So fed up of night sweats!

[Aria20]

I'm 36, I've been having night sweats on and off for a couple of years but didn't really click it could be a sign of early menopause. Now they are regular, I get them before ovulation and then I'm ok for a few days then they start again from cycle day 20/21 until period. I also get hormonal spots around my chin/lower face at these times and bad PMS rages.

I am not on any hormonal contraceptives and haven't been since before my youngest was conceived 5 years ago and DH has had a vasectomy since. My cycle is regular and predictable so my GP is dismissive of it being peri menopause, eventually gave me a blood test which showed normal range of hormones - but didn't advise me to have this on a certain cycle day so is it possible it's not an accurate reflection? Is there anything I can do? I'm sick of waking up damp and sweaty half the month - I shower and fresh pjs before bed, my room is not hot and nothing I do or change makes a difference and the fact they are predicable at certain times of the month they are surely hormone related!!

Anyone have any suggestions I could try? I'm apprehensive about pushing for HRT as I could then be on it for years as I'm only 36 now also my mum had breast cancer aged 45 so I'm not sure they will let me take it anyway, but I can't go on like this for another 10+ years. I'm on a low dose of fluoxetine to help with anxiety/pms symptoms but it hasn't made much difference and hasn't helped with the night sweats.

Thanks and sorry it's long!

Get some of these..

Only HRT will help if it’s menopause related. You need to see a different doctor. Blood tests aren’t reliable in diagnosing menopause and if you are young and peri menopausal they are as useful as a chocolate teapot. Most specialist menopause clinics (Ie Newson Health) will prescribe HRT based on symptoms alone. With your history of breast cancer ideally you need to see a menopause specialist (either privately or an nhs gynaecologist) who can take your risk factors into account. I went into early menopause aged 37 due to autoimmune issues and have been on HRT since. If you go into early menopause it’s actually better to be on HRT as early as you can because it helps to protect your heart and bones.

Not helpful, but I have been waiting to use that picture.
I think HRT has an extremely bad rap, the risks are relatively small for the individual woman and in your case, given your age and lifestyle I would see if it helped under the right supervision. Do you know what sort of breast cancer your mother had? That can make a difference to the decision.

I'm in a similar boat, although I am older than you.

I have been taking Black Cohosh and Red Clover, along with Ashwaghanda and Shatavari, and my night sweats and insomnia are under control now and I actually sleep better than I did before I started taking my cocktail. Cheaper from Amazon than Holland and Barrett. There are lots of cheap brands that do them in a sort of big sachet of tablets.

I did lots of research about phytoestrogens and I imagine they wouldn't have much impact if you were fully menopausal, but I think if you are just on the brink of peri like me, it takes the edge off.

You could play around with taking them in the 5 days coming up to the danger zone, if you prefer, or just take them month round. Can't hurt to try.

I wonder if being on the pill or even the hormones from a mirena might be just enough too, though?

@PortiasBiscuit hmmm I'd be cold in those - even if I go to bed in short pjs and vest it makes no difference to the night sweats so I don't think it's an actual temperature thing.

@Afterfire I need a second opinion then don't I.... is 36 young (well prob 33/34 from when this started) to start going through this? I mostly hear of women in their mid 40s starting HRT not mid 30s? Friends my age don't have these symptoms but I think most are on hormonal contraceptives so maybe they are covering it?

@Passerillage yes I wondered if people who are on pill/coil don't start these symptoms until later because they are balancing the hormones that way.

I wonder what is better longer term, hormones from the contraceptive pill or from HRT? Are they equally effective/safe?

Mid 30s is young but not unheard of. Menopause is when your periods actually stop but peri menopause just refers to when your hormone levels begin dropping and that can actually go on for years and can fluctuate- which is why it’s so useless to try and get a blood result.

You should, however, also check for autoimmune things like high prolactin and hypothyroidism- both of which can cause issues with things like this. (I have both of those, I also have lupus, Addison’s, sjorgens etc, autoimmune issues often result in early menopause).

The levels of oestrogen in the combined pill are much lower than in HRT. Doctors often try and fob off younger women by giving them the combined pill instead of proper HRT. If you need contraception and HRT you should be offered the mini pill as well as oestrogel and utrogestan OR the mirena coil and oestrogel for HRT.

Sorry to post so much 🙈 just have so much experience with all this stuff….! Been through several different consultations on the nhs and with Newson health.

Agree that given your age and family medical history you need to consult with an expert on this. Either a private GP who has a special interest in menopause, or a referral from your GP to a NHS menopause clinic.

Unfortunately most GPs just don't have the knowledge to deal with menopause at all, especially menopause in women with complicating issues.

Ask GP what they are suggesting, if refusing HRT, what are they proposing?

Thank you all for the replies. I definitely don't need contraception. All I want is not to be having night sweats and spots when I'm 36 - I was never a spotty teen! I will try and see a different gp and see if they will refer me to a menopause specialist or similar.

Happy new year. Just wondering if you managed to find a solution or went back got the doctor? I’m in exactly the same position and 33. Though the night sweats had gone as had been a few months but they have returned with a vengeance pre period.

@lovegem89 you need to tag the OP, otherwise she’s unlikely to see this. Here you go: @Aria20 - see @lovegem89 ’s question above.

Thank you @Wigeon

@lovegem89 I haven't managed to get back to see gp as of course they are overwhelmed at the moment and so I haven't even bothered trying... in the meantime I am tracking symptoms and cycle dates so I have evidence when I do go back.

It is definitely hormonal though as it is like clockwork! I read on another thread about Agnus Cactus supplements possibly helping so I will read about that.

@Aria20 thank you for replying. Mine is definitely hormonal and clockwork out too. Will look up the supplement. Thank you.