If you can't take HRT how do you manage menopause symptoms

[Yellowflowers7]

I had BC 7 years ago so can't take HRT. I am 47 and the menopause symptoms have really kicked in over the last few months, anxiety, not sleeping well, brain fog etc. Has anyone used anything without oestrogen that has alleviated some of the symptoms? Feeling not like myself and pretty miserable

Before going on HRT I took magnesium L threonate for brain fog. You could add some glycinate for sleep, just stay under the daily maximum.
Stopping alcohol helped my sleep and night sweats. Get a good sleep routine.

I also can't take HRT, though for different reasons. I also take magnesium to help with sleep, along with melatonin sometimes.

What about all the things that are usually recommended for anxiety, etc, such as exercise? Apart from menopause, what is your life like generally?

My mum uses menopace, can pick it up in boots/ Tesco etc x

I found that ginkgo biloba helped with brain fog.

A punching bag hanging in my garage and a pair of boxing gloves works really well for me. My #1 symptom is rage 😤

Makes me wonder if this is how men feel all the time?

Were you told specifically you can't have hrt? Was the cancer a hormone driven one?

I'm sorry you're struggling with menopause symptoms on top of having had cancer.

There are various medications for different symptoms, my friend was on something for flushes and sweating. I'm in Ireland and mirtazapine is often prescribed for sleeping and anxiety. Before I started hrt I used Kalms night and Melissa Dreams, which have L-theanine and magnesium in them. My DM uses the Kalms day for anxiety. Some people swear by magnesium glycinate for sleep. Just mentioning those as the are otc while you're waiting to see a doctor.

Can you take progesterone? I'm 47 and on the mini pill, has helped with sleep, horrendous periods and night sweats. I was still having regular periods though. My mum had agresive bc at my age so I'm totally reluctant to take HRT.

@LoremIpsumCici I think I may need at push bag to.

Exercise - improve my stress, sleep and mood generally.

When I get my diet under control that also helps, but I relapse frequently and pay for it with worsening symptoms.

I'm taking lions mane supplements for brain fog. I limit alcohol and try to stay active.

I usually walk 10k steps in a day and do some exercise classes too. I'm usually an optimist and although I work full time and have a large family I take life as it comes and do not sweat the small stuff but feel awful recently, a sick anxious feeling in my stomach.
Anyone know whether the items suggested all fine to have if you've had BC?

I had oestrogen fuelled BC so have to avoid oestrogen like the plague. No idea about progesterone though

I am 47 too and still have regular periods although have cramping this week despite only being 1 week into new cycle so perhaps that's about to go wonky too

Exercise - a combination of long and slow runs and a weekly sprint intervals session seems to balance out my mood. Plenty of oily fish leafy greens and other cruciferous veg and a generally low GI diet also helps.

I drink an infusion of fresh sage leaves every day (tastes disgusting) and eat plenty of beans and lentils etc to get the phyto oestrogens.

Would phyto oestrogen not be good to me?

Personally I think body identical progesterone should be looked at for women but it's generally not prescribed unless you're on oestrogen and then usually only to prevent the womb lining from building up ans becoming cancerous, so it's not given when someone has had a hysterectomy unless they have endometriosis. It's actually our biggest hormone though and some symptoms could be down to lack of it. It can be very calming for some women.

I'm not sure you should take phyto oestrogen either.

Your GP should be able to help you.