Please describe a hot flush to me...

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Hello, I've been on mn for years but never knew there was a menopause section!

Please could you describe a hot flush to me as I'm not sure if I'm having them or not. My recent experience is that I don't remember the last time I was cold, I used to be cold all the time, especially this time of year. Sometimes I feel like I'm on fire and I'm sweating from head to foot. I seem to smell more too.(yuk!)

I don't want to jump to any conclusions - I had a hysterectomy in November so I'm just over 3 months post op, they left my ovaries in and I'm only 33 years old. My mum had her menopause aged 38 but the consultant said it's very unlikely that I should go into menopause because of my age. He said that my ovaries should just keep ticking over as usual as they are healthy...

I do get sore boobs around the time I think I would be having my period but most of all I am totally ratty. This is very disappointing as I had been living a life of misery in pain, flooding etc before the op and was looking forward to being a 'new woman', ready to attack life but I'm just soooo exhausted from it all!!!

Thanks in advance

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Oh, by the way, they happen more at night but I'm not being woken up with them, however I'm constantly throwing the covers off and have to sleep with the window open.

[girlywhirly]

PLP, my flushes feel like the blast of heat you get when stepping into a hot sauna, except that the heat is from your inside! I don't seem to break into a sweat though. The 'heat' lasts for about 30-40 secs and subsides. I know what you mean about the duvet! I push the duvet on and off and stick a leg out at the side. DH and I have only a 4.5 tog duvet all winter. I think my neck sweats most at night. In my case, I am interested to note that these 'flushes' disappear when a period is due, for a couple of weeks before and after, although this is only twice a year now (age 51)

I'd be inclined to talk to the gynae again, in case the operation triggered off a hormone imbalance, there must be something they can do for you.

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Thanks girlywhirly, yes it does feel like it's coming from my core if that makes sense!?

I might just book in with the gp in a few weeks to see what he says, can't hurt and I'm due to see him anyway. Thank you

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Saw the GP, he wants me to have a blood test to check my hormone levels... will report back when I get the results, probably next week

[OrmRenewed]

Same as girlywhirly. I've been taking agnus castus recently and 2 things happened, my hot flushes have improved and I had a period First time for about 4m. Might be coincidence though. Could you try some of that>?

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Thanks ormrenewed, I guess I won't be getting periods though lol!

Blood tests came back as normal so apparently my hormones are all 'balanced' I guess! Have still been getting the flushes but they're not making life too hellish just yet. Will see the doctor next week for follow up - hoping he will reduce my citalopram as he refused to do it before seeing my blood test results... Will let you know if he says anything interesting. Might have a look at the agnus castus and see if it's worth a try...

PLP xx

[maltesers]

Can you tell me more about AGNUS CACTUS please OrmRenewed ? I am 51 and now get hot flushes, but not so bad my neck and face go red. I havnt had a period since Feb !!!!!!!

[Fontella]

Problem with blood tests is that our hormone levels fluctuate like yoyos, particularly at this time of life. You could have a test taken one day and all seems ok and the next it's all over the place. It's only a snapshot of what's happening at that particular moment.

I don't know much about Agnus Cactus but a friend of mine swears by Red Clover. I'm not sure if Agnus Cactus is a component of Red Clover or something different altogther - but a lot of hot flush supplements seem to include both.

I get the occasional hot flush but nothing I can't manage at the moment. Interestingly I also got them in the months after I had my children - daughter is now 14, so it was a while ago. The peri ones are much the same but fortunately they are infrequent and don't last long. Just this whoosh of heat out of nowhere that makes me want to take all my clothes off and jump in a snowdrift.