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[Carabelle]

Hello lovelies,

Was on Evorel conti for 6 months and came off them as I wasn’t feeling great with them. That said, they did help with sleep and flushings day and night.
After a couple of months off them, the flushings are back and driving me nuts, esp at night. I want to try a more natural approach and wondered if anyone has any suggestions. Is black cohosh worth trying? Magnesium for sleep? I know there’s not a one size fits all and everyone is different but if anyone has any tips on HRT alternatives, please let me know. Thank you. x

[Hurdity]

Hi Carabelle

Sorry to hear that the HRT you tried didn't suit you but it does sound as though the oestrogen worked in stopping flushes?

If you could tell us a bit more about where you are in menopause this would help us advise ie how long since your last natural period before starting HRT? I am assumung at least 12 months as you were given Evorel conti ( though sometimes docs get it wrong!).? Also how old you are?

Maybe that particular HRT preparation didn;t suit you - perhpas because of the progestogen - some women are more sensitive to continuous combined HRT ie daily progestogen, or one particualr progestogen. We can help you choose a different type that might suit you. There are lots to choose from  - see the menu and here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

In terms of alternatives - really unless you are medically contra-indicated, nothing is guaranteed to work other than HRT. There are some anti-depressants given to some women who are unable to take HRT due to oestrogen receptive breast cancer for example, but they are not as highly effective as HRT and really not recommended if you are able to take HRT. Here are some prescribable non HRT preparations: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php


Re Black Cohosh - mixed reviews about this but not guaranteed to work - maybe mostly placebo. I had some when peri-menopausal and took it for months and thought it worked when it was in fact my own hormones going up and down! Once I got cloer to menopause they didn't work at all and only HRT did (which I've been on for around 15 years).

Magensium is one of those things that some women swear by -  but I'm not au fait with its use for sleep and whether this has been proeprly tried and tested re evidence from trials - others will know better.

That being said there is a section on alternatives to HRT on the main forum if you look at the menu - see links here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/remedies.php and here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/phytoestrogens.php though the information hasn't been updated for a while.

Also if you want to talk about a specific non HRT treatment for menopause then there is a board for this so you could ask on there.

Natural remedies - you can't beat making sure you are a healthy weight, taking regular exercise and having a good varied balanced diet with plenty of fresh foods, fruit and vegetables and reducing processed foods and refined carbs and added sugars, as well as reducing alcohol consumption and giving up smoking ( for those who do!).

However I must stress again that HRT is the first line of treatment and there are many experienced women who can help advise you if you would like to try something different.

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Carabelle]

Hi Carabelle

Sorry to hear that the HRT you tried didn't suit you but it does sound as though the oestrogen worked in stopping flushes?

If you could tell us a bit more about where you are in menopause this would help us advise ie how long since your last natural period before starting HRT? I am assumung at least 12 months as you were given Evorel conti ( though sometimes docs get it wrong!).? Also how old you are?

Maybe that particular HRT preparation didn;t suit you - perhpas because of the progestogen - some women are more sensitive to continuous combined HRT ie daily progestogen, or one particualr progestogen. We can help you choose a different type that might suit you. There are lots to choose from  - see the menu and here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

In terms of alternatives - really unless you are medically contra-indicated, nothing is guaranteed to work other than HRT. There are some anti-depressants given to some women who are unable to take HRT due to oestrogen receptive breast cancer for example, but they are not as highly effective as HRT and really not recommended if you are able to take HRT. Here are some prescribable non HRT preparations: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php


Re Black Cohosh - mixed reviews about this but not guaranteed to work - maybe mostly placebo. I had some when peri-menopausal and took it for months and thought it worked when it was in fact my own hormones going up and down! Once I got cloer to menopause they didn't work at all and only HRT did (which I've been on for around 15 years).

Magensium is one of those things that some women swear by -  but I'm not au fait with its use for sleep and whether this has been proeprly tried and tested re evidence from trials - others will know better.

That being said there is a section on alternatives to HRT on the main forum if you look at the menu - see links here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/remedies.php and here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/phytoestrogens.php though the information hasn't been updated for a while.

Also if you want to talk about a specific non HRT treatment for menopause then there is a board for this so you could ask on there.

Natural remedies - you can't beat making sure you are a healthy weight, taking regular exercise and having a good varied balanced diet with plenty of fresh foods, fruit and vegetables and reducing processed foods and refined carbs and added sugars, as well as reducing alcohol consumption and giving up smoking ( for those who do!).

However I must stress again that HRT is the first line of treatment and there are many experienced women who can help advise you if you would like to try something different.

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

Thank you Hurdity for such a detailed and comprehensive response. It really is a minefield this menopause business!
You asked my age and my stage of menopause. I’m currently 53 - will be 54 next month. I hadn’t had a period for just over a year and was struggling mostly with the night wakenings and night time flushings. Everything else was actually manageable. The lack of sleep was wearing me down so we started on the patches. After a few months I started to bleed, not uncommon I know, by it seemed to be happening every 2 weeks or so. Was having cramps and just feeling generally yucky although I was sleeping better.
So here we are back to the same issue of sleep disturbances and nighttime sweats. I’m not drenched in sweat like some women experience, just overly hot and a bit sweaty. It’s every night and it’s exhausting.
 I think in my head I worry about the use of artificial hormones. I was never one for the pill as I wasn’t keen on it for that reason. In addition, having lost both parents to cancer (mum ovarian and dad pancreatic) the whole thing actually terrifies me if I’m being brutally honest. I know the risks are minimal, the gp reassured me but I’m just scared out of my wits actually. Don’t think I’ve really every verbalised that before until now.
So, that’s why I’ve been seeking alternatives to HRT I guess.

Thanks again for the links you’ve shared. Will have a look through those today.

Take care.
Karen x

[jaypo]

Hi there,just thought I'd give you my own experiences without HRT,my issues were anxiety,insomnia and sweats,if you can ride the storm like me,I'd do it,I'm not poo pooing HRT as I know many ladies on here who it is a life saver for .
I've tried sage and black cohosh without much success but lately I tried magnesium and it was fab BUT upset my stomach, I know there is one that is gentler on the stomach,sorry can't remember what it's called now but do google it.Also Vit d has been a great help and if you are lacking in this,it can cause sleep disruption,I'm on it for osteopenia and my sleep has greatly improved.
As for sweats,I have a fabulous fan,which I carry everywhere with me,if I catch a sweat before it takes hold,it doesn't seem to be so bad,get one of those rechargeable ones,not those silly twirly things,I also sleep with a fan on at bedtime,couldn't be without it