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Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 1:37:44 AM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		I thought I was going to off easy - my mom said she sufferred no menopausal symptoms (if heredity is a factor), and I hadn't had a period for 3 months. No hot flashes. Nothing.

I figured this was just going to be the end of it - and I'd just not have to deal with "that time of the month" anymore.

I was, apparently, very wrong. 

Today, I got "my little visitor" and with a vengeance. I am in so much pain I can hardly stand up. Aspirin or Tylenol, (or even Midol) doesn't help. Nor does my heating pad. Plus, I think I am having hot flashes (I get hot, very hot, and then sweat, and I hardly even perspire, normally).

I just hope that I don't get all bitchy and moody. I just hate this. I hope it's at least periodic, and not constant, or I won't be able to take it! 

I don't want to take anything with hormones in it, if I can avoid it. I know there are OTC remedies, and I have some (but am cheating and taking double doses - and still no relief).

I can't sleep, either.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks very much.

P.S. How long does Menopause last, anyway? Is there a typical median length of time in months? (Geez, I hope it's not years). 

It will be nice to not have to deal w/"that time" anymore, though (or ever have to worry about birth control).

- Susan  

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 12/11/2006 1:43:35 AM >

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 2:02:22 AM   
eyesopened


Posts: 2798
Joined: 6/12/2006
From: Tampa, FL
Status: offline 		So weird that there is so little practical information about menopause.  It sounds like you are in pre-menopause and from my experience, it's the worst stage.  The only advice is....This too shall pass.  Also, i found that worrying about the flashes makes them more intense so i remind myself that it's like wearing a butt plug at a restaurant...no one else knows.  Hormone replacement isn't a bad thing if used for a short period of time like a year.  It works and is known to help prevent osteoperosis and if the symptoms are causing sleep depravation, talk to your doctor.  Increase your intake of both vitamin E and C will help some but i have never heard of an herbal remedy that removes all the symptoms and i've tried them all.  Again, the stage you are in is the worst but it goes away on its own.  Several things i've read about vaginal atrophy and or dryness is to increase sexual activity.  (no, really, Sir, it's medicinal!  hahaha) Now that i've been period free for over 5 years and no longer taking hormone replacement,  the mood swings are gone, the night sweats infrequent, hot flashes are a mild annoyance and i gleefully give the raspberry to the feminine hygiene aisle!  

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:21:56 AM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Thanks so much for the reply. I appreciate the information!

-Susan 

_____________________________

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That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:55:09 AM   
twicehappy


Posts: 2706
Joined: 2/5/2006
Status: offline 		Try taking black cohosh and using progesterine cream, you can buy both in the vitamin section at Walmart.

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 5:05:08 AM   
Mistrix


Posts: 186
Joined: 2/14/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SusanofO

I thought I was going to off easy - my mom said she sufferred no menopausal symptoms (if heredity is a factor), and I hadn't had a period for 3 months. No hot flashes. Nothing.

I figured this was just going to be the end of it - and I'd just not have to deal with "that time of the month" anymore.

I was, apparently, very wrong. 

Today, I got "my little visitor" and with a vengeance. I am in so much pain I can hardly stand up. Aspirin or Tylenol, (or even Midol) doesn't help. Nor does my heating pad. Plus, I think I am having hot flashes (I get hot, very hot, and then sweat, and I hardly even perspire, normally).

I just hope that I don't get all bitchy and moody. I just hate this. I hope it's at least periodic, and not constant, or I won't be able to take it! 

I don't want to take anything with hormones in it, if I can avoid it. I know there are OTC remedies, and I have some (but am cheating and taking double doses - and still no relief).

I can't sleep, either.LAVENDER ON COTTONBALLS AND SHOVE THAT IN YOUR PILLOWCASE.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks very much.

P.S. How long does Menopause last, anyway? Is there a typical median length of time in months? (Geez, I hope it's not years). 

It will be nice to not have to deal w/"that time" anymore, though (or ever have to worry about birth control).

- Susan  

Menopause can last for years.  Because of my hysterectomy when I was 24 I went into early menopause (they left an ovary in there so I will get it again late)I was so young having hot flashes and dryness and all of the above.
I read that healthy women in China rarely suffer the effects of menopause and a few reasons why is that they walk often (exercise) and take in alot of soya in their diet.  Apparently that helps.  Chinese Mint Oil is effective for hot flashes and headaches as well.  To help with depression and the mood swings, tanning may help.  I know it helped Me alot.  Tanning beds gave Me what I couldn't get in the winters and thus helped the depresssion and SAD.

Here is a a little bit of information concerning use of herbs and aromatherapy.
INTRODUCTION TO HERBS
Menopause changes occur not only in the ovaries, but also in the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas, pineal and pituitary glands. Herbal allies, used wisely, provide micronutrients that strengthen the immune system, provide bone-building minerals and endocrine-nourishing glycosides.
When using herbs we need to be alert and aware, just as we are when ingesting any substance. It's best to identify all plants you intend to use by botanical name, and buy only products labeled by botanical name. Using only one herb at a time and learning all we can about it, we may begin with gentle nourishing and tonifying herbal infusions and vinegars. Each of us is unique, and although side effects are rare, it's recommended you watch your reactions carefully during the first 24 hours when first using any plant. Use herbal tinctures only after you have gained some familiarity with herbs as foods and infusions. Start with a small, recommended dose of the herb and increase slowly if needed.
Plants strong enough to act as stimulants, sedatives, and near-drugs have powerful effects on both body and spirit and may be useful in very small doses. Learn to respect the uniqueness of every plant, every person and every situation as well as the differences between herbs.
Nourishing herbs rarely produce side effects and may be taken in any quantity indefinitely. These herbs include alfalfa, borage, calendula, chamomile, chickweed, cornsilk, comfrey, elder blossoms or berries, fennel, fenugreek, lemon balm, mallows, nettles, oatstraw, plantain, raspberry, red clover, seaweeds, sweet briar (rose hips), St. John's wort, slippery elm and violet. All are considered especially nourishing for the menopausal years.
Tonifying herbs act slowly in the body and have a cumulative, rather than immediate, effect. These herbs are most beneficial when used in small quantities for extended periods of time. Side effects are more common with tonics. The more bitter they taste, the less you need to take. Tonic herbs useful during the menopausal years include birch, black cohosh, blackstrap molasses, chaste tree (Vitex), dandelion, Dong quai, echinacea, false unicorn, ginseng, hawthorn, horsetail, lady's mantle, motherwort, peony, sarsaparilla, spikenard, wild yam and yellow dock.
Sedating/stimulating herbs usually cause a wide variety of rapid reactions. Long-term use can lead to dependency, so these herbs are best used in moderate doses for fairly short periods of time. Side effects are frequent, and there may be loss of tone or a rebound effect when the herb is no longer taken. Some parts of the body may be stressed in order to help other parts. These herbs include catnip, cinnamon, ginger, hops, licorice, myrrh, passion flower, poplar, primrose, sage, skullcap, uva ursi, valerian, vervain, willow and wintergreen.
Toxic herbs are potential poisons and potent medicines, but nevertheless have a place in healing. They activate intense effort on the part of both body and spirit. As herbal "bullets" they are taken in tiny amounts for very short periods of time, usually under supervision of a qualified practitioner. If you are allergic to any foods or medicines, it is especially important to check on the possible side effects of toxic herbs. These herbs include cayenne, cotton root, goldenseal, liferoot, poke root, rue, sweet clover (Melilot) and wormseed.
 
BOTANICAL NAMES FOR PLANTS




Nourishing
Tonifying


Alfalfa
Medicago sativa

Birch
Betula sp.

Borage
Borago officinalis
Black cohosh
Cimicifuga racemosa

Calendula
Calendula off.
Chaste tree
Vitex agnus-castus

Chamomile
Anthemis nobilis
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinalis

Chickweed
Stellaria media
Dong quai
Angelica sinensis

Cornsilk
Zea mays
Echinacea
E.purpurea, E.angustifolia

Comfrey
Symphytum officinal
False unicorn
Chamaelirium luteum

Elder
Sambucus nigra
Ginseng
Panax sp.

Fennel
Foeniculum vulgar
Hawthorne
Crataegus sp.

Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum graecum
Horsetail
Equisetum arvense

Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
Lady's mantle
Alchemilla vulgaris

Mallows
Malva sp.
Motherwort
Artemisia vulgaris

Nettles
Urtica dioica
Peony
Paeonia albiflora

Oatstraw
Avena sativa
Sarsaparilla
Smilax officinalis

Plantain
Plantago sp., P.psyllium
Spikenard
Aralia racemosa

Raspberry
Rubus sp.
Wild yam
Dioscorea villosa & sp.

Red clover
Trifolium praetense
Yellow dock
Rumex crispus & sp.

Sweet briar
Rosa canina


St. John's wort
Hypericum perforatum

Slippery elm
Ulmus fulva

Violet
Violo odorata




Sedating/Stimulating
Toxic


Catnip
Nepeta cataria

Cayenne
Capsicum frutescens,
C.annuum

Cinnamon
Cinnamomum zeylandicum, C.cassia
Cotton root
Gossypium

Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis

Hops
Humulus lupuli
Liferoot
Senecio sp.

Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Poke root
Phytolacca americana

Myrrh
Comminphora myrrha
Rue
Ruta graveolens

Passion flower
Passiflora incarnata
Sweet clover
Melitotus

Poplar
Populus tremuloides,
P.nigra & others
Wormseed
Chenopodium abrosioides

Primrose
Primula officinalis


Sage
Salvia officinalis

Scullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora

Uva ursi
Arctostaphylos uva ursi

Valerian
Valeriana officinalis

Vervain
Verbena hastata

Willow
Salix nigra, S.alba

Wintergreen
Galtheria procumbens

< Message edited by Mistrix -- 12/11/2006 5:10:22 AM >

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 5:15:26 AM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Wow, thanks a lot! So much good info! I appreciate it!

- Susan

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 6:19:45 AM   
JerseyKrissi72


Posts: 10238
Joined: 8/21/2006
From: Reed City, Michigan
Status: offline 		I am only 34 years old but there are times when I wonder what is happening to my body...Years ago, I had a 20 pound + cyst removed and the doctor needed to take my right ovary and most of my tubes...Since that time, my period only lasts 2 days max most of the time and it barely bleeds...I rarely get pain from menstruation anymore, bloating, etc...I get hot flashes that drive me nuts at night..am I too young to be experiencing this??

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 8:19:55 AM   
mnottertail


Posts: 60698
Joined: 11/3/2004
Status: offline 		It is funny, on the boards it looks like the subject line is:

Relieving symptoms of Men....

Of course a blowjob will do that.

Ron

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 8:41:31 AM   
subruck


Posts: 3
Joined: 9/13/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		A great OTC counter cream is progestin. You just put a dab on each wrist.   If you go to http://www.trinityschool.org/html-NH/NH-welcome.php and hold your cursor over "about us" and then click on "our graduates", it will bring up a map.  You can click on your state to see who is in your area that has graduated from their Naturapthic Doctor program.  A naturapathic doctor will be able to give you natural alternatives.  Someone who is also an herbal master will be able to give you more information on herbs and how much to take.  Accupuncture and Chinese medicine can be very beneifical and helpful. Reflexology is also beneficial for relief of symptoms.

http://www.hotzehwc.com/ is another link to follow.  Dr. Hotze has a book that is very helpful.  I am a massage therapist and have a couple of clients that have become patients at the Hotze Clinic.  The results they have had are tremendous from allergy relief to hormonal imbalances.  They try to take the natural way before doing anything else.

I have quit taking all forms of birth control because I don't want to put extra hormones in my body and am doing research on the non-hormonal methods, such as a copper IUD, but the US only has one. They don't have a frameless IUD approved yet. 

Good luck.

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 11:23:51 AM   
MmakeMme


Posts: 682
Joined: 7/29/2006
From: NC
Status: offline 		Soy soy soy and more soy. I'm right there with ya, Susan. I refuse to take medication for it and soy is a wonderful reliever. Also, check with organic food stores and in natural health circles. Meditation helps me stay centered too (because I have turned into in incredibly moody bitch). Good luck ... and welcome to the Sisterhood. Yahoo.

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 11:30:04 AM   
LaTigresse


Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline 		Oh yeah, yahoo..........I can live with being the evil bitch.

It's the middle of the night hotflashes that just piss me right off. Covers on, wake up roasting hot and covers off, wake up freezing and covers on.........over and over and over.

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:18:51 PM   
diamonddreamlove


Posts: 770
Joined: 5/19/2006
Status: offline 		Those very same symptoms may indicate a more serious problem and a visit to the dr is not remiss.  I had many of the same symptoms and discovered my blood work said menopause was finished only the body did not get the idea because of a diseased uterus and after having the works taken out i feel much better unless of course i forget the Premarin which Master said will not happen again.

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:20:17 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		I apprecite all of the great advice (and empathy, too). I am going to put this advice to work. Thanks!

- Susan 

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:24:00 PM   
proudsub


Posts: 6142
Joined: 1/31/2004
From: Washington
Status: offline 		I found that Black Cohosh and eating soy products (plant estrogen) helped with the hot flashes, and St. John's wart helped with mood.  I never took HRT due to a history of breast cancer in the family. The duration of pre-menopause varies with everyone. I would say mine lasted from age 48-56. I went 6 mo. without a period then like you--boom the mother of all periods LOL. Good luck to you, hope you find some relief.

< Message edited by proudsub -- 12/11/2006 4:25:00 PM >

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:27:55 PM   
darksdesire


Posts: 326
Joined: 10/18/2006
Status: offline 		It does sound like peri-menopause, which happens in the late 30s early 40s.  Progesterone cream helps me more than anything and eases the extreme PMS symptoms which often happens in peri-menopause, including insomnia, breast tenderness, irritability, night sweats...etc.  Still, you may be further along as it sounds like you missed three periods.  It might help to get your hormone levels checked just so you know where you are in the process.

There are also bio-identical estrogens that are apparently a much milder version that more closely mimics our own hormones.  These aren't made from the mare urine as the others are.  I believe you can get them through a naturopath, as I know mine prescribes them.  I haven't researched them yet to see if they are actually safer though.

Good luck.

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/11/2006 4:32:11 PM   
julietsierra


Posts: 1841
Joined: 9/26/2004
Status: offline 		A couple of years ago, a friend of mine recommended Evening Primrose Oil to alleviate symptoms of PMS.  I never really have ever experienced PMS until this past year. Now, it gets really bad and I figure it has to do with coming up on menopause.

This past month, I was having a really horrible time of things. I took that and literally, within 10 minutes, I went from being so upset that I could have bit the head off of someone saying hello to me, to calm without feeling in the least little bit, sedated. Research online says it's abunch of hooie, but this stuff worked two days in a row for me during the worst of the PMS.

Now sure what things will be like when I get more into this, but I'm taking notes.

juliet

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/12/2006 1:01:40 AM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Thanks everyone, for the kind responses and good information.

- Susan 

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/12/2006 2:17:40 AM   
Rayne58


Posts: 746
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Sydney Australia
Status: offline 		I went back on the contraceptive pill at 45 to regulate my cycle and control heavy prolonged bleeding after skipping 3 periods. I'm too scared to come off it because the bleeding I experienced was so heavy I thought I was hemorrhaging. My doctor is happy for me to continue as long as my blood pressure remains within normal limits. I was thoroughly checked out at the time and there was nothing wrong. I'm now 48, and perfectly healthy.

I did try going off it in 2004 but my cycle went all over the place and the bleeding was getting heavier so I went back on it. I like knowing which day I am due and also being able to tweak my cycle if I need to (not that I do that very often).

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/15/2006 9:12:13 AM   
andreaC


Posts: 195
Joined: 10/15/2006
Status: offline 		I am in my pre-menopause, i get hot flashes, mood swing and extremely emotional (poor Master) and some days its like a rollercoaster ride.  Luckily i was able to find a doctor (female) that understands and in some case hormones is necessary.

Maybe talk to your family doctor about hormones.......this is just my opinion, i know in my case its helping (just started to take hormones)

My previous doctor was a man and for a few years he said the problem was between my ears.............i wasnt impressed!!!!! 

I wish you the best SusanofO......hang in there

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RE: Relieving symptoms of Menopause - 12/15/2006 9:33:21 AM   
LokisBrat


Posts: 431
Joined: 12/5/2005
From: Mayberry, Illinois
Status: offline 		    How ironic that I discovered this thread, as this morning I did my first web resarch on this subject. I have begun perimenopausal symptoms in the last several months.

  For many years I was on the pill and that kept things so regular you could set a watch by it. I stopped taking it three years ago after Loki had a vasectomy. Now, my periods are coming at all sorts of strange intervals, the night sweats, mood swings, all the good stuff!

  Thank you everyone for the great info in this thread. I'm going to start by trying some Evening Primrose.  It's lovely to know one is not alone.

(Edited to add: The women on my side of the family had early hysterectomies, so I have no relative info on the hereditary aspects of symptoms. Makes you all even more valuable! )

Brat


< Message edited by LokisBrat -- 12/15/2006 9:35:37 AM >

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