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[Dancinggirl]

JeanneA
Why are you so worried about the cancer risk?  The risk is very small and HRT actually benefits the heart and bones. Is there breast cancer in your family?
Quality of life is terribly important and if the meno symptoms are getting you down it's well worth trying HRT.  Do you have a good GP who you can talk to or perhaps a local meno clinic?
I don't know what stage of the meno you are at  - your age etc. but trying a low dose to start with could be good - perhaps Femiston, as it's tolerated well by many women.  DG x

[Ruth58]

Hot flushes & night sweats struck me with a vengeance in February.  Up until then I'd got off pretty lightly; I'm 54 and had one spell of night sweats a while ago but they went after taking soy isoflavones and a few sessions of acupuncture.  Since Feb until last week, my sleep was badly disturbed and was getting flushes just about hourly through the day.  I have a busy job and balance alot of things so was really struggling.  I asked my GP to put me on HRT - everyone I know who has used it hasn't had a problem and all used it successfully to treat flushes.  I have fibroids so had to get them measured to check whether they've grown in the 3 years since they were last measured (I still get the occasional period so HRT may stimulate them).  I immediately re-started soy isoflavones but it made no difference and getting fibroids measured etc took time, so in desperation I tried other things.  I got a Lady Care magnet (recommended by 2 women in X-ray dept where I got fibroids measured), started taking MenoSerene (from Healthspan) and Starflower Oil (after reading success stories on this site), and started acupuncture.  I had my 4th session of acupuncture last week and all sweats/surges have stopped, I am sleeping better than for months and I feel well 'balanced' again.  Obviously all of this is costing money, but I do think the acupuncture has worked and that Starflower oil in particular helped (I noticed an improvement quite soon).  Not sure whether the magnet did anything but it may have eased the severity of the 'surges'.  The acupuncturist thinks the vitamins will have helped.  MenoSerene has all sort of things in and I reckon it has helped.  I was dreading the summer and as most of my clothes are quite fitted, started looking out for loose clothes particularly for work.  Am keeping fingers crossed that the acupuncture has done the trick and that I won't need HRT (as it's like the grim reaper, it'll get you at some point).  Although acupuncture isn't cheap and I need several more sessions, it does seem to have worked so I am looking on it as an investment.

[Claireylou]

Good morning everyone, I hope that you're all feeling fine and dandy.

I've a quick question. Since being in peri I have been having night sweats in the few days leading up to my period. The same this month for me but instead of the sweats stopping they have continued. I got hardly any sleep last night because I kept waking up soaking wet and had to jump in the shower and change clothes. I feel so low and exhausted today.

Is it normal for the sweats to continue through my period?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Claire xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Claireylou
It sounds to me as though you are getting deeper into the menopause. Of course the very humid weather we've been having lately will make any sweats a lot worse as well. Are your periods still regular? What age are you?
No two women are the same when it comes to the menopause.
DG x

[Claireylou]

Hi DG and thank you for replying.

I'm 43, been in peri for about 3 years. My mum had completely gone through by age 46.

My periods are a bit more erratic these days, ranging from two weeks late to two weeks early. This one is very light with no pains or pmt so I'm guessing that's the reason why my night sweats are still lurking.

Thanks again xx

[Dancinggirl]

If you are peri at such an early age, have you not been told you need HRT? The normal age of meno is 50-54 and if you are getting oestrogen deficient then you are in danger of developing osteoporosis and possibly heart disease.
I'd hotfoot to the GP and ask if it isn't high time you started on some low dose HRT to prevent bone loss and reduce the meno symptoms that are now really impacting on your quality of life.  If you have one of the ignorant GPs who are still very anti HRT then ask for a referral to a gynae or a meno clinic if there is one in your area. It's sometimes worth asking if there is someone who is specialising in menopause at your GP surgery.  Do read up all the info under the headings to the left to this screen as it will arm you with everything you need to know and you can print stuff off to show the GP if necessary.
I was peri meno from my mid 30s and my GP simply said that if I was her daughter she would be insisting I take HRT & this was over 20 years ago. Dg x

[Claireylou]

Thanks for that DG. My GP is part of a tiny village practice so maybe I'll go and sound him out about a referral.

Take care xx

[Jessiesmum]

I'm 55 now and my hot flushes started about 4 years ago, and intensified hugely about 2 years ago. 3 - 4 flushes per hour during the day (tip to toe) and 8 - 12 a night (soaking). My mum had breast cancer, so HRT isn't really an option. I've tried a million natural remedies (or that's what it feels like) and I've certainly tried everything that people usually try - without any success whatsoever. However, I have had success with a few natural treatments. The first was a combination of barley & wheatgrass. It was amazing; the hot flushes stopped within THREE days. Incredible. Regrettably this only lasted for about 10 weeks, then they gradually came back again. I saw a Kinesiologist for a while, which was very expensive, truth be told. However, at one point the combination she was prescribing me did result in the hot flushes to stop for about 3 months. But then, same as before, they gradually came back again. And nothing she did subsequently made any difference, so I stopped wasting my money. Then a friend told me about Peruvian Maca root. She was on MacaFema and her hot flushes had stopped. First I tried Rainforest Alliance 'Organic Maca Root powder capsules' which didn't do a thing. Then I switched to this MacaFema, and that was successful. It took about 2 weeks for the flushes to go, and then the same happened: they gradually came back after about 10 weeks.
It seems to me that your body simply adjusts to whatever you put in it, and then reverts to where it was before you started taking it.
My GP suggested I try Fluoxetine, another name for Prozac, but this didn't do anything, regrettably.
NB Anti-depressants are NOT necessarily prescribed for depression in menopausal women, but because they have shown to sometimes help in suppressing hot flushes - although, as far as I am aware, it is not really certain why that should be so.
I've tried Red Clover before, but I'll give it another shot. Promensil double strength. At least there have been 15 years of clinical trials (some positive, some inconclusive). When you have a history of breast cancer yourself, or in your immediate family, be careful what you take. In the case of Red Clover it has been shown that, although it is not recommended if you have had breast cancer yourself, there is no evidence of change in breast density over a period of 1 - 3 years in those who have a history of breast cancer in their immediate family.
It was interesting to read about the Star Oil, but the point is that there's not much in the way of clinical trials that I've been able to find. So, because of my mum's breast cancer, I will steer clear of it.
A Chillow is very good when you are having a night sweat. Put it aside afterwards to let it cool down again for the next wave.
Bamboo bedlinen is meant to be much better than 100% cotton even. I've just ordered a sheet and will let you know!

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome jessiesmum
Thank you for sharing your experiences.  It is very difficult when HRT is not an option.
I have heard that acupuncture is good but this can be expensive and you have to find a good practitioner.
I had a premature menopause so had to have HRT from my late 30s. I took a break from HRT at 49 thinking it was time to stop and I was was fed up with the period pains each month.  I tried all the herbs, alternative remedies and diet options with no success. I put up with 3 years of hell, then gave in and went back on HRT.
I'm now 58 and have been off HRT for over 9 months now and I've actually coped better this time.  The recent hot and humid weather was a nightmare though!!!  For me it's the dreadful heat creeping up my legs at night - I feel as though my legs are going to explode - like you I use a chillow.
Do look again at the 'Prescribable non-HRT' section to the left of this screen as there are other drug options you could try.
I do think it is worth taking a good multi vitamin and some omega oils just to support the immune system - if one is sleep deprived(which most of us are) it can lay us low.
Keep posting  DG x

[Karina]

It seems to me that your body simply adjusts to whatever you put in it, and then reverts to where it was before you started taking it.

Well this says it all for me! I have been 2 years into my change. I have had fibroid tumors and endometriosis since my 30's. I had one fibroid removed prior to pregnancy and two fibroids when I was pregnant. Also, both mom and grandmother had breast cancer so NO HRT for me. In the beginning my periods were so heavy I became anemic. Could not tolerate iron pills so began taking Floradix which helped immensely with the fatigue due to heavy bleeding. Then they stopped. 2-3 months without a period then one that lasted 10 days and so on. Finally they became lighter and less frequent. Then came the hot flashes and night sweats along with mood swings.

The Doc suggested AD's which I promptly shut down the notion since I have had friends and family members who got much worse on the rollercoaster of trying 5-6 different pills to try and find one that works. To no avail. My petite sister even gained 30 lbs. on one of them (Paxil). So I got my research geek on and started digging. Unfortunately each time I seem to find something that eliminates them they come back after a few months. I will detail these below.

• Vitex - worked a bit for a few weeks
• DHEA - I have taken this for years on and off and decided to go back on. Helps with weight & libido. Not so much the hot flashes and night sweats
• Black Cohosh - no discernible difference
• Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) - this worked amazingly for about 3 months. Thought I had found my miracle cure. But now they are back!
• Exercise - helps a bit but who feels like heating up more?
• Sage - cuts down on the sweating, not as visible to others when you are having a hot flash
• Muscle relaxer (cyclobenzaprine) - take one at night when it is a last resort because the sweats are so bad I cannot sleep. At least I get a few hours but feel sluggish the next day. I am prescribed these for back issues since my 20's but take these as all meds very sparingly.
• Soy milk - no difference
• Biosil - this product I took because my long, thick hair was thinning rapidly. I can't say enough great things about this stuff. It has helped stop my thinning hair and nails and is great for bones too!!
• No more coffee - just felt it triggered them

I am certain I have forgotten a few but these are a good list of my attempts at sanity. I still take the Vitamin E, just started the Sage a few weeks ago, Biosil, and try to eat healthy. The worst is not sleeping right. Interruptions from kicking off the covers in intense heat and waking a few minutes later freezing from the A/C is so tough. I guess we are all looking for a fix to the crazy time of women's lives. It is just nice to feel we are not alone in this quest...

[Lady D]

I am not on any meds specifically for meno although on citalopram for low mood not that it's helping hot flushes!  I don't actually sweat just feet hot from neck upwards.  Occ Health recommended a fan at work which I used and everyone is jealous given the weather lately!  Plus have a fan by bed at home.

Biosol sounds interesting Karina - hair is thinner but was never thick tbh!  But I'm in the process of losing a big toe nail so wondering if it might help with that?!

[Rowan]

Interesting reading

http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/cure-for-hot-flashes.html#axzz39W0nA84n

[Mindylk]

Hi ladies,
I've been mostly a lurker here, desperately seeking a remedy for terrible hot flashes. I'm 47 and a breast cancer survivor, so menopause is starting a little early for me and HRT is absolutely not an option.

A few months ago I suddenly found myself in hot flash hell (and here I thought Tamoxifen and chemo hot flashes were bad!), having awful, sweaty ones every 30 minutes (I charted them) and didn't get a good night of sleep for about 7 weeks.

Nettle tea for adrenal support, wild yam cream with no bio-identical progesterone, and magnesium brought them down to once an hour. Several other things did zero. Then I found people talking about Starflower / Borage Oil here and started taking it. I started at 1000 mg twice a day for a week and had mild improvement in the intensity, but not quantity. Then read that some people have better luck with 3000 mg a day. I increased to 1000 mg 3 x day and saw an immediate improvement. That was about 3-4 weeks ago and I'm still pinching myself with joy because now the hot flashes are few and mild. What a relief!

I'M ANOTHER STARFLOWER OIL SUCCESS STORY! WOOHOO!!!

Mindy

[lg0053]

I feel for all you ladies out there suffering with hot flushes. Friends of mine are going through something similar so I do empathize....I am amazed that at 49 I haven't had any hot flushes at all but I have read some research that eating/drinking soya can prevent the flushes happening and as I have been doing this since I was 23 it just may be working! My GP did say that this may only have a positive effect if you have been having soya for a long time. I would urge everybody to let the younger generation of women know about the positive effects of soya - its good for cholesterol too! Many soya drinks contains lots of great vitamins too including vitamin C and D so an added bonus! 

[Taz2]

Hi lg 

Yes it's always worth trying alternative therapies. This is the information from the menu on the left of the screen http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/phytoestrogens.php  No good for me I'm afraid as I've got a sensitivity to soya.

Just to say, also, that a lot of women (me included) don't start to get hot flushes until well into their fifties so fingers crossed you stay flush-free!!

Taz x