Help for Menopausal Symptoms

[Ed Strong]

Any tried & trusted remedies from ABers would be appreciated. I'm 57 years old, had a total hysterectomy 18 years ago and was put on Premarin, which I took for nearly 15 years. Since being taken off it (according to my doctor as I would have now gone through a natural menopause I didn't need HRT anymore) I have put on weight and suffer from hot sweats, mainly affecting my head & face strangely enough. I seem to run at least 10 degrees hotter than the average person (which has it's advantages in winter but in warmer weather is the proverbial pain in the @rse). I do try to exercise regularly in the gym, also doing core stability classes which I suppose helps although I still end up with a big red face. According to my husband I have also become more aggressive :o) - I need help, fast.

[ilovemarkb]

Black Cohosh or grey sage leaf are supposed to help with hot flushes! Starflower oil is soposed to help with mood swing! but everyones different so it,s a case of finding something that works for you! good luck!

[Bathsheba]

Bless you, Ed- you have my sympathy! What a lot of folk don't realise is that HRT doesn't "help you through" the menopause, it merely "pauses" it. Therefore when you stop it, you are back to square 1.
Try the herbs + supplements by all means, but in my experience they're a waste of money x

[ethandron]

i'm with bathsheba on the herbs and things, i found them a waste of money. maybe they're worth a go for you ed, as they may help but don't be surprised if they don't. i take an all-in-one menopause thing from boots the chemist which contains all the stuff recommended at this time (calcium, magnesium, etc. etc.) and also an omega 3 thing to help protect my heart and brain (well, what's left of my brain since menopause!!!). i don't take these things to help aleviate the symptoms but just to protect my body now that various things are more likely to happen (although magnesium is said to help with sleeping problems).
unfortunately, it's just a case of toughing it out and waiting for your body to settle down now the hormones have been withdrawn. best of luck, you have my sympathy :)

[Bathsheba]

Oops! You've reminded me ethandron- i take magnesium! 250mg 3x daily. It is calming. x

[Ed Strong]

Thanks everybody for taking the trouble to answer my question. I don't think I'll waste my money by going down the herbal route - and I definitely don't need magnesium to help me sleep, I have trouble staying awake! So, looks like I shall have to ride it out. Just not sure how long this is going to go on for }:o(

[DillyGent]

Hi Ed, going through something similar myself although not quite as bad as you describe. I got a book out of the library called Menopause for Dummies (same yellow and black range as Word for Dummies etc). Found it really helpful with lots of little tips and you could tailor something to suit you. Like ilovemarkb says, Starflower oil should help with the mood swings (ok with your husband but if you go to stay with friends it may prove a problem ;-/ ) but I personally would avoid Black Cohosh because I think it can affect liver function and if you like a drink or two it might put a strain on it. Good luck.

[Ed Strong]

DillyGent, you're a cheeky c*w.

For the benefit of any ABers joining this link DillyGent & I have known one another for years and she is being particularly cheeky when referring to having a drink or two. Pot, kettle, black?