Alternatives to HRT?

[Tweeps]

For various reasons I’m not able to take HRT, but peri menopause has left me somewhat of an emotional wreck. I just wondered if anyone had found any natural remedies that have helped?

plenty of exercise, plenty of outdoor time, quality diet, good relationships, plenty of sleep, don't drink, minimal on alcohol, all supposed to help.

Are you sure that HRT is contraindicated? Advice has changed quite a bit...even for women with breast cancer and/or smokers and/or blood clots.

Supplement wise, magnesium for sleep/anxiety/sore muscles and make sure you keep up vitamin d and iron if your periods are heavy when you have them.

I am trying ashwagandha after reading a couple of things to suggest this may help. I have been on it about a month and anxiety does seem a bit better and sleep is good but I don't know if it's that or magnesium.

Mostly what lijkk said though.

Agree with @SofiaAmes
There are a lot of myths around this.

eg family history (rarely relevant), migraine, high BP, and more.

The only real no-nos are recent breast cancer, genetic risk for BC, stroke, heart attack.

Just be 100% sure you can't take it (and don't rely on a GP to tell you as they may not be up to date.)

I found sage tea very helpful with hot flushes. A low dose of Citalopram before bed was the best - prescribed off-licence for the flushes. If you are already taking it for depression apparently it doesn't work for flushes.

And exercise outside every day.

I take medication for bipolar disorder and my GP told me that HRT can affect the absorption of one of those.
Thank you all for your replies. There are some really good ideas and I’ll definitely give them a try.

Sage tablets are good for hot flushes.