Menopause - the Change of Life

[QuietWOW]

Let's talk about hot flashes, disturbed sleep and other effects of "going through the change." How do you cope? Is hormone replacement therapy the answer, or does using it turn a normal female process into a "disease?"

[Feline3940]

Okay...I am getting peeved at too much information that says little about my situation. I don't think that enough funding and research or the proper research has ever been done on long-term effects of hormone replacement therapy.

I can find no information about the differences between those who take hormone replacement therapy but never took birth control hormones. Anyway......

I am exploring all sorts of alternative therapies, but it does get a bit expensive. You have to try one at a time, or you can't figure out which one is working and which one isn't. It is a complete trial by error and a bit time consuming. Not to mention that you are still suffering the effects of the symptoms. :-(

My worst is night sweats that keep me awake. Lack of sleep is likely to cause of most other "anxiety" and "irritability" symptoms. Believe me, I am not a nice person when I suffer from lack of sleep...LOL

Anyway, I started getting low dose sleeping pills. It is helping. But the menopause is starting to effect weight in areas that I never, ever, gained before. My pear body becoming an apple. So now I am trying out the phytoestrogen creams with progest cream. I hope it works.

Anyone ever hear of "Revival Soy Protein"?

Within the last couple of weeks I had a complete hysterectomy. I am on HRT now using a patch. I read that after surgical menopause, one should use hrt for 6-8 weeks and then discuss further options. I think I may have already been in the early stages of menopause before my surgery as my periods were very abnormal and almost non existent. My main concern is my libido. I have noticed that for the last year or two, my sex drive is at an all time low. I haven't discussed this with my husband as I fear that he would take it personally. I am hoping that now that I am on HRT that my drive will increase. I plan to discuss this with my Dr. next week. So far HRT is working out well...no side effects anyway. I think that is really all I wanted to add to this subject.

[Terri]

I have been taking soy for two months and it so far has done squat. I have hot flashes all through the day and night and my sleep is affected. I do not want HRT as I do not want to cycle again. I have been off bcp since feb and no . as of yet and I am extremely happy about that. You all who have had your uterus out are fortunate that you can take the HRT without the threat of cycling again, I'm jealous. I will try to do this without HRT, I mean after all it is a natural phase of life, why should I try to stop it chemically? Wish me luck.

[Addie]

Terri, in what form is the soy you're taking? I haven't read a whole lot about it recently, but a couple of years ago I had read that it was much more effective eaten in certain food forms like tofu than taken in supplement form. That might be something you want to investigate further.

I think it's also important to remember that there are reasons other than feeling lousy to use HRT. Those of us with small frames and a history of osteoporosis in the family use it to help keep our bones as strong as possible. I have to admit that chasing away hot flashes and night sweats is a much welcomed bonus as well.<g>

[msfixit29]

Hi! I'm new here and saw that you all have many questions for menopause. I have tripped across something in my endless search for answers that may help. I started using Progesterone Cream 2 months ago and have found that it is helping dramatically. I had two fibroids last year (had a c-section) and after only 2 months there is no trace of fibroids in my uterus. I have been experiencing hot flashes and though it takes usually 6 months to get relief, I am down to getting them only during my menses. I have more energy, and look forward to seeing many other changes. If you are interested in more information, please email me and I will be happy to forward more information to you. msfixit29@yahoo.com

Janie

[msfixit29]

I forgot to mention yesterday...I also am taking Vitamin E and it helps decrease the hot flashes. May not get rid of them but not so bad now. Plus I drink lots of water. Water flushes out the toxins in your system and it keeps you hydrated which will keep your body from getting so stressed out.

Hope this helps some of you. I have found it all to be a great help. Remember, this is not your mothers menopause. You have a lot more to deal with chemically than your mother did years ago. Take care!

Jane

hi, i need a little info concerning my girlfriend. we have always had a very respectful and loving relationship. but since january, things have drastically changed. her cycle is all screwed up, she gets super emotional for no reason what so ever and well in the last few weeks is getting aggressif.


now ive finally convienced her to see her doctor. now reading a few different articles, i read about a testostorone cream to increase libido and arosal, and maybe this may help her to stop being so aggresive. can anyone help me here with this

i dont like to see her suffer, but i dont know what to do to help.

[IRISH_EYES_99]

Hi delight,
Welcome glad you convinced your girlfriend to see the doctor.

I have no clue about the creams you mentioned, that would be something you could mention to the dr when she see him/her.

May I suggest that she write down any questions she may have before going there, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to go with a pen and paper.. sometimes when you get nervous talking to the dr. you forget what you want to ask. I know I do!

Again good luck to both of you keep us posted.

My hot flashes were so bad that I would wake up in the middle of the night. I was so irritable throgh out the day. I tried taking this and that, but nothing was working..I wanted my hot flashed to go away.. I did not understand why there wasn't some kind of herbs to get rid of my hot flashes. A month ago, I did some research on the internet. I came accross a few different sites selling herbs, to help alliviated hot flashes. I found this one site that sold herbs that make hot flashes vanish. I read the information on what kind ot herbs are in the capsules and how they worked. I ordered a bottle(it is called *****.com). I took as recomended and after 14 days my hot flashes went away. I am so relieved. I am going to stock up before they sell out.. I ordered three more bottles, so I never run out.. Best wishes to all of you, Cue

**edited by sysop to take out product reference**

[DLC55]

Well, according to that site, it's main purpose is to increase breast size. If you want something cheaper to help with hotflashes, try black cohosh. It's cheaper than $128 a bottle.

[Melynn]

Hi delight. I'm inclined to think that testosterone would increase aggressive behavior. There is a progesterone cream that's used for menopausal symptoms. It's available at health/natural food stores but I would research the pros and cons of it before using.

I'm with DLC on the black cohosh. It works for hot flashes and it's safe. It's been tested since the 50s. One of the major drug companies markets one of the most popular black cohosh name brands. They bought it just before the negative estrogen reports were released. (no comment<g>)

As important as checking out these products is going to the doctor with your symptoms. It's much too easy to throw everything under the word perimenopause. Too easy and dangerous. That word sounds impressive but all it means is "before menopause." If it's before, why is the medical community, and why are WE so willing to throw all the things we feel into that category? There are many things that can be wrong that can mirror menopausal symptoms. Thyroid problems for a start.

Women should insist that no diagnosis be made until a complete range of tests are run.

[pegasus]

i have dealt with peri menopause through many years in my 30's i hit 40 and my body gave me one year to adjust to going from peri to full blown and i am just starting to deal with all the stuff ^^^ from there. i have learned, however that one thing is ringing true no matter what i see... no two ladies r the same, it is strictly trial and error, and money out hand over fist in the meantime. I no longer have insurance so i am suffering thru this "hot" turkey!!!

[WA114]

<b>PRESS RELEASE:
Dietary Supplements Among First Lines of Defense in Treatment of Menopause Symptoms</b>

Eight leading international women?s health experts cite red clover isoflavones for efficacy, safety

Toronto, Canada June 29, 2005 - Eight internationally-renowned women?s health experts, lead by Lila Nachtigall, MD, recommend over-the-counter dietary supplements among the first lines of defense in the treatment of the symptoms of menopause. Isoflavones derived from the red clover plant, which are marketed under the brand name Promensil, were deemed as one of the dietary supplements acceptable due to its efficacy and safety in treating the symptoms of menopause as demonstrated in numerous clinical trials. These findings were presented by Nachtigall to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada at its Annual Clinical Meeting on June 19, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

"Due to a number of factors, many women have increasingly turned to alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms in recent years," said Nachtigall, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University?s School of Medicine. "Because of the proliferation of products, it is imperative that healthcare professionals and patients understand which ones are credible and substantiated by scientific research in terms of efficacy, safety and ancillary benefits and which ones aren?t. What?s more, there needs to be a well-defined method to using both alternative and traditional treatment methods wisely. We believe this algorithm is a conservative and effective clinical approach to achieving that."

The algorithm prescribes a hierarchy of treatment options to be utilized over time based on whether the patient is mildly, moderately or severely symptomatic. Treatments include changes in lifestyle, including exercising, avoiding caffeine and quitting smoking among others; complementary alternative therapy using dietary supplements, particularly red clover, which is marketed under the brand name Promensil; HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and non-HRT medicines; and regimens where several therapies are used in conjunction with one another.

The symptoms of menopause ? hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and others ? are caused by a decrease in the hormone estrogen. Women generally enter menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. This hormonal change can also contribute to loss of bone density, diminished cardiovascular health and other ailments (including osteoporosis).

In the last 10 years, more than 100 over-the-counter products for the treatment of menopause have hit the shelves, and use of these botanicals by midlife and older women has increased 380 percent, the largest of any other demographic, according to a study in the January issue of Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.

"The algorithm is a good guide for clinicians even though most menopausal women don't fit into tight categories," said Dr. Nancy Durand, OBGYN, a co-author of the algorithm. "There are women who have menopausal symptoms who would rather skip the alternatives and use hormone therapy to be guaranteed relief. There are other women with more severe symptoms who would rather try alternatives first before they go to hormone therapy. The bottom line is when they try an alternative treatment they should try one that has been clinically tested."

The algorithm treatment method represents the first time scientists have come to a consensus suggesting dietary supplements as among the first lines of defense in the treatment of the symptoms of menopause.

For more information on the algorithm treatment method, visit www.promensil.com.

Novogen, Ltd., is the world leader in research and development of isoflavones for human health. Isoflavones derived from the red clover plant, marketed under the brand name Promensil, have been clinically proven safe and effective in treating the symptoms of menopause and improving cardiovascular and bone health.

?30?

<b>EDITOR?S NOTES:</b>
Interviews with the medical experts mentioned in this release, as well as women with personal stories of menopause and treatment, are available upon request. Images, photos and other graphics are also available.

The dietary supplement Promensil is available over-the-counter at local drug, grocery, health food and mass retail stores.

- News Canada (www.newscanada.com)