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Menopause

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Original poster

Night sweats

45 replies

Tattiesthroughthebree · 15/09/2013 09:48

My periods are still like clockwork (I'm 49) but I've started having night sweats. I wake up at about 3am all sweaty, sleep badly for the rest of the night and wake up tired.

I've had a blood test to rule out diabetes.

Suggestions? I've cut out caffeine after 6pm, and I've experimented with cotton PJs, cotton PJ bottoms and no top, and sleeping nude, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I sleep alone (DH and I have separate bedrooms.)

I am a couple of stones overweight.

OP posts:
missbopeep · 16/09/2013 08:27

Suggestions....

Options are- all the lifestyle changes to help with meno- cleaning up your diet and cutting out sugar and refined carbs, increasing 'good oils' like Omega 3 from fish, nuts, avocado, taking 30 mins brisk exercise 5 times a week, and losing weight. Your heart has to work so much harder to keep your temperature under control anyway if you are overweight, and during meno all this is going to get harder.

You could think about herbs- black cohosh, sage tincture etc, but tbh the only scientifically proven solution is HRT- have you considered it?

Original poster
Tattiesthroughthebree · 16/09/2013 08:35

My periods are still regular and normal, so far too early to consider HRT. The night sweats are the only problem so far, and they're mainly a problem because of the broken sleep and next day tiredness.

I've had two migraines in the last six weeks, both at the same point in my cycle, so that might be a problem, or it might be co-incidence.

OP posts:
missbopeep · 16/09/2013 11:15

You can take HRT regardless of whether you have periods - regular or not.
HRT puts back oestrogen and it's lack of it that causes hot flushes and night sweats. HRT is not just for women whose periods have stopped.
Your migraines could well be caused by the same or lower progesterone mid cycle.

Original poster
Tattiesthroughthebree · 16/09/2013 12:07

Thanks, missbopeep. I guess the obvious thing is to try to lose weight, given that that would probably improve my health generally.

I'm assuming I've a few more years to go before I hit the menopause proper. My doctor said there was no point in doing a blood test for hormone levels as the fact that my periods are regular means there's been no drop in hormones yet. But the night sweats are impacting badly on me, re sleep and tiredness.

OP posts:
missbopeep · 16/09/2013 13:27

The average age of meno in Uk is 51. Your hormones start to drop for years before the final period.

Your dr is not 100% correct! Some women never miss a period until their last one. Other women have periods but they are not ovulating- this is very common up to the meno.

Night sweats and insomnia are 2 of the main reasons why women use HRT. Your hormones have already fallen otherwise you would not have these symptoms. Just because you are having periods does not mean your hormone levels are the same as a younger person.

Rockdoctor · 16/09/2013 13:32

I am seeing my GP tomorrow for exactly the same reason. My night sweats have been accompanied by insomnia - to the extent I have been unable to work for a couple of days this month. I have also experienced some frightening mood swings. With two young DCs and working freelance I cannot continue like this.

Like you, I am 49 and periods are still regular, so I will be keen to hear what the GP has to say.

missbopeep · 16/09/2013 15:16

Most GPs have a pretty scant knowledge of the menopause unless they are really interested in it.

I'm lucky enough to have private insurance and have seen a top gynae for over 5 years- initially for other reasons but now for menopause as it's one of his specialist areas. This is where my knowledge comes from as we have plenty of time to discuss all these issues.

I'd advise you to take control and decide what YOU want before you see your Dr- your options are either HRT or self-help with herbs, diet and lifestyle. The latter do not work for everyone and I doubt if there is a woman going through meno now who'd use HRT if all the other things worked. If your quality of life is suffering to the extent you cannot work, then it's time to do something about it- whatever your personal choice is. Not everyone wants HRT and of course you can experiment with herbs etc first to see if they help you.

Rockdoctor · 18/09/2013 20:51

Just reporting back. My GP was very sympathetic - we talked about blood tests (no point as she was sure they'd come back normal), herbs, HRT. In the end she suggested I tried Qlaira - as far as I can tell this is a relatively new pill for ladies like us....

Anyway, regardless of outcome, she certainly didn't rule out HRT or anything else - my symptoms were enough to open up a discussion about menopause and treatment options, regardless of the regularity of my periods.

Mynewmoniker · 18/09/2013 21:06

I have a 3am shower and could still fall straight back to sleep...it's the having to change the damp bed that wakes me...and my poor DH up.

Rules · 21/09/2013 18:32

Ive started going into the menopause and use alternative medicine. I use St. Johns Wort tincture to improve mood (which is amazing when it kicks in and I wouldn't be without it now). I have also changed the foods I eat. Cutting out wheat, processed carbs and processed sugars seems to make a big difference. When I start eating wheat and rubbish again the hot flushes come back. I have not even considered HRT as I believe it to be detrimental to my health. I have never used hormones and don't intend to start now. That been said I totally understand other ladies using it who are having a really bad time or who just plain want to. Try to lose weight first and change your food choices, meditation helps as does weight training (to keep muscles toned as they seem to start losing tone now).

missbopeep · 22/09/2013 16:46

Rules-it's good that you are finding something to help.

But- I don't think any woman uses HRT 'just because she wants to'. Anymore than someone takes an aspirin just because they want to! Most women I know who use HRT have tried every blasted alternative option under the sun first along with the diet and lifestyle stuff and still had crap quality of life- meaning they can't function at work or home.
If you look at the website www.menopausematters.co.uk it's written by expert doctors, the thinking now is that for women who have symptoms, then HRT has more benefits than risks.
You might well find that as your hormones drop much more - mid 50s and older- you will rethink.

TweenageAngst · 22/09/2013 16:57

I have a friend who highly recommends bamboo bed linen for managing night sweats. I am going to buy some, it is really really soft and absorbent. In fact I have a window open on the pooter trying to decide which ones to buy.
www.allbamboobedding.com

TweenageAngst · 22/09/2013 17:02

My GP pretty much told me I am too young to be menopausal. Am 45 but the night sweats, insomnia and rage are hellish.
Thanks for the link MissBP am off to have a nose around that site.

Original poster
Tattiesthroughthebree · 22/09/2013 17:34

I like the look of the bamboo bed linen.

I'm going to try to lose a stone in weight (I have more than that to lose, but it would be a start)

I was on the pill in my twenties, but had to come off because it didn't suit me. So I'm a bit wary of anything involving taking hormones.

OP posts:
BIWI · 22/09/2013 17:39

I can't/won't take HRT because my mum died from breast cancer, and had been taking it for some time.

What I have found helps is:

  • less/no caffeine
  • low carb diet
  • Boots Menolieve

Also, if you can, keep your bedroom as cool as possible. Turn the radiators off and open a window - seems to help me.

Rules · 22/09/2013 18:00

Definitely the low carb diet BIWI....definitely.
I do know several women who have taken HTR MissBoPeep because they didn't want to go through the menopause, they wanted to avoid it. I also know a few who do bio identical hormonal replacement. I understand what your saying but I really think I will not have HRT as im strongly opposed to messing around with my body.

BIWI · 22/09/2013 18:03

Oh, and cutting out/down on alcohol although I tend to ignore this

missbopeep · 22/09/2013 18:07

Really sorry to hear about your mum and in your shoes I'd feel the same.

I think it's worth however researching the risks associated with lifestyle compared with HRT as shown here ( not for you personally but for other women.

This is from the Menopause Matters website. it's interesting that other lifestyle choices- drinking and obesity- increase cancer by far more than HRT.

Also, far more women die from both osteoporosis ( usually pneumonia connected with being bed ridden) and heart disease, than from breast cancer.

Comparing other known risk factors for breast cancer with HRT risk can be helpful in putting risk into perspective:

-more than 2-3 units of alcohol per day increases risk by 1.5x,
  • postmenopausal obesity by 1.6x,
  • late first pregnancy ( more than age 30) by 1.9x
  • more than 5 years of HRT by 1.35x.
for a downloadable diagram showing the relative risks of breast cancer with HRT, alcohol and obesity -
Interactive version with weblinks: PDF (677kb)
Print only version: PDF (634kb)
MoreThanWords · 22/09/2013 18:15

Tweenage - I'm 46 and been on various hrt for four years. GPs tend not to know much about menopause!

BIWI · 22/09/2013 18:19

We've had this argument before, missbopeep!

HRT definitely out for me, and I'm reducing my other risk factors as much as I can - have lost two stones (another useful byproduct of low carbing!) and cut back on alcohol. Lots of weight-bearing exercise at the gym.

But agree, everyone has to weigh up their own risks/preferences

Rules · 22/09/2013 18:24

You seem very pro HRT MissBoPeep and its great that it works for you. All these risk factors etc help you to be happy with your choice but for me putting artificial hormones in my body is just not something I will do.

Rules · 22/09/2013 18:39

Biwi I low carb (I have seen your wonderful thread), do weights, hill walk, don't drink alcohol and don't put rubbish in my body. I do find that when I eat wheat and sugar and processed food that my night sweats come back. I also think stress impacts on the hormonal process and having an understanding loving husband and family is very important. Meditation and yoga also help me a lot.

orangeflutie · 22/09/2013 18:57

Hi I'm 45 and have been having night sweats for about four weeks. I'm not sleeping very well because of them and toss and turn in bed trying to get comfy. I currently sleep with the window open but it doesn't seem to help very much.

I'm not sure what to do as my mother also developed breast cancer due to HRT. I think I'm going to try without for now. I've just taken my first Menolieve tablet after reading the packet very carefully so here goes.

Anyone had success with the herbal route? And is there anything extra I need to know about Black Cohosh?

missbopeep · 22/09/2013 19:48

BTW I'm not advocating HRT for everyone- my posts here are not about what works or doesn't for me- I'm just presenting the facts because a lot of women are afraid of HRT due to the flawed studies. There is new research out there which shows otherwise.

Oestrogen deficiency is a condition in itself which leads to all kinds of illnesses that kill- osteoporosis being one and heart disease another.

Hormones are necessary for health- if you had a thyroid condition you'd take thyroxine, or steroids for other illnesses- hormones are not some kind of 'evil' !

missbopeep · 22/09/2013 19:51

Orange-I'm very sorry about your mum.

I once asked a menopause specialist doctor about women who developed cancer 'due to HRT'-they said no dr could ever prove that HRT caused the cancer in an individual patient. It is not a cause-effect situation - you cannot prove that the HRT caused it because they could still have got cancer without it.