does the menopause ever end?

vivmagb

I wonder if you ladies would like to share your experiences about the menopause. 31/2 years ago I was taken off HRT after being on it for 10 years. 3 weeks later I went straight into all the symptoms, hot flushes, mood swings, trouble sleeping, depression and as yet they have not stopped. I have tried all the recommended herbal things (black cohosh sage etc.) but none of them have had the slightest effect. How did you cope and are you still having problems?

EdInvestor

My general impression is that the process lasts around 5 years. No idea if putting it off via HRT makes it any worse though.

chesky369

Does the menopause ever end? Yes, and then you get old.

djohn2002uk

Taking a risk here posting on a womans topic, but here goes.
My wife suffered terribly during the menopause and I suffered too seeing her in agony, and I mean agony, crying with pain. Our GP tried different things but concluded that a hysterectomy was the only cure.
She decided to try accupuncture, after seeing the results I had from it for tennis elbow. The results were nothing short of miraculous. She never had any symptoms ever again. No more hot flushes, mood swings, trouble sleeping, etc.
Just thought it was worth a mention.

Errata

Why not talk to your GP? If it's a group practice it's possible one of the doctors has a special interest in gynaecology. It would certainly be worth discussing your depression with a GP.
Studies suggest that the longer a woman is on HRT the longer menopausal symptoms will last, not much comfort to you I know, but 10 years is quite a long time to be on HRT. A woman in my family was on it for 12 years and is still having hot flushes 8 years after she came off it. Unfortunately her GP can't offer anything but reassurance that all things do pass.
Many complementary and/or alternative therapies work for many women, but no single one works for every woman or for all her symptoms.
There is a suggestion that a low dose of medication for hypertension will reduce the frequency and level of hot flushes, but of course this has to be prescribed by a GP.

[Deleted User]

I don`t think there is any shortcut to going through the menopause tunnel. This book is fantastically helpful

natural alternatives to HRT by Marilyn Glenville

a natural menopause can take from 15 to 20 years as the hormones gradually decline. Pre, peri and post menopause

From personal experience: I went with the flow and adjusted gradually. I ate seeds and drank soya for years and always kept a postive outlook and sailed through. Ok the power surges were the worst thing and the consequent waking up at night. I found that I also needed my own space at times so would go for a wander into the trees.

It isn`t a pleasant experience overall and there are so many changes to adapt to, not least of which is learning to get older but it is like a rite of passage and life is really good afterwards

Ted_Hutchinson

The book I am reading at the moment The Brain Trust Program by Dr McCleary has an interesting section on the menopause that would be worth tracking down.

Basically he is saying that the lower Estrogen levels influence the amount of blood sugar reaching the brain so brain cells become starved of energy this stimulates the hypothalamus to fix the fuel shortage which is does by releasing norepinephrine which raises the blood sugar levels , heart rate and body temperature. So a hot flash is the sign of the brain trying to protect itself from blood sugar starvation.

So changing the fuel the brain runs on to prevent the energy crisis in the brain cells and interrupt the whole hot flash cascade without resorting to medications or hormones is an option worth trying. Really you need to read the whole book to understand what this entails but If you look at Doktor Dahqvist's Dietary Program it's more or less the same healthy low carb life style. Which as you can see from my signature I've been using successfully to lose weight. (touch wood so far) As well as that he suggests a ketogenic cocktail but as I may be told of for giving medical advice if I tell you what he says to take I'll just post a link to a website that has the Ketogenic Cocktail listed.

A cheap website to obtain those supplements is Iherb

I've always used USPS as that is the cheaper option and it is quite quick. Not much longer than Zipvit/Healthspan/Simply supplements just a better range of stuff and cheaper prices.

If you want to know what else he suggests taking I'll happily copy it out for you.

EdInvestor

Replacing some of the lost oestrogen with plant based sources (eg soya products) seems to help some women.There is a Chinese herb called "dong quai" that can also be useful. Are you on the skinny side?If so it may be helpful to put on a bit of weight as oestrogen is manufactured in the fatty tissues.(Also reduces the effect of wrinkles!)

But basically it's a matter of patience. IMHO chesky's view that you have the menopause and then you get old is too negative.Many women these days look better and feel healthier at 60 than at 50 - transitional changes like the monopause are always difficult as you don't know what's coming next.The stability that follows is a welcome contrast.

IMHO "old" doesn't start until around age 80 these days

chesky369

Sorry about the depressing view - you're absolutely right Ed. Feeling a bit down since I've never managed to shift the weight I put on around the menopause and, since I gave up smoking, am adding to it. I now only look at myself full on in the mirror, don't turn sideways, since it's not so bad that way.

EdInvestor

chesky369 wrote: »

Sorry about the depressing view - you're absolutely right Ed. Feeling a bit down since I've never managed to shift the weight I put on around the menopause and, since I gave up smoking, am adding to it.

Of course the silver lining is the extra oestrogen from the weight gets rid of the menopause earlier and staves off the wrinkles. :)The trick is to keep it under control and in particular to keep fit, getting regular exercise.I've seen studies suggesting that a bit of extra weight contributed to better health in older people, as long as they keep fit and flexible.

Now the better weather is on its way, have you tried swimming? Getting a nice quiet spell at the pool is much easier for retired people, who can go when the schoolkids are otherwise occupied. Recommended, especially for flexibility - and also v.helpful for those with menopause problems.

baileysbattlebus

I must admit that at almost 54, the only symptoms I've ever had have been a bit of weight gain and periods becoming irregular. But my periods were so horrible and painful that having virtually no menopausal symptons only seems fair !!!!
I do feel quite lucky though, especially when I know what other people go through, surely there is something the Dr can do for you vimagb.