefully medical science will come up with a better alternative before I have to come off the HRT at 55.
Thelma | 11/04/2007 10:41:00
I started going through the menopause at the age of 39 which was traumatic as I was trying to get pregnant after an earlier miscarriage. I started HRT treatment which gave me headaches so my GP took me off it. I am now 66. I still get the occasional hot flushes which don't really bother me but I often have trouble sleeping.
vivien | 11/04/2007 10:47:00
I started the menopause in my early forties when my periods suddenly became extremely heavy and seemingly endless but it was the hot flushes that really wore me out. My joints also started to ache and I was 'a little' bad tempered. I was put on the two tablet HRT(can't remember which one) and all my symptoms disappeared but of course I still had periods which were quite heavy and somewhat of an inconvenience. When I was 54 I decided to try the single HRT as I did not want the menstruation discomfort any longer. I tried a couple of different pills but did not react well to them - my blood pressure went up and I used to feel dizzy and stagger when walking so needless to say I took myself off the pills. In the intervening 5 years I have put on weight,am quite moody (for quite read very) and am full of aches and pains. Hot flushes are not too bad but I do sweat and it is very uncomfortable and smelly. I have tried various over the counter remedies but to be honest none of them seem to work for me and it gets very expensive. Just to cheer you up ladies - when I first started to suffer the effects of the menopause I went to the doc and I asked him how long all this was likely to last. His response was 'I have ladies in their 70's who are still experiencing some of the symptoms'. Oh dear!
Babs | 11/04/2007 10:49:00
I was catapulted into instant menopause via a full hysterectomy. I was put straight on to HRT. I felt the HRT was doing me good. Then I was put on to a lower dose, and the mood swings crept in, causing me to be way too over-emotional and irritable . So I was put back on the higher dose. Then the HRT health scares appeared in the press. Given another health problem which I have, my GP recommended that I should do without HRT. So I spent several years of my life with very little sleep, a drenched sweaty bed most nights, uncharacteristic irrationality,and mood swings which nearly caused the break-up of my relationship with my partner.All of this was not helped by "well-meaning" people who were constantly informing me that "our mothers had to manage without HRT." Well all I know is, if I had my time over again, I'd stop listening to advice, medical or otherwise, and do it MY way. One thing I've learned is that I know what's best for ME!
liz | 11/04/2007 11:06:00
I have been going through the menopose for 10 years now and it is terrible to say the least, night sweats,mood swings,flushes, the lot.when does it end, there have been times when I have thought about giving it all up,but then thought it is only a couple of more years to go,I have a wonderfull husband who is very understanding, who is there for me when I need him most. That is the most important thing for me knowing that my family are there when I need them.
Carolyn Smith | 11/04/2007 11:09:00
I began the menopause over 10 yrs ago and suffered dreadfully with hot flushes, night sweats etc. I was put on HRT which was wonderful, I felt great. Sadly during a long haul flight I developed a DVT and was immediately taken off the HRT. Now I'm told I'm unable to use the HRT again and will just have to "get on with it"! Any suggestions?
Kyle | 11/04/2007 11:14:00
It was 2003 and I had to have a kidney removed due to a toumour. I was 59 at the time and still had a bleed every 28 days. After the op I never had another period! I haven't had any menopausal symtoms at all. I feel great have lots of energy and have a good sex life. I am now 62 and am told only look mid 50. My GP did wonder if having a baby late in life had given my hormones a burst. So in many ways I feel deprived of a menopause.
Katy | 11/04/2007 12:01:00
After having a Hysterectomy at 32, although myovaries were left in, I started getting all the symptoms of menopause, and it was discovered that my ovaries were not functioning as well as they should, which brought me into an early menopause. Because I was young, and my doctor worried about cancer, I was put on a low-dosage HRT patch, which I've been on for the last 15 years. It hasn't been a total success, as I still get some effects of menopause, but my doctor worried about the long-term effect of taking HRT - so this was the best way of going for me. It's not ideal, but a lot better than the full-blown effects of menopause which, surprisingly, are still with me without the patches. I look forward to the ending of the menopause!
jan | 11/04/2007 12:55:00
Hi I was having an awful time,my Doctor never mentioned HRT,and I was feeling really really ill. I work nights,and I was suffering because I just wanted to go sleep and of course I could not. Then when I got home to sleep I was wide awake and could not sleep.I was in a vicious circle. I was having terrible flushes,they would make my face burn. About two years into all this my daughter gave me some soya milk to try. And I can honestly say that for me it has worked,I also was trying all the herbal remedies,but as soon as I started drinking soya milk[I still use cow milk occationally]my symtems seemed to ease. My flushes are practically non excistent,I still get tired,but I rest when I can to help,I also swim now,to tire myself for sleep. And I just think after a little kick start my system is responding better now. I dont think people realise just how bad the menapause is,I was preparing to give up work[and great financial loss,]I felt so bad. So good luck ladies,think positive,It will stop eventually.
Glo | 11/04/2007 13:21:00
Have been going through the menopause for a number of years, I was on HRT patches and found they helped a lot with the mood swings etc, I became more stable and the night sweats improved. After about fouryears I had to come off them as I had high blood pressure. Although I don't have night sweats as bad as I used to I still suffer from the,. I often feel hot and uncomfortable at night. My Moods can be unpredictable and I often feel tired. I have tried various herebaal treatments but can't say they have helped very much. I try to keep busy and not let it affect my life too much. I know at some point it will end. I try to remain positive and happy as I think that is what will help me most.
Annie | 11/04/2007 13:33:00
I started HRT 6 years ago and have been given repeat prescriptions by my doctor ever since, despite also having hypertension. I am worried about coming off because i feel so well. Where can I go to get my questions answered inconfidence?
Marita | 11/04/2007 13:44:00
It's good to hear that other women feel the same as me. I haven't had a period for nearly two years now, the hot flushes and sweat breakouts (not just at night) have stopped and, best of all, I have my memory back. I really thought I was starting to suffer from Alzheimer's, it was that bad. I could at times not even talk to anybody, because I couldn't follow the conversation due to bad memory. I still feel depressed at times, although this, too, has got better. I did feel so useless for a long time, and unfortunately my relationship with someone I had deeply fallen in love with, broke up, which nearly sent me over the edge. My energy level is a lot lower than it used to be. I find I have to rest more and get tired quicker than I used to (no more partying the night through). I have also put on some weight without changing my diet or the amount I eat. I really hope that I'll be able to change that again. When I was feeling really bad, I did go to my GP, who did not want to put me on HRT, but had nothing else to offer either. So I tried homeopathy, which seemed to help a little bit, but not very much. Hopefully, I will get back to a level that I feel happy with regarding energy, weight etc.
Jeannie | 11/04/2007 13:50:00
I feel I have had a fairly easy ride with the menopause. I began getting erratic periods in my mid forties and by late forties only two or three a year. The huge symptom I experienced was hot flushes and although most of them only lasted a short time, I was out for a Christmas meal where I felt one coming on but it just kept on going and I did not cool down. It lasted for about an hour or so where I kept feeling nausea and feeling as if I would pass out. All the time sitting on a kerb outside the restaurant in the freezing cold and rain. Then magically it vanished. My perimenopause began in my mid forties and a reasonably enlightened lady doctor I had said due to my medical history (a DVT 16 years earlier) she could not prescribe HRT but sent me to an NHS clinic to be evaluated and prescribed. Her reasons for this were the increased incidence of heart problems and osteoporosis and if we could nip it in the bud all well and good. After 18 frustrating months at this clinic I was discharged for the very reasons my doctor had sent me there in the first place!! Apparently my symptoms were not severe enough. I was recommended Black Cohosh or Red Clover but neither helped. The hot flushes, mood swings, mild depression, loss of short term memory, vaginal dryness continued but feeling on my own with it I lived with it. Shortly before my 50th birthday I had my last period and as that coincided with a major change in my life I barley noticed that I was not having them. The depression and mood swings dissapeared although I still get the hot flushes, particularly at times when I am anxious but no where near as severe.I still have the same sex drive and feel pretty good about life. Having been abandoned by the NHS I sought other remedies to resolve problems and a better diet and exercise helped enourmously. I also take a supplement daily and increased my calcium rich foods (my mother developed a 'dowager's hump probably due to bone density problems). I worry about heart issues as there is a history of strokes in the family but que sera sera. I do all I can to keep healthy and happy and feel lucky that my menopause was relatively free of the severe symptoms that make life so difficult for other ladies.
Alison Gibson | 11/04/2007 14:26:00
I had a vaginal hysterectomy in 2001 and refused HRT as I have a phobia about cancer. Within hours of coming round from the anesthetic I started hot flushes, and boy were they hot! I am still getting them and night sweats too. My mood swings are usually teary. The slightest thing sets me off. I sometime wonder how my hubby puts up with me. I am now used to sweating something horrible but do wonder will it ever end. I can't take over the counter remedies as I have heart failure rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis to contend with. But life goes on.
Jo Patterson | 11/04/2007 15:59:00
I haven't had a period in 2 years so I think I can say gone through the menopause. I certainly don't seem to have had the dreadfull symptoms described. On the flip side most of my worst experiences came through PMT which really caused havoc. Triedness, terrible mood swings, etc., fuzzy brain, I was treated eventually with HRT until the scare associated with it but 2 years later my periods stopped for a year then started for a year then stopped altogether. Whilst my periods stopped I felt so much better, the moment they came back all the symptons reappeared until they stopped again. I hope now I have gone through the menopause. My only wish is for treatment to be a lot more straight forward to at least help towards getting us ladies through the menopause.
Annie | 11/04/2007 16:26:00
Hi, like most women I suffered with the usual symptons ie hot flashes , night sweats, mood swings etc my doctor prescribed hrt which unfortunately had no effect on these and seemed to make me feel most unlike my usual bubbly self, I became very down and to be honest quite miserable so of course had to stop taking this. Fortunately for me my elder sister told me that the best thing for her was evening primrose tablets which I tried and used for a long time as they realy did help. My periods stopped for 11 months then came back with a venegace for another year and were very irregular sometimes one would start ony days after the last and were very painfull and heavy. I eventually stopped but every month I still got cramps etc and also severe migraines instead of the bleeding , lucky me lol. I have been finished now for over 2 years but am still on 4 beta blockers a day to keep the migraines less severe and regular as possible. I can only say that my GP was most understanding and helpfull so I consider myself lucky in that way as not all my friends have that experience with their GP's. I can only say that I hope at sometime something that really helps women through this without any side effects or health risks will emerge and can only think that if a male had to go through this it would be found sooner rather than later. Good luck to all of you still suffering .
Hils Hartley | 11/04/2007 16:32:00
I was put on the mirana by my GP when I was 50 and was able to have 5 yrs free of the dreaded bleeds. Always had heavy and iregular periods so she said this would be best. Worst part started last year when suddenly the hot flushes came, and they just seem to get worse each day. i agree that the mind does switch off just when you need it to be there lol. I.ve had what you might call a bleed but was very much like when they started ( 13yrs old)and over before I realy noticed. Oh that was a shock about the lady of 80 and still suffering the "Hots" I was hoping they would soon pass. My GP has said he prefers me to deal with it without HRT as its not suitable and sujested me try Eavening Primrose Oil...only thing I keep forgetting to take it LOL I agree with Jo "P" I feel on the whole I've escaped some of the worst symptoms you all describe, but now it seems the mood swings I remember having as a child are coming back twofold. i just wish there was something to make it all clear up quickly so I can get back onto enjoying my life.
Vicky Carpenter | 11/04/2007 17:17:00
I had a hysterectomy when I was 37 and like most other people have suffered from the menopause since then. I was given HRT for a short time but was not happy taking it as I was scared of breast cancer but was not given any alternatives. I have tried Evening Primrose oil, black cohosh and various other herbal rememedies. I was always in tears and suffered terribly from hot flushes and night sweats. For the past six months I have been on mild anti-depressants and for me these have worked. I am now 52 and finally feel much happier, no more tears, no sweats, the occasional night sweats but not as bad as they used to be.
Dot Smith | 11/04/2007 19:27:00
I was very happily on HRT when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 50. I had to stop the HRT immediately and cannot go back on it. The difference it made to me was astounding and I have tried many herbal/alternative therapies and nothing compares. I just have to be grateful that I am free from cancer and live with the sweats and flushes. Exercise does help though.
Jayne | 11/04/2007 19:53:00
I had a total hysterectomy at 33 which of course threw me straight into the menopause. I have had varying forms of HRT ever since and am quite happy on it. I hate the dry skin though but find that a small price to pay for the distinct lack of hot flushes and night sweats. I do get them, just not like I would if I wasn't on the treatment we don't have a history of breast cancer in the family so I'm not too worried if at all about that. I do check myself monthly anyway. The one thing I do hate is the vaginal dryness and itching. I wake in the morning and find that I've scratched myself raw.
Colleen | 11/04/2007 20:50:00
I am now 45, I started the menopause at the age of 35. I have night sweats and hot flushes, which drive me mad, but I refuse to take anything for it. My feelings are that it is a natural proccess in a womans life, and to make the most of it.
namgets | 11/04/2007 20:59:00
I had been going through the menopause for years, I was on HRT for 7 years. Then last october I stoped it.For 6 months I suffered really bad sweats. I had been taking Evening Primrose thinking this was what I needed. About 4 weeks ago I ran out of them so I decided to give up the Evening Primrose and I`ve not had a hot sweat since. I feel grat and have had a full night sleep the first for months.
Kate | 11/04/2007 21:56:00
I am now 55 and started the menopause nearly 5 years ago. For the first 3 years, I could have put myself in the freezer, I thought I would never feel cold again. I didn't like the thought of HRT as I was lead to believe that it came from brood mares, not sure if this was true. I only heard bad things about HRT. I found initially that Flash Fighters from Holland & Barrett really helped but after 6 months that stopped helping. I don;t know if it was just a blip or whether they really helped. I have muddled along for the last 5 years, my main problem is night sweats, unable to sleep at night and feel that I must be in the first stage of dementure, my short term memory has gone and I can never remember peoples names, it feels like a fog had taken over my brain.
Linda | 11/04/2007 22:35:00
Although i get the sweats, daytime and night time, i am not taking anything for them. I tried black cohosh, no joy there. I also tried red clover blossom, that was ok for a while but then wasn't. Menosan was quite good for the mood swings but I stopped taking that as well. Now I don't take anything at all and I seem to be getting on ok, except for the sweats. Sometimes I get lots, one after the other, sometimes not so many. I just cope with them, well we have to don't we? My doctor tried to get me to have HRT but I wanted to try getting on without. Then when things were really bad i went to the doctors again. This time i saw a different one and she asked me to think seriously about it. I never went back. I too get forgetful and yes foggy brained, but I put that down to age and being like my mum, who is also very forgetful.
Jill | 11/04/2007 22:41:00
I started the menopause in my thirties, am now 49, have tried HRT, which worked well. But, since there is a history of heart disease in my family, my Doctor took me off it. Alternative remedies have not worked and the symptoms are all there especially lack of memory, that is really bad somedays. I feel that Doctors do not really care about the symptoms, we just have to get on with it, but it is very frustrating when nothing else works.
Jennym01 | 11/04/2007 23:10:00
Finished periods 7 years ago, so think I'm about over it. Get occasional hot flush but rare, mood swings sometimes - maybe thats something I have to put up with?? Had no treatment as sister had HRT and ended up with pulmonary embolism so it frightened me enough to not bother.
Chris | 12/04/2007 00:28:00
Started waking in the night thinking I had literally gone swimmingwhen I was about 37/38. Totaly drenched to the point of having to change the bed as well as my own night clothes. Dr stated this was very early menopausal symptoms. Periods continued no problem - just the night sweats a real bug bear! My youngest child was born about 2 yrs later (39) and I then had a continual fight on my hands between the usual motherhood tiredness compounded with night sweats mood swings, cramps, headaches, depressions (severe) and what I would call simply Black days cos I had no other way to describe them. Eventually went on HRT after approximately 2 years of plotting what my symptoms were each day for my gp. Oh how wonderful!!! What a relief to begin to feel human again. On this for about 5 yrs when GP decided that was long enough due to history of cancer in the family. HRT stopped and was ok for about 2 months then as many of you have already said - back come the symptoms with a vengeance! Periods stopped at about 48 yrs with some very mild spotting roughly every 6 months. I am now coming up to 52 and have been back to my GP many times due to night sweats and daytime hot flushes which are so embarrassing as I work full time and am often involved in meetings, talks, discussions etc and the flushes are soooo obvious! Have been prescribed Norethisterone which I am told is not HRT but helps to counteract the hormone imbalance and this definitely helps a lot with the flushes but Not supposed to stay on it. Tried coming off again in the last few weeks but as soon as stopped about a week later it all starts again. Also constantly very tired, aching limbs, cramps, nausea, dry skin - reallly bad, sometimes I feel like tearing the skin from my shins in particular, - and joint stiffness. To compound matters have now been diagnosed with pernicious aneamia so do not know which symptoms are caused by which condition. Can't help wondering if it will ever end. Fed up with it all and have appointment to see consultant in endocrinology begining May. Hoping this will at least sort some of the confusion out and get me on some treatment that will give real benefit. Have tried evening primrose and B vitamins, cutting out caffeine and eating healthily but nothing seems to have much of an effect.. Ah well - here's to womenhood! Thank god at least I have been able to raise 3 lovely (now mostly grown up) kids and I wouldn't change that for the world. Just wish there wasn't this price to pay!.
Cynthia | 12/04/2007 10:10:00
Tried twice to give up HRT & now aged 61 after 8 yrs of the menopause still use half Evorel Conti patch twice a week which just controls worst symptoms such as bladder weakness, night sweats, hot flushes, feeling low. Premique Low Dose was the best but they've ceased production. Tried all herbal products but nothing worked so will stick to the patches for now. A friend in her 70's stopped taking HRT & her hot flushes came straight back so it seems they never naturally go away sadly!
Barbara | 12/04/2007 11:28:00
After a total hysterectomy in 2004 I have taken nothing at all and feel absolutely fine. I was advised at the time to try and manage without HRT if possible. I have managed quite well and take only extra calcium and vitamins occasionally to ward off osteoporosis. The only thing I have is very dry skin. I feel very lucky.
Jackie | 12/04/2007 11:38:00
After reading so many of the messages here I am finally relieved to see that I have not been going mad! My doctor refused to aknowledge my symptoms and just wanted to give me anti-depressants (As I told him - I have been depressed and this feeling is nothing like it!). I could only describe the way I was feeling by saying it felt like an 'out of body' experience - going through the motions and watching from afar. I am now on HRT after going to see a doctor at a private clinic and can say that there has been an improvement. I still have bad days and I need to ensure that I make allowances for those. It can be difficult to function as a mother, wife and business woman with the effects and very often you just have to laugh things off, it is like being the permanently 'blonde' caricature in many jokes! I would not wish these feelings on my worst enemy.
Jean | 12/04/2007 12:14:00
What a depressing read! I am now 53 and haven't had proper periods for 3 years. At 50 started taking Premique tablets (HRT) and that stopped the hot flushes, the desire to kill anyone but particularly my partner and helped couteract the total fatigue, loss of sleep etc etc that I had before the HRT My GP now wants me to stop the HRT due to high blood pressure but I am resisting so far, as the symptoms without it were horrendous. Also in FT job and recognise the comments made about the difficulty in managing both menopause and work. But its a bit of a choice - murder or a stroke?!
Chaney | 12/04/2007 12:21:00
I had my ovaries removed in 2001 at the age of 40. For the first few months I symptom free, however, I soon became very tired, suffered memory loss, was permanently hot with night sweats and horrible hot flushes, I lost interest in sex and my hair thinned so I decided I needed HRT. Because I had had breast cancer, my doctor was reluctant to prescribe HRT and gave me a very low dose. After two years, I stopped taking it as it didn’t make a difference and the periods I had were very heavy. Currently I try to deal with the symptoms and I have found Nourikin very helpful for the hair loss if not a little expensive and CoQ-10 and sudoku helpful for the memory loss. The hot flushes are still a problem as is the loss of sex drive. Does anyone know anything to help? I am dreading another hot summer!
Ann | 12/04/2007 14:48:00
I think I have been very lucky - I haven't been on any tablets and have put the hot flushes down to the fact I'm always hot anyway. I do wake in the night a lot again very hot, and am pretty tired all the time, but thought that was just having a heavy job. I haven't had a period for a long time , probably over 2 years and had odd heavy ones every 4 to 6 months for a few years before that. I am now 54. I have never taken the pill or HRT but do take chromium, omega 3,6,and 9 and 50+ vitamins. Other than being well over weight I seem to have done very well. Oh and my sex drive's fine - which is more than can be said of my husbands!!
Lorraine | 12/04/2007 15:41:00
I have been going through the menopuase for about 7 years, I have not taken HRT, have tried menopace, and various herbal formulas, all help for a while, I suffer from the usual hot flushes, tiredness mood swings, and just when I think the menstrual cycle is over for good, it up and surprises me (on three occasions so far!) I work with other menopausal ladies, and we each feel the worst effect is lack of confidence, poor memory leaving you feeling totally incompetant, fortunately we have each other for support.
Jo Patterson | 12/04/2007 15:57:00
Just a follow up yesterday to my comments. Lucky for me I didn't really notice 'hot flushes' I am always a bit hot and bothered anyway. The HRT did help with the really, really appalling moods and terrible tiedness. My doctor wouldn't prescribe anymore due to the financal cost, but I had already decided to stop having the implants anyway. I did have something said to me that made me think, perhaps the HRT had subduded the PMT symptoms but had infact prolonged the menopause. I do know that at the time HRT was the only route for my sanity and No I certainly don't believe its in anyway natural to have your life turned upside down with such terrible black moods etc., If you can find something whether it be a natural or HRT route you have to decide what your own needs are. I also had migraines very bad and it was only a little article I found in a magazine telling you about Magensium OK. for years I had rubbish tablets from the doctor, within a month of taking this supplement they just went!! There you go!! Also Anne yesterday you asked about asking questions in confidence, if you have a Well Woman clinic near you or perhaps your doctor runs a clinic for ladies you might try there.
Roz | 12/04/2007 16:01:00
Just a warning to women in the same circumstances: I had a hysterectomy aged 36 before HRT etc. and it was the best thing I ever did - I thought. Within four years I had overwhelming hot flushes and sudden but momentary blanks in my head and was diagnosed with the menopause. So I carried on raising the family, looking after an invalid husband and being the breadwinner. Just three weeks after being one of the first to attend a well-women's clinic where everything was deemed excellent, I dropped dead from a heart attack near enough to a hospital to be revived. HRT then newly around was banned after a heart attack so after putting on 5 stones due to medication, after 15 months I stopped taking the tablets and began to feel better. However, I still felt the hot sweats and the flushes in varying degrees and was told that now 20 years after the hysterectomy I was suffering from post-menopausal symptoms! Since heart surgery and stent implants, I have felt a lot better but those hot flushes return if I am under stress. I think all women should have regular ECGs to ensure that the menopause really is the only cause of their symptoms. I have also lost seven friends to breast cancer, all of whom were told it was the menopause causing problems before the real reason was diagnosed too late.
penny | 12/04/2007 16:19:00
i have been going thru the process of the change for the last two years. i find the hot flushes not to bad if i stay calm. but the night sweats are awfull. waking up in a very wet bed makes me feel as if i am bad for this to happen. the mood swings seem to be in control since they changed my anti depressents. but the uncertianity of when or if a period is to happen is my bigest fear. some months nothing others normal but worse still is the flooding which doesnt let up even for one hour in all twenty four the no slow down is a major problem over night as the alram has to be set for every 45 mins all night long. my gp wont give me hrt as i am on other meds that will be effected by it. i just hope that it will all end very soon.
Christine | 12/04/2007 17:08:00
Suffered with the Peri-Menopause since I was 36, but no one ever told me this existed! Gran and Mum had early menopause at 38 but GP dismissed this as cause of "sweats" or clinical depression x 2. I was 43 when my then GP requested blood tests to check for monopause but results were confusing: increase oestrogen and reduced testosterone! Advised it did not mean I wasn't experiencing the menopause. Constantly tired but could have been an undiagnosed thyroid condition, lacking energy, forgetful, "sweats" that were becoming more prolonged, frequent, and severe, and disturbed sleep patterns. Had to force myself to work instead of sleep and doesed off every time I sat down. A change of GP when 48 resulted in diagnosis of thyroid condition and improved energy, some weight-loss (about 1/2/ a stone) but not as much as had been put on. Increased weight every time my thyroid deteriorated and recovered about 1/2 of that with correct medication - was the extra to do with the menopause?! Periods had been troublesome since teens and always heavy. 15-late 20s passed out each month and lost 3 days school/work. Late 20s-mid-30s developed blinding severe migraines with my periods and lost 3 days work each time, but as they were still irregular almost lost a job as Personnel did not believe the two connected. Also had iron tablets at intervals for resulting anaemia. Not had these since thyriod medicated. At 43 on losing a job because of another bout of clinical depression, stress, confusion, excessive tiredness, had a month-long period: extremely heavy. I could not go tob the phone, bed, or out of the house for help. I had to live on the toilet 24hrs a day for the full 31 days! After this next period was 56 days later and frequency then varied greatly from 11 days apart to 3 months apart. At worst point in the hot flushes, the water just poured off my head soaking my hair and clothes, and evern with upper body "sweats" too. Then my back and head got extremely cold and I had endless chills, coughs, colds, flu, etc. Hardly ever well! With thyroid condition cannot tolerate cold as it is. Needed to take 'suitcase' to work full of day's changes of clothing. With just enough uniform for 7 shifts had to minimise changes when at work but wore own clothes to travel to and fro. Days off would have 14 changes a day. Tried HRT tablets but not told any other alternatives. Didn't get to grips with these - 2 periods a month and very heavy, plus felt mentally sluggish, so gave up. Was talked into Chinese remedies: chinese herbal medicines, cupping, acupuncture to no avail - almost bankrupted me! Finally persuaded to give some herbal remedies a chance. Sage tea with (pleasant if honey added), agnus castus, and milk thistle did little if anything to help with the flushes. Unable to try St John's Wort due to being on thyroxine. Black cohosh I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but it did at least help with the flushes, but then I developed intolerance to it about halfway through the bottle. Repeated lashings of vaseline under my chin, on my neck and decolletage helped to soothe my sore, chafed skin. Blueberries helped me overcome the chills, etc, and I became well again. The book "Eating for the Menopause" suggested foods for dieting such as semi-skimmed milk and polyunsaturated margarine used chemicals that blocked the absorption of calcium and recommended full cream milk and butter. I worked! I lost some weight around my waist and can be certain calcium has been absorbed by my body. Thankfully, now I'm 53, the hot flushes have diminished naturally and I hope this means I am coming to the end of these. One of my doctors did not give me much hope in this regard as he told me many women suffer these for the rest of their lives!! My last period was over 6 months ago. I hope it is my last one and I can then give away all the sanitary products I still have. Hopefully, future generations will have an easier time of it than us.
cath | 12/04/2007 21:43:00
As with a lot of women i find the sweats the worst thing to deal with doctor took me of HRT due to fibroids and the sweats are bad enough but due to another tablet im on i have even worse sweats wish it was all finished
Shelley | 12/04/2007 23:13:00
I'm going through the menopause , because chemotherapy brought it on. I cannot go on HRT , I am receptive -positive. I find the hot flushes and night sweats never seem to get better, this has been happening for the last two years I am 43.
Wend | 13/04/2007 00:11:00
I had an abdominal hysterectomy leaving the ovaries when I was 36. I am now 49 and my flushes and night sweats just get worse!! I am trying to avoid HRT as I believe it only delays the symptoms, not help you through them. At the moment I am trying black cohosh which I have been on for a few weeks. It is supposed to help a great deal with flushes and sweats so hopefully the very embarassing incident in the queue at Barclays the other day will be a distant memory. Watch this space .....
Bes | 13/04/2007 00:46:00
I went on HRT before I started menopause due to family history. Can't say I felt a new woman but it did help with hot flushes. However when health scares started I stopped taking it so had to put up with symptons. Now reports are reversing the worries. Oh the joys of being female I'm coming back next time as a man!!!!!!
KAS | 13/04/2007 12:59:00
Wow, after reading some of these comments, I think I am so lucky. I am only 48 and think I am through the menopause now as I haven't had a period for nearly 2 years. The only thing I am aware of suffering from were the night sweats and constantly needing the toilet in the middle of the night. The night sweats drove me mad for a couple of years then they suddenly stopped in the middle of the summer of 2005. The toilet issue is not constant now, nor as bad. In fact sometimes I wake up so pleased because I didn't have to get up. I never suffered anything else that I am aware of. I never took anything, but do take various vitamins anyway. I have had a bone scan because my mum has osteoperosis and my bones were already thinning. Hopefully, I am eating and exercising well enough to keep that at bay. My doctor did offer me something (can't remember what it was, but it wasn't HRT) but I only went to see her for confirmation that I was going through the menopause, therefore I said no. Luckily, I had no real need.
robdor | 13/04/2007 20:40:00
I have read with great interest the comments made by other women who are going through the menopause. I have found it reassuring to read that other women are having similar problems to me. I am 63 years of age, had a hysterectomy when I was 44 due to excessive bleeding caused by fibroids. I started taking HRT tablets(Hormonin) when I was 55 & the hot flushes & sweats disappeared. However, when I was 60 after chatting with my Nurse/Practioner we jointly decided I should come off this medication. Then the hot sweats & flushes returned much worse than previously, these are also accompanied by me needing to visit the bathroom usually about every hour day & night. I also now have osteoporosis, spondilosys & osteo arthritis so these problems could all be linked together, no one can tell me if this is the case. I have been taking alternative medication (sage extract & soy isoflavanes) for about 2 months, so far it hasn't made any difference, I have been told it takes around 3 months to get into your system, I am still hopeful.
maryclare | 13/04/2007 22:21:00
I have found black cohosh and red clover blossom very helpful with my hot flushes. I have also been recommended sage which I am going to purchase within the next few days as I have been told this is both safe and effective. I have never tried HRT. and don't itend to as I don't want to take the risk of developing the likes of breast cancer.
Julia | 14/04/2007 10:52:00
I started the menapose @ 32 terible time for me then a few months later found out i had Breast Cancer terrible time i have had now got other problems to related to early menapose ostoathrius farcture bones cannot take H.R.T because of the breast cancer as it is geneticly linked if anyone has problems like this i 'd like to help thanks
Susan | 14/04/2007 14:37:00
The worst part of the menopause for me is, the mood swings,and not knowing whether or not, I am going to have a period, and if I do then how long and whether it's going to be heavy or not.
Jayne E | 14/04/2007 17:25:00
I think I've been going through this for about six years now - I'm fat with a big thick neck, hugely foggy brain, trying to hold on to a full time job with a big red face and massive sweats, waking up in the night for hours at a time......I used to sleep through, was a size 8 all my life - never sweated.....who the hell is this big fat thing that's taken over my body????? I'm 50 now and can't wait to stop bleeding and moaning. I've been on prozac for PMS, (which is absolutely brilliant) for about 9 years now and I know without it this damn menopause would be a lot worse, it's bad enough as it is! I can't wait to come out the other side and get my energy, brain and strength back - the hot vile sweats I can cope with - the loss of myself and my confidence I can't. I find huge help and consolation and fun in my women friends who are going through the same things. No matter how bad things get for all of us, we laugh about our 'tropical moments', and we all empathise with those foggy, 'I'm not here' days - getting each other through those awful moody murderous times. I read on another site a while ago - 'stuff your handbag full of sanitary towels for the duration and pack away those cream trousers for the next few years' - how true is that? Hang on to your sense of humour girls, it WILL NOT go on for ever.
Jan | 14/04/2007 22:22:00
After having had breast cancer three times, I was offered genetic testing. This showed that I am carrying the BRCA1 gene, which also causes ovarian cancer. Obviously, i wasn't going to take any risks, so I had both my ovaries removed as a precaution. this forced me into an early menopause, at 38. Not being able to have HRT, I have had to suffer the symptoms of the menopause. I am loathe to take any herbal remedies, as some can react with the medication I am on. I suffer terribly with night sweats, waking 3 or 4 times in the night. I get a lot of headaches and general aches and pains. On a very personal note, I find intercourse extremely painful. You can imagine the effect this has had on our love life! Ii have tried various remedies but nothing helps really. I have lost my sex drive anyway, so the pain just makes it worse. Luckily I have a very understanding husband. I find that I constantly forget things and have become quite 'dippy'. I am also feeling exhausted most of the time. I do have a 7 year old boy who runs me ragged, but I feel a lot worse than I should do. i have resigned myself to these feelings now and just try to manage as best I can. I have some great friends that help out whenever they can. At least I'm still alive - that's the main thing - everything else is a bonus.
Cathy | 15/04/2007 21:46:00
I had a hysterectomy in my 30's i am now 50. I started the menopause a year ago in Nov 05 and I had all the usual things, Night sweats, hot flushes, mood swings, went off sex, I didn't go on HRT as 2 of my sisters have had breast cancer and I used Holland and Barrett Flash fighters, changed to Soya yogurts and milk and this did the trick for me, now I have finished the hot flushes but have dreadful mood swings my poor partner just keeps out of my way and is very understanding. Also I want sex more but I tend to be dry. Does anyone know of any herbal remedies for the mood swings as they are driving me mad.
yvonne porter | 16/04/2007 18:48:00
I started the menopause about 45 yrs of age and immediately went on HRT. I saw no reason to suffer the symptoms if i didn't have to. I changed my HRT tablets 3 years ago because I had been taking them almost 15 yrs but when I tried coming off the tablets the symptoms returned. My GP prescribed a not so strong tablet, which i don't need to take every day, thus reducing the risk associated with HRT.
Sara | 17/04/2007 13:02:00
What is the earliest age when people get menopausal without surgical intervention?
lynda | 24/04/2007 23:21:00
Hi, I started the menopause about 2 years ago.During the first year had hot sweats intermittantly, then whoosh! during the 2nd year suffered terribly with them both day and night.Advised by the doctor that the only thing I could take to ease them was to take vitamin b, no mention of any hrt treatment to me at all.Meanwhile had sent for a free box of herbal tablets called 'menocool' Apparently they contain hops.buckwheat,blackoats,barley and various other grains.I took one a day (apparently at first you are supposed to take two) and after about a month my night sweats stopped and the day ones happened very rarely. I felt so much better because my sleep pattern was better. Unfortunately the freebies ran out and after about a week I felt absolutely awful again, day and night sweats and tired again.I ordered a new pack off the internet from body and mind shop as they are not available from shops in the highstreet. Have read that hops are good to promote calm and I agree that I felt so much more relaxed when taking the tablets, especially when the hot sweats stopped obviously!I am not at all sure about hrt treatment and am unwilling to try it so I am going to keep with the menocool tablets because they seemed to work for me.
catherineb | 25/04/2007 19:56:00
I'm 58 and had a partial hysterectomy in 1993. I have 'fibromyalgia' memory problems and flushes. I have always had thrush and cystitis but over the last three years I've been having increasingly frequent and severe bouts which now are pretty constant. I've been told by colleagues that this can be due to hormonal changes that affect the bladder. I'm waiting for a urologist referral and feeling desperate. Has anyone experienced this and has anything helped? I've tried various antibiotics which either do nothing or give me an allergic reaction. I'm also taking Uva Ursi, drinking lots of water etc.
Bernice | 25/04/2007 19:58:00
I'm 58 and had a partial hysterectomy in 1993. I have 'fibromyalgia' memory problems and flushes. I have always had thrush and cystitis but over the last three years I've been having increasingly frequent and severe bouts which now are pretty constant. I've been told by colleagues that this can be due to hormonal changes that affect the bladder. I'm waiting for a urologist referral and feeling desperate. Has anyone experienced this and has anything helped? I've tried various antibiotics which either do nothing or give me an allergic reaction. I'm also taking Uva Ursi, drinking lots of water etc.
Chrissie | 03/05/2007 19:52:00
I am a happy go lucky 54 year old, soon to be 55 and proud to be a woman. We have all been on the fantastic journey of womanhood and that's what joins us together, we know, we understand each other. My periods started at the age of 13 and ended at 47 (my mother was 37 and her mother was 40 when they entered the Menopause) Yippee, no more tampons, although having 4 teenage daughters I still had to buy them in bulk....why have we had to fork out so much money over the years?? I was put on HRT and loved it, my skin looked like a peach, I had energy and my sex life was wonderful, no more worries over birth control, wow! Then at 51 I developed lumps in the breast and lumps in the uterus, all benign but was taken off HRT and went the herbal route. Like many of you I had mixed results. My skin then lost it's bloom , I suffered from vaginal dryness and had a 2 stone weight increase. What now works for me is to completely ditch any chemicals. I just take Vitamin E in the highest dose recommended, Collagen and take a capful of pure Aloe Vera Gel internally after breakfast and use 100% Aloe Vera Gelly for vaginal dryness - works like magic! Both from Forever Living Products (don't be tempted to buy other makes - tried and they don't work) No I'm not an agent, but their Bee Pollen and Royal Jelly for energy are also brilliant! On a daily basis, I put baby oil on my skin after a shower and before patting myself dry and if you put a bit round your genital area, it can also be arousing and is perfectly safe. The biggest change for me is to drink lots more water than I used to do. I would highly recommend reading "Your body's many cries for water" by Dr F Batmanghelidj as so many of you are writing about symptoms which would indicate water shortage in the body. I'm now enjoying perfect health, no worries whatsoever and enjoying a really beautiful fulfilling sex life. GET RID OF THOSE CHEMICALS! Big hug to you all.
Sue | 13/05/2007 02:35:00
I am 50 years old and started having hot flushes and night sweats last year. I have had a Mirena coil for 7 years and have just recently had a new one fitted, the night sweats have stopped and I no longer have so many hot flushes I just get a bit warm now and then. Not sure if its due to the Mirena coil but I think it probably is.
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