perimenopause....any natural alternatives that really work?

[Curiousmama]

I'm going through this, am 42 this year and my mum went through the menopause at 44. I've been to the dr's just to make sure it isn't anything else but am pretty sure it is.

I'm pretty fed up right now to be honest and just want to be able to get through a day without a funny turn I also have panic disorder but this is controlled with citalopram.

I've been on evening primrose and starflower oil and am hoping they help? I'm taking a multi-vit too.

Any advice much appreciated. TIA

Exercise works wonders-some sudies show it is as good as HRT- but you need to do 30-60 mins a day.
also diet- cutting out alcohol and caffeine and eatin gmore pulses.

Thanks for that purplepeony. I could do with more exercise to be honest. I walk the dog but that isn't enough. I have a trampette and also quite enjoy a bike ride. I don't drink that much, have the odd cup of coffee as mainly drink water but I love pulses.

What are your symptons exactly, I'm experiencing the joy of nocturnal hot flushes atm, I'm also 41.

Sorry to hear that coclepew.

Mine are, tender breasts, cold flashes, palpitations, impaired memory, nausea, weight gain, flatulence , feeling down, irritability, also get funny taste in my mouth, dizziness and feeling 'out of it'

I find my symptoms are worse mid cycle. My periods have changed too, sometimes short and heavy, sometimes very light.

I'm perimenopausal too, although thankfully not suffering as many symptoms. I've found that if I keep the amount of carbohydrates I eat low, then the hot flushes disappear.

my mum started taking 'menopace' and its totally changed her, she admits she doesnt know if its mind over matter but shes sleeping all through the night and her flushes have all but disappeared!

I am taking Menopace, vit b , evening primrose and fish oil and have started running.

My symptoms were odd days of crashing depression, irritability, memory problems. I started the supplements recently and I think they help - at least the depression has not come back which was the worst bit. I read that eating a lot of soya is helpful.

I think different things help according to what exact symptoms you have. I really don't fancy the HRT route.

I think diet is very good and exercise.

I am not boasting but I had NO perimeno symptoms at all. My last period was at 53.5 and the only symptoms I had were flushes every hour at least, and insomnia, for a few months before they stopped, then worse after the last period. My gynae agreed to give me HRT ( he is a meno expert) as he felt I was doing everything I could lifestyle-wise already, and I have been on it for 18 months now.

You could try the menoherb supplements, as well as dong quai, black cohash, and red clover. I don't think evening primrose has been shown to help at all according to research.

You also need to look at your stress levels and overall wellbeing, as some of the things you mention might not be connected to hormones directly, but more to do with possible IBS and other things like that.

Yoga and pilates can help as can any exercise that is calming such as tai chai.

Thanks again purplepeony.

Thanks to everyone else too for your input.

My friend swears by Black cohash (sp?). I've just started citalopram myself so the irrriability is being kept under control atm. I've hear taking a vit b complex is very good, Holland and Barrett do one.

coco
there was an interesting feature in last Saturday's Times- health section- by someone who has started taking HRT given to her by Prof John Studd, and he believes that millions of women are on ADs when they should be having oestrogen instead.

I would rather try all kinds of stuff before resorting to ADs possibly linked to menopausal symptoms.

Why are you being given ADs for being irritable? Have you not been offered other things such as CBT, or herbal medicines, or even advised to do exercise? all are just as effective. You are quite young to be peri meno and you could have another 10 years of peri symptoms- how do you feel about being on ADs that long?

The ADs are for anxiety and depression due to my DDs ongoing MH issues, it's not for my menopausal symptons, they come and go.

My symptoms are similar and have improved vastly after seeing a herbalist.

It was too confusiing reading all the different types and think what and how much to take myself. The herbalist gives me a tincture combining different things to suit me and I have definitely improved. It's important to find a reputable, recommended one though.

My gp was very supportive of it too.

Acupunture is good too.

I have also changed my diet, cut back on masses of cake and wine and so on. I am 32 and didn't want to be on hrt for 20 years. Am hoping to hold off as long as I can!

Thanks again, the herbalist is a good idea. I'll be starting a new business soon so may not have the cash to do that but I'll keep it in mind.

I have had accupuncture for other health problems and also advocate it, just again might have trouble funding it?

It does add up doesn't it. Mine costs £30 for the consultation and then about £15 for the herbs. Usually lasts me ages though and then I often get a repeat prescription if it's going well.

I wonder if you could see a herbalist once and say you can't afford to keep coming and ask could you do with over the counter stuff when you have finished with their treatments?

Mine is quite good like that, but I guess it would depend on who you saw. I don't know much about acupuncture though friends say it has worked for them.

That sounds quite cheap Guadalupe, I think the herbalist I was thinking of in my town is more than that. I'll look into it though thanks.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times recently 'the oestrogen dilemma' - probably still on the NYT website if you search for it.

I'm in my mid-forties and still have regular periods, no particular menopausal symptoms, but this article persuaded me to at least consider HRT when I do. I suspect that public opinion has swung too far against it. I'm also put off other supplements by the fact that multivitamins etc are not necessarily a great thing.

What can I do for my thinning peri-menopausal hair? I already take vitamin B12, magnesium, Vit D, Iron and omega 3, at a doctor's recommendation to help with mood swings and fatigue, and they have helped.

Multi vits are generally a waste of money and a con.

If you eat well, then you don't need vits. The only one worth considering is Vit D as we are all evidently short of that, and there is some evidence it helps prevent cancers.

If you really think you need something then work out what is missing from your diet and eat the foods.

A change in diet can make a huge difference; you need to cut back/out sugars, caffeine, alcohol , fatty and fried foods, refined foods and increase fresh fish, vegs,pulses, olive oil, fruit and all the healthy stuff.

Exercise is also needed; contrary to the government recommendation of 30 mins 5 x a week, new evidence says we should all take 1hr a day.

This www.studd.co.uk/ gives a very positive stance on HRT- maybe too much the other way- but is worth readng.

However, I personally think that HRT beofre late 40s is not good unless you are having a prem menopause; you can do a lot with diet and lifestyle.

I got to 53.5 without using it, though I do accept we are all different.

I have to have B12 because I can't apparently digest enough from my otherwise good diet. Nor can I manage without iron because of heavy periods. If I didn't have those two supplements I'd have to spend days in bed because I wouldn't have enough energy to move.

And I am a meat-eater, also eat lots of vegetables, fish, pulses, etc. It just doesn't work.

your case is a medical problem- it doesn't affect many people.

abr1de have you tried kelp? Just a thought?

Thanks again for all the input it really helps

Thanks for the link purplepeopny, it's good to 'talk' to someone who's been there, and by all accounts you've coped well.