I am really confused about supplements

[BanyanTree]

The more I read, the more confused I get. Last night after months of procrastinating I finally found some supplements I wanted to buy.

I went to see a Gyno in April and she told me that she thought I was handling things well and just to take a very good multivitamin and come back if symptoms got worse. To be honest, I am doing OK but on occasions (say every 3 months) the anxiety overwhelms me a bit and I lose sleep and then I am a mess. I am also quite irritable.

Last night I found a good menopause multivitamin I wanted to take and ordered them. I also found a good meno support herbal supplement that had a mixture of sage, Agnus Castus and Black Cohosh. They are out of stock and now the company has just told me that they are no longer able to sell it as Black Cohosh is deemed a medicine.

To me it just feels unnatural popping loads of pills not prescribed to me by a Doctor. However, I do want to start dealing with these symptoms and am looking to take sage, black cohosh and agnus cactus. Where do I start though? I am not sure what dose I need or is safe.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Sage specifically helps with sweats so if you're not suffering, don't bother with that.
If I was you I would try 6.5 mg black cohosh first and if the effects aren't noticeable after a couple of weeks then try it mixed with something like St. John's wort. You'll have to double check if you're on any medication though as I can't remember what that interacts with

Thanks lumpit. I don't have sweats yet.

Don't take St Johns Wort or Black Cohosh if you are taking thyroid medication they both interact badly

Unless you have medical reasons not to take HRT why not?
It IS possible to perhaps find relief with over the counter herbs but it's very hit and miss.
The benefits of HRT to health - both meno symptoms and longer term health- outweigh the risks up to 60 at least, so it's really worth thinking about.
Don't be put off by the media headlines of risk- they are out of date.

Hi Polly
If my symptoms get any worse then I will pursue HRT. At the moment I don't feel I am in the full swing of the menopause and with a lot of luck I may never get worsening symptoms. I can handle most of the things I feel, it is just the mood fluctuations I don't like and the increase in anxiety I have. If I can take the end off that then I can handle the other things.

Some supplements can have side effects. 'Natural' doesn't always mean 'safe'.
I don't know how women evaluate moods and anxiety. I suppose I have always had a bit of each all my life and accept it as my norm!
I think I'd try something like CBT to deal with the underlying thoughts rather than turn to meds, for the anxiety.

Maybe yoga and mindfulness/ meditation worth a go?

HRT is a drug and can have side effects which would outweigh any side effects from vitamins. Worth exploring all options.

HRT is not really a drug. Hormone Replacement Therapy. It's replacing what we'd have. Vitamins don't alleviate hot flushes, pelvic floor atrophy, heart health etc. It's important to remember that HRT prevents a lot of serious illnesses as well as having some small risks.

It is a worthwhile drug but it is a drug made from either soya or yam & has a long list of side effects. It makes a big difference to people's lives but can also cause many side effects. It is the same as thyroxine as it is replacing a missing substance. There are alternatives for those who are not experiencing more severe symptoms. Each has to make an individual choice but for some reason it is marketed as not a drug. Strange.

It depends on what you mean by a long list of side effects. Have you looked at the list of side effects in any box of tablets - including aspirin and other pain killers, antibiotics etc?

I don't have any side effects from it. Do you mean risks or side effects? Difference!

You have answered your own question. It has a long list of side effects the same as any drug.

No. I asked you if you meant side effects or risks.

Do you know how side effects are listed? The companies have to list every single side effect ever experienced by people in clinical trials. This means 1 person in 100K might have that side effect. It is still listed.

Also, do not forget that side effects are listed as possible. It doesn't mean that everyone will have any of them!

Bear in mind that in the case of HRT, we are replacing what we would make ourselves- the actual molecular structure is the same as our own body would make. It's not a synthetic product being introduced into the body.

I'm not sure what point you are making? Are you asking for advice or giving it ?

We all know that. Let's talk supplements

I have started taking a multivitamin from the NHP's menopause range and a 6.5mg of black cohosh.

As advised above, I will add in other supplements if I feel I need it.

I'm heading slowly into perimenopause, and have been taking the Menopace plus supplements for six months or so now.

I've been sleeping much better, have fewer aches and pains and feel less anxious. Also feel positive about keeping up calcium levels.

A good, easy to obtain entry supplement, I would say.

A friend of mine swears by high dose sage for hot flushes btw.

Supplements may help some women but the success is really anecdotal. The Royal College of Obs and Gynaes issues a leaflet on alternatives (I've linked to it many times on these threads.)
There are very few if any that show efficacy in trials. Black cohosh is a possible but it can have serious side effects.

This info by Cancer Research is pretty balanced.

[[
www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/black-cohosh]]

'Natural' doesn't mean safe in all cases.

Menopause strikes twice!

1 short term stuff like flushes, sweats, memory, moods.

2 long term - heart disease risk increases, bone density decreases (within 5 years a rapid decrease), pelvic floor atrophy, muscles get weaker, cognitive function may fall off, (or dementia), collagen throughout the body declines- so joint pain, back pain, etc.

Herbs etc may help with 1 but not with 2.

I've found Menopace very good as well, but I also take a good, absorbable magnesium supplement as well, which does help with the anxiety.

Menopace Original is a vitamin tablet with 20mgs of soy isoflavins.
I don't know why anyone would pay so much for a multi vitamin if they have a good diet. If you want to eat isoflavins then a pot of soya yoghurt would be better surely? Most of the food we eat contains all the vits and minerals we need (except Vit D) so there is no need to added vits during peri menopause at all. It's a marketing trick to make you think you need this!

Many women can get through the menopause with vitamins/supplements. Menopace has been so successful for some. Always best to try the least invasive type treatment first before starting the HRT regime as sometimes it's like hitting a nail with a very big hammer. If you have VA then vagifem can be used and is focussed in that area.

Magnesium is very good for anxiety & muscle pain. It's always good to hear from people who have transitioned through the menopause & feel in a much better place. Hot flushes are annoying but they do pass.

I've never met any women who have got relief from really bad meno symptoms by taking extra vitamins. How would they? Vitamins are in our food so how can taking more than we need (which the body excretes anyway) help?

I am completely against the racket that is the vitamin industry. They work on the idea that we need more and they can 'cure' stuff. Unless someone has a restricted diet, they don't need extra vitamins.

Flushes do not always go. My mum had them into her 80s. My dr tells me some women - a good percentage- never get rid of them.

Where are you along the line yourself in meno Dignity? What's helped you?

can anyone advise on something for sleeping? I can deal with the flushes but not lack of sleep. I go off ok but then wake several times a night.

Each to their own. If it helps do it!

If you're 'completely against the racket that is the vitamin industry' polly, then might I suggest that this isn't the thread for you?

Given that the OP has specifically asked for information and experience about supplements?

I had a blood test for VitD & was under the range. I have found taking VitD supplements useful & magnesium.