If you don't take or can't take HRT, what supplements do you take that help with menopause symptoms?

[JMAngel1]

I'm just wondering what anyone is finding helpful. I've been on the menopause board but it's quite HRT focused - anyone getting through it with lifestyle changes/supplements?

I’ve literally only just started HRT. I’ve been taking the Menopace multivitamin with extra calcium for some while. Also magnesium for insomnia which seems to work.

For various reasons, I have never taken HRT. I gave up alcohol, became vegetarian and began taking a multi vitamin and fish oil supplement, as well as a vitamin D. It was a rough couple of years, but out the other side, I feel great. People ask if I'm on HRT and when I say no, they do ask my secret. I watch my weight and keep active. I'm glad I'm not reliant on it and feel really well and ten years younger!

Layered cardigans
Brutal programme of cardio and weight training.

Menoforce Sage for flushes. Worked within days for me. Tumeric for aches and pains.

I take Menopace Max and it works really well

Watching this thread with interest.

I haven't felt the need to take HRT. If my symptoms had been bad I'd have considered it but I got through menopause with very little trouble compared to some women.

I found vitamin supplements helped with my overheating. I didn't have flushes so much as generally feeling too hot. Menopace is the one I've been taking for years. I also take a Boots brand red clover and isoflavones supplement, plus a high dose of vitamin D. I'm out the other side now and feel fine.

There's lots of good advice in the menopause section, it's not all strongly HRT. There are some people on there who are quite evangelical about it, but plenty of others (like me) who don't want to go down that route.

It's worth pointing out here that if you choose not to take HRT but suffer from vaginal dryness, that really does need treatment or it will get worse. Creams and pessaries are available to treat it, they replace lost oestrogen but are not classed as HRT because the dose is so low.

I had a really difficult time, and I was urged to take it, but never have. Coming out the other side, it's fine. The recommendations above for using turmeric and sage are worth considering.

I find cutting out sugar really helped. Also keeping active.

It’s not very nice to say those of us who take hrt are ‘reliant’

No offence intended. It was not used in a pejorative way. I'll swap 'reliant' for 'take regularly'.
Please accept my apologies for any offence caused.

Re HRT do you wait til you are getting symptoms? Nothing happening yet for me menopause wise but it can't be too far away.

Sorry-asked an HRT question. But could I be taking anything prior to the menopause that might mean it would help, rather than waiting.

What happens when people stop taking HRT?

I’m taking jointace as I’ve more problems with stiffness and clicky joints than any other symptom, as yet. I do get moody and tired. I’m at that stage where I’m starting to wonder whether I’ll ever have another period. But no hot flushes and I sleep well.

@Sparklingbrook you don't need to take anything, whether HRT or supplements, until you have symptoms. In the years coming up to menopause it's a good idea to make sure you are looking after yourself as well as you can. Keep your weight down, don't drink too much alcohol, keep hydrated and try to keep fit. I can't say I did all of those things myself, but in retrospect I probably should've done

@Valkadin I wonder that too.

@Valkadin

What happens when people stop taking HRT?

The menopause symptoms come back with a vengeance if my experience is anything to go by.

I had a premature menopause and started HRT aged 40. All the way through, and despite the HRT I have still had some symptoms.

Almost two years ago, aged 56, I came off it, and back came the symptoms, the mood swings and hot flushes being the worst, particularly at night. About 6 weeks ago I read on here about sage tablets and I've been taking them. The hot flushes have practically gone, although I can still be very crabby and irritable at times, but I hope the sage will eventually help that as well.

[quote DramaAlpaca]@Sparklingbrook you don't need to take anything, whether HRT or supplements, until you have symptoms. In the years coming up to menopause it's a good idea to make sure you are looking after yourself as well as you can. Keep your weight down, don't drink too much alcohol, keep hydrated and try to keep fit. I can't say I did all of those things myself, but in retrospect I probably should've done

@Valkadin I wonder that too.[/quote]
Thanks. That sounds doable. I would be interested to know how far away it is. Everything’s very regular still at the moment.

So sage - I have a bottle but then did a bit too much googling and read that it can increase risk of seizures? So I never took it.
I'm taking Magnesium and 5HTP at night to help sleep.
Also Red clover twice a day.
My worst symptom is waking at 2-3am with a racing heart and terrible anxiety and not being able to go back to sleep.

Anxiety/insomnia is my worst symptom by far, which is why I’m trying HRT. So far so good.

Anxiety attacks which feel completely different to the panic attacks I suffered as a teenager have so far been the worst thing for me.
Alcohol no longer agrees with me giving me palpitations at night and I’m finding I’m becoming intolerant to some foods.

I'm in peri, and whilst not really helping with the rest of my symptoms, the meno balance gummies from Starpowa have really helped with my raging PMT which had been getting steadily worse...Tbh there was one point I wouldn't have blamed DH if he'd divorced me. I'd say it's about 90% better after starting those.

@Maireas

Chinese medicine helped my friend

My GP said evening primrose oil for the hot flushes.
I also have a wool duvet.