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[kayeb]

Thought I would add my thoughts.

Aged 50 & bad skin & hot flushes for 18 months, dr prescribed prempak c, took for 3 months, horrendous periods, support & info on this website was brilliant.

Decided to stop hrt & try natural methods, read marilyn glenvilles book, have been taking menopace plus, omega 3 & now trying black cohosh. Hot flushes have returned but not horrendous. Also given up chocolate, biscuits & cake & replaced them with nuts, peanut butter, fruit & whole grain bread.

Have to say moods are even, I have lost 10 pounds in 8 weeks without too much difficulty, skin & hair are improving although my husband does complain about having a wife who is clammy from time to time!

While I am reasonably ok I will stay off the HRT but each woman has to read up the advice & make her own decision.

Good luck to all of you & thanks for coñtributing to such a supportive forum.

[karin]

Thanks kayeb
Yours sounds similar to mine- i never had pmt until i tried hrt, loved oestrogen though!! I do watch my diet and am trying starflower along with an iron/b6 supp for hair etc. ive only very recently stopped hrt so full force yet to come, but feeling fine!
  Can i just throw in a question regarding these ads ive seen for 'natural oestrogen' does anyone know much about them? 

[CLKD]

Karin - take the advert to your local Pharamacist for a chat about them?

[Rowan]

I highly recommend Marilyn Glenville's book "Natural Solutions for Menopause"

Have it on my kindle.

[Sparky64]

Aren't you tempted to try another type of HRT though. There are lots of options and they can differ vastly in terms of side effects.  Seems a shame if you are suffering so much.

Honestly no like I said in my previous post they don't know enough about the side effects for my liking. The way I look at it is, even if I was on hrt I would have to come off it eventually and would go through the menopause so what's the point. Every now and the hot flushes calm down for a day or two then wham 10 times worse than before with another new symptom lol.  Lack of sleep gets me down so every now and then I take a zopiclone still wake up many times during the night soaked and have to change the bed just get back to sleep easier with the sleeping tablet.. This morning at 6/30 am I was sat in the garden with just my nightie on with the wind howling it was heaven, god knows what the neighbours think lol..

Sparky x

[Dandelion]

Dandelion, hate to say it but you are pinning so much hope on something you have not even tried yet. I used utrogestan and hated it as have quite a few on the forum.

This is a thread for those not taking HRT.....ideas....suggestions....recommendations.

Maybe wait until you have tried before you recommend.


Honeyb
x

Thanks but I don't need to be told that utro is not fully successful, as I already know it isn't.
It has a better likelihood of success than norethisterone though, so there is nothing wrong with my comment.
If I get any problems from utrogestan, then I will deal with them if, and as they arise.
thanks

[Dandelion]

Honestly no like I said in my previous post they don't know enough about the side effects for my liking. The way I look at it is, even if I was on hrt I would have to come off it eventually and would go through the menopause so what's the point. Every now and the hot flushes calm down for a day or two then wham 10 times worse than before with another new symptom lol.  Lack of sleep gets me down so every now and then I take a zopiclone still wake up many times during the night soaked and have to change the bed just get back to sleep easier with the sleeping tablet.. This morning at 6/30 am I was sat in the garden with just my nightie on with the wind howling it was heaven, god knows what the neighbours think lol..

Sparky x

Who says you will have to come off and go through the menopause eventually?
This is not the case, unless there is a contra indication, but I understand that nowadays, hrt contra-indications are few.
There are women who plan to stay on it permanently and thrive.
It seems really sad that some women are prepared to put up with horrible night sweats and flushes and reduced quality of life, when they deserve a much better quality of life.
I'm still in the trial phase of hrt, and am really keen to get on one that works because my quality of life has been reduced so much by my flushes and sweats etc.
Ultimately, the decision whether to go on HRT is obviously upto the lady herself.

It's obviously upto you though.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Sparky64
You poor thing - you really are suffering. I do understand you are reluctant to consider HRT - I certainly didn't want to use HRT myself. You may be lucky and only experience these nasty meno symptoms for a couple of years and then they may settle down. You are right that GPs aren't well enough informed about the side effects of HRT and I personally feel there needs to be a more tailored approach to the treatment of menopause symptoms - whether you wish to use HRT or not.
Have you looked at the non HRT preparations? Though the initial side effects of alternative drugs can be an issue, many women find they really help flushes and night sweats.
I had a premature menopause so had to take HRT or probably face long term problems with my bones and heart.  I had a DEXA scan of my bones when I was 37 and they were already borderline. I had to find an HRT that suited me.  In the end I went to a private meno clinic and they put me on Oestrogel with 10 days of progesterone per month which wasn't perfect but I did feel good most of the time.  I had young children - one with special needs - I had to be on top form to cope with life through this time.
I did take a break from HRT aged 49 because there were all those scares (which have now been largely discredited) and coped OK but my meno symptoms didn't subside(lack of sleep being the worse) and when family stresses increased with elderly relatives needing care I decided to try HRT again.  I went to an NHS meno clinic this time and tried a variety of different HRTs and ended up with a Mirena and Oestrogel which worked well for me for the next 4 years.
I am sharing my experience with you because I had to keep an open mind about what was the best thing to do, not just for me, but for those around me. I'm now 58 and I've been off HRT for nearly a year. This last year has been the least stressful time I've had for the last 15 years, so I have had time to eat well, take lots of brisk walks, practise Mindful Mediation and do everything that is recommended to keep meno symptoms under control.  I coped really well through the winter but this hot summer has been hell. My vaginal atrophy is a real issue and the lack of sleep is making it hard to work. HRT has always been a compromise for me (I would never say I was happy using it) but I am still keeping an open mind and have made a private appointment with a gynae, who specialises in the meno, to get his advice about how I can realistically manage my meno symptoms for the next 7 years or so while I still have to work and to give me the quality of life I need and want. Unfortunately for me, herbs, remedies and even a diet high in phytoestrogens hasn't helped my symptoms. Whether I go for HRT or possibly sleeping pills and ADs - all I know is I need help and advice.
I urge you to keep an open mind and, if you need help, find a specialist - the help is out there if you need and want it.
I do hope you find a good way forward.
DG x

[rosebud57]

Dandelion, I said I would say no more on this thread but if I don't say something in reply to your post I will burst. You said:-

'It seems really sad that some women are prepared to put up with horrible night sweats and flushes and reduced quality of life, when they deserve a much better quality of life'.

WHO says we are are prepared to put up with it??? 
WHY are you sad???
WHY is HRT the only route to a better quality of life?

We all find our own solutions and giving your opinion as to your own circumstances is one thing.
Judging others for their choices is offensive.

Only around 20% of women who try HRT continue after the first year.  So that mean 80% are trying other things and this is their CHOICE.

Nothing to be sad about and no need for you to judge.

[Limpy]

Don't think Dandelion is judging - just describing how she has found things herself.

She does say the decision to go on HRT is up to the lady herself. Also, to keep an open mind.

[Dandelion]

Don't think Dandelion is judging - just describing how she has found things herself.

She does say the decision to go on HRT is up to the lady herself. Also, to keep an open mind.

Thanks Limpy.
I tried to choose my words as carefully as I could

[Taz2]

Not wishing to get involved in this thread but I was really surprised by the fact that only 20% of women continue HRT after one year. Can you tell me where you found this info rosebud57? 

Taz x

[rosebud57]

Can't remember exactly but was probably on Dr. Briffa's website, or Marilyn Glenville. Will have to check it out. 

[Taz2]

Thank you - I've found it now. This article is dated 2001 so percentages may have changed over the past thirteen years. http://www.drbriffa.com/2001/08/21/phytoestrogens-and-the-menopause/

Taz x

[Rowan]

It is mainly due to compliance and side effects.