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[Montanna37]

Hi There, I'm 37 years old and I've had 2 ectopic pregnancies and 1 other unsuccessful pregnancy. I have been having missed periods and hot flashes on and off for 3 and half years since the last ectopic pregnancy. I have since had a relationship breakdown, a meltdown, lost my home, changed my job and I'm now technically homeless. Do you think my hot flushes and missed periods are down to these stresses and changes or am I going through the peri menopause as some of my friends and family suggest, I am fairly young to go through this but have a history of issues gynaecologically. However my mother was still having periods at 62 and older sister having normal periods in late forties. I have not been sexually active for almost 2 years and would desire to have children at some point if possible. I am over weight and not very active at the moment. My weight gain is down to stress and I'm working on it. My main worry are the hot flushes they are inconvenient and embarrassing. I bought the lady care magnet and had no incidents of hot flushes for nearly 2 months but about a week ago they returned and I've no idea why. I called the lady care helpline and some to the inventor of the product and he told me that the flushes have returned due to my ANS = autonomic nervous system being totally stressed because of my current situation of being technically homeless and house hunting. He told me to NOT use the magnet for 21 days and then try using it again after this time. I am currently premenstrual (I have all the symptoms). I need some advice on what to take and what to do. Yes, I have seen my GP and I have had a series of blood tests done and all seems to be okay. My own GP suggested Chinese Medicine and R & R.

[Hurdity]

Hi Montanna37

 

So sorry to hear about your health problems and ectopic pregnancies - I really feel for you in this situation if you want to have children still. Also about your circumstances and I do hope you are getting help from the relevant agencies - social services, local council etc?

My first advice to you would be - ditch that  magnet and forget about anything to do with this. It will not help you one jot - except the placebo effect may make you feel better, but generally it is a red herring so don't get side-tracked! Ditto the Chinese medicine - don't bother with it!  I am amazed your GP should suggest this unorthodox treatment!!! They shouldn't be telling you to go off and get unregulated herbal treatment, surely?!! Concentrate on ways in which you can get proper help.

I was going to ask you about blood tests. You say you have had them and GP says they're all OK. Please ask the receptionist at your GP surgery for a print-out and also ask specifically what your FSH levels are. In addition if you suspect peri-menopause, and you are under 40 you should arrange to obtain two blood tests 4-6 weeks apart - this is the advice from the NICE Guidelines.

In addition have you had any investigations following your last ectopic pregnancy to see whether there has been any damage to your ovaries or fallopian tubes which could account for your period problems? Your GP practice should refer you for tests/scans etc on the NHS if you are concerned about your future fertility. Although there is a high genetic component to menopausal age - it is important that you have all these tests just in case you are going to enter menopause early - although stress does play a big part in our menstrual and reproductive health and regularity.

At the moment I wouldn't take anything - but get your GP to arrange for tests as above. if it turns out that you are menopausal then you would be able to start HRT which is essential for those who are going through early menopause - in order to protect heart and bones.

In addition - you mentioned your weight - now is the time to look at this and all aspects of your lifestyle ( smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol) which will stand you in good stead for the years ahead. Controlling your weight so that you remain in the leahty BMI range is one of the most important things you can do. Why not sign up for one of the programmes eg Weightwatchers or Slimming world and start making changes (and taking a little bit more exercise) one day and one bit at a time!

Losing weight, cutting down on alcohol and caffeine as well as spicy foods, will all  help to reduce the intensity of flushes and sweats.

I can appreciate you are under a lots of stress so you may not be able to make progress fast but wishing you all the best with finding a job and a house, and making a new start.

Let us know how you get on

Hurdity x

[Dennylou48]

My ladycare has worked for me for hot flushes and I've been wearing it for 4 years, I don't know if it's helping with other symptoms but since I have started wearing it again I have seen a massive difference, it works for some and not for others, but still worth a try, at the end of the day you really need to ascertain if you are in peri or not to know which way to deal with it, you could still have a successful pregnancy after an ectopic, my daughter had one and had to have one of her Fallopian tubes removed but went on to have 2 sons afterwards, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you sweetheart. Also you have been through a very traumatic time with everything else and it puts pressure on your whole body which could be upsetting the balance of your hormones. I would suggest getting your hormone levels checked again and speak to someone at a Meno clinic, good luck with everything sweetheart, don't dismiss the ladycare though. 😉😉

[Montanna37]

Thank you. I am still wearing the magnet but I do t understand why the flashes have returned and they seem to happen close to when my period is due. I have only ever missed periods before when I was pregnant and didn't start my period until almost 16years of age. Since 2014 I have had gaps like a period every 2 or 3 months this has only happened about 4 or 5 times though. The real worry is the perfuse sweating and hot feeling in my head and face. I had an FSH in July 2016 and it was apparently normal so I'm puzzled and also stressed.