If not able to take HRT what helps with symptoms?

[Justchillaxing]

I'm early fifties, last natural period last October. I've tried HRT but my migraines returned so I've stopped. I've a gp appointment this week but wondered if tete anything else I can take to stop the hot flushes. The HRT didn't help with my aches and pains and exhaustion anyway and I hated the heavy periods that returned with it so think I may be better not taking hrt. But the hot flushes really get me down I'm taking vitamin d and a multivitamin plus I've been on ADs but currently weaning myself off them as I don't think they were helping at all. I also take evening primrose oil 1000mg.

Apart from the aches and pains and depression and the hot flushes I don't feel too bad so if I can find something that helps with the hot flushes I'd be happy.

HRT is the only scientifically proven way of helping hot flushes. There are various herbal products which may help a bit if you want to experiment.

If you have only been 9 months or so without a period you are not yet post meno. It could be that the migraines are being exacerbated by the HRT BUT it's not the right one for you. If you were using pills you might get on better with patches or estrogen gel plus a separate progesterone.

Some women have to try 3-4 types to get the best 'fit' and the advice is give each type at least 3 months.

Evening primrose doesn't help meno (that's a bit of a myth) the only thing it is proven to help with is sore breasts as part of PMS.

Hi justchillax, when peri symptoms started 2 years ago the worst symptoms(at the time) were hot flushes throughout the day and night sweats. Did some searching into herbal stuff, tried a couple of things which made no difference ie black cohosh, then i found Maca Root and tried it. After 10 days, ALL symptoms of overheating had gone. Because i am a bit suspicious of herbal remedies, i then stopped maca after 3 months. A week later the overheating came back with a vengeance, so i decided to start again Maca root and the symptoms disappeared again after 10 days. I take gelatined maca root, one a day , other ladies i spoke to have had the same experience. Try it !

Thanks both.

I was using Evorel Sequi patches. I'm loathe to try others due to the migraines.

I'll try the maca root, thanks.

It depends when the migraines occurred. If they were in the 2nd half of your cycle when you were expecting the withdrawal bleed, this is very common. (I get it some cycles.) You may find a different type suits you better or you might not get any migraines on a continuous regime when you get to that stage of post meno. I find I get far fewer migraines now I'm on HRT because everything is more stable.

I hadn't had any migraines for quite a while until I started hrt. I'm not sure it was just the second half on the cycle, they seemed to constantly be there, lasting days.

I might wait until it's over a year since my last natural period and then not need to take hrt that makes me have a period.