Hestia
Junior Member
Posts: 94 
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Post by Hestia on May 19, 2019 18:03:45 GMT
So apprently I've started menopause. It was confirmed by my doctor last week. I'll be 45 this year, but still thought it was kind of young to start. So far, I'm having irregular periods, when mine have always been clockwork, and they seem to happen every two weeks. I'm also having the dreaded night sweats. They are so gross! Ugh! I've had hot flashes for a couple of years, but they've gotten worse. Anyone have any advice? My doctor talked about hormones, but I'm on the fence, since I have a history of blood clots in my lungs. We're not ready to take any chances. I just thought there might be natural rememdies that someone has used effectively.
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Post by nlwilkins on May 19, 2019 18:11:44 GMT
Menopause can be a looooong drawn out process so settle in for the long haul. It helps to know this when determing how much to spend on coping mechanisms. Get a ceiling fan now it helps with the night sweats. Figure out what home remedies work and invest in some. Get cotton under garments to help with the sweats. Knowing that you will be needing these remedies for sevearl years or more makes it easier to spend the money to help make it more bearable.
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Post by tracyarts on May 19, 2019 18:16:31 GMT
I've been in perimenopause since age 45/46, am about to turn 49 now.
I'm hoping that things are starting to wind down because I went from a regular cycle with normal periods, to short cycles with heavy periods, to long cycles with light periods.
I'm not an appropriate candidate for hormone replacement therapy, and because of my risk factors, my doctor was hesitant to approve any natural therapies or supplements.
I had already been taking evening primrose oil to help with PMS symptoms and breast tenderness, and I was allowed to continue on with it.
I don't know if it's been helping, but my symptoms haven't been that bad. Nothing like some of my friends experienced.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,910
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on May 19, 2019 18:16:31 GMT
Welcome to the club, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The BBC have been talking about menopause in the last week. There are lots of articles, ideas, testimony , discussion, etc at the link www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cxwkx729dx2t/menopause |
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Post by gar on May 19, 2019 18:20:22 GMT
I found taking sage leaf in tablet form good for helping to relieve hot flushes (as we call them in the UK) but do check contra indications as they’re not suitable for everyone.
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Post by bearmom on May 19, 2019 18:36:37 GMT
I thought was in peri-menopause due to hot flashes and night sweats, but lab work confirmed full blown menopause (I had a hysterectomy and one ovary removed at 30). I am 44 now. I opted for an estrogen patch due to my age and lack of risk factors. So far, so good.
It has only been 3 weeks and so far not one hot flash or night sweat......
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Hestia
Junior Member
Posts: 94
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Post by Hestia on May 19, 2019 18:44:37 GMT
Menopause can be a looooong drawn out process so settle in for the long haul. It helps to know this when determing how much to spend on coping mechanisms. Get a ceiling fan now it helps with the night sweats. Figure out what home remedies work and invest in some. Get cotton under garments to help with the sweats. Knowing that you will be needing these remedies for sevearl years or more makes it easier to spend the money to help make it more bearable I hope I'm doing this quote thing right. I usually just read, but I'm trying to join in more. LOL. Anyway, "long haul?" Seriously? How long we talking about here? LOL! I'm already done with this crap. I already only wear cotton, because I hate anything else, and I sleep with a fan already, so I guess I'm SOL on the night sweats? That sucks. Are there any other coping mechanisms you can recommend? |
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Hestia
Junior Member
Posts: 94
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Post by Hestia on May 19, 2019 18:46:42 GMT
I thought was in peri-menopause due to hot flashes and night sweats, but lab work confirmed full blown menopause (I had a hysterectomy and one ovary removed at 30). I am 44 now. I opted for an estrogen patch due to my age and lack of risk factors. So far, so good. It has only been 3 weeks and so far not one hot flash or night sweat...... Maybe it's time to rethink the estrogen. I'd do anything not to have the night sweats. They are the worst for me! |
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Hestia
Junior Member
Posts: 94
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Post by Hestia on May 19, 2019 18:47:17 GMT
Welcome to the club, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The BBC have been talking about menopause in the last week. There are lots of articles, ideas, testimony , discussion, etc at the link www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cxwkx729dx2t/menopause<iframe width="23.920000000000073" height="5.319999999999993" style="position: absolute; width: 23.920000000000073px; height: 5.319999999999993px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none;left: 15px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_4288059" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="23.920000000000073" height="5.319999999999993" style="position: absolute; width: 23.92px; height: 5.32px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 1136px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_49908576" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="23.920000000000073" height="5.319999999999993" style="position: absolute; width: 23.92px; height: 5.32px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 15px; top: 204px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_69390246" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="23.920000000000073" height="5.319999999999993" style="position: absolute; width: 23.92px; height: 5.32px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 1136px; top: 204px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_86889160" scrolling="no"></iframe> I'm watching now. Thank you! |
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Post by kellapea on May 19, 2019 20:17:17 GMT
Menopause Taylor, Barbara Hoffman and A. Vogel UK on YouTube have menopause channels. They all have some natural remedy videos. There are good discussion forums on Power Surge: powersurge.invisionzone.com/index.php?/index |
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Hestia
Junior Member
Posts: 94
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Post by Hestia on May 19, 2019 20:32:30 GMT
Menopause Taylor, Barbara Hoffman and A. Vogel UK on YouTube have menopause channels. They all have some natural remedy videos. There are good discussion forums on Power Surge: powersurge.invisionzone.com/index.php?/indexThank you! |
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Post by 2birddogs4me on May 19, 2019 21:27:42 GMT
I have had acupuncture for hot flashes/night sweats. First time it took about 3 sessions for them to subside/go away. I have since gone back 2x for a tune-up. I didn't want to use hormones due to risk factors. Worth a try. Good Luck!
Dawn
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Hestia
Junior Member
Posts: 94
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Post by Hestia on May 19, 2019 22:48:52 GMT
I have had acupuncture for hot flashes/night sweats. First time it took about 3 sessions for them to subside/go away. I have since gone back 2x for a tune-up. I didn't want to use hormones due to risk factors. Worth a try. Good Luck! Dawn Thank you! I'll look into it. My insurance helps with accupuncture. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 20, 2019 3:52:15 GMT
I’d look for bedding that has cooling properties, sheets or a mattress pad that transfers heat away from the body. There is also a fan you can get that has a nozzle that forces cool air between your sheets to cool you. Bedfan Maybe something like that could help. |
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Post by stampinchick on May 20, 2019 5:12:02 GMT
I had a hysterectomy and both ovaries removed 10 years ago. I can't sleep unless it's cool enough. AC is set for 65 in the summer and sometimes I need a fan. Even with that, I need sheets that feel cool. I will only buy pima cotton sheets, but not all are created equal. At this point, the only ones I will buy are the these sheets from LL Bean. They are expensive, but good quality and worth it to me. I've bought cheaper brands but they haven't been as cool and the quality wasn't as nice. However, what I have found with the pima cotton sheets, regardless of the brand, are that the fitted sheets get worn at the bottom where the heels of my feet rub against the sheet. Eventually, a hole forms and my heels catch in it and causes it to tear. The first pair of pima cotton sheets I bought years ago from Kohl's lasted a number of years but when I wanted to buy a spare set I noticed a lot of reviews saying that they wear quickly at the feet. My original sheet finally did that as well as 2 other sheet sets that were other brands. But what I like about the LL Bean sheets is that you can buy just the fitted sheet. The flat sheets and pillow cases have been lasting me forever. This way I can just buy a new fitted sheet without having a ton of flat sheets and pillow cases. I need a new fitted sheet and I've been holding out ordering one because they usually have sales over holiday weekends, so I'm expecting to find a sale next weekend. So... all of that is to say that I recommend using pima cotton sheets to help with the night sweats.  |
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Post by nlwilkins on May 20, 2019 5:38:28 GMT
Menopause can be a looooong drawn out process so settle in for the long haul. It helps to know this when determing how much to spend on coping mechanisms. Get a ceiling fan now it helps with the night sweats. Figure out what home remedies work and invest in some. Get cotton under garments to help with the sweats. Knowing that you will be needing these remedies for sevearl years or more makes it easier to spend the money to help make it more bearable I hope I'm doing this quote thing right. I usually just read, but I'm trying to join in more. LOL. Anyway, "long haul?" Seriously? How long we talking about here? LOL! I'm already done with this crap. I already only wear cotton, because I hate anything else, and I sleep with a fan already, so I guess I'm SOL on the night sweats? That sucks. Are there any other coping mechanisms you can recommend? Sorry, everybody is different. things that work with some don't help others. If the hot flashes are what is the main issue (althouth there are others. focus on one at a time here LOL) Figure out what will cool you down in a hurry. An ice pack? Keep something by the bed that helps like a wet washcloth in a baggie to cool you down. With me, a wet washcloth to the neck area helped. Get one of those old fashioned ice bags that you can put on the hottest part of your body. The ice will stay cold for a long time during the night. Just fill it up with ice every night before going to bed. But, I got hot flashed during the day as well. When that happened, I had to stop, sit and fan myself til it went away. Also, you might consider sleep remedies that just let you sleep through it Now that I wear a cPap machine, I will put my wrists where the air flow comes out to help cool me down. I sleep that way. Yes, I still have hot flashes when I started menopause in my 40's. (started early due to hysterectomy.) |
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,066
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Post by AllieC on May 20, 2019 6:46:49 GMT
The biggest thing that helped me was doing some form of physical activity daily for about 30 minutes (doesn't have to be too intense)plus eat well most of the time. I don't follow any sort of eating plan cutting out food groups etc, I just try to make sure that most of my food is as fresh and natural as possible. I don't buy any packet mixes anymore and make pretty much everything from scratch. I rarely have takeaway but make versions of pizza, burgers etc at home instead.
I wasn't sure if it was the healthy lifestyle that help but a couple of times where I've been on holiday or away for a week or two where I've been out of routine, the symptoms (particularly night sweats and hot flushes) returned.
I tried a few different menopause symptom supplements and they didn't really help. It is trial and error because what works for one won't for another.
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Post by pynke on May 20, 2019 7:31:47 GMT
Vaginal maintenance. The nether regions start to dry up. Sex can be painful because of this. Even without sex it can be painful.I went to a women's uri-gyny clinic and found out that you really should maintain lubrication on a regular basis. I use Replens. I tried the lubrication that has estrogen because my Canadian healthcare will pay for it but the estrogen was too much and I needed a D&C after 6 months.
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