Early menopause (age 43), hot flush help..

[pfrench]

.. I started menopausal stuff last summer when I was 42. I had an FSH score at that point of 80. No periods for 6 months, but dreadful hot flushes - so bad at night that i had very broken sleep. No sleep meant grumpiness and probably low level depression.

Then had 4 random periods (not bad, as normal). Slept fine for a few months, life much better. No periods for last 4 months again and the flushes have ramped up, I'm back to dreadful sleep - often wake up drenched in sweat 8 - 10 times a night. Obviously am exhausted, grumpy and getting towards feeling 'depressed' again.

This is expected - history of early menopause in my family (around 40). Obviously life/work/relationships suffer with all of this.

I have Factor 5 Leiden, which means I can't take hormones, have a history of DVT (18 years ago now), had to inject blood thinners while pregnant.

I'm overweight, but not massively (I'm losing it very slowly), I don't really drink alcohol much, or caffeine, run two miles most days, and eat a rounded diet.

I'm off to the Dr on Monday to ask for some help with all this, since I can't carry on like this for another year, let alone 5 or 10. I'll end up sacked and single!

What can I ask for? I don't want anti-depressants, but can't do HRT. Are there middle of the road options? Should I try and get a referral to an expert instead of a GP? Happy to pay to go private.

Oh also have breast cancer (maternal grandmother, maternal aunt), and cervical cancer (maternal side cousin) in the family. We haven't been tested for the gene.

Hi Feel for you that is no fun and I have been there but I am currently doing a bit better, I can't have HRT either. I am trying citalopram - I think it is helping but hard to be sure how much do to my own medical history (surgical menopause and recent chemotherapy).

The RCOG have a leaflet you can read for ideas, you might want to print and take to the GP with you... www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/alternatives-to-hrt-for-symptoms-of-the-menopause/

Hi didn't want to read and run . I'm having hot flushes too but I had a surgical menopause so slightly different. I saw my Dr who recommended Prozac ,well it's generic name. I was unsure as I didn't really want to go on anti depressants but it's a really low dose and is often used to help make hot flushes and other symptoms more bearable. Now I feel a bit hot but no sweats so far so good,though only been on them for 2 months since operation. Im 40 and can't do HRT due to clotting and previous cancer.
Google Prozac before you see the Dr as it maybe something that they might suggest. Good luck hot flushes are horrible

Hi
I want to turn some of the above on its head!
You need expert advice from a meno consultant but you also need to re-think the 'myths' around risks of HRT.

First, at 43 you are having a prem meno. HRT would be replacing what you should have already. It will not ADD to your existing risk levels. Without oestrogen for the next 10 years you will be adding in a risk of heart disease and osteoporosis - bigger killers than cancer. HRT actually protects against heart disease when started within 10 years of menopause.

It will not add to your risk of BCancer and it will not add to your risk of DVT if it's transdermal HRT (not pill form.)

Breast cancer risk is only relevant if the first degree family members had it before age 40.

Also not all HRT is the same for breast cancer risks. Micronised progesterone is supposed to be safer and may carry no risk at all.

My consultant is treating women who have had cancer with HRT in a team with their oncologists. It's not a given that HRT is no good for you.

You need advice because you need to balance the risks linked to hereditary factors and risks of NOT using HRT.

Happy to give you names of consultants by PMs but they are London based, mainly.

Ps the risks of clotting is discussed in the NICE guidelines. In fact transdermal HRT may reduce risks of clotting. There was a big Danish study recently which looked at CVD risks with HRT. Arterial build up in women on HRT was 50% lower.

It's quite worrying that GPs (and the media) are not up to date with some research.

pfrench The BC in your gran and aunt do not count as risk. It's FIRST degree relatives which is a mum or sister with early BC.

You can do a lot to reduce your risks with lifestyle- lots of stats on how risks are lowered:

Walking for 7-12 miles a week
No alcohol
Low fat diet
Being within the normal weight ( a stone or more overweight adds more to BC risk than HRT!)

Interesting.

So, I had my GP appointment today. I was there for a max of 5 minutes. She said if I'm not willing to take SSRIs then there is nothing she can do for me - not a referral to anyone for hormone help, just 'nothing'.

She then said that if I was to take oestrogen at all then a risk factor would 'likely be death'.

FFS. I was on the pill for 8 years without any issue before my DVT, which was 'caused' by a long haul flight.

So, PollyPerky, thanks for the references, I'll be calling them!!

This has a free phone line for support.

www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/menopause/