I am going through Menopause and cannot decide whether or not to go on HRT. Does anyone know of something more natural that would be as equally good? I have heard that Black Cohosh might be of help? Thanks:):)
I am going through Menopause and cannot decide whether or not to go on HRT. Does anyone know of something more natural that would be as equally good? I have heard that Black Cohosh might be of help? Thanks:):)
Hi Lulu. Has you doctor not prescribed any medication? Have you thought about visiting a herbalist or speaking to the pharmacist in your local chemist?
I've been told by my GP that I am starting the menopause but she's not giving me medication at the moment because my husband and I could be receiving fertility treatment soon.
It's a nightmare because I get ever so hot at night (but not every night) and my husband doesn't like me having the windows open.
Hi, if you don't want to go on HRT, some suggestions (possibly preferable!) are: homeopathy, or acupuncture, or herbal supplements, more exercise(!),improving diet (!), more relaxation, lots of reading on menopause- which might give you some other ideas. HRT is just one 'solution'- perhaps not the best on?! HTH and sorry it's short and to the point! Hom
Hi Lulu
I read an article on another site ~ a lady has been taking "Kalms" for menopausal symptoms and they've helped her no end. I've thought about trying them because it's terrible at night for me, having to have all the windows open and the poor husband is shivering (men don't understand).
Maybe it's worth trying these too?
Hi Lulu
I found that avoiding sugar and caffeine reduced the hot flushes enormously. In fact if I 'sinned' they'd be back with a vengence. I also sleep with my feet uncovered, to allow for excess heat loss. Holland and Barrett do a supplement called 'Flash Fighter' that might be useful to try - it will be a question of finding what helps you personally, and as we are bio-individually different, when no one size fits all!
Hope you find answers soon!
Caroline
Hi Lulu
we are bio-individually different, when no one size fits all!
Caroline
You're right there Caroline! My sister used to take Black Cohosh and kept on at me to try it as I take HRT (not for menopause tho) but it really upset my stomach. It really is trial and error which unfortunately is long winded and expensive.
If you can find an alternative and do without HRT, I'm sure it would be a better choice - I haven't managed it though. I have reduced my dosage as I have found I can cope with less but on my annual check up the doc noticed I hadn't had a supply of patches for ages and pulled his face & had a moan about it! You can't win!!!!!!:rolleyes:
For the last year or so I have been taking menopace plus.
It's got a range of vitamins plus a few other herbs thrown in.
My hot flushes weren't very bad, but the mood swings were draining (my husband told me)! Within a week or so everything was under control, I tend to buy a few packets when they are on special.
It's a bit of trial and error before you find something thats right for you.
Fudge
Thanks everybody for all your thoughts. I think I will try some of the suggestions like Kalms, etc., My mood swings are terrible. My hubby doesn't know from one moment to the next if I'm up or down. The hot flashes are not too bad but anxiety and sleepless nights are driving me crazy. Thanks for all your help.:confused:
Geranium Oil in the bath (about 10 drops ) or in your body lotion, i do both, but do mix it in lotion or oil before applying, do not apply direct to the skin...
Geranium has won the notable distinction of being called a "Woman's Oil"and in my aromatherapy practice female clients consistently experience good results when using it for regulating their physical, mental, and emotional imbalances, especially those associated with menstrual cycles and menopause!
Women have used Geranium successfully for years to relieve premenstrual conditions and to smoothly navigate the menopausal period.
:DSheangel,picked this up at the weekend,just wanted to fill my 'stash',this is good information thank you,my husband will be dilighted:D
Thanks everybody for all your thoughts. I think I will try some of the suggestions like Kalms, etc., My mood swings are terrible. My hubby doesn't know from one moment to the next if I'm up or down. The hot flashes are not too bad but anxiety and sleepless nights are driving me crazy. Thanks for all your help.:confused:
Can I SUGGEST accupunture,even 1 treatment works miracles.
Hi everyone
I found this thread interesting as Somerset Angel and I run workshops on the Menopause and have just written a (humerous but informative) book on the subject from our own experiences!
Something that surprised us while doing the research was the fact that if you are on HRT and have to come off it for whatever reason you get menopausal symptoms again but worse!!! HRT just masks menopause.
All the suggestions above are interesting (some suggested by us also) but it is very much a personal thing on how the individual woman reacts to what they try.
Love and light ( a very menopausal) reikiangel
xxx
Yes, I would reiterate the above. You're often not told that the HRT will stop at some point and then the 'symptoms' can come on dramatically. I treat lots of people in that position, who sadly, say that they wouldn't have used HRT if they could've forseen the future problems.
It's as if the body won't be 'cheated' out of going through the menopausal adaptation, no matter what. Hom
One of my clients had been on HRT for 22 years - she was advised to come off it aged 66. That was 7 years ago, and she has been suffering menopause symptoms since a week after she stopped applying her patches. She still has hot flushes, along with her daughter, who is 50 and has been menopausal for 2 years!
I had my first hot flush in August 2000, aged 45. My last period was in June 2000. As I had breast cancer, I wasn't able to take the natural alternatives, so just had to weather it. Acupuncture was absolutely the only thing that helped me 'emotionally'. I really would recommend it.
Hot flushes have saved my heating bills!!!
bloating
Hi
Do any of you going through the menopause get a bloated tender stomach, I wondered if it was another symptom or something else. I have tried many herbal remedies and acupuncture and I cannot find anything to help my night sweats or sex drive which seems to be non existent at the moment. Have any of you heard of bio identical hormones which are apparently not synthetic and derive from plant extracts. I know you cannot get them on the nhs only privately. I wondered if anyone has tried them? If so do they work?
Kim