Hot flushes - Breastfeeding, menopause or something else? Please help I'm quiet scared

[pushmepullyou]

What it says really. I have a 6 mo DS, my periods haven't come back yet and I still find myself getting very hot a few times a day. It's nowhere near as bad as when he was first born and the horrible post partum sweating, more of a prolonged blushing feeling, but I'm feeling really anxious about it.

I've got myself in a bit of a panic because I've had four family members on the fast track for cancer tests recently and one of the first questions they were asked was whether they were having night sweats.

These aren't particularly at night, but I'm still worrying myself in to a bit of a state. Has anyone had anything similar and what was it?

TIA

I still have hot flushes and dd3 is 11m. They have got a lot less over the past 2-3m. My HV saw me haveone & sent me to tyeGP who did hormone & thyroid tests but as they comeback normal they came to the conclusion it was to do with bf which makes sense as the decline has comewith the decline in feeding.

Go to GP & get checked in case but it doesn't mean it's awful

Thanks Harriet

I'm a bit uninclined to go to the GP at the moment although I know I should as my mum is waiting for a colonoscopy, my dad is about to have his parathyroid removed and my DH is awaiting an endoscopy. Can't really face another of us with loads of stressful tests

It could be due to low oestrogen levels while you are BF - I had some post menopausal symptoms related to this, but more vaginal dryness and lack of lubrication for me. I have had the odd hot flush though! If your periods haven't come back, it is highly likely you have low oestrogen levels still. I have been led to believe that the night sweats associated with cancer are more extreme - soaking the sheets and pyjamas type thing, but I am not sure - why not ask some of the cancer specialists your relatives are seeing? Hope you feel better soon - think about all the odds against you getting types of cancers that are stacking up the longer you breastfeed. However, having said all that, my periods still haven't returned and I am similarly fretting!

It was just a blood test and took a couple of days. Its better to get rid of one of the worries and thyroid/hormones isn't something major

Bloody hell - poor you! i'd speak to your GP to put your mind at rest. Thyroid imbalances are incredibly common after birth, but I think you just have low oestrogen levels.

Thanks Haggisfish. It is all rather stressful at the moment. There's only one decent female GP at our surgery and she's part time so I suppose I had better get booked in. I was rather hoping that everyone would pile in and reassure me it was perfectly normal and I wouldn't have to bother!

Gah, just noticed the typo in the thread title. That should of course be quite

DON'T WORRY! I've been having night sweats for 15 years. I agree that they ask you that when exploring cancer, but, I promise you, night sweats and your symptoms are often very innocent.

YummyHoney, 15 years Is there any reason for them or is it just one of those things?

I know (or at least hope) I'm probably worrying unnecessarily, most likely because I'm pretty tired (DS not sleeping through yet) and stressed, but I've got myself in one of those silly head loops where every ache is terminal.

Please don't worry. Mine started after I gave birth the second time and sometimes I do absolutely saturate the sheets - I'm afraid it's truly revolting. Don't want to give too much away, but docs not sure why. I was extremely ill some years ago and went through a gammut of tests that focused on my night sweats and they had absolutely nothing to do with my illness. DH says my thermostat is broken because I'm either freezing or sweating!

I'm absolutely certain that, for a lot of women, giving birth sets off all sorts of changes and yes, you're right, I think it is just one of those things.

Also, as you say, you're very tired and that in itself will magnify every little ache and niggle.

I get Very Hot and Annoyed... I've got a nearly 6 month old baby too... Just had my thyroid tested and it's on the brink of going overactive apparently... Had the same with DS1 5 years ago and it righted itself after a few sweaty months :) Drying my (falling out) hair is a nightmare and I'm actually looking forward to cooler autumn days!!
Another friend has had the same thing after one of her pregnancies and she had terrible night sweats.
I'm glad I had the test and know what it is... might put your mind at rest?

The "night sweats" that go along with certain types of cancer are drenching night sweats that would leave you soaking and mean changing bed clothes, not flushes as you are having.