Tracking Menopausal Symptoms - what to use?

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Always had very regular 28-day cycle. In the last few weeks I've been having my first hot flushes a LOT, just had a 3-week cycle (Grrr) and I feel ghastly - nauseous, tired.

So, thinking of tracking my symptoms so I have a comprehensive record of what's happening and taking that to my doctor in a few months - depending on how things are going.

Has anyone else kept a log of symptoms like this and what did they use? I have looked at apps and not immediately found anything that looks that useful, I could use a paper diary or a spreadsheet.

If anyone's got any pointers to pre-designed charts/diaries/trackers I'd appreciate knowing about them please!

I was asked to monitor the number of hot flushes (and other issues) by my doctor so we can see if there is any patterns to when they happen which might help me work out if there's any lifestyle changes I could make to help myself

I understand where you are coming from but not your GP! That's a load of bollocks really. Flushes are a vasomotor symptom of loss of estrogen. Stress can exacerbate them as can various foods like spicy food, and booze and maybe sugar (highs and lows of blood sugar) but at the end of the day, someone can make every lifestyle change in the book, and it won't do anything for the flushes. (I did.)

That really sounds like your gp is fobbing you off. There's nothing lifestyley you can do for hot flushes! Apart from spending all day sitting by an open freezer and even then they'd still happen. Yes less booze might help but won't get rid of them. Lifestyle doesn't really control hormones to any degree!

They're not I promise. My situation is very complex and even if you wanted to read it all it's hugely outting. My GP and I have worked collaboratively for many years now, they treat me with respect and I return it. One of my conditions is diet related so it does make sense to us to monitor that aspect. I totally take the point about doing everything by the book and it making no difference, I've experienced that myself and felt hugely angry and frustrated. It seemed so unfair. These days however I try and take the attitude of I've tried everything I can so I'll try and make peace with this now. At least I'm not beating myself up for not doing more.
As with everything else it's about finding the approach that works for each individual isn't it?

As with everything else it's about finding the approach that works for each individual isn't it?

Well yes and no. Menopausal Hot flashes have absolutely nothing to do with diet. They are caused by a drop in oestrogen. That is true for every single woman experiencing menopausal hot flashes. There isn't another reason unless you are talking about a different type of hot flash.

Excuse me asking a silly question MrFMercury but with a male user name are you female?

I'm afraid I agree with Twistella. It's worth trying lifestyle tactics to improve your overall health which we should all do anyway - more exercise, (which really helps mood and mild depression), diet, and so on, but all of this rarely helps flushes.

Treatment of menopause should be individualised, but the facts about HRT is it has been trialled on millions of women and is the only thing that consistently works compared to other things like herbs or supplements. If you take out the placebo effect and do randomised trials, HRT is still the most effective treatment.

So it does sound as if your GP is using delaying tactics, which aren't actually moving you forward in terms of your symptoms. The advice from NICE and meno specialists is to treat the symptoms. So if it sounds like a duck, walks like a duck and looks like a duck.....!

All I said to my specialist was I'm having hourly flushes, can't get to sleep for two hours, wake 3 x a night, compared to dropping off in 10 seconds before, so please can I try HRT because I can't work effectively and I'm tired.

You don't need to experiment on yourself when all the research is there telling us what works.

Yes I agree 100 percent with the above. Lifestyle changes are important anyway when you hit 50, but they will have a minimal effect on flushes.

I used hot flushes as a short hand for all the various menopause symptoms but yes I do have something similar to hot flushes due to other conditions. I can tell the difference so by only logging those I don't get confused between the two. The diet related condition I have is pretty rare but does cause symptoms similar to other symptoms of the menopause. It's hard to get into without laying it all out and explaining the links between this and that which makes a proper discussion hard.

I do broadly understand the cause of menopausal symptoms although I'm still educating myself as best I can. I do really think it is about taking an individual approach too. Some people choose HRT or alternative medicine, nothing at all, everything possibly available etc etc. I'm just dealing with this in the way that works for me.

OK go ahead and log if it helps you! I can't imagine it's relevant for 99% of menopausal women.

My fitbit showing my GP the intense lack of sleep was the thing that finally got me HRT.

After 7 years of the menopause.

I now have osteoporosis because of their inability to accept that I was having mine, early, even though my mother had hers at 38.

So yes, it does pay to track symptoms.

Well done those for minimising this. And I hope you never struggle with the hell of crumbling bones.

I'm female or why would I be dealing with the menopause?
HRT is not necessarily a safe option for me for the same reason I might not make it to 50.
I'm sorry. I just tried to answer a question about ways of tracking symptoms because I'd found something that works for me. I'm not sure why I've ended up trying to defend myself (or my GP). I'd hope your thoughts were well meant but it's patronising to assume I don't understand my own body and wouldn't have educated myself about the menopause.

Well done those for minimising this

Who's minimising? I am going through menopause at the moment and it's not nice.

If there's nothing lifestyley that folk can do for hot flushes... why are there threads on MN about changing one's bedding to better deal with HFs (to lighter layers, I think) or why do women throw open the windows at night. My cousin cranked up the aircon in her car when she was giving me a lift. Colleague ran to open the doors in the school hall when she had a flush. It doesn't seem like people are completely powerless (other than taking a pill).

Who's minimising? I am going through menopause at the moment and it's not nice.

You.

'What the hell is the point of tracking symptoms?'

etc etc etc. blah blah blah.

I started mine 10 years ago and I am younger than you.

Please stop telling the OP that her concerns are not relevant.

I don't think it's worth spending money on an app to track symptoms, no. Sorry if that offends you. I have not said her concerns are not relevant, I've said hot flushes can't be controlled by diet and you don't actually need to track hot flushes as they are not triggered by anything other than a lack of oestrogen.

Mr Mercury has a dietary issue which mimics hormonal hot flushes, so totally not the same as menopausal flushes.

You sound very aggressive which there is no need for.

You sound very aggressive which there is no need for.

Aggressive?

You literally said 'what is the point?'

That is the definition of minimising. Leave her alone.

I'm female or why would I be dealing with the menopause
I agree , but why have a male user name? In these days of transgender and sex change and your comments about your complex issues, it just raised a question in my head.

Look , using an app simply makes money for the makers of the app. No one needs an app.

An app does not take the place of an informed GP! If a GP won't take early menopause and a family history of that as relevant, and provide treatment, and an early DEXA scan,they ought to be sued especially if you suffer diseases later on that are brought on by negligence. No app is going to convince such a GP.

MrFMercury- it is well known that a hysterectomy brings forward the menopause by 2-4 years in many women. I don't know what other illnesses you have - you are drip feeding, to be honest here, talking about 'if you make it to 50.' If you are suffering, and can use HRT you should. If you are happy to put up with flushes which may be caused by other issues not peri meno, that's fine. All a few of us are saying is that for most women an app is a waste of time, money and energy and has been created to make money for the IT guys who designed it, creating a need where there really isn't one. That's all I have to say on it!

My apps are free... not that this should be a consideration.

I use P Tracker (free version) - after tracking periods (or lack of) for 18 months (at age of 42) and other peri menopause symptoms (hot flushes day and night/brain fog/insomnia), I went to GP. It was overactive thyroid.

FFS not all apps cost money and why shouldn't the OP use one if she wants to / it helps her.

MN has really gone to shit. Bun fights over nothing.

You are welcome to join the bun fight! (Or as some would call it, a sensible discussion....)

Apps may be free but google is tracking your use to sell you stuff. None of it is without a cost.

I track mine in the health section of my iPhone. I'm 46 & like to keep a note of them. It's no biggie.