Macafem Work?

Hi Everyone.  How are you?  I'm new to this board and am hoping that you ladies can help me.  I am thinking about trying macafem supplements and wondered if you have tried them and if you got an results?  How long did it take to start working?  I'm at the end of my rope and need to get some help fast!  I'm currently 42 years old and started into menopause around the age of 38.  I'm not sure if I have "normal" meno symptoms or not but I have been tested and that's what it is.  I am freezing cold all thur the day [yes I have had thyroid tested its normal] and than at night I'm so hot I can't sleep!  I have gained 60 pounds over the last year and a half [thinking it's due to lack of sleep as well as chocolate cravings that are unbearable!]  I have no sex drive at all, in fact I got married a year and a half ago and we have had sex once - that is not like me at all - before meno I had a high sex drive!  But the biggest issue for me with meno is the tiredness I have.  I am just so tired I can't do anything!  And I mean nothing - I lost my job about 6 months ago because I just couldn't do the job due to being so tired!  I have been to tons of doctors and they all say it will get better when you get peri - I can't wait that long!  I looked into going with BHRT but the cost for the first visit with labs would be about 1000.00 and not covered by my insurance!  I just don't know what to do anymore.  I read some great things about macafem and am thinking about trying it but before I order it at about 30.00 I would like others thoughts.  Any ideas or info you can give me would be great.  Thanks and have a great day  ~  Wellness_Seeker

[HotandHeavy]

Hi Wellness_Seeker
I am 59 yrs old.   Started menopause about 2 1/2 yrs ago.   Went on HRT.   First month gained 30lbs second month gained 10lbs.  This happened exactly when my daughter got married.   I looked and felt horrible.   Anyway I stayed on HRT for a little over two years as the menopause symptoms were too terrible otherwise.   I have been off the HRT now for about two months and the symptoms are back with a vengeance.   Hot flashes, sleepless nights, no libido and just plain miserable.   I was hoping the weight would come off when I went off the HRT but no such luck.   So searched the internet for a more natural way to cope with menopause and hopefully lose this weight.   I purchased macafem and Estrothin.   I have been on both for about a month and see no difference.   I have not lost a pound and the hot flashes are as hot as ever and still no libido.   I have three more bottles to go, so I am hoping that it will kick in yet.   But I am afraid it is just another gimmick and money grab because if it did work then every body would be on it.   I will let you know how it goes.     For now I would save my money and I will let you know how it goes.    So far not so good.
Hot and Heavy

[cc101]

My suggestions;

Lose the weight no matter what - those extra pounds are making the symptoms worse, trust me. The only excuse for not exercising is no excuse - I had/have menppause symptoms worse that anything I have ever read about, but working out HARD at least a hour a day (I do two) is the very best remedy for almost all of the menopause symptoms. There is absolutely no reason (unless you have an incurrable condition) that would keep pounds on you or symptoms raging if you made the exercise you biggest priority.

As for Macafem? All depends on how low your estrogen levels are; have you been tested? If not you want to do that to see where your levels are falling.

Sorry to be hard about the weight stuff, but honestly too many women want an excuse to not experience the work and discomfort that comes when you first start a serious workout program, but really if you don't, you're not being honest about your weaknesses and giving up - take control, get your butt outside or to the gym every single day and you well feel better!

[Wellness_Seeker]

Thanks for the support - its nice to know I'm not alone in all this.  I ordered the macafem and have been taking it for about two weeks now - let's hope it works for us both :-)

Best of luck to you

[Wellness_Seeker]

Thanks for your thoughts - I don't think you understood my posting - I don't need some telling me that I am lazy and that I need to get off my butt and exercise.  At the age of 37 I started a diet and exercise routine and lost 110 pounds.  I have done marathons and was in training for a 100 mile bike ride/race - so lazy I am not!  I didn't start having this issue of tiredness until about a year ago and than it was down hill - I have lost everything because I am to tired to do anything!  I lost my job and last week my husband walked out on me.  Now I am going to loss my home because I can't afford to stay here!  I'm not using menpause as an excuse to be lazy and not exercise I was in meno for 3 years before this hit - I have been to dozens of doctors will little to no help from them.  I'm not a stupid of lazy person so please don't treat me as if I am.  Again thanks for your thoughts - to bad they have to cut people to the bone!

[cc101]

You're not cutting me to the bone, just reacting negatively to something candid a poster wrote and that's absolutely your option and right to do. I believe 100% that serious menopause symptoms can be reduced dramatically with aggressive exercise daily - its been proven. I do not insinuate that you are at all lazy as I do not have a history of your daily habits, but I do hear (and I'm asked so much because I teach) from countless women wanting to know how to feel better, yet they would prefer a pill or any excuse to remedy their weight gain instead of just doing the really hard work to get it off. And to do so would relieve so much discomfort in so many other areas of a person's life, its just amazing how it all starts to get alittle better the harder you push.

The exhaustion is a very real issue with peri and menopause, but you'd be surprised, on your most sickly, exhaustive day, that's the day to push yourself to get out and get your heart rate pumping - it helps the exhaustion so much because the adrenals are moving and that helps you feel less tired...

Sounds to me like you are in a crisis situation in a number of areas and I'm sorry you're going through what you are - kind of lame to preach positive attitude and prosperity thinking I know, but just by writing down all the negatives you have going on or perceive them to occur, to me, is asking the Universe to bring more of that to you - I'll gt off my soap box now and wish you all the best in your pursuit to feeling better and overcoming your current challenges.

[HotandHeavy]

I can tell you have read the same books as I have and believe in sending out positive energy.  

I do have to comment on the advice you are giving at the moment.    When I gained the 40lbs in two months you do not know how hard I was exercising and dieting.   It was my daughters wedding and I wanted to look good.   I am also a farm lady and I stress lady as I don't want you to think I am some dumb hick.  I work very hard everyday.  Lots and lots of physical labor.   In summer I get up at 6am and I go till midnight most days.   I really watch what I eat and I still manage to fit in my tread mill for an hour.   I am not saying that exercise is not good for you, what I am saying is that it is not the answer to menopause symptoms nor weight gain.  

Sounds to me the Wellness Seeker is having it really bad.   I don't know how my husband puts up with me.    I sleep with the window open at night and even in the winter.   Poor guy is sleeping with his cloths on, electric blanket and still freezing and I am laying in the nude with no covers on.   I have also gone outside and stood in the snow with my bare feet and no cloths on.  (we are on farm so nobody can see me, if they did its not a very pleasant sight at 40lbs overweight).   I feel sorry for Wellness Seeker that she had such a selfish husband to leave her at this time of GREAT need.
Maybe that is why alot of men cheat, have mistresses or leave their wives because of this damn menopause.    I have zero libido and I used to love having sex with my husband.   But I feel dead inside.    

I also feel it is a crime that in this day and age and there is no help for this damn menopause.   Yet they invent Viagra for men so they can find a younger women because wifey sure is not in the mood.

A site like this helps knowing you are not alone.   Woman are looking for help.   So its hard when someone tells you it is your fault because you don't exercise enough or your not eating right.    Maybe things are working for you, but it isn't for me and it sure isn't for Wellness Seeker.    I have a mother who that never went through menopause and she has no sympathy or understanding and lots of negative advice.   Its hard to take.  

Hot and Heavy    

[HotandHeavy]

You really do sound like your in a bad place.    To go through menopause is bad enough without your whole world falling apart.    Have your heard of Bio Identical Hormone's.  It is suppose to be more natural with a woman's body.   I watched it on TV and I bought the book by Susanne Summers.    Sounds very promising and I very much wanted to go on it.   But of course I live where no doctor wants anything to do with it.   I have gone to five.    The reason why is because the chemical companies can't patten it and they can't make money off of it.   I don't know where you live, but see if you can find out if any doctor will do it for you.   You hear nothing but good reviews about it.  

I still see no improvement with the Macafem yet.    But to be fair,  I have been on HRT for two and a half years and they say that HRT stops your own body from producing its own hormones and becomes dependent on this chemical stuff.   If you read on the Macafem, which you probably did if you ordered it,  Macafem is suppose to get your own body working into producing its own hormones.   So I think it will take awhile.   Again, that is if this stuff works.   Time will tell.    

I'm sorry your husband walked out on you.    You are in a very bad place right now.  Is there anybody that can help you.   Do you have a Dr. Phil in your life, or could you find somebody.   You need somebody to talk to and you can't go this alone.   I have read some excellent books, but I don't think your ready to curl up with a good book, you need a good friend,  doctor or parent.  

Wish there was something more I could tell you, but if I had the answers I would be doing it myself.  

Hot and Heavy

[Wellness_Seeker]

Thank you again for the support - its a comfort just knowing their are others like me :-)  I have read and heard about bio identicals and even called several doctors to see about going on them.  I have the same problem you do - I live in a very small town [less than 3000 people] and no doctor will touch bio identicals!  I did find a doctor in a city about 150 miles away from me that would take me on but when I found out the costs involved - well lets just say I can't take a second morgage on the house for them!  They quoted me prices of about $1000.00 every two to three months for testing and doctor visits and the bio-identicals could cost in the neighborhood of $100.00 give or take - that's just way to much money right now - money I don't have and money that I need to pay my morgage!

Thanks for the help with cc101 - I'm sure she meant well - I just overreacted I'm sure but it's not like I enjoy living my life like this.  The exhuastion and weight gain have cost me my life my enjoyment my goals [the 100 mile bike ride/race] that's not something exercise can fix!

As for having a 'Dr. Phil' in my life - yes I am very lucky that I have my mother and my younger sister - though they don't understand this whole meno thing as sis hasn't gone through it yet and mom never had problems - but still they listen to me and give hugs when I need them  :-)

As for my husband - well I guess if this is the kind of person he wants to be than I don't want him!  I'm sure most of it for me right now is anger and I'm sure in time that will change and I will feel bad that he's gone but right my thoughts are to hell with him!

I wished I could make you feel better as you have me but I have nothing to offer in that area - sorry  :-)  I do hope the macafem starts to work for us both - that would be great if it did than maybe we both could get back to the life we had before meno!

Thanks again HotandHeavy for the support and comforting words - I can tell you that your husband is lucky to have such a great lady - and I do mean LADY!  :-)

[HotandHeavy]

WOW! On the cost of Bio identicals.    I guess I won't be looking anymore for a Doctor, as can't afford that either.  

As for cc101, I didn't mean to scare her off either.   I just get real defensive when someone says anything about diet, exercise and menopause.   I went to five doctors and all five doctors said the same thing.  I am either eating too much or not exercising enough.   It has to be hormonal, it has to be.   How can you all of a sudden gain 40lbs in two months and in places you have never gained before.  

I have doubled my Macafem for over a week now.    Still nothing.    Still hoping.

Glad to hear you have some support.    

Wish there was an answer to the menopause but I guess there is nothing.    I have read and searched everywhere.    This is suppose to be the best years of my life, well give me back my periods, cramps and the years that I guess were not the best years of my life.  

If I see an improvement in the Macafem I will let you know.  

Hot and Heavy

[JL56]

Hot and Heavy:

Sounds like you may need a more intensive work-up on your thyroid done.  The tiredness that you are speaking of, along with the weight gain may be symptoms of a sluggish thryoid or one that is failing and working sometimes, but not others.  A blood test isn't always a true indicator of a thyroid malfunction.  Have you had an ultrasound done on it?  Have you tried an endocrinologist for it?  I'd bet that something is amiss in your thyroid function somewhere.  

[HotandHeavy]

I had my thyroid checked two years ago through blood tests.   Doctor said it was fine.   Had ultra sound for fibroid's a few years back.   They found three the size of small oranges.    I was told they would go away when my periods stopped.   Well I haven't had a period in about two and a half years.   So I am assuming they are gone.   Only reason I had ultra sound at that time was because of heavy heavy periods.    What is an endocrinologist?   Do you think I should go back for more blood tests?

Yesterday I went to see a neighbor.   Her daughter had come over and she said she takes melatonin for sleeping and said it works great.   She gave me a few to try.   I tried one last night but still never slept.   I am going to try two tonight.   I looked it up on internet as I don't want to just take whatever.   It sounds promising, so I am hopeful.   I also read that if you are not sleeping you have a tendency to gain weight.   Well isn't that just hunky dory,   I am already 40lbs overweight, I don't need to be gaining more.    So I weighted myself this morning and sure enough I have gained another two lbs.   I would make another doctors appointment today for blood tests, but will wait to hear from you first as I am so fed up with doctors.  

Thanks very much for answering.  I have been on an other site and tried to start a post, but the woman seem to ignore my post and talk to each other.     I tried several times and it seems like I never even posted.   I am not good at the computer at all.  So at first I thought my posts were not going through, but when I back tracked you can see my post along with theirs.   I have given up on almost everything and trying to cope with this on my own.  Not working very well, but I am a survivor.     I have a very  understanding husband, but I feel it is not fair to him either.   I have been going on my treadmill everyday, really watching what I eat and trying like crazy to be happy.   But I am so tired.    I am usually a very strong person.   We farm and I farm side by side with my husband.   I put in long days so I am not a lazy person.   But now I am just going through the motions.   I don't feel like myself.  

Sorry for making this so long.   I don't mean to sound like a pitty party.    I guess  I just needed someone to talk to.  

Hot and Heavy

[bluehue]

I just read these posts and I was wondering how you are doing.  There are a few things that helped me that I would like to share.  Extra magnesium, up to 400 mg a day, helped me to sleep. I bought it in combination with calcium  in a pill. On really sleepless nights, I added the melatonin or some valerian.  Progest, a progesterone cream that I bought at the local health food store, helped improve my libido.  DHEA, 25 mg, helped with the brain fuzziness. Tryptophan, called 5 HTP, 100 mg,helped improve my mood.  B- 12, in the pill that dissolves under your tongue, helped with increasing my energy.  Most all of this stuff can be bought at Walmart.  Also, I found that my nails were breaking and splitting, so now I take biotin too.  It's quite a line up of pills in the morning, but all of it has helped and is cheaper than bio-hormones.   Good luck, and let me know how the Macafem is working.

[Pres0081]

You poor dear! I never believed my mother when she would complain about menopause... until now!

With me, it's a little different. I was "induced" into menopause as a treatment for severe Endometriosis. I have been on a shot called Depo Lupron with add back therapy which includes 2 hormone pills. The shot is once a month and costs 600$. One of the pills is 100$ per month... all without insurance coverage. So right now, I'm PAYING to experience menopause... crazy right?! lol

I have the hot flashes, wakes me up at night. Then I freeze! No appetite except for horrible chocolate cravings. Migraines like you wouldn't believe. I don't sleep what so ever! No sex drive either. I haven't gained any weight but that's because I have CONSTANT unbearable nausea. I've been off work for 4 months. I need help cleaning up the apartment or doing groceries. I'm just not myself and I hate it.

I have tried melantonin, it didn't work for me. Some say that if you get it in the liquid form, it can help but makes you a little more groggy. The health food stores also have natural meds that can help. Some even say that Gravol can help with the sleeplessness, you can take up to 2 every 4 hours or you can get the long lasting ones that last 12 hours. try to get something natural. It's less expensive and kind of better for you. I've always had this theory that for every pill (prescription), there's a side effect.... which means another pill to help that and the vicious cycle begins!

Changing your diet can also help. I'm not gonna give you a lecture about losing weight but there is certain foods that reduce the side effects. For me, I watch out for dairy products and meats because of the hormone levels. For the hot flashes, take a warm shower, not hot, before going to bed. If you're a smoker, which I doubt seeing you're a marathon lady, DO NOT SMOKE B4 BED!!! Also, try to do something relaxing b4 bed. No tv. My mom told me this... she says that bedtime is the time that women take to reflect about things especially mothers and this can turn into worry and stress. You can try yoga and meditation. I was "iffy" about it but it was a great way to relax and to meet other ppl.

If you feel alone and can afford it, adopt a pet. It changed my life. I have great company now. My dog lets me cry and vent all the time without complaining about it lol

Ok that's quite the email! Well I hope that my menopause experience can help in any way possible. If we can't help physically, we are always here emotionally!!! Oh, I almost forgot the funny part... I'm 23 years old... funny eh?! I'll get to experience all of these wonderful menopause things TWICE in my lifetime lol

Keep your head up and keep us posted!!!

[witchey]

i stumbled upon this thread  and it is a relief to know that others experience some of the same symptoms.  what i also found interesting is all the time  wasted on western medical drs.  i have not engaged in western medicine since my daughter was born over 30 years ago, and i'm happy to hear my decision was right. i have been going to an acupuncturist/herbalist for about 10 years now (mostly digestion and general support). i am soon to be 52 and have been having what i now realize to be minor menopause symptoms . i guess the 5 lbs i have gained in the last year  and the occasional anxiety (which goes away after one treatment) is minor  compared to what i read here. i encourage anyone reading this , that is experiencing menopause problems to find a good accupuncturist. i don't know what my estrogen levels are, and i don't care, because accupuncture treats you  according to how you feel.  thank you for all your post. i was 2nd guessing my decision to to abandon western medicine and thought if i was ever to go to a dr, it would be for menopause....... now i know i have made the right  choice and i can't wait to go get needles tomorrow!!

[gakat61]

I recently went through hormonal testing -- I am definitely in menopause and on supplements. In the week and 1/2 since I was told, I have changed what I eat. I was told I was estrogen dominant -- so I have had to research to find what does not need to be in my diet and what I need to do. I am also going to the gym and working out. I've always been an active person -- but there's days that I don't feel like going. I push myself to go now more than ever. I've decided to proactive and take it w/ a sense of humor, the right foods, and exercise. Good luck.  

[peggy64]

Hot and heavy,

I thought I was reading my posts. I have not slept over 2 hours at a time in over 4 years, felt like I was losing my mind. I had thyroid, adrenal and peri meno problems.

I have been taking bio identical hormones for 5 months now, and am just starting to feel a little bit out of the mental fog, and a dense fog it was.  It is about 150.00 a month.

I have also just started taking maca magic, which is a maca product, so we shall see if it helps me any.  I just don't know what to do anymore. Its like I just have to wait until all these glands heal and respond to the treatment, which I was told it will take a very long time.

But, you are most definitely not alone.

[HotandHeavy]

Hello Everybody

I just got back from a ten day trip to visit relatives and was pleasnantly
surprised to see I had replies to my posts.   I had almost given up.  

Yes it does make make one feel better that I am not alone in this endless suffering.   I am still not sleeping, nor losing any weight.   I tried the Macafem for three months and it did nothing at all.   So ladies, save your money, it is just another money grab.   If you read up on it, it sounds too good to be true and it was.  

I have been taking the calcium and magnesium and it hasn't helped with the sleep.   I am still taking it for bones and general health.

I will try the Progest.   Next time I go to city I will get some.   If this works and I get my sex drive back it will be nice, but right now it is the last thing I am interested in.   A night of deep sleep is what I am after.  

On the Bio Identical Hormones,  what I have read is that they do the same thing as HRT but they are natural.   Well, I read that it still prolongs the process.   That you have to be on it forever.   As soon as you go off of it you have to go through menopause anyway.  I also read that you get your periods back.   That part is a toss up for me.  I hate periods and glad they are gone, but if I had periods and not the menopause symptoms I think I would take the periods.   I read that a woman in her 80's was still getting her periods but she said she felt great and wouldn't go off the Bio Identical Hormones.
                                                                                       Peggy64, you said you were on Bio for five months now and you are just starting to feel different.   Well then, why are you trying Maca.   To me this tells me Bio is not working?   You should of saw relief almost right away with Bio, or so I have read???  I watched the whole thing on the Dr Phil show.   His wife is on them and swears by it.  So is Oprah.   I am still hesitant as I don't believe anything I watch on TV.   You on the other hand being on it for five months I believe.   Did you get your period back?   Are you sleeping good?   Are you losing weight?  How's the libido?  Do you recommend it?
I can't find anybody around here, but I kind of gave up as I got scared off that it only prolongs the inevitable.   Plus getting period at 80 doesn't sound appealing.   I also read that you better of going through the natural process when you are younger than when you are in your 80's or 90's as we can handle it better.    

I was thinking of going back to my doctor.   Maybe get my thyroid checked one more time.    He is against Bio Identical Hormones.  He thinks I am crazy not to be on HRT but said it was my choice.  Sometimes I am tempted to go back on it just to get some sleep but I am so scared of more weight gain and the thought of prolonging the natural process scares me.  

As for acupuncture.   I had tried it many years ago for an aliment I had and it did nothing.   Then when I did all this research on menopause it said for most people it did nothing.   If it worked I am sure you would of heard more women testify to the fact.   So far, whatever I have read nobody has a cure and cure is not the right word as you don't want to cure menopause you just ant relief.  

Thanks to all who replied to my posts.   KInd of lifts my spirits even if there is no relief.    Like I said before, I am a survivor,   Nobody has ever died from menopause and no I take that back.   I heard they found a woman frozen on her door step in her pj's.   They said they didn't know why she was out there, well I sure do. I have been there myself, with my feet in the snow, feeling just wonderful.  

Hot and Heavy

[CydRose]

I'm so happy to have have found you guys. I feel so miserable and I'm afraid I will never feel that I will ever live a normal life again. I can't believe there is nothing that can make us feel good again - I know there are women who think things will get better after menopause - but there is no such thing! These horrible symptoms are forever. I know that a woman's body is super complicated and sometimes making one thing better causes another thing to be worse. I hate being given the option of shortening my lifespan by taking hormones and risking cancer and a myriad of other problems or living a better quality of life in the "time I have left" by minimizing the night sweats and other horrors. I have always said that if men experienced menopause, there would be a pill to fix it in no time flat!

[HotandHeavy]

I feel the same way you do.  I have read and researched to the pointed of exhaustion on menopause.  I have tried almost every natural pill out there and I am still trying new pills. I have spent a ton of money trying everything I can.  So far there is nothing that helps.  I never gave that ad on TV much thought, just laughed at the old men and the Viagra.   Well now that I have been in menopause for a couple years I get furious.   I am 59 years old.  Those men on TV look older than me.   Well with menopause the last thing I am interested is sex.  So you mean to tell me you invented a pill so my husband wants sex even more.   This does not make sense.  (my husband doesn't use it, I am making an example).   I also saw on TV the other day they found a cure for Prostrate Cancer.    It is a tiny instrument they insert in a man and they can zap the exact spot without damaging any other area.   Yes this is wonderful and great for any woman whose husband has Prostrate Cancer.   But again it shows you that everything is about the man.  If they would find help for menopause then wifey will be happy and everybody will be happy.  

I dread going to bed at night as I know I won't sleep.   I toss and turn all night long.   Covers on covers off.  I have fan blowing continuously.   Mornings are worse as now I  have to drag my tired body out of bed.  

So I am with you 100% in the misery department.   I don't have a normal life either.   There is nothing out there to relieve the symptoms,  if there was you would of heard about it loud and clear by every suffering woman.  

I wouldn't try the HRT though.   I did that for two years.   Gained 40lbs in two months.   My doctor told me that it was what I was eating.  Well if your read my earlier posts I don't believe that as I am active and really watch what I eat.   I have been off HRT for about five months now and I have lost about 12lbs and by not doing anything different.   I want to lose more and get back to where I was and hope it still happens.   But believe me as much as I hate the weight gain,  I would keep the stupid weight just to get rid of the symptoms.   that's how bad it is.    Now what woman out there would say something like that.   We live in a very judgmental society.   We are judged by the way we look not by who we are.   Sad really.   But that is a whole different story.

So CydRose,  I hear you in your suffering.   I wish I knew how long it lasts.   At least then maybe we have something to look forward to.   Right now it all feels so hopeless and endless.   My mother never went though it at all.  She is one of the lucky ones but by her not going through it she does not understand me at all and has no sympathy at all.  She also was one of those ladies that had easy child births and no period cramps or problems.   Go figure.   Thought we took after our mothers.  

I also agree with you that  taking one pill causes something else.   Read the book by Justin Tuedau on What they don't want you to know.    Sometimes I wish I never read the book.   Now I don't trust any Doctor, Pharmaceutical Company,  or Chemical company.   They are all in it together and they are in for profits.   They want us sick, fat and needy.   They give you a pill to relieve one thing only to make you sick so you have to take another pill later on.  

Ha, I just thought of something, maybe we are the cause of global warming.   Not funny I know.



  

[CydRose]

I feel like I have found a kindred spirit. Also - you are FUNNY! I, too, have taken responsibility for my healthcare and well-being - many things I have seen over the past few years with family members (plus the wisdom that comes with getting older)  have convinced me that you need to really pay attention to what's going on and be an advocate for yourself and your family. I believe I'm as informed as I can be about menopause - I too have read and researched everything - it's tricky to find understandable and helpful facts especially since it seems nothing is known for sure and that every woman's body and health situations are so different. What bothers me alot is the statement that goes ... the symptoms of menopause are thought to be caused by a drop in estrogen levels etc etc etc. THOUGHT to be? Don't they KNOW yet? And if not, is anyone looking for another cause? And maybe the way to relieve the most miserable symptoms isn't to try to replace hormones - given that this is such a delicate balance and all kinds of other body systems are effected when you mess with them. There has to be a way to figure out that body temperature regulation thing independent of hormones ... there is no way that is normal!!! I don't think most men get night sweats - and they only  have a teeny amount of estrogen. Night sweats are so horrible and disruptive - no one can know unless they have experienced it - you can't even believe it yourself! I know that we need to find a cure for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and alot of other things that cause suffering, but can't we find some research money for menopause? Afterall, it effects to one extent or another at least 1/2 of the population - and by extention, the entire population because men have to live with us. As you said, except possbily for the woman found frozen outside, no one ever died from menopause - but what a way to have to live. When I see ads showing silver-haired couples laughing and sailing away, whitewater rafting, running thru the surf, sightseeing, holding hands across the 2 bathtubs (what's that all about?), I think there's something even more wrong with me - I'm not THAT happy - I thought this stage of my life would be wonderful - all of those stresses, worries and things that don't matter would be in the past and yes, these would be the best years. People remind me that life isn't fair. Yes. I know. It never has been. I'm not asking for the moon. I just want an entire night's deep and restful sleep. Well - that's not all, really, but it would be a good start.

When you were on HRT, did you try something with some testosterone in it? I was on estratest HS and in addition to really helping with night sweats and hot flashes, it helped to minimize any weight gain and helped a bit with libido - maybe you could talk to your doctor about this - I know they've stopped manufacturing this specific medication, but there are other brands, even some generics. You'll need to take progesterone separately if you still have your uterus, but if you've had a hysterectomy, I think you can just take that. This was a godsend for me, the only problem is that I can't handle the progesterone and estrogen alone causes the wall of the uterus to get too thick and these cells can become cancerous. So - there you have it - some choices we have, huh?

I've heard that the latest alternative for women who can't or don't want to take hormone replacements, is antidepressants. Guess they think we just want to go thru the rest of our lives in a drug-induced fog - still have the symptoms, don't care. I didn't spend my teenage years in a haze and I want to actually feel and live this phase, too!

When I started to go thru menopause, I wondered why nobody warned me or told me what it was like - I thought it would be truly helpful to let young women know what to expect so they weren't caught so off-guard like we were. Now I know why no one tells anyone anything. First, not everyone goes thru this the same way; Second, there's nothing you can do about it; Third - it would be cruel. What I do say is to enjoy every minute of your life. Wear bathing suits. Wear lots of different hairstyles. Go everywhere. Do everything.  Good advice for us, too, I guess.

[peggy64]

I don't know what I am going to do about the BHRT. I have thought about going on synthetic hormones. There is only one dr here that RX them and she was pure evil. So I am not going back to her, and will have to go about 100 miles so I don't know. I've gained 20 lbs since I've been on them, I know that.

My thyroid is messed up which contributes to the miserable mix. Oh I just want it to end.
I just need some sleep, without all the adrenaline rushes all night long.

[HotandHeavy]

Peggy                                                                                                                                 Since I have been off HRT I  have lost about 12 to 13 lbs.    So there has to be something to it.    I do know that if you go on BHRT you will get your periods back.   If you don't mind that then it sounds wonderful.   What I read though as soon as you go off of it you have to go through menopause anyway.     So I don't know if it is worth it or not?
I read that a woman in her 80's was still getting her periods because of BHRT but she felt so great that she would never go off of it.   I am on the fence here.   I feel so miserable, with no sleep at all, hot flashes that are so hot that I can't find a cool spot left on the bed.   Ice water and spritz bottle to spray me with fan blowing all night.   I get up in the morning and my eyes are red as can be.   This cannot be healthy.   A person can't go forever without sleep.  
Sorry but I don't have any answers as I am in the same boat.  
CydRose
I still have my uterus so had to be on both.   No I did not try testosterone as my doctor never mentioned anything to me about it and not that I did not complain to him about my symptoms.   I don't want to go back on HRT as I have been off of it for six months  and don't want to start on square one again. Plus I have lost 12lbs and it proves to me that the HRT had something to do with it.   I am praying that this will end soon.   If what I read is true then when you are in menopause not perimenopause it is only two years.   Well hopefully I have a year and a half.   Please please don't come back to me and tell me I read this wrong.   I am banking on this.  I read that perimenopause can last up to 10 years or more but menopause is only up to two years.    I don't know if I can last another year and a half without sleep but have no choice.  
I too see the ads on the golden years and wonder where do I fit in.   I have such a great husband but he too wonders what is going on and why?   what is the purpose of menopause.   Men on pause.  I don't want to put my husband on pause.   I want to do the things these ads on TV show us.   I want to love, laugh and have good times.   We both have earned it and now it seems we are being punished instead of rewarded.   Oh this way to depressing, isn't it.    

Lets hope we find a miracle.   I know it I find one I will share it with every woman I know.  

[CydRose]

Too depressing - you're right - let's talk about other things...what type of farming do you and your husband do? It sounds like you have a wonderful life together. Tell me about your daughter's wedding. I'm sure you were a beautiful mother-of-the-bride - you know we're our own worst critics. We're in Pennsylvania and although many people have been complaining about the cool and strange Summer we've had, to me it has been nearly perfect (except for the grey and gloomy days - HATE those!! need SUN!!). I can always tell Fall is near despite the weather or calendar, though, by what I call "the gathering" - thousands of starlings congregate in our trees and on our hillsides - if it weren't so fascinating, it might be scary. I noticed a few around this morning, so I guess it won't be long. Wishing you (and all other posters) pleasant dreams and a few solid hours of sleep....

[kesta]

Hi,
I am using Menersa for menopausal symptoms and I use Seredyn for sleep.  The Seredyn also helps with anxiety.  I, too, gained over 40 pounds in less than 2 months.  That was 3 years ago and I am having such a hard time with losing weight.  I'm 55 now.  My knees are messed up due to the extra weight so it is hard to get out and walk, etc.  But I am going to use my walking poles and walk on rolling surfaces so my knees will hold out.  Every 1 pound of weight lost is 4 pounds of pressure off of one's knees.  Cool.  Also, breathing properly helps with energy.  Try to breath into your abdomen, it sounds silly but it works.  I also use hand weights.  Ground flax seed on your food (a few tablespoons a day) will be a big help too...or you could use fish oil capsules or flax seed capsules.  The extra omega 3s help with menopausal symptoms.  I can't use the fish oil as I belch it up and that is truly awful.  I was so tired I was falling asleep at all hours of the day.  My thyroid was off and after a week of my doc bumping up my thyroid medication I'm AWAKE again.  It's amazing.  I have been on the Menersa for just over a month and I believe it  has helped to even me out.  I tried the Maca and it didn't do anything for me but it sure did something for a friend's husband! :)   I'm reading the book Younger Next Year for Women and it is fantastic!  It's a fun read too.  I am so sorry that everyone on this board is experiencing many of the same symptoms.  Blech!  This menopausal stuff really rots.  But, it is a natural event in our lives and we must deal with it - $#@@!!! - anyway I, too, believe in sending and receiving positive energy.  It beats the alternative!  Good luck and good feelings everyone.

[CydRose]

Hi, Kesta

Your post underscores the fact that we are all different and what works for one of us might not work for another! I'm so glad you have found a way to manage the postmenopausal symptoms you experience - wish there was one magic way for all of us, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I think trial and error is probably the way we figure it out - there's so much out there suggesting so many things from the commonsense to the bizzare. Women really need to be careful - some of these are harmless and just don't work but some can really mess you up! The most wonderful thing is if you have a doctor who knows you, is up-to-date on current thinking and will work with you to make sure you feel as good as you can. Even if we didn't have these extra problems to deal with, you're right, at this stage in our lives especially, it makes sense to eat right, exercise body and brain daily and try to keep worry, fear and anxiety at bay. I get the feeling from reading the posts here that most of us are positive people who love and enjoy life and never complain. I think when you happen upon a forum like this, you feel such relief that you're not alone - seems like we all hope that someone posts the perfect solution, but if not, at least we can share what we feel that we might not want to burden those close to us with. I think the anonymity of something like this lets you open up in a way you never would otherwise. So, ladies, I appreciate you putting up with my whining!

As far as weight gain is concerned, I did gain weight when going thru menopause - that 12 month stretch following the last period - that was without being on any medication - just my body changing. I remember thinking as I lay in bed in pools of sweat that being so burning hot should burn up the calories.  I have been able to lose most of that and maintain a fairly healthy weight since, but it is really hard. I have been postmenopausal for about 7 years (I just turned 61) and have been on HRT (very very low dose) - it works wonderfully for me - my problem is that I can't take progesterone and I now have to undergo a D&C due to endometrial thickening - but my doctor monitors me and I have ultrasounds every 6 months. I did recently wean myself off the hormones so that I didn't have this worry about uterine cancer - my night sweats returned with a vengeance and hot flashes were worse that they had ever been. So - it is what it is. My understanding is that even though symptoms will ease for some women, most of us will have them for the rest of our lives - is that what you have been told?

I know that I am very lucky - I'm very healthy, I have a wonderful family, I have a dog who thinks I hung the moon, we're not bankrupt nor in foreclosure (even though we will have to work longer than we really thought we would) and I'm pretty happy most of the time.  So, yes, let's continue to send out good vibes, happy thoughts and good wishes to each other - we're all in this together! I want all of us to really enjoy healthy and happy lives!

[HotandHeavy]

Yes I believe strongly in sending out positive vibes.    I am also very happy to have a site like this that we can tell each other our problems, which sounds all so much  the same.   I try not to complain or show my discomfort to my husband, family or friends as it only makes everybody else miserable too.  

I am basically a happy person.    I am also a person that has worked hard all my life and enjoy seeing results for my efforts.   So when something like menopause hits,  I want to find a way to fix it and make it better.    Not finding a solution is upsetting.  You would think in this day and age there would be something.   As one of you ladies put it,  half the population of the world is inflected by it.    But then again, the other half are men and it is a man's world.  

CdyRose

We farm in Canada.    We are strictly grain farmers.   I had three children, two sons and one daughter.   Both boys are not interested in farming and have jobs elsewhere.  One son still helps out whenever he can.   So my husband and I farm on our own.   Life has been good and raising children on the farm was the best.   They all turned out great. We are both at the age now that we would like to slow down and enjoy some of the the fun things you see on the TV ads.   So we will see what the next few years bring.   Right now our crops are about a month behind.   We had a very late spring, and then a cool summer.   Crops are still green where they should be ripe.   Last year this time we were combining already.    I hope we have a long fall with no frost.   I repeat that, WE WILL have a long fall and no frost so we will get done in time.  Positive thinking, right?  Harvest is my favorite time of year.   I love combining.   It is rewarding to see your whole years work going into the bins.   As for my daughters wedding.   It was very beautiful.   We went to her in laws in Costa Rica.   Just the immediate family went.  Her in laws live in a mansion.   They drove us around and we had a great time.   Weather was beautiful and so was my daughter.   I could not ask for a better son in law either.   We took pictures of them on the beach and they turned out fantastic.   We had enough air miles saved for every bodies flight.   So that was even a bigger bonus.    Me on the other hand did not do so well the whole trip.   I had gained 40lbs.   My dress did not fit as I had to stretch it over my Buddha belly.    I had my periods so bad that I had bought diapers before I left.   You wear a diaper under summer cloths.    And talk about cloths.    I hardly had anything to wear as all the cloths I bought did not fit anymore.   So I had to buy something at the last minute and it was winter where I live there was nothing.    I found these flowered capri pants that fit and that was all.   I looked ridiculous but I had nothing else.   The only thing that kept me sane was the fact the wedding was not about me it was about my daughter.   But still,  it wasn't what I wanted for myself.   I had dieted and exercised like crazy because of the wedding only to be hit with a 40lb weight gain.   But you know what,  my daughter and son in law had a beautiful beautiful wedding.   The pictures turned out great.   They have one enlarged hanging above there bed.   It is long a narrow and it is of them walking on the beach.   Beautiful.   Lovely memory.   And I have a son in law that is the greatest.   It is now three years later and I now have a grandson.   He is five months old now.   I love being a grandma.    I make sure I go in at least once a week to see him.   He's a heavy little guy and sometimes I get a hot flash while holding him, but I still won't put him down.   Life is good.  So that is a little about me and my life.   And yes life is good.  

So I guess sending out positive vibes work as I am feeling good right now.  

Good luck and health to everybody.  

[sick and tired 47]

If you are taking a poll put my vote in the box that perimenopause/menopause is NOT fun!!
  I take bioidentical hormones ( progesterone) and it has helped me somewhat. My sleep has decreased and had hormones rechecked and need to up doseage quite a bit so I praying this will help me get back to my old self quickly. I get my oral progesterone from a compounded pharmacist and it is about $50.00 a month ( not cheap, but wow has it helped).
I was taken off bioidentical progesterone for several months( per dr- ?? about other hormones levels) and I felt horrible. Anxiety, BAD insomnia, depression, ect.. not me at all. I laugh now and say they will pry my progesterone ( bioidentical) out of my cold dead fingers when I am gone... like the 80 year old lady.
  I am into natural supplements, big pharmacutical companies are not out for anyone but profit. Some meds wesometimes must take, but I believe God blessed us with herbal remedies- and isn't that what our ancestors used??
          Melatonin, 5 htp, magnesium, helps me sleep.
And thyroid hormones- TSH, FREE t4, FREE t3 must be checked. I had only TSH checked for  years and when Free T's were checked they were to low, very low.
Thyroid, female hormones, menopause all go together..... when one is off chances are more not normal.
I wish all you ladies sweet dreams and blessing for health. Hang in there, we WILL make it, it just how we travel on life's road.  Good luck all.
Great book is Susanne Somers- Ageless. She talks about all these issues.

[HotandHeavy]

Sick and Tired

Did you get your period back and if so is it worth it.   I am on the fence about taking BHRT because of it.   I have or had three fibroid's the size of oranges   That is why I had to where diaper when I had my periods the flow was so bad.   Anyway, my doctor told me that as soon as my period stopped for good the fibroid's would shrink and go away naturalyl.   It was either wait for periods to stop or get hysterectomy.   I decided since I was the age I was I would wait.   So far I think I made the right decision.  Anyway, I am scared to go on BHRT because of getting fibroids back and having to wear diapers.  

All I want is to sleep at night.     Tried melatonin, doesn't help.   Tried calcium before bedtime, tried Omega oil before bedtime, tried warm baths, even bought a sauna as I read they help menopausal woman sleep, well it doesn't.   I even tried over the counter sleeping aids, they just made me groggier during the day.   I have tried every herbal remedy for menopause that they sell in health food stores.   Then I started buying off the internet.   Nothing has helped.   I have spent tons of money.   I  have been to five different doctors and specialists.  

I went to see a friend the other day.   She has taken courses in wellness and knowing your body.    She is in her forties.   She told me I should embrace my menopause.   Be happy about it,  feel it, enjoy it, and when ever I get a hot flash I should feel a release.    Well I just laughed and told her I was going to phone her at one, two, three etc in the morning and have her enjoy and embrace my hot flashes with me and help me to release it.   When I was in my forties and going through perimenopause I thought if this is menopause then I can endure this.   Yes I got hot and sweaty but not HOT FLASHES that wake you up at night.   That hit after my periods stopped completely.    I was in perimenopause for about 10 years.   Please don't get me wrong if anybody is feeling perimenopause horribly.  I am just stating how I felt.   I know there are ladies out there going through hell through perimenopause.    Maybe should count myself as lucky but I don't feel lucky at all I feel miserable.  

Please someone help me sleep.  

I too was told I could go on anti depressants.    Well, what kind of solution is that.  I am not depressed.   Get me hooked on some other damn drug, no thank you.   I have a friend that is trying like crazy to get off her anti depressants and she is going through hell.   It is like a drug addict going off drugs she has all the horrible withdrawal symptoms.   I take my cap off to her though as she is toughing it out.   She said if she knew it would do this to her she would never of taken it in the first place.   One ordeal for another.  

CdyRose

Like to hear from you and what you do and a little about your life.

Hot and Heavy

[CydRose]

Hi HotandHeavy,

Boy, I really enjoyed reading about your life in Canada and a little about your family. While I read the way you described your daughter's wedding, her husband and your grandson, I could feel how much you love the life you and your husband have built. I know that there are many Americans who retire to Costa Rica, and always hearing about how beautiful it is, I have considered it myself - hard to leave the States, tho. I have been to Canada a few times and I think I have never met nicer and kinder people. Back in the olden days, my husband and I loved to go to Niagara on the Lake for a romantic weekend - we would always stay at the Prince of Wales and allow ourselves to feel like we were royalty, too. We always felt like we discovered it! We drove thru there a few years ago and it was so crowded and uncomfortable that we felt like we were at an amusement park - it made us really kind of sad. Even though we would love to go back, I don't know if we will. Plus - they make it so hard to get back into the States! The last time, we sat on the bridge for hours. I have not been to too many places there - my husband is the head coach for a dragonboat team and when they travel to Canada for competitions, sometimes I go along. We were planning a road trip for early Fall to New Brunswick, but we're going to have to postpone that for awhile. Anyway - what I do know about Canada, I really like!

I'm so sorry that this time of life seems so hard for some of us. I think if you are diagnosed with an illness, you learn to handle that and live with it - it's something concrete. This is like torture - "here - this is your life, now" there is no cure, relief, no end - you're not sick, you're just messed up. It makes me mad sometimes , but I don't know who to be mad at!

I think women who say "just be happy" "celebrate being a woman" etc etc about menopause do not have the same intensity of symptoms. I found a pattern to my night sweats - when you're lying there trying to recover from an episode, you have time to do things like that. I would have 4 each night, 2 hours apart - from the first second until the last, it was 4 minutes. I would be awake for 1 hour after each episode
- I would get severe chills that were also internal - nothing could make the shivering stop. So - this would mean maybe 4 hours of sleep - of course, it was not restful sleep - I don't think I ever got into REM sleep. Couple this with hot flashes surprising you throughout the day. I also had severe vaginal dryness, dry mouth which is really bad for your gums and weight gain that made my hips look like shelves.

I had friends who never had a menstrual cramp. They couldn't relate. I, like you, try to forgive though. I have learned that you can sympathize with people in many situations, hold their hands, listen with all your heart, but unless you have experienced something yourself, you really don't know what it's like. We have both said we are not complainers - I have a feeling you're like me - you take it in stride and handle it yourself. For people like us to speak about this, it has to be bad.

You are right when you say that if there were something that could be done for this, some pharma company would be making kazillions of dollars and everyone would know about it. Some of these companies prey on women who are desperate for relief - their products do not help - but by the time you figure it out, they have your money. I'm all for complementary medicine - I don't think the medical profession knows everything, but just because something is natural doesn't mean it's safe. I'm a believer in "don't take anything"!! But, of course, sometimes you have to. Please, HotandHeavy, go back to your doctor. Ask about something called EEMT-HS - it is the estrogen with testosterone that I told you about. I know you don't want to go back on hormones, but maybe you could try it and see if it helps. I am(was) taking 1 pill every other day - so a very very small dose. It is enuf to dramatically minimize the sweats, flashes, dryness, etc. They will probably prescribe a progesterone for you, too - because as I said, if you still have your uterus, estrogen alone can cause the lining to thicken. This is my problem - I can't handle progesterone - pills or compounded creams - it all makes me sick. I have fibroids, too, and they have not gotten any larger since I've been on the HRT. They recommend that if you use hormones, that you stay on them for the shortest time possible, so if you do try them , you may only need them for awhile. Like I said, everyone is different and this may not be the best for you, but please at least ask. I have friends who have been on HRT for longer than I have, and they are fine. You need to make sure you have your mammograms and keep your annual doctor exams and pay attention to your own body, but you may be able to find some relief. I wish you much luck.

PS My sister and I have found ourselves saying "at least" alot - as in "well, at least we can still walk" or "well, at least we can still hear" - kind of funny if it weren't so sad!

[HotandHeavy]

CydRose

I could of written most of what you said.   It is like describing me to the detail.   I wish I could say that it makes me happy that I am not alone but it doesn't.   It makes me twice as miserable because I know you feel the same way.   This is a joke here.   Trying to lighten things up.  It just nice to be able to share.  

It was nice to hear a little about yourself.   The news on TV always makes it seem the Americans and the Canadians don't like each other.   Well I know different by your post and also I go see my brother in Austin and everybody I meet there are really nice.  When they find out I am from Canada they ask me all sorts of interesting questions and treat me great.    And you know what, it just goes to show you that no matter where we live we are all the same.  

I really am scared to go on HRT again.   It was the progesterone that made me gain the weight, my doctor even confirmed it.   My mother had a hysterectomy when she was in her early 40's.   She had been and still is on Premarin.   I truly believe that is why my mother looks and feels so good.   My mother is in her eighty's.   She looks like she could be my sister and that is no word of a lie.   If I knew back then what I know now I would of gotten a hysterectomy right after my last child.   I would of been put on Premarin and not have to go through all this.   My mother never gained 40lbs, never had a single hot flash and she still feels great.    My mom is the sweetest, kindest person you would ever know.   I believe it is because she always felt great and she still feels great.   I also have two girlfriends who had hysterectomy's when they were younger and they too feel like my mother.   Come to think of it, they look great too.  There skin is awesome.  

But I still have my uterus and I have to  learn to live with the symptoms.  

You can buy testosterone cream just over the counter at the health food stores.  But I was wondering if it was safe for me to try.   I am leery as it seems you have to have the right combination for each person.    Do I take this without and Estrogen?   How much do I take.   So that is why I never tried it.   I don't want to take something and later on find out I have cancer or something because I never took it in the right combination.   I was on HRT for two years.    What is a short time anyway.   No, even questioning myself on HRT I am saying no.   I am only five feet and 40lb gain on five feet is alot.   I lost 12 by just going off of it and not doing anything else.  

I can't believe how much we think alike.   I too say to myself many times, at least I can do this and I can do that and I have a  good life and family.  

I am excited today.   My son is coming out and he is bringing my daughters baby out.  This will be a first.   My daughter can't find a sitter for the baby and has an appointment she can't miss.   She said she will come out right after her appointment.   Even my son is excited about bringing him as he will be in his care.  I love my family, they are wonderful.   If I didn't mention it before, this is my first grandchild and I am loving every minute of it.  

So to all, life is still good.   Hope we can find some relief.   If not, I hope that there is relief by the time our daughters have to go through this.  

Hot and Heavy

[kesta]

I LOVE Canada!!  I have traveled from Montreal up, Nova Scotia and to Newfoundland.  I live just outside of Burlington, VT and feel lucky to be able to enjoy the beauty of Canada as well as the US.

I'm 5'1" and I'm gained 40 plus pounds too.  I really think the Menersa helps me - my dr. suggested Estroven, but the Menersa was much the same so I went with it.  I am lucky not to have hot flashes, but my neighbor is not so lucky.  She used Estroven with great results.  My friend who is 59 said that she is using Sam-E for depression - mood swings - and for stiffness in the joints.  She said she has had amazing results with it within days of starting it.  I'm going to look into it.  However, from the little I've read, it can make one anxious if the dose is too high.

I had a hysterectomy when I was 43 (pre-cancer) but my ovaries were left so I am going through the menopause process normally but I'm lucky not to have to deal with the menstrual cycles.

I guess we have to keep on keeping on and be each other's support.  We'll get through this, I know, but when?!  

[HotandHeavy]

kesta

I have tried so many things, I can't remember them all on the of my head, but when someone mentions something I recognize it.  I will try and list what I have taken. Estroven, Menosense, Estrosense, Macafem, Estrothin and HRT.   I have also taken all sorts of other things like Black Cosh, Evening Primrose, Flaxseed oil, Niiacan, Calcium, Soy, Omega oil, Sage and probably a lot more, but can't remember at the moment.   I have also taken meleatonn, sleep ez, another one that I can't remember the name.  I also tried a prescription sleeping pill which never helped but the next day I was a zombie.  I know there is a host more things I have tried but this has been going on for so long I can't remember.   I don't even bother looking anything up any more as they all promise miracles and nothing works a but line the company's pocket books.   I have also eliminated alot of things out of my diet, plus added things.   Nothing I have tried helps.   I even tried eating protein right before bed because I read it puts you to sleep.  ha what I laugh that is, I sweated all night trying to digest it.  You mentioned Mensera.   That is a new one for me.   Never heard of it.   Of course I am willing to try anything.   Has it helped the night sweats.   Does it help with sleep.  Can you buy it in health food stores or do you need prescription.  

At the very beginning of this site there was a lady call Wellness_Seeker.   I was just curious if she was still around and if so how she is doing.   She was going through a terrible time.   Not only menopause but her husband left her, she lost her job and only what I could think of as a nightmare.   Makes our troubles not so bad.   If you are still around, I would love to hear from you.   Hope you are doing fine.   I know you said you may lose your house and have to move.    If really makes my troubles seem so minor.  

I have one thing I tried, that I don't suggest to anyone.  I thought that if I can't sleep anyway, why go to bed.   So I stayed up all night.    I thought I had to so tired I would have to sleep.    Didn't work at all.   I had the worst day ever and the next night I still tossed and turned hot and cold, covers on covers off.     So ladies, don't try that stupid idea.    

I had my five month old grandson out yesterday and had him all to myself.   Enjoyed every minute of it.   He makes life a wonderful place.   My daughter came later on in the day and stayed overnight.   We had great visit.   Times like this makes for a happy life.  

Still
Hot and Heavy  

[sick and tired 47]

Ladies,
As I was laying in bed last night unable to sleep ( insomnia) and my mind wandered...
I remembered how I drink a glass of soy milk every day and it has helped my hot flashes. I told this a friend, and she started it too. She said it has helped her also. I recently went away and did not get my daily soy drink and noticed I was perspiring alot under my arms all day (YUCK) and was waking up at night throwing the sheets off wildly from heat flashes. Started back on my soy milk and feel  better. I will say it takes about a month of daily use to "kick in". It is worth a try ...
  Next roaming thought... my sister uses black cohosh and swears it helps her. She had a hysterectomy ( still has ovaries) and gets bad hot flashes. She hates soy and refuses to rry it.
  I hope this helps someone, cause this is NOT a fun time in our lives. If we all share perhaps we can get thru this a little easier.I don't wish ill health on anyone, but comforting to know I am not alone or crazy.( well maybe alittle of the latter).
  Try the soy for a month or so... let us know if it helps.
Chilling,  sweet dreams to all!!

[HotandHeavy]

Oh wow?   Two new things to try.   I will buy the soy and mensera the next time I get to the city to get some.    That is one thing I don't like about living in the country,  don't get to the stores as often as you like.   If a person doesn't like soy milk is there a soy pill.  I know, here we go again, wanting a pill to cure all, but I quit drinking mild years and years ago and it does not sound appealing.   Especially when you say to try it for a month.  

It got really cold here last night and I had the window open with fan blowing.    I found it wonderful but my poor husband froze.   When he got up this morning I went to give him a hug and morning kiss, he growled at me jokingly.    I am lucky he doesn't tell me to sleep  in another room.   But I guess he still wants to keep me around.  I must save us alot of money in the winter with our heat bill.    ha ha

Happy day to all.

Hot and Heavy

[GotNoSatisfaction]

Thank you for all of your comments.  It seems that women just don't talk about this.  I had absolutely no idea what I was in for when I first started getting these hot flashes, head aches, general aches and pains, etc..  Thank God for this site!
I've tried homeopathy to no avail.  I am on the way to the store today to purchase some Black Cohosh - has anyone tried this?  Did it help?
What to do about the aches and pains?  I just don't feel like getting up in the mornings.  Maybe it's because I haven't slept well, but the biggest reason is because of muscle pain all over.  
Any insight that anyone has is welcome and appreciated.
Got No Satisfaction

[zutalu]

I know what you are going through with menopause at this time because I have had the same problems myself:  gained weight, feeling tired, sleeplessness, mood changes, very forgetful, etc.

I began the period changes at 38 years old and by 42 they stopped completely.  Then at 43, I began experiencing the annoying hot flashes and even today, at 60 years old, I still get them two or three times a day.  But the worst thing for me is the lack of sleep.  I can go through the night totally awake, and then in the morning it is very difficult to function because I am so tired.  And if do not sleep well, we will age much quicker.

From 45 to 55 years old I was taking the “Wild Yam root” capsules and I did not experience any hot flashes (at all) during that period.  I stopped taking them for a while to see if the flashes would come back and I did well for a year until I had to take a very strong antibiotic treatment to treat an infection.  Then the hot flashes returned while I was still taking that treatment, and I have had them for the last 5 years.  Of course, the hot flashes are quite milder now and I do not perspire as I used to, so I kept putting them off, but this week I decided that I am going to begin taking the Wild Yam capsules again for many years to come.  In the beginning I took these capsules for over a month before I noticed any changes in my body.  I took two capsules in the morning and two in the evening for all those years.  

I love to shop at Amazom.com and I found a good deal there, so I am going to stick to this therapy since I know it works very well for me.  

Perhaps some of you can try these capsules and see if you can get good results too.  

[HotandHeavy]

I will be 60 next year.   Most of the ladies I have heard from are in their 40 or early 50's.   I thought this was going to be another thing I had to deal with alone.   I started my periods when I was in grade three.   Yes grade three.  At that time you didn't talk about the body or sex at all.   I was scared to death and my mother of course rushed me to the doctor where I had, to me, the most embarrassing examination of my life.    As I grew older I thought oh well, I will be lucky and stop my periods early.   Well no such luck, I stopped over two years ago and experiencing the wonderful time of menopause.    I too can deal with the hot flashes.   Not that they are any better or any lighter, I just learned to deal with it.   What I can't get used to is the lack of sleep.   I am up all night.   I may doze now and then but for the most awake all night.   I thought
eventually I would get so tired and fall asleep but no such luck.   I tried napping in afternoon but that is even a bigger joke.   I have tried tons of sleeping aids but nothing worked.   I will try the wild yam for the hot flashes but would love it if someone came up with something for sleep.  

I would like to no the medical reason why a woman goes through this change.   Yes we are no longer able to have babies.   But is the reason for hot flashes, and especially the lack of sleep.   Why is this happening.    Is it because in nature we are no longer useful and this hurries up the aging process because we need sleep for our bodies to rejuvenate.  

I have tried the exercise and losing weight but I see no change at all, none.   I was told my four doctors that that is the reason I am getting hot flashes and not sleeping.  I knew back then that it wasn't true as I had gained the weight i two months and in places I never had weight before.   I was exercising and dieting like crazy at the time because my daughter was getting married.   So I knew it was not my eating habits or lack of exercise.   But as years went by and the weight kept on creeping up, I decided to exercise and diet again.   This time the weight started coming off.   Slowly mind you, but it is coming off.   I am only five feet tall and I was always thin.   I ballooned up to 170.    My goal is to get back down to 120 or 125.   My plan was to go back to these doctors and tell them it has nothing to do with weight gain, but I have mellowed over the years and now I am doing just because I want to have some sort of life back, hot flashes and lack of sleep and all.   I was getting very bitter and angry because of what was happening and the lack of help you get of the doctors.   Now I have come to realize since there is no help out there I have to make the best of the life I have.   I still
think it a shame that in this day and age there is no help for woman.    I just hope and pray that some day when my daughter comes to this stage in life that they have something for her.    If enough of us woman complain bitterly maybe something will be invented.   My family does not deserve a cranky OLD wife and mother.   This should be the rewarding years.    So I am trying with all I can to be pleasant and nice to be
around.  

I am just glad for sites like this that we can share and vent and not have to burden ourselves to our family.   Try and keep it hidden and quiet.

Thanks zutalu,  I will try the Wild Yam.    And have a happy life as best you can.

Hot and Heavy

[zutalu]

After reading your comments I feel a special bond with you because you suffer just about the same way that I do.  Beside the lack of sleep and hot flashes I suffer with a chronic back condition.  I had a fusion done several years ago and I am still in pain, some days worse than others, but always enduring it.

I began to lose sleep at 38 when I was experiencing the beginning of my changes.  Of course I never knew what was going on with me because I was still young.  I always had heard about menopause, but I was totally ignorant about all the symptoms and frustrations that a woman goes through with it.  And the worse thing is that unless we have experienced this, we do not understand what another woman is going through.  The husbands, children and even doctors do not get it.
But everything concerning this critical situation in our old age has to do with the balance, or otherwise, of the estrogen and testosterone levels.  Read about hormones here:   http://women.webmd.com/normal-testosterone-and-estrogen-levels-in-women
I have heard in the past that we are not able to sleep because of the low production of the hormone called “Melatonin”.  This hormone is produced in the pineal gland in the brain.  Melatonin helps to regulate our cycles of sleep.  
I take 3mg. before going to bed and I only sleep about 6 hours.  I also have a prescription sleeping aid to help with this problem, and I sometimes alternate them because, as a general rule, the body gets used to the same medication and after a while it does not help us with the symptoms that we are dealing with.  The one good thing is that I am single and live alone so I can wake up later in the morning.

I mentioned before in my first entry that when I took Wild Yam Root, I took 2 (two capsules) in the morning and two in the even, but I forgot to say that I did this for the first week only and after that, I took just 1 capsule in the morning and 1 in the evening as the directions printed on the label instruct us to do.

[HotandHeavy]

It does not surprise me that you have back problems as I have it too.    My grandson is six months old and I love to hold him, but he is heavy and very hard on my back.   I hold him anyway but pay for it dearly.   Sometimes I just want to burst out and cry as why this is all happening and that we can't enjoy life without so much pain and suffering.   In the mornings I dread getting out of bed as it takes me a while to get moving.   Every inch of my body aches.    I am guessing it is from the lack of sleep.    

I have tried Melatonin.   I went up to four a night, but nothing happened.   I have tried sleeping pills and nothing happened but make me a zombie the next day.    I have tried eating protein before bedtime, not eating before bedtime, I gave up coffee which I love and miss, I have tried all sorts of vitamins which I read about or was suggested by someone, I have tried dark rooms, no TV before bedtime, you name it I tried it.   I live out in the country so haven't made it to the city yet to buy some Wild Yam for the hot flashes.   I wont' list what I have tried for the hot flashes, but believe me it was a drain on the pocket book.  

I am now at the stage where I know there is no help what so ever so I am learning to live with it.   What else can you do.    

My family all came home for Thanksgiving and we had a good time.   I find I can't go like I used too so I have learned to ask for help which everybody gladly does when asked.   I have a wonderful family and many blessings.   I have a lot to be grateful for.

Zutalu, it is great talking to you.   I need someone that is going through the same thing and understands how hard and painful it is.   Suffering in silence is hard and if you can share with someone it is a great relief.   From what I have read and I have read lots, we will see the end of this.   I think is unfair that after all the years of working and raising a family that now we have to have this.    It does help to know that I'm not alone, not that I wish this on anyone.    

Hot and Heavy

[dreabfly]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and remedies. I'm 42 this year and tired of hearing my friends tell me I can't possibly be peri-menopausal already. Nobody really seems to understand. Even worse is that I'm a lesbian and my partner is 48. She's in the worst throes of the whole thing: hot flashes, sleepessness, total haze, fatigue, moodiness. If we make it through all this without killing each other, I'll be really surprised. At least most of you only have one person who is going insane. You can pitch that at your husbands and see if it helps any. ;)

I need to go have my levels checked, but I already know what they will say. I lost my libido at 38 and up until this year had never been depressed in my life. Suddenly, I can't remember things, feel anxiety all the time, rarely sleep through the night, cry at the drop of a hat, and can't motivate to work the way I used to (I'm a confirmed workaholic). I have actually lost weight because I spin 3 times a week, so that's even a little more depressing. All that work, and even though my body looks great, emotionally I still feel like ****.

I'd love to try bio-identicals and even get my partner on them, but there's no way we can afford it. We're vegetarians and we eat soy all the time, that is - up until my partner's thyroid stuff went haywire and the doctor told her to quit it, so I'm not so sure about the soy milk remedy. My mom has been trying to get me on this ******* product for menopause for the last year, but the herbal stuff (sorry for the skepticism) just sounds like a total crock to me. I mean, I've been a naturalist for awhile and have tried the herbal stuff for colds and flu and it never worked. I'm not a fan of big pharma, but have found some recent relief in Xanax. At least I'm not anxious after I take it and can focus a little better. Oh yeah. I started having these awful nightmares over the past few months, when I do sleep. Anyone have those? About horrible stuff. Like watching people jump off buildings and being on a train that runs over children. That's great, too. I'm starting to wonder how women have survived as a species when you hit this enormous pot hole in the prime of your life. Up until last year, I was really feeling pretty good about getting older - confident, strong and relaxed. Now I just feel like a mess.

Looks like I will be joining the armies of us trying anything to reduce the symptoms. I'm not so sure about trying to hold it off altogether - that sounds somehow impossible. Gonna try the diet thing and increase my protein and carbs and reduce caffeine and see how that goes.

Is the consensus here that the Macafem doesn't work? And did anyone have a positive experience on regular HRT? My mom was on HRT back in the 70's and it seemed to do her good at the time, but then again, there was so much we didn't know then. I can't believe that the one thing that does seem to work (bioidenticals) will be denied most of us because of cost. Tell me that would be true if we were men.

Thanks to the younger women for sharing their stories. Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy when I talk about this. Sometimes that's even more maddening than the symptoms!

[zutalu]

I have a lovely 16 months grandson whom I babysat for the first year and that made me feel much worse too.  
I know that life is full of trials and tribulations, contrary to what we watch on TV and read on magazines encouraging beauty and sex.  Certainly some women do not experience any of the symptoms that we are having now and that it is such a blessing for them, but I am sure that they will have other problems to contend with that we do not have to.  
I am wondering about the Melatonin that you have taken before, how many milligrams where they.  
I know that Swanson Health Products sells the supplements to help us with the current symptoms and they will mail the package to your home so that you do not have to go to the city:
Triple Strength Melatonin 10 mg.:  http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU305/ItemDetail?n=
Hormone Essentials:   http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWC028/ItemDetail
Menopause Essentials:  http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWC054/ItemDetail
I will try several natural supplements but I refuse to use the conventional medicine stuff given by doctors nowadays.  I do not know if Macafem would work for me or not since I have never used it.  Of course, not all medication and supplements have the same benefits for all of us.  You must try different things and when you find that one that benefits you then stick to it.  
And yes, you must accept that this is a difficult time in our lives which is normal for the majority of women, but it will eventually pass, as everything else in this world is just temporary.  At least we can talk about it now and vent out via this forum.  
In my thoughts I compare a woman’s life to that of a flower:  a plant that succeeds from a seed, grows in time aided by water and sunshine, produces buds which open up to become beautiful flowers for all to behold, but after a while the flowers whiter away and are no more leaving behind many seeds to continue its legacy.  
I frequently think about the poor women in the past (our grands-, great-grandmothers, etc.) that did not have support systems, or stores, such as fancy grocery stores and pharmacies, to go to and purchase the already made stuff for their daily lives.  They had to take care of large families plus hand make everything that they needed in addition of suffering probably severely with their menopause problems.  So regardless of how I feel everyday, I am very thankful that I have one more day to live.
I have found that if I eat certain foods in the evening such as apples and/or avocados, I have less chance to sleep that night.  Perhaps you might need to check out what you eat and drink before bedtime to see if there is anything making the sleeping problem worse.
If you get to try the Wild Yam root, remember that you need to take it for a month or so before you experience relief from the symptoms of menopause. This supplement will help you with the hot flashes in addition to other symptoms.  Read a note about it here: http://www.healthyvillage.com/product_details/1466.html

[Msanxiety1436]

Wondering if Macafam ever did work.  Let me know.  Thinking of ordering.  I amm 44 and think I'm going through peri.  I haven't got any tests done yet but will in the next couple of days.

[peggy64]

I took Maca and it did not seem to work for me. I have tried all kinds of herbals and naturals  and have not found a one that would help me. I realize you have to take it for more than a month, and I did. I took the Maca for 2 months and there was no difference.

[kesta]

Hi,
I have been on Menersa for nearly 3 months and I have to say that I feel so wonderfully different!  I am 55 - I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago but I still have my ovaries.
It took about 6 weeks before I noticed anything, but I sure do now!  My sex drive is wonderful, I have NO problem with vaginal dryness, my mood is stable and even happy, I have more energy, I sleep better and feel pretty darn good all around - and my breasts have firmed up!  I have never had hot flashes so I can't speak to that.  I haven't had a weight loss but I feel good and that is the number one issue for me.  
I have tried Maca and it didn't help me at all.  It did help a friend's husband with his sex drive, though (he's 60).  
Good luck!!
Kesta

[sick and tired 47]

It is so great to hear some good news!!! How long did it take you to notice a difference?? And did it help with anxiety??
What exactlyl is it?? Herbal, a prescription, bioidentical, birth control or hormone??
Please give us more info.
Thank again and best wishes!!

[kesta]

Hi,
It has helped me dramatically!  It is herbal and has helped with my anxiety.  However, I usually take something dirt cheap that works great for those extra anxious moments - Relax and Sleep.  It doesn't make me too tired during the daytime if I'm having anxious moments...it just quiets me inside.  I buy 30 for $1.00 at our local supermarket and I have looked it up on line and it is made by a reputable company.  Back to Menersa - they have a website and they are having a sale right now.  You can buy 3 bottles and get one free with free shipping.  They don't always have that deal.  Plus when you buy again you get a 10% coupon off of your next purchase.  It took a good 6 weeks before I woke up one day and said, "Wow!  I'm happy and I'm not achy."  I felt even for the 1st time in a long time.  Maybe it won't work for everyone, but it is the best $110 or so dollars that I've spent in a VERY long time.  If I forget to take my dose in the morning before I leave for work I am really bummed!  It has helped me so much that I rarely forget to take it in the AM and the PM before bed.
I hope this helps you!  www.menersa.com and it will give you the low down.  It is a sell sell sell type of site, but what the heck!  If the stuff works, then I say go for it.  It's better than HRT in my book. :)
Be well and best wishes to everyone.
Kesta

[kesta]

I wanted to let you know that I ordered my refill of Menersa yesterday morning and as I was composing the above response a truck pulled into my driveway and delivered my Menersa!  Free shipping and it came the next day.  That rocks.

[achyjointgirl]

I feel blessed to have found you all! I am 43 and have been completely confused by what my body is doing lately. I have been to my OB my GP and a PT yesterday for some back issues I'm having and the PT was the only one to agree with me that my weight gain, achy joints, loss of period, and heart pains might be a "systemic issue." I keep tellling my doctors I feel these symptoms are hormonal and they roll their eyes. After reading all of your posts I am more certain then ever that I am likely in perimenopause or menopause and while I'm not happy about this at my age, it is comforting to have an explanation that makes sense to me. I go back to my OB again next week and am going to run some of the ideas you have posted re: treatment by her and I'll get back to you all with what I find out and hope to have information to share with all of you that might be helpful.

[kesta]

Please keep us posted!  

I, and I'm sure all of us, are with you in spirit and hope you can find some relief.

Be well,
Kesta

[Amy1966]

I am 43 and have been having the same symptoms as those of the others on this post.  I had thermal ablation about 4 years ago and that reduced my periods down to next to nothing.  I noticed that during the week or so of my periods I would have the night sweats. The hot/cold/hot/cold.  Just in the last 3 weeks or so I have been having terrible night sweats and hot flashes during the day.  I also take thyroid medicine and thought the problems were being caused by the thyroid.  So I had that checked and the level was in the normal range.  My GP did run hormone tests and says that I am in early menopause/menopause.  When I though about it I don't think that I have had a period for a couple of months.  They were so light that it didn't occur to me then.  Anyway, the first thing that the GP suggested was hormone replacement therapy but I don't like to take medication.   Also, my mother has had breast cancer.  I just don't want to take chances.  My husband has been good about this so far.  I probably don't get more that two hours of sleep at a time at night.  I am a pretty active person and walk/run on a treadmill at least 3 times a week.  This seems to keep my weight in check.  However, I have gained some.  I glad to know that I am not alone in this wonderful change of life.  I am mostly an upbeat person.  I will see how long my positive attitude lasts!!

[sick and tired 47]

Glad to have you on board... even though I am sure you don't want to be here.( none of us do)... but as they say- Misery loves company. But thank goodness for understanding husbands... I have one too and am so thankful for him.
No really, this a great place to get feedback, advice, and just know you are not alone or crazy.
Sounds like you are doing good, the lack of sleep reduces me to tears after 2-3 days, I can handle the rest of the issues, just really need my good sleep!!!

Check out bioidentical hormones... most studies say they are safer than synthetic hormone replacement.
Also a glass of soy milk daily has really reduced my hot flashes at night.
Good luck to you and welcome!

[goingbald50]

hi ladies,

i've skimmed through many of your comments and can thoroughly relate. I take Female Support which is made by a company here where I live called Nutri Needs. It contains B-6, Folic Acid, Borage Oil Powder, Wild Yam Root Extract, **** Quai Extract and Vitex Extract. It has helped with my hot flashes and racing heart, but the past few months I've become extremely lethargic, my hair has thinned dramatically and my muscles have become saggy. I am an exerciser; swim in the summer and treadmill/free weights in the winter, but i'm feeling so tired now and don't have the energy. i'm going to my doctor in two days and plan to get my hormone levels checked again. they were very low last february, but i want my human growth hormone checked and my thyroid rechecked. Besides the tiredness, the hair loss is really upsetting me. Have any of you experienced this and has anything you took helped it? What's this Menersa i see mentioned? i'll be 51 in march and have always had bad PMS compliments of my mother.

janet

[sick and tired 47]

Hi Amy,
So you had thermal ablation??? How was it ?? Any regrets?? And how does hormone replacement fit it after ablation?? Could you use the menersa or hormones after the procedure??
A wierd question,  but if your cycles are really  light was it hard to know when they started ( so you know when to take HRT)???

[Honeychurch]

Read through your postings and want to thank you for sharing your experience regarding the Macafem. We are the same age. I had the total hyst. done in 1996. I made the decision to go off the HRT just at the start of the new year. So far so good. I have some spinal issues and nerve damage (throughout my body), one knee I walk bone on bone. I was active before the fall, tennis, running, etc. Now I do well to walk. My goal is to take as few RX drugs as possible. I do have to have something for pain everyday. As far as the HRT goes I am going to see how long I can last on herbal replacements like Red Clover and some progesterone cream. I was only on 1 mg of Estradiol before. You struck a cord with me concerning your weight problem. I know I can't work out which is why I don't eat much. I eat toast, coffee and fruit in the morning with my medication and then I eat my one small meal between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. after that I have a piece of fruit. Recently I gained about 15 lbs. and it shows. I don't eat red meat, I don't eat fats.
I have done the internal cleanse to make sure I'm not plugged up. I think it is the metabolism. I am going to try taking L-Tryrosine about 500mg. From what I have been reading it should be taken with folic acid, vitamin B-6 and copper.  There are several reasons for taking L-Tryrosine and weight loss is listed because this is an amino acid that is reached by the thyroid to produce some of the most important hormones that control metabolism and keeps you feeling engergetic. Read up on it. We'll see what happens. I have to find out what kind of copper and how much. I know the Vitamin B-6 would be about 100 mg. I am just not comfortable with the copper at all being a metal. Hope this helps. Maybe we can skip the copper.    Miss Honeychurch

[healthful10]

I was recently diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism.  You can look up all you ever want to know on parathyroid.com.   It was causing EXTREME tiredness, headaches, loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a host of other yucky symptoms.  To test for it, you would get your calcium levels checked AND your parathyroid hormone level.  This was a sneaky disease that I had for at least 5 years before it was discovered.  It is certainly worth a test or you can check your symptoms against what they have on the website.  I had surgery to remove the affected gland 5 weeks ago.

I hope you find relief.

[pamtidteach]

Hello Ladies!! I agree with all that it helps to have a place to share all of the ups and downs of this most interesting and sometimes most difficult part of life.  I think one of the things that surprised me the most was that when I started having all of these symptoms I knew virtually NOTHING about peri or post menopause.  We all talk about what to expect when you are pregnant...when you have a two year old...all the other phases of a woman's or mother's life..but this part SILENCE!  I have one friend who went through it all a few years ago and did not have tremendous problems, have another friend who is having some of the same issues I am having.  Some months are pretty good, others are terrible.  Dec I had no bleeding and very few other issues to worry about...Jan I have bled all but two days this month.  My biggest issues are the flooding and clotting...sometimes I lose so much blood I am pale for several days and have to take iron and magnesium and other things to replenish what my body is throwing off. My other major issue is fatigue, but it is tied with the blood loss...when I am flooding too much I have no energy, can't walk across the room. I am thinking about trying Menersa, I am already using progesterone cream and Estrovin/red clover stuff.

Sleep:  This was a big issue for me.  I must sleep.  I take Valerian Root (900 mg a night) and melatonin (6 mg a night) and it works for me.  You might give the Valerian Root a try it is not often mentioned.  I got it a Walgreen's and it is not expensive.

A word about wonderful husbands, families and friends.  I am so blessed to have a husband and children who support me and love me no matter what crazy stuff my body is doing. I believe my sons will have more understanding with their future wives when they go through this stuff, from my husband and I being honest about "what's wrong with mom?"  I have wonderful friends who pray with me as the difficulties come up. We need to talk about this.  Doctors don't seem to know what to do...male doctors cannot relate at all!  I read a post here that they created viagra, but cannot help us..man that is so true!  BTW I know there are surgical ways to stop the heavy bleeding and stuff, but I am one of the however million of americans without health insurance, so going to the doctor is not an option.  Natural remedies have helped me a great deal and having no health insurance has taught me so much about "Learning to Lean"...no only on my family and my friends, but on my Lord as well.

Let's lift one another up...hang in and be blessed

[sick and tired 47]

Hi and welcome! Misery loves company... no really, this is a GREAT place to share, learn and most of all feel like I am NOT crazy. Most of my friends seem to have no problems with menopause other than a hot flash now and then. Guess there is one in every crowd... lucky me, I am that one. But as you said, with God's help I will get thru it. And yes, I too am so lucky to have a wonderful husband and kids. I know my son will be more understanding with his future wife when she goes thru this time. But I am praying that it will be SO much easier for my daughters when they are this age.
My mother had a difficult time with menopause, so I guess it can be herditary.

As for the surgical fixes, I had an endometrial ablation last month. If and when you can afford it consider it. I feel much better and am able to leave the house now, where as before I had very, very,heavy and very long cycles- most of the month. After 9 months of this I too was anemic, exhausted mentally and physically.
It is such a  hard time in our lives, feel so alone at times.  I jokingly say to my family, I can not wait for the alien who stole my body and my mind to eventually return them to me.
Hang in there. I will be praying for us all .
Good luck, god bless you.

[val202010]

It was so interesting to read all your views and comments.  Menopause can really be so depressing, not only because of it's side effects but also because of the effect it can cause our life with our partners.  
I was diagnosed with stage 3B breast cancer at the age of 46 in 2003. I underwent mastectomy (another bummer let me tell you).   But because of the terrible side effects of chemotherapy on me, the only obvious side effects of menopause i experienced were hot flashes, sweating and also mood swings, as in i'd wake up in the middle of the night wet from head to toe.  My blanket was so wet.  At that time, menopause was the least of my concern.  I was more concentrated on my treatment for cancer.  Luckily, through prayers, God helped me accept cancer with a positive attitude.  

The negative side of it was my lost of interest in sex.  My husband is diabetic and it's one of the reasons why i didn't have a problem when i lost interest.  But then lately, I suddently realized that it is still an important part of our life or we should make it an important part of our life.  Now, i try to find ways on how we can return the fire we used to share before.  That's why i'm researching on Macafem or any alternative remedies to keep the fire burning.

That's all for now.  It's a bit late and have to get some sleep.  I still have a lot to share though so i'll be back tomorrow.

God bless you all!

Liz

[MegaRamsey]

Hello,
Very interesting read, and my heart goes out to you all!  Thankfully I am not suffering the extreme symptoms (yet?? yikes!).  I do have enough symptoms (weird periods, HEADACHES, aches, emotional...) which has spurred me into searching for help.  I came upon a site www.womentowomen.com and it really interested me, it seems its all about women and dealing with menopause naturally, offering lots of help.  I just wanted to pass on this info (I am not affiliated in any way with this site/business).  I'm thinking of buying their vitamin/herbal pills, they seem to have a lot of the same ingredients as many of the suggestions mentioned here, but I thought maybe the combination of them all is what works?  Well, if anyone knows any more about this, please do post, I'd love to know.  Thank you and good luck to all!!

[Muundance]

You hit the nail right on the head, CydRose!  Look what I found after reading your comment about estrogen replacement not causing the menopausal problems:

This is a small area at the base of the brain. The hypothalamus makes up less than 17 percent of the brain's total volume, but it plays a key role in regulating the body's general level of activity. The hypothalamus helps control the autonomic nervous system, part of the nervous system that regulates such automatic body processes as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. The hypothalamus also controls the pituitary gland, the so-called "master gland" of the endocrine (hormone-producing) system.

Certain parts of the hypothalamus regulate body temperature, breathing, sleep, hunger, thirst, urination, sexual drives, and emotions. Other parts produce hormones called releasing hormones or releasing factors. The releasing hormones travel in the bloodstream to the anterior lobe (front part) of the pituitary gland and control secretion of individual pituitary hormones. The pituitary hormones, in turn, affect many of the endocrine glands. These glands secrete hormones that influence growth, sexual development, and the rate the body changes food into energy and living tissue.

The hypothalamus controls everything that you are having symptoms of.  Now to figure out how to rejuvenate it.  The million dollar question!

[Vroutjie]

I am terribly sorry about your circumstances because I have been in more or less the same position as you. I had a histero-oovarectomy at the age of 36 and was dumped into a menopause quite suddenly. I am now 50 years of age - been in that state for 14 years. Before my menopause I weighed 76kg (and wore size 12 clothes). I now weigh 89 kg and to look and feel comfortable I must wear a size 16. You are definitely not alone.

I don't think there is really a cure for hot flashes and night sweats, but for overall fatigue a good dietary supplement helped me a lot. I use Herbalife for the past two years and I cannot say that I feel fatigued or worn out anymore.

It is true; to combat weight gain the only real answer is exercise and feeling good about yourself anyway with more of yourself to look at when gazing in the mirror.

I exercise when I feel like it (I go for long power walks with an ipod and rythmic music for company and incentive with some joga exercises for variation). If I do not feel like it, I do not exercise. I allow my body to tell me what it needs. I have also discovered to listen to Holosinc tapes helps a lot in combatting depression and assisting meditation.

My husband also left me because of my inability to bear children and my reduced interest in sex. Men are just bastards.

So, I love myself and when I look in the mirror I do not see an ugly hag, but a beautiful not-so-slender woman who can hold her own in this cruel world.

And it helps.

[kn1951]

I too found the womentowomen site and ordered the vitamin/herbal pills.  I should recieve them in the next few days.  If you ordered them please let us know if they've worked for you.  My symptoms are not too bad except for lack of sex drive.  I am praying this will help.

[ryla]

Accept that menopause is just another part of life.  Women all go through it.  Stop fighting the inevitable and your anxiety will release.  the stress your adding to your life by dwelling on this is only exacerbating things. When i turned 50 I had my last period on my birthday. For six months after that I watched my body turn into a soft, swollen version of its once former svelte bikini ready self.  It was sad to see that period end.  Really wanted it to last a little longer.  But time has the ultimate say and the sooner I came to terms with it all, the happier I felt.  I eat right, exercise just enough to maintain my weight and accept my limitations.  

[Holly911]

I had hysterectomy in '05 and just had my ovaries removed and am now going thru surgical menopause.  It hit me quick and hard - within a few days of surgery.  My hot flashes, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness and irritability have skyrocketed thru the roof.  My face is even breaking out!! I can't believe it.  I thought I would be able to "deal" with it all on my own without HRT but I've had a rude awakening that I'm going to have to do something.  I wanted to let everyone know that there is a website for a lab where you can get a kit to do your own saliva test to check out your own homone levels - all of them.  They offer many different tests and you can find out which one by indicating your symptoms and they recommend which saliva test you should purchase.  they then analyze your samples and tell you where you are unbalanced.  You can take your results to a Doctor of Osteopath or even some pharmacies that compound medications and get the bio-identical hormones you need.

I've found that most doctors are against Bioidentical hormones because they are compounded by pharmacies and not manufactured by big brother pharmacutical companies.  Bioidenticals are made specifically for your needs.  plus they are made from plants which is how we get some of our homones naturally - and not from horse urine.  I've done alot of research because I've been dealing with a nightmare.  I've literally been climbing the walls and no one wants to be around me so I've been desperate for information.  I finally found a Doctor of Osteopath who is open minded enough to write the prescriptions for me so I can get the hormones I need.  My body is not doing what it is suppose to do for some reason - probably because I'm 46 and this whole thing has happened so suddenly w/ my surgery.  This avenue was recommended to me by a friend who is also on Bioidentical and she didn't get her period back.  And she tells me she feels great.  She had problems taking the synthetic birth control pills in her earlier years (I did too) and the plant based hormones suit her body great.  I'm on Divigel now which is bioidentical estrogen and its settled me down a good bit until my saliva test gets completed and we can get my results back.  

We've got to find hope where ever we can.  I hope that my information has offered some options for someone out there.  I also couldn't afford $1000 treatment plan and this route was much more affordable for me.  My insurance covers my bioidentical hormones but does not cover the saliva test.  I had to cover that on my own.  Luckily my doctor is on my plan.  So, maybe if you can find a DO, you will find they are more "open" to this method of treating you.  My gyno was totally against it.  

I also saw that Macafem which is how I found this site.  I thought it looked too good to be true...  I also looked into an endocrinologist but they are also against Bioidentical and I felt that that was the only HRT i would be willing to put in my body.  

Its good to know that I'm not the only woman who feels like menopause is so miserable and makes me feel like I'm loosing my mind. Most websites and doctors seem to minimize it.  Thanks for all your support and input on the supplements.  I'm willing to try all options.  This has been a great resource!  Thanks and good luck to everyone!!!

[feelinglucky]

hey you guys! just found this site and feel so relieved but OH SO WORRIED also! with what you have all said - does this meno thingy wtih all its symptoms keep going after we have had no periods for one year? i'm only at beginning or middle - i don't know - don't think i want to either!! i'm 49 and a single mum of 6. 5 of who are still living at home. i have gone thro' some really bad days/weeks of depression tho ans sometimes think i am just going mad. my heart races at times and i am so nervous of all these feelings. howver, this meso thing is going on about 4 years now and i can go without a period for up to 3 months but bang - it hits again. i really don't want to think of myself going thro' this depression tho after!! i have never taken anything i muddle thro all the time. i don't like prescription drugs and can't afford to be taking stuff that may have a bad impact on me - which would also mean my family. i am all they have!
anyway, can ye please tell me this will all stop when we are period free for 12 months??????????????

[Moms_Guardian_Angel]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Genesis and my mother has recently began experiencing the menopause or perimenopause (idk which one is right) symptoms. She is 42 years old (im 21). I hate seeing my mother suffering and reading your posts has worried me into realizing that there is not much that can be done to help her. I was hoping to buy some herbal/natural stuff for her... if anyone has any suggestions... i would really appreciate it. i really want to help my mom :-/

[sick and tired 47]

I too am wondering if I will go back to feeling "normal" after menopause. I hope and I pray that it will. Some days I just want this time and my life to be over, terrible to feel that way, never ever have before. But ladies, we WILL make it thru all this ( anyway we can), millions of woman are and have done it, so will we!!!
Good luck , god bless  all!

[silverlady319]

I'm 52. I started gaining weight long before peri ever showed up. I have had to stay on a strict diet for years along with raising 4 children by myself (husband died at age 34). I kept them and myself active in majorettes and sports. But I stayed a little overweight. I started going to a diet doctor with medication I lost a good amount and with my youngest daughters push I went onto Match.com and found someone who like me had battled and won the weight battle. We lived together for 5 years before getting married. During our time living together we were very active until his elderly mother had to move in due to her age. She felt left out whenever we would go any out, so we quit going out, which over time made us start gaining weight. Now his mom is in a nursing home because she started needing 24 hr help and we both worked. But the weight was already back for both of us. He has a lot of the problems that come with being overweight, I don't but meanwhile, I started Peri. In Dec '09 I had to get my Gallbladder taken out. I gained even more wieght.
        The reason I'm babbling - we are both getting the gastric by-pass, as the last result of trying to keep weight off. My doctor for the surgery has told me I have to come off Permarin _I know what it's made from bu it was working. But it also causes blood clots. Doc keeps giveing me different antidepressants that aren't working right. Can anyone help me with what I can take. My problem is heart beating rapidly and random times. I've had a hystectomy*. But I still have overies.

[drawl]

I was tested positive as being perimenapausal 4 yrs ago at 42 - though I had being going through sysptoms at least 2 years before then. Over the last year the really bad sweats have increased to embarassing levels - thank God I was given the opportunity to be able to leave work! I also have breast pains in the form of severe burning sensations, which is also part of the symptoms and joint pains.

I've only recently heard of Macafem and I just wondered f anyone has found this herb any use? I refuse to use HRT but would like some relief. I have become accustomed to the pains, but it would be nice to have some pain relief without plying my body with what I consider Toxins.

[sheltonbecky]

Try estroven extra stregnth for day time and they have a night time one with a sleeping aid.  It works.  I too searched for natural alternatives, soy and black cohosh and evening primrose also work along with good vitamin suplaments makesure to tak b12 for energy and green tea. I have gained weight and so tired on top of the hot flashed, night sweats, etc. They say walking is very good for you as well.. becky

[Momma_Cluck]

Just wanted to see how you are doing.

I have the same issues-- on a restricted Calorie, high-fiber reduced-fat diet for3 months with 1/2 hour of walking added every day on top of being a "Farmer"... I GAINED 7 lbs.... and no-- didn't go down a size either. (Muscle mass weighs much more than fat, but takes up less space-- so even if you lost 3 sizes your scale might not budge if you are really working out)
My Doctor found I have a certain type of Ovarian Cyst that is causing hormonal fluctuations-- that, and STRESS!!  Stress can cause depression/low energy/low metabolism...

so Am being treated with additional exercises and yoga for stress, and "wait and see" with the cysts-- as I have High BP and HRT can raise it..

Would LOVE to know if the macafem works for anyone, not so much for weight (but that would be nice) but I have lost my Libido! I don't even have sexy dreams or notice "hot" guys anymore!!
This *****!
Thanks all-- and I hope the info about me can shed some light for someone else!!

[dejahotflash]

So relieved to have found this site. I have been suffering from headaches and dizzy spells for a while now and occassional night sweats, racing heart, extreme fatigue and lots of memory issues. I broke down in tears because I assumed that I have a recurrence of a pituitary tumor I experienced 20 + years ago. (all the same menopausal symptoms + lactation and I hadn't yet had any children.)

Then my husband suggested that perhaps I was starting menopause (I am 47). Big duh moment for me :)  I am making an appointment with my OBGYN immediately.

To anyone who might be experiencing menopausal symptoms in their 20's, please make sure you ask your doctor about the possibility of pitutiary tumors. Ask for an MRI. Mine was found when I was 23 and I had it surgically removed and later had 3 wonderful children. My older sister was infertile because hers went undiagnosed and she went into menopause in her early 30's.

Thanks to all for your helpful insights

[KERNAN]

Is there any positive feedback on Macafem? I too desperately need some help. Has anyone heard from Wellness Seeker?, how is she keeping and did she have any results from Macafem?

Has anyone got any positive feedback from using Macafem?

Many thanks,

[kesta]

Hi Kernan,

I don't have experience with Macafem but have been taking Menersa for a year now and the symptoms are totally gone.  It took a few months for it to really kick in.  I swear by this stuff.  I'm 56 now with 6 grandchildren.  It's wonderful to feel good enough to play with them!

Please keep us posted.

Best,
Kesta

[Ziva_Marie]

I have been on Macafem 30 days now.  My hotflashes have stopped, my energy level has improved, and my sex drive is better than ever.  I know this sounds too good to be true, and I doubt everyone has the same results, but I am a Macafem fan!

Ziva Marie

[findingsolutions865]

I have been on Macafem for a year now. I started it after I had a total hysterectomy last October. It went really fast..one day doubled over in pain...the next day in surgery to remove tumors and everything else. I wasn't myself and my poor friends and husband were seriously worried about me. A friend was going through something similar and she chose to do the HRT and then had thyroid problems develop too. Now she has to take serveral medications and then even more medications to control those side effects. We both gained weight and I thought I was going to lose my mind among other meno systems. If you could have taken my skin off my body, rubbed it with sandpaper until it didn't itch anymore I would have thought I was in Heaven. My husband found the macafem online and he is THE BIGGEST SKEPTIC on herbs and natural processes but I am telling you it worked. I LOVE IT! It took about 3 or 4 months to get it into my system and build it up but I am back to normal. PRAISE GOD! I didn't do any HRT and that makes a huge difference with Macafem. It nourishes your pituatary gland, your endocrine system and doesn't have harsh side effects. It was a long hard road of physical pain to looking for the cupcakes in the bathroom medicine cabinet but I feel so much better now that I have taken it for a year. I did implement an excercise routine but took breaks for a month here or there. I have lost the weight (about 50 lbs) and feel so good. I hope this helps you. I too went to several doctors for help but to no prevail. My friend, who is afraid of herbs, took a different route and she is still doing thyroid meds and HRT. It is not working so great for her. We cry alot together and hope for those "normal" days to return for her but we keep encouraging each other with hugs, laughs and just a good cry now and then. I hope this was helpful to you and anyone else who reads it. God Bless!

[40nfab966]

I am a big fan of Macafem.  I started getting my period again the first month and lost 5 lbs within a few weeks.  I too, tried everything to take off the weight.  I counted calories and exercised daily.  Nothing worked.  I would also have extreme exhaustion in the afternoon.  I would leave work and go home and sleep for an hour during lunch break.  Brain fog, unbelievable.  I will say it did bother my stomach a bit.  I reduced the dosage and eventually cut down to a few days a month.  I think the key is figuring out what hormone is dominant.  Getting a doctor to listen to you and work with you is a challenge.  My doctor wanted to prescribe an antidepressant.  I asked her to test my hormone levels and she said it was a waste of time because all will be low.  She put her hand on my shoulder and said, "I know honey, it ***** going through this at your age."  I was 38 at the time.  

[WhenIgrowup]

Wow! I stumbled onto this forum and found so many wonderful, though hurting women that I can identify with. I am 62 and went through menopause 12 years ago so I thought it would be all over but the shouting now. HA! I the last two years I have started eating more healthily and much less and have gained about 25 lbs. No, I'm not as consistant as I should be with the exercise, but I'm no slouch either. I am bothered with an occasional hot flash (my first one years ago absolutely thrilled me because I knew the end of my wretched periods was near!) but not that I can't handle. It was the lack of sleep that just about drove me over the edge! I averaged about 5hrs. a week for three years. I read everything  I could about menopause like the rest of you, and I tried about everything, too. My Dr. put me one HRT when I was 51 and I took it for one month and decided I didn't need it. Heck, I didn't back then and it is probably a good thing I never really got started on it. I thought about the BHRT, but the cost is not what I can handle. I love the advise to reduce stress around you! My job is stressful and my husband is high maintenance and my job happens to be working with my husband. So just how I would reduce the stress short of packing my bags and running away (did that once...that doesn't work) I don't  know.
I did find something that helps with the sleep, finally. (I know enough to trust in God's timing, it just has never been MY timing) I found what is called "Sleep Restriction Therapy" and although it was rather torturous, I figured I was already doing Sleep Deprivation Therapy, why not? I know average between 6 and 7 hours of sleep a night; not totally uninterupted because I have tried to increase my water consumption, yuck, but pretty good sleep. I feel much more rested now that I don't have to drag myself out of bed in the morning and on through the day. I also take ashwagandha before bed to make sure I am calmed down. Sometimes I take ashwagandha or relora during the day when I feel myself getting that old adrenaline rush. I am also working on restoring my adrenals which I have probably all but destroyed over the years with my heavy doses of sugar and anxiety. Now if I can get a handle on this weight thing, maybe I could live a somewhat normal life. I just seems that I am not living in my own body anymore...mine was nice and unwrinkled and stopped moving when I did. Now things just jiggle. Let's face it, my birthday suit has gotten bigger and baggier in the last few years and it seems so alien to me now. I look in the mirror and there is someone I don't know looking back!
Anyway, this is a long way around saying that it is nice to see so many women who are in need, but wanting to help each other. Sometimes one just wants a little company swimming in the pity pool, and then help getting out.

[Determined2BHealthy]

I have enjoyed reading your comments.  I tried macafem a year ago and all I noticed then was a huge boost in my libido. Since then  I have been on BHRT  detoxed a lot of heavy metals and completely changed my diet.  It has helped but my hot flashes and fatigue have recently been severe.  I blew out my adrenals the last few years with stress so some of it could be that.  If I push too hard I collapse.  If I eat properly, exercise and get a good night sleep I am much better.  I just reordered Macafem  to supplement with my BHRT.  I am on Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone and Pregnenelone and Iodine for my thyroid. They all work together and you REALLY need to be tested and retested periodically to make sure it's working or to see if more is needed. HRT is from horse urine.  Don't take it.  All Soy is genetically modified it's terrible, even deadly.  Don't eat or drink anything with soy. even though we have been led to believe it's healthy. Use only Himilayn sea salt. As much as possible, drink lots of healthy water, NO SODAS at all!!! Eat all organic, including grass fed beef and raw milk.  In other words detox the years of chemical build up.  Red dessert Clay helps and will replenish needed minerals.  To really feel better you have to take a holistic, long-term approach.  Try to find a good naturapath or wholistic doctor. Will let you know how Macafem works this time.

[Bewitching_66]

Wow--I just noticed my symptoms a few weeks ago, although I've been experiencing them for some time. I blamed the fatigue on the wacky hours I work (6 days/wk 8-10 hrs a day starting as early as 4:30 a.m.) have just caught up with me after all these years; the mood swings (from weepiness to irritability to outright rage) on moving in with my boyfriend and just trying to get used to us, being a postal worker working all the wacky hours, just EVERYTHING in life;  the crazy menstrual cycles on the fact that I had fibroids; forgetting things constantly; waking up through the night because I was sleeping in a new bed; the weight gain (20 lbs. in 5 months) on eating new foods introduced when living with someone new; I've been attempting to quit smoking and blamed a few of the above symptoms on that as well. It was when the hot flashes started that I started putting everything together. One minute I'm fine, the next sweat is pouring off of me like I'd just ran a marathon, then I'm freezing. When the flashes became contstant and the moods were getting worse to the point I was starting to worry about losing my boyfriend, driving my kids out of the nest, losing my job (or being disciplined) for blowing up at bosses, co-workers, etc., for the least little things, I started putting two and two together--and called MOM!! I just turned 44 this year and really didn't expect any of this until I was in my 50's then hoped when it did happen I would sail into it quietly and easily like my mom. No such luck--apparently I'm going into it kicking and screaming all the way. Have yet to speak to my doc and don't want to have to start taking a prescription med every day, especially those made from pregnant horses (being an ASPCA and Humane Society member). Thought about taking Macafem after reading up on menopuase and pre-menopause symptoms on the net. (Seems I have 17 or so of the 34 symptoms.) Not sure what to do and hate the feeling that I'm losing my mind and taking everyone around me along for the ride. My job keeps me physically active so it's not like I'm sitting on my butt pushing papers behind a desk. My boyfriend has a home gym that I use as well. I really don't have a lot of free time (thanks to my job and the mandatory hours I have to work, but can't afford to take a pay cut to find something a little less demanding since I'm raising my two kids--one in college--with not a lot of financial help from my ex.) Anyone with any hints on how to deal would be appreciated and if the Macafem really works, sign me up!

[aussiegrl]

WOW this is fantastic, what a wonderful place to be able to come and chat to other women who are going thru the same thing.  Hello everyone, I am a 47 yr old from Sydney.  I have been going thru perimenopause symptoms for 2 yrs now, oh this is so not the time of my life.  I get terribly nervous, racing heart, shaky, weight gain, joint ache, dry skin and my periods would last for 6 weeks and so heavy, the dr put me on the pill (much to my horror - as I've never been on the pill in my life) also gave me antidepressants (as i wasnt sleeping and the aniexty is horrible) I would love so much to go off the pill and antidepressants and do this naturally and was on a wonderful website that mentions Macafem.  As I've never heard of this before I looked into it a bit closer and discovered this website.  I would love to start taking Macafem it sounds great, but my worry is that a few people have mentioned they got their periods again.  Has anyone been on Macafem for a while and got their peiods back?  I cant get it in Australia so I have to order from America, so before I go to that cost I want to get all my information correct.  

[Jane6564]

I just wanted to share this info regarding Macafem, or it's Latin form which is Lepidium Meyenii, or commonly known as Maca. I did a search and found 500 mg/100 capsules at GNC for $8.99. The only ingredient is Lepidium Meyenii, just like the Macafem. I'm going to GNC today!!! Anyway, just felt it was necessary to let everyone know that Macafem at $25.00 a bottle is crazy when you can get the exact same thing for much less.

[SandyC69]

Wow!  Am I ever happy that I found this forum.

I had a complete hysterectomy at the age of 43 - that was 31 years ago!  It was instant menopause, and my gyno put me on HRT patch, but within three days, I began experiencing deep leg cramps - not muscle cramps in the leg.  My family history is filled with stokes, blood clots and the like, so no HRT for me.  I've been "living" with it, if you can call this living for 31 years - I am 64 years old.

I still have the hot flashes and the horrible night sweats.  It's not so bad in the summer when the AC is running in the house, but 10 minutes outside and I am soaking wet, starting with my head and working it's way down my body.  The nighttime sweats are maybe once a night and hot flashes (other than outside) are maybe two to three a day.

In the winter, though, once the heat is turned on, every time that furnace kicks on, I am immediately out of bed, stripped naked sweating like a pig.  I've been clocking it for the last few nights - almost every hour all night long.  All day long, with the furnace running, I am either freezing cold (when blower is off), then feel like I'm running a fever (when blower is on).

Each year, seasonally though, it seems to be getting worse rather than better.  Don't believe anyone who tells you that the symptoms of meno will go away after a couple of years.  Not in my experience!

I am desperate for sleep, energy, and sex drive.  I don't know why my husband is still with me - must be cause he loves me, thank God.

I found this site while researching herbal supplements with no estogen in them, and in reading above saw mentions of Melatonin.  I used to take Melatonin for cluster-headaches, which did help me sleep through those horrid cycles, so I'll try them for meno too.  Thanks so much for just being here.

SandyC

[missmersey198]

Well ladies, i have read most of your comments and feel gutted to know i have this life changing issue which could be for next 5 to 10 years. and cant take nothing that wont have side effect or increase my chances of getting cancer in this day and age. well come on all you medicine people shame on you. They can put man on the moon they can invent many helpful life changing things. But they cant come up with safe table with no side effect medicine to help us women. What chance do i have of not losing my family being single parent and have been for last 19yrs. I Have daughter 21 who is going through pre- menstral tention, and we cant be in the same room together for long with out being at each others throats. Also i have two sons 19, 24yrs who are  saying they are moving out because its like living with two different people. Miss Nice & Miss Nasty. So before i lose my whole family please help.

[MissVal81655]

WOW.....I'm just flabbergasted at the posts.  When you go thru it you think your the only one. So many women are going thru this.

I can remember when my mother was alive and going thru menapause.  We used to call her a crazy woman....a hypocondriak.  My mother went into a deep depression and she would sleep for 22 hrs a day.  My father left her and we all grew up and left home and I think she felt useless.  My mother never worked a day in her life.  We (family) was her life.  And she died at an early age of 61 by allowing her body to just die off.  When I was in my late 40's my body started to change.  It was unbelievable.  I wouldn't talk about it because I remembered how we used to get annoyed when my mother talked about it.  Well here I was in her shoes.  I was living in her same HELL!! I felt like I was walking into 4 walls.  The north, south, east and west walls.  Everything was a FOG....I didn't know what the heck life was.  I had to move in with my daughter and family because I lost my job.  But I was determined to not let this kill me as it did my mother.  When I moved with my daughter my grans would complain that I snored too loud.  Then I had a friend come over and we were watching a movie and of course (as always) I never even make it past the FBI warning...before falling asleep.  He woke me up in the middle of the movie and asked me if I was ever tested for sleep apnea.  That I was gasping for air constantly. He told me he has it and he felt that I should get tested.  I remember sitting up in the corner of a wall at nite trying to sleep and not snore. No one understood what I was going thru.  I had a slip and fall and was unable to work which meant that I was eligible for state health assistance.  I then got the proper testing and was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.  My weight gain was 30 lbs in 6 months right around my waist.  Went from a size 12 to a 16 in no time.  
I was told that I would lose 30+ lbs once I got my CPAP....but that never happened.  Which now I know is because of hormone imbalance.    Now I have a very rare form of psoriasis called PalmaPlantarPustulosis. I no longer have that health insurance.  So with everything going on....I've decided to EMPOWER myself to read and make the necessary changes in my body and for my life.  So this is what I'm doing:

1.  I ordered myself a Jack LaLane juicer
2.  I also order the Macafem
3.  I am doing a parasitic cleanse (after reading about it I am finding  
     that many symptoms that I have are showing that I have parasites.
4.  I will then do a 3 day vegetable/fruit toxic cleanse.
5.  When that is done I will begin eating full and healthy breakfast's,
     lunches, and dinners and snacks.  I am going organic, grassfed
    meats and wild salmon and high Omega-3 suppliments.

I'll let you all of you know my outcome in 3 months.  I'm starting Feb 1st.  Wish me luck.  I know it sounds a bit crazy....but I think I have nothing to lose but BAD HEALTH!!!  
I'm so glad to have found this site!!!  I also have a forum on Facebook called "Radiant Health & Wellness Forum".  I would love for any and all to join.  I post healthy and wellness topics daily.  I will be looking forward to hearing from all....: )  

[Krieger1]

Thank you so much for your postings.  I have found all the inforomation provided very interesting.  I stumbled onto this forum while looking into Macafem.  So.... did anyone have results?  It sounds perfect... hmmm... red flag?

[drkeitha963]

I work with women everyday, passing through this change of life. The discomfort you describe is very real and very exhausting. My clients are instructed to AVOID soy and soy byproducts (they are estrogen based, leading to estrogen dominance.and they tend to slow thyroid production)
I suggest Enzymatic Therapy AM/PM, Restored Balance Premenstrual Cream -morning and evening, or a product, FemiYen with the creme. These products seem to work with your body. I would also suggest that you assume you have a yeast problem, candida albicans (outgrowth of bad gut bacteria), and change the way you eat-avoiding yeast dominate and sugary foods. This is hard, as yeast sends hormone cravings for sugar and carbs to survive. Yeast makes is more than hard to lose weight or to experience restorative sleep. There is also a blood type protocol by D'Adamo that resolves the worst symptoms. There is hope and recovery.
Women are powerful and creative beings. Do not let a "period" of life's passage, rob you of your God given talents, expressions or gifts. Blessings!

Dr. Keitha

[CookieCat]

I'm 49 and my periods ended about a year ago in February 2010. Prior to that, all I experienced were occasional night sweats.

During the past 6 months, I have experienced hot flashes, cold flashes, night sweats, headaches, lethargy, stiff joints, back pain, constipation, memory problems, insomnia, pain during sex, dry skin, and a 20 lb weight gain. My husband can't sleep in the same bed with me anymore because I am so restless at night.

I read about Macafem today and was going to try it, but from reading these posts, it appears it only works for a few people.  I won't do pharmaceutical hormone therapy.   Too many risks and side effects.  From everything I researched today,  I am going to try Menersa (all natural)  with a Vitamin B12 supplement.  I'll post again soon and let you know how it goes.

[goldengirl7]

Hi,
I would like to make a comment about Macafem.  I had a hysterectomy when I was 30 and was placed on HRT at that time.  I took the same harmone for 40 years and it never gave me a problem until I hit age 70.  I am very health conscience and knew something was wrong when my breast started hurting and I couldn't sleep at night I was hurting so bad. The tenderness was so bad, I felt as if I were going to have a period at any time.  I stopped the HRT and that did help.  I did have a checkup with my Physician and he couldn't find anything.  I wound up with a MRI and nothing came out of that either. Cancer does run in both sides of may family and that was a major concern.

After I stopped the HRT, I felt sluggish, no energy, and my thinking was slow.  That's not like me!!
I wanted to take something to get me back on track as I always felt wondertful on the HRT. I read up on Macafem and started taking it....I feel wonderful and it truly works!!  I feel like I'm my old self again and there's no
threat of the artifical harmone replacement anymore.  I am sensitive to most medications and have to be very careful....not this product....I haven't had any reaction yet and I started taking it a month ago.  I had to regulate my own dosage as three pills was too much for me. I cut it down to two a day and I couldn't feel any better that I do now.  I have the energy, stamina and and the quick thinking I used to have.  I have a very technical job and have to be alert at all times.
Highly recommend....I would give it 10 stars if I could.  I will definitely reorder and keep taking it.
I'm not a company employee, just a very satisfied customer!!

[hatemyflashes]

i'm 55 and have been going thru the perio symptoms for a few years.  recently changed jobs after 18 years and flashing seems to have gotten worse which I think is directly related to stress levels.  Have all the same symptoms, but had kept on having periods til 3-4 months ago now so its a roller coaster.  The bloating, insomnia, anxiety, increased heart rate, etc are starting to drive me nuts.  
Haven't exercised due to workload but just joined gym and trying to go at least 2-3x wk.  the suggestion to increase magnesium and other ideas from 'blue....."were all good natural solutions.  I've been thru it all and about to also start on acupuncture/nutrition with a great naturopath i went to years ago for chronic fatigue.
the weight is what's really getting me down, 20 lbs now and i'd say i'm 80% all healthy-organic diet for months now but boyfriends' lost 10-12 lbs and I've lost 2 maybe.

did bio Id's a few years ago, liked it but didn't like the dr and there's so much misinformation and mixed information, went off coz i got scared of long term side effects.  Today i was thinking of trying that again...my symptoms are worsening and i'm tired from sleepless nights and long workdays in new gig.

looking for advice on this site, the increased magnesium, b12 under tongue, and other simple remedies reminded me that i used to do all that and did feel better.

[debm8]

What a terrific site! I stumbled on this site while googling 'Macafem' and have found it to be a great source of information about menopoause from real women with real stories!
My period stopped recently after an emotionally traumatic time, so I just waited for it to come back.  It hasn't!  I also suffered terrible anxiety which I thought was due to the trauma, combined with running my own business in which I work very long hours and comes with the normal challenges..  
After reading many of your stories I realise I may be perimenopausal and that anxiety is one of many possible symptoms. What a relief to know I am normal and that there is a 'reason' for feeling this way.
I think I have been in 'denial' that menopause will ever happen to me, but thinking back to a very short stint of night sweats and a few sleepless nights, plus gaining a few extra kilos,  I realise that the time has come!
I have been on anti-depressants before now and took myself off them when I found I could not respond naturally to events happy or sad, even though they helped my cope in other ways.  I felt I was cheating myself.  I had a packet left over in the medicine cabinet and after going through what I have recently I put myself back on them to help with this awful anxiety.  Well, the packet is empty and I now know anti-depressants are not the answer.  It was such a relief to find this site. Have I said that before? : )
So, this is what I have done up to this point.  I have changed my diet and cut back on alcohol and processed foods.  I have added more protein in the form of tuna.  I am eating more fruit.  I take a women's formula multi-vitamin every day.  I am going to bed earlier.  I am a Personal Trainer and my business is a gym so exercise has always been a part of my life, especially strength training.  I will NEVER stop exercising even though I have very painful knees due to old injuries and subsequent degeneration of the joints.  Importantly, I am taking some time off work, even if it is an hour here and there, to get out and do the things I enjoy even if that is just walking around my garden!  I will order Menofem today and trust I will be one of the women it will help.
I will turn 50 in June this year and I am determined to be the best I can be.
I am learning to trust that God is looking after me and all will turn out for the best.  I am constantly amazed that when I re-affirm this that events transpire to prove my beliefs are on track.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story, and I wish you all truly interesting, inpiring lives.

[beccaaj]

My symptoms were so severe that I really didn't even want to live anymore
if I had to live like that. That was a little over a week ago. What a complete
turn a round. I did a lot of research (even got my dad and 26 year old daughter on the job) Believe me they were happy to help. They wanted me back as much as I wanted me back. Night sweats,hot flashes and OH GOD! the mood swings!!! Cry at a commercial. Anger for no reason. And
I thought PMS was bad. I have always had severe PMS, so it stands to reason that Perimenapausal symtoms (symptoms) would be severe as well. My dad
read an article written by a female Gynocolgiist and she regularly prescribes DIM to her patients. I have also heard alot about Macafem
but decided to go with Maca instead. That is what Macafem is made from
without the heavy price tag.I went to my local vitamin shop and purchased
DIM-plus, Maca 500mg, Omega 3,6,9 along with a womens multi-vitamin. The results so far have been astounding. I was expecting to see somewhat of a change within maybe 2 weeks. Not the case. After 3 days I was sleeping through the night, no nightsweats, the sureal feeling that I was
walking around with has been replaced with some clarity.(a week ago I would not even be able to post more than a sentence.It was that bad.) I get up at 4am everyday for my job. I am a single mother with an 11 year old boy with ADHD at home still and yet I woke up actually singing this morning. I am off work for 2 days after today and can't wait to catch up on some things that I have deglected for so long. Whereas it took everything in me just to get through the day for so long, now I can't wait to tackle the day. I sure hope this last. I even started working out again.My muscles are sore because I know its been at least a year since I did or even could muster up the energy to work out. Just thought that I would share.    

[crysallis]

Hi there, I read your first post and a few others and I just need to say i sympathise with you totally. Also please dont listen to people who tell you to push yourself beyond your limits. I'm 45 and for the last fifteen years have suffered from severe ME. When it started I pushed myself because I was mad that my body wouldnt do what i wanted and I got an exercise bike/exercise videos etc. I was a normal weight. Doing such drastic stuff is what has made my condition chronic and so severe and specialists have told me i would probably be well now if I had listened to my body...Oh how I wish I had. I am so so restricted now and even need feeding and cant walk if I go out of my very limited limits. You must be kind to yourself... I then went through menopause at 42 with every symptom there is including severe pain with the hot flushes... My doc prescribed hrt but then my blood pressure shot up so Ive come off that and gone on blood pressure tabs.. TBH  im in a mess but still staying positive... Im now trying natural progesterone cream and ive read about the macafem and it looks interesting... Something will turn up eventually.. dont lose hope I certainly arent going to.. Take care and God bless.

[wen59]

Ive spent the last couple of hours reading all these posts from 2009... and im appalled at the devastating effects that menopause has had on so many of our lives. Ive just turned 52 and peri started about 6 years ago, with the fuzzy mind, not able to finish a sentence, or remember names and felt like a shadow of my former self. I was just so tired and struggling, was disinterested in life in general. Oh and also the sleeplessness....this nearly drove me crazy, my eyeballs were hanging out and i was feeling so miserable. So in desperation (also newly immigrated so no friends my age to talk to about this) i found a naturopath who did the hormone level tests and prescribed BioHRT for me. She told me it would take a while to adjust the dosages to fit my needs, and i began to feel better after a few weeks, more energy, better sleeping etc. Well a year later i had massive blood-filled cysts in my breast, (which burst under the pressure of the mammogram machine - rather painful!) period pains that lasted the whole month and a furious Gynaecologist who wanted to put me onto his brand of HRT immediately.I got fed-up with everyone and decided to go natural. My friend was going through drug induced meno in her fight against breast cancer and she encouraged me to stay as far away from drugs as possible. I have listened to her and have found relief in other things. I have also learnt that because meno effects us all differently and to different extremes theres no one magic bullet that will fix everything. So i will nut-shell what ive learnt as best i can and hope it helps someone out there.
My best advice is to support your body, particularly your liver, and your mind with good food and gentle treatment, this goes a long way to surviving this time. Research the super foods and learn what chemical free supplements are out there, read about their benefits and see what you think, listen to your instincts, no one knows your body and how it feels better than you. And dont let meno symptoms overrule other ailments you may have, treat your body as a whole. Remember we have been fearfully and wonderfully made and meno doesnt last forever, it will pass and we will get our brains and our zest for life back for the next season. In the meantime we have to manage it as best we can, and also impress on our families that we're not enjoying this either and we desperately need their support and understanding.  
I recommend starting your day with a large glass of warm filtered water with a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.I know this sounds gross to some but believe me, you will quickly get used to it when you're feeling fantastic. (This alkalises your body and your liver loves it) After about 15 mins take your liquid supplements,( i take a wonderful mineral supplement called Feroxin, by Neways) a glass of fruit juice with GreenQi, and then a small wholegrain breakfast (toast with poached egg or cereal or whatever but keep it sugar free if possible). A heaped tablespoon of ground flaxseed sprinkled on your cereal or yoghurt is another sure hotflush fighter, keep taking this every morning without fail and dont give up, it will take a couple of weeks to take effect.(You will be so full of all the liquid and grains you wont be hungry for ages. Im usually satisfied till after 12). I take Macafem with breakfast and dinner and am in my third month of taking it. I felt a huge improvement after just one week on Macafem and am sleeping well most nights but have continued to wake up once a night to wee. I can live with that as i usually go straight back to sleep. I also take other supplements and antioxidants in the morning. I have so much more energy and enthusiasm for life for the first time in years, i have my brain back to a large extent and i have energy for ordinary things like tidying out my wardrobe or polishing my furniture. I can honestly vouch for all the claims of Macafem, it works for me. I also have to say that the effect on the hot flushes fluctuates probably with my cycle and sometimes they are mild and seldom and other times i get an inferno from my feet to the top of my head... i then up the dosage of Macafem and hope for the best. But the hot flushes are the only remaining symptom and the improvement with all the other symptoms makes it definitely worth while. Its difficult to put the improvement down to just one thing so im convinced its a combination of good eating, as much fresh veggies and fruit as possible, not too much bread and cereal (fattening, which the menopausal body loves because it can make estrogen out of fat)  lots of water, little caffeine if any, good quality supplements and regular exercise, even if its just an hours walk three or four times a week. The bonus is that you'll probably lose a bit of weight, tone up and feel generally better.
I hope this helps someone and if you're at the beginning of meno symptoms id advise you to put your money into trying everything natural before going on to BHRT and as a very last resort, HRT.
Take care and God bless

[wen59]

Ive spent the last couple of hours reading all these posts from 2009... and im appalled at the devastating effects that menopause has had on so many of our lives. Ive just turned 52 and peri started about 6 years ago, with the fuzzy mind, not able to finish a sentence, or remember names and felt like a shadow of my former self. I was just so tired and struggling, was disinterested in life in general. Oh and also the sleeplessness....this nearly drove me crazy, my eyeballs were hanging out and i was feeling so miserable. So in desperation (also newly immigrated so no friends my age to talk to about this) i found a naturopath who did the hormone level tests and prescribed BioHRT for me. She told me it would take a while to adjust the dosages to fit my needs, and i began to feel better after a few weeks, more energy, better sleeping etc. Well a year later i had massive blood-filled cysts in my breast, (which burst under the pressure of the mammogram machine - rather painful!) period pains that lasted the whole month and a furious Gynaecologist who wanted to put me onto his brand of HRT immediately.I got fed-up with everyone and decided to go natural. My friend was going through drug induced meno in her fight against breast cancer and she encouraged me to stay as far away from drugs as possible. I have listened to her and have found relief in other things. I have also learnt that because meno effects us all differently and to different extremes theres no one magic bullet that will fix everything. So i will nut-shell what ive learnt as best i can and hope it helps someone out there.
My best advice is to support your body, particularly your liver, and your mind with good food and gentle treatment, this goes a long way to surviving this time. Research the super foods and learn what chemical free supplements are out there, read about their benefits and see what you think, listen to your instincts, no one knows your body and how it feels better than you. And dont let meno symptoms overrule other ailments you may have, treat your body as a whole. Remember we have been fearfully and wonderfully made and meno doesnt last forever, it will pass and we will get our brains and our zest for life back for the next season. In the meantime we have to manage it as best we can, and also impress on our families that we're not enjoying this either and we desperately need their support and understanding.  
I recommend starting your day with a large glass of warm filtered water with a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.I know this sounds gross to some but believe me, you will quickly get used to it when you're feeling fantastic. (This alkalises your body and your liver loves it) After about 15 mins take your liquid supplements,( i take a wonderful mineral supplement called Feroxin, by Neways) a glass of fruit juice with GreenQi, and then a small wholegrain breakfast (toast with poached egg or cereal or whatever but keep it sugar free if possible). A heaped tablespoon of ground flaxseed sprinkled on your cereal or yoghurt is another sure hotflush fighter, keep taking this every morning without fail and dont give up, it will take a couple of weeks to take effect.(You will be so full of all the liquid and grains you wont be hungry for ages. Im usually satisfied till after 12). I take Macafem with breakfast and dinner and am in my third month of taking it. I felt a huge improvement after just one week on Macafem and am sleeping well most nights but have continued to wake up once a night to wee. I can live with that as i usually go straight back to sleep. I also take other supplements and antioxidants in the morning. I have so much more energy and enthusiasm for life for the first time in years, i have my brain back to a large extent and i have energy for ordinary things like tidying out my wardrobe or polishing my furniture. I can honestly vouch for all the claims of Macafem, it works for me. I also have to say that the effect on the hot flushes fluctuates probably with my cycle and sometimes they are mild and seldom and other times i get an inferno from my feet to the top of my head... i then up the dosage of Macafem and hope for the best. But the hot flushes are the only remaining symptom and the improvement with all the other symptoms makes it definitely worth while. Its difficult to put the improvement down to just one thing so im convinced its a combination of good eating, as much fresh veggies and fruit as possible, not too much bread and cereal (fattening, which the menopausal body loves because it can make estrogen out of fat)  lots of water, little caffeine if any, good quality supplements and regular exercise, even if its just an hours walk three or four times a week. The bonus is that you'll probably lose a bit of weight, tone up and feel generally better.
I hope this helps someone and if you're at the beginning of meno symptoms id advise you to put your money into trying everything natural before going on to BHRT and as a very last resort, HRT.
Take care and God bless

[missy63456]

I have read  your comments, and I'm really glad I found this website!!!  I've ordered the Macafem and hope it will work for me.My symptoms were sleepy all the time, tired constantly, but I seem to be having my period every 7-11 days. Hopefully this Macafem will help me.

[OneOfYou44]

Hi everybody
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I am nearly 45 and didn't have my period since March. First, I was having night sweats, which were absolutelly dreadfull  (or so I thought at the time), now they are superceeded by hot flushes and I realise that 3 sweats a night were blessing. The worst thing is my mum, who never expericenced any, thinks I am a freak of some sort, and my friends are not yet "on board", so there is nobody to share the pain of this experience! However, having read all your comments from 2009, I bought from Vitamins World menopausal releif AM and PM, mostly containing soy, some vitamins and a bit of Black Cohon. I was taking it for a week and it helps me. At least, at night I wake up no more than 3 times and then it is not a real hot flush, just a bit of heat which goes much quicker, than the real ones.

[Not4sissies]

I just spent the morning reading all the posts, and I must say, my feelings are mixed.  I welcome the knowledge that I don't suffer alone and yet, as I sit here sweating, I am sorry for everyone going thru this misery.  I had to write to you H&H cuz I relate.  I am 56, been without a good nights sleep for nearly 7 yrs.  I am hoping 60 is the magic age when, poof, we are all back to normal.  Please say it is true...are you there yet?  Hope so!   Good luck to all.  Guess I will try to get some chores done.  Miss your posts HotandHeavy.  Hope all is going well.

[hotandbothered]

I just bought Macafem & was trying to find out the correct dosage, etc., when I came to this site. Wow!  All I can say is thank you all for sharing. I feel like I'm not alone, that maybe I'm not really going crazy & maybe, if you all can do it, I can, too.
I'm 56, work in the medical field, & just got accepted into nursing school. (late bloomer, I guess). In Anatomy & Physiology I learned that Viagra was discovered by accident. It was developed to lower blood pressure & had this interesting side effect that they have capitalized on big time. So it's not that the research is just for men.
Even though I work in and am pursuing the medical field, I'm with you ladies about staying away  from drugs. I just don't believe in them, especially with all the terrible side effects.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned that is really bothering me...I have always been a very spiritual person and my Heavenly Father is very, very important to me, but with all the menopause stuff I have stopped feeling. Apathy is rampant in my life when I used to be able to count my blessings and feel so grateful, even during really hard times. I just don't feel it anymore & miss it terribly. Anybody else experiencing this?  

[hotandbothered]

I just bought Macafem & was trying to find out the correct dosage, etc., when I came to this site. Wow!  All I can say is thank you all for sharing. I feel like I'm not alone, that maybe I'm not really going crazy & maybe, if you all can do it, I can, too.
I'm 56, work in the medical field, & just got accepted into nursing school. (late bloomer, I guess). In Anatomy & Physiology I learned that Viagra was discovered by accident. It was developed to lower blood pressure & had this interesting side effect that they have capitalized on big time. So it's not that the research is just for men.
Even though I work in and am pursuing the medical field, I'm with you ladies about staying away  from drugs. I just don't believe in them, especially with all the terrible side effects.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned that is really bothering me...I have always been a very spiritual person and my Heavenly Father is very, very important to me, but with all the menopause stuff I have stopped feeling. Apathy is rampant in my life when I used to be able to count my blessings and feel so grateful, even during really hard times. I just don't feel it anymore & miss it terribly. Anybody else experiencing this?  

[totallyfrustrated4150]

It is so nice to know I am not alone in this matter. This is absolutly miserable.......  I have been doing this for 6 yrs now. I have tried many things, nothing seems to help. My family thinks I am crazy and a b.... Trying to explain too them what I am going through and to them I am making it up and I need counsiling. Not glad you all are experiencing this, but glad you all understand.
Exhausted!

[gran1959]

This thread is very enlightening, I have been having meno' issue's for going on 10 years. I have had hot flushes since as long as I can remember & now that my period has stopped at last, I am just having these awefull sweat sessions 20 times a day & at least 8 times during the night. I do not sleep unless I take an otc sleep aid & it works somewhat but makes me very dry, I can handle being dry & leave a glass of water beside the bed always. Hoping that I am on the home run but I guess time will tell, oh & doctors have been useless to me, do they really know what they are doing? didn't seem to be at all concerned & quite patronising. Keep your chins up girls, it's gotta' end sometime I hope :)

[acupuncturesavedme]

PLEASE GET ACUPUNCTURE FROM A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST!!!!!
I had all of your symptoms that made me feel horrible every day, the hot flashes at one point were dibilitating! I did not sleep for a month, not at all....and I had my period more than not having it. I had huge anger issues so much so that my husband wanted to know where his wife had gone to.
Well I am back and I feel pretty good, I also had hypothyroidism and Acupuncture cured that too! My levels are now in normal range!

Good luck to all of you! Menopause *****! But I do believe that eating right, and exercize and most of all ACUPUNCTURE will help if not take away all of your symptoms!

[Osierra]

I join in the general community of elation at finding a place to sit, read, reflect and relate to this terrible afflection.  I'm 44 this month, I stopped have periods around 2 years ago now, and was so delighted that I think I almost forgot to get hot flushes.  I had a few months, then it stopped and I thought I was in 7th heaven.  My periods used to be so very heavy, it was such a welcome relief to lose them.  Unfortunately, in all this elelation, I met and married a wonderful man, who has patiently abstained from sex for some nine months now.... I have absolutely no interest, thought or inclination to have sex.  We are intimate, affectionate, there is absolutely no pressure from him, apart from the occassional mention (and its really is only occassional).  And now, it appears my periods may be making a come back... a month ago my breasts started to ache, as they used to when the period was immenient - a week later I got a slight staining, but the tender breasts continue.  Its agonising taking off the bra at night.  So zero libido, and tender breasts.   I have sufffered insomnia for years, but until I re-married and discovered by husband has body in the exact opposite configuration, that wasnt so much an issue.  With the absence of libido, opposing body clocks, tender breasts, and now the added worry the wheels are beginning to fall off a wonderful relationship - I'm reaching for Maca, flower essenses, and a guiding light....  This impossibly hidden, well insulated collective of suffers may be my light - for a while there, I thought it was an oncoming train......  A wonderful feeling to join the collective... I'll post my results....  Much love and light to all xxx

[tootsie04]

there is a Dr Fishman in florida who is a pharmacist,nutritionist, hormone specialist..it is all about the endocrine system
I at 44 lastt year was pregnant and lost my baby at 13 weeks..i did not sleep the whole pregnancy, felt crazy, depressed, and so so sick..
after i lost the baby i had some calm for about a day or two and the all this weird brain stuff..i tried many things..have started going for accupuncture which does work for sleep and anxiety..and to balance hormones..it isnt a quick fix..
i also just started maca today..i think the good thing about maca is that it allows your endocrine system to start working efficiently so all your hormones produce and balance themselves the way the are suppose to.instead of trying to take this herb, and that herb...

i assume these are perimenopausal symptoms...my mom is just turning 70 and told me she didnt start meno until 60 years old and all her sisters.

im really surprised how much my brain has just felt so messed up..

as a buddhist i would like to say that meditating can help..and just going with the flow...knowing that everything is always changing..i find it so difficult at times..and feel really alone..

my heart is with everyone here..good luck..and know you are the one in the driver seat for your health...we are all different and need different things.

blessings to you all

[ptexpress]

Hello. My story is no different than most of the women posting on this site. I started this menopause journey about five years ago. At first, I did nothing (afraid to go HRT route). But it got so bad, I asked my doc for help. Tried pills, patches...yes they worked, but I had some pretty funky side symptoms. Like a rash with all patches. Finally, about two months ago I decided to go off HRT cold turkey to see if I would still get those traditional horrid symptoms. And, yes I did. They came back with a vengance. All of them. Nite sweats, hot flashes, memory issues, tired... I decided no more HRT, wanted to go natural. Ordered Macafem because of the reviews and research I did on the root used in this supplement. I have been on Macafem (2 tablets a day) for 20 days. At first I didn't think it was working. But yesterday I noticed a decrease in the number of flashes. And they weren't that strong. Maybe 2 soakers and 10 minis. But today...I haven't had 1. I have also noticed my energy level is up, thinking is a little clearer, sleep a little better. I hoping this is not a fluke and that it is really working. So far so good. I will say that I low dosed this product (1-2 a day) you can take more depending on your needs. I noticed (for me anyway) that you have to take this with food or else your stomach may cramp.

Wish you all wellness...

ptexpress

[ptexpress]

Hello. My story is no different than most of the women posting on this site. I started this menopause journey about five years ago. At first, I did nothing (afraid to go HRT route). But it got so bad, I asked my doc for help. Tried pills, patches...yes they worked, but I had some pretty funky side symptoms. Like a rash with all patches. Finally, about two months ago I decided to go off HRT cold turkey to see if I would still get those traditional horrid symptoms. And, yes I did. They came back with a vengance. All of them. Nite sweats, hot flashes, memory issues, tired... I decided no more HRT, wanted to go natural. Ordered Macafem because of the reviews and research I did on the root used in this supplement. I have been on Macafem (2 tablets a day) for 20 days. At first I didn't think it was working. But yesterday I noticed a decrease in the number of flashes. And they weren't that strong. Maybe 2 soakers and 10 minis. But today...I haven't had 1. I have also noticed my energy level is up, thinking is a little clearer, sleep a little better. I hoping this is not a fluke and that it is really working. So far so good. I will say that I low dosed this product (1-2 a day) you can take more depending on your needs. I noticed (for me anyway) that you have to take this with food or else your stomach may cramp.

Wish you all wellness...

ptexpress

[getmeoffthisride]

I am so glad to know I am not alone. I started peri at 39 :(  add fibroids to the mix and you get to be on the pill, a promise from the doc that things will be better being on the pill and no truth to any of it. I work out 5 days a week. I could probably eat healthier but not super bad. On the pill I experience anxiety and depression but the doc wont take me off because I I hemorrage (sp?) and she doesnt want to remove my uterus. I just started having the adrenaline rushes at night and it *****. Prior to this site I was researching bipolar disorders because I had no idea what the heck was going on. I hope all of you continue to post so I know what I have coming. I will begin praying for ALL of those suffering from this terrible imbalance. Prayers to you all...<3

[Everydayisagreatday]

Waking with another headache (if you call limited sleep waking) I thought to google headaches and menopause and found this site. Thank you everyone for your insights, of which many mirror my life. I am 50 years old.
A couple of years ago I had a brain tumour and thankfully it wasnt malignant but it was a whopper according to the specialist. I had it removed and suffered similar symptoms trying to combat a chemical meningitis with steroids. So, needless to say I am no stranger to hot flashes, and headaches, fogginess and memory loss.
With meno the headaches affect me the most, then its the sweats, the chills, the sleeplessness, the tiredness, the fogginess oh my...yes it goes on.
The loss of libido not so much. I am thankful for small mercies. I am hoping to get my hormone test results today.
Having read this many posts going back to 2009 I feel armed with good tried and tested information for when the Dr makes suggestions. I have an awesome husband who lets me be whatever I am and supports me. This. I am sure makes a huge difference and my heart goes out to those of you doing this alone.
I already take magnesium, I have had accupuncture previously and it worked for something else. so I will try that again. I eat healthy because I have food intolerances. ( no wheat which means almost everything is not processed - that cant be a bad thing) I have been going to weight watchers for years to try to battle weight gain and have slipped a little backwards this last few months.
I am going to try a few of your suggestions and wanted to thank you all for your posts.
I hope you are all begining to feel human again.

[Vlrech]

Hello, I found this as you all did, researching menopause and weight gain. I am 54. It seemed that overnight about a year ago I woke up and discovered this 'spare tire'. I haven't slept all night for a while but for the most part I do get about 4 hours every night. I guess after reading some of these posts, I am lucky I get that much. I never thought I would be wishing for pants with elastic waists to be part of my wardrobe. One other thing I read was to take a multvitamin and researching I am going to head out and get the one a day 50 + and out to GNC to get the Maca.

[etstravel]

I am so glad I found this site! I was look up info on macafem.  I do not want to go hormonal route because of the potential breast cancer risks.  Was just diagnoised this week stage 0. Thank GOD it was caught very early! The docotors have said I will be fine.  But the extreme fatigue is now taking over and I can't live get well like this! I was hoping to hear more positive thoughts on macafem.  It seems that this will be trial and error on what works or not, but very glad I am not alone.

[teddybear2]

I too was looking up Macafem and found this blog site. I am 52 years old and am having the whole meno experience.I am trying the magnesium, calcium,zinc supplements and have found that they may be helping a little with the hot flashes and night sweats.I have no health insurance, and I have not had a complete gynocolgical physical in 10 years. Heavy periods left my hemoglobin at 9.1. Almost cost me a great job. Even though I was working two jobs (70) hours a week!.My current employer did not want to hire me.Was afraid I would pass out on the job....So I started taking prenatal vitamins in high dosages. I am 200 lbs and am 5'4......I see pictures of me and I want to die, I am very physical at work,but cant take the weight off. I also have a wheat allergy so I avoid it like a plauqe. depression is eating at my heart and soul, My husband is very comforting. we have been married for 38 years.He had a series of ministrokes which took away his desire for sex... so that is not an issue....I have no self esteem anyway. My periods have stopped now for four months, my hemoglbin is at 12.1 so maybe the vitamins are helping.

[b4Denise]

Thanks all of you for posting!  I am a 55 year old woman who has been trying to deny menopause, but I can't deny it anymore.  I was looking up macafem as well.  There must be a better way!  I just ordered SAM-e as it is supposed to help with the depression and mood swings.  I will let you know.  I am on a quest to find a healthy solution as are all of you!

[Cubegirl]

Hi ladies,
I did a google search for macafem and found this board.

I'm 51 and have been having menopause symptoms for about 5 years now.   I was able to tolerate these symptoms until 6 months ago when I found that my vagina had become so dry that it was painful to have sex with my husband.  I didn't have any interest in  sex but I was doing a good job pretending for the benefit of my husband.  I did some research online and went to a GYN to get a prescription for a vaginal cream called  Estrace.   I inject 1 mg of it twice a week.  Each tube costs $127.00.  The cream has helped.

My other symptoms were hot flashes, not sleeping and junk-food cravings.  

I went on Amazon.com and ordered the following products:

1) Natural Radiance bioidential estrogen/estriol cream $49.95.
2) Natural Radiance bioidential progesterone cream $14.95.

When I ran out of the progesterone cream, I ordered a different brand.  This time, the "Balance Woman" cream which was $25.00.

I've been smearing the 2 creams on my arms/stomach for about 5 months now.    Since the hot flashes were extreme I also have been taking 1 pill a day of GNC Black Cohosh 40 mg pills $10.00.

Doing all of this has gotten rid of the symptoms including the hot flashes.  Also I no longer have any cravings for junk food.   About a month ago I ran out of the GNC Black Cohosh pills.  Since I no longer had hot flashes, I decided not buy any more and just see if the bioidential creams would be enough.   Unfortuately, within 1 week, the hot flashes were back.  I was very disappointed at this because I'm no longer sure whether or the creams really work. Maybe it's just been the Black Cohosh pills that have relieved my symptoms (?)   With this routine my menopause symptoms are all gone except I still have zero interest in sex.    As long as I keep using the vaginal cream called Estrace, I can pretend for my husband.  

So the reason I did the search for the macafem in the first place was to look for a replacement for the Black Cohosh pills. They definitely relieve my hot flashes but my reading tells me they may increase the risk of breast cancer.    So long story short -- I thought my remedies might give you ladies some new options for relief.

One last this, I found Lawley Pharmaceuticals in Australia offers the progesterone cream.   It's a pharmaceutical grade topical cream and you can order it on their website without a prescription.  They will have the estriol cream available to order soon.  I used their progesterone cream for 1 month and liked it.  It has a consistency like toothpaste and no unpleasant oder. The only problem is it's more expensive. That's why I've been ordering the cheaper creams from Amazon.com.

[Mmmiki]

Read Susun Weed New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way and look her up on internet - lots of great advice on menopause treatments & remedies... Stinging nettle works miracles but buy organic...
...I am still unsure if Macafem works or not based on everyone's comments but I am in Europe and not sure if I can get it here... Another thing that worked for me is Emerita Progest Cream - great for emotional upsets in my case - and Ladycare Magnet - relieves many symptoms - I strongly recommend both... best to all, Maya

[Mmmiki]

By the way, I decided to use pure organic Maca powder instead of Macafem which is a product based on Maca powder - I could not find a list of ingredients for Macafem and I like to kow what I am taking... Besides, if you find Maca organic powder on internet, the prices beat those of any product based on the actual plant - Macafem included -  which is the source of the benefits described... Maca is a Peruvian/South American plant which is widely used by Peruvians - they add it to shakes and drinks etc. and so can we - I have seen it in Peru where I spent few months a while back. Be a wise shopper :)

[TURTLE728]

Macafem is a GREAT product!!! And IT WORKS!!! But look at the bottle closely and you will find that it is MACA ROOT!!! That's it! 500 mg. You can FIND THAT JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE FOR under $10!!!!! DONT WASTE your MONEY!!! Why Macafem? B/c they were the only ones who advertise for MACA ROOT as a supplement to balance your hormones~!!!

[Marly611]

Hello Everyone,
I have just found these posts and am so glad. I am 56, had been suffering from extreme menopause symptoms as you are all describing, and was trying various over the counter remedies without much luck. I do not have insurance and therefore will not be seeing a physician at all. I spent a lot of time researching herbal remedies online and purchased Wisdom For Menopause. Within 2 weeks my extremely intense hot flashes disappeared and I began sleeping through the night! Major relief. However, I still have crashing fatigue, moodiness, bouts of hopelessness, and difficulty losing weight. I do exercise and I do watch what I eat, don't smoke, etc. I've just read about Macafem and then saw the comment by TURTLE728 which is very helpful. My question is, can I take Wisdom and Maca at the same time? Has anyone tried this? Thank you all very much.

[Lovelybutblue]

Hi! I live in the UK and am having quite a few (understatement) problems with this dreaded menopause.I was diagnosed by blood test last year and decided to try the "natural" way to try and deal with it.I took supplements of Red Clover,Agnus Castus,Iron tablets and COQ 10 every day for months and WAS feeling fine. Gradually i started feeling "just awful" all the time.... so i decided just to stop everything.So now i just take my Agnus Castus everyday.50% of the time i am ok,but the rest of the time i feel like ****.I'm not quite sure what to do for the best.I have food allergies(quite a lot) which cause  some of the migraines and IBS and have suffered from migraines generally for years. .My main problem is i keep waking up in the morning with a really bad headache,not a migraine but if left to its own devices it would be.I am sluggish too,overweight,tired most of the time and not knowing what to do for the best,HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

[stillstandingRN]

I too have had a hysterctomy. I am 36. Had the hysterectomy at 22. My main issue is loss of libido. I gained alot of weight over the years myself. recently.. like in May 2011, i decided it was time to stop talking about it and do something. So i joined a gym and pushed myself to go at leas 3 times a week. Now 5 months and 5 days later, I have lost 32 pounds. I feel so much better in terms of moods and weight loss. I changed my diet, Cut out all sodas. I ordered Macafem because I really want to work on the libido thing. Its been 3 weeks, nothing too much yet, but IM waiting. Just wanted to encourage you to start walking at least, you will start to feel so much better.

[stillstandingRN]

I am no doctor and what I am sharing with you is my opinion. I feel that you are experiencing way more than menopause. It appears there is alot of mental distress, that is making the menopause symptoms worse. Ask yourself, because only you know. Is some of these sleeping issues, and other issues been repetitive?Meaning over the years do they go and come? Like you get better for a while then it happens again? If so the issue is getting to the root of the problem. Whenver I have felt lost or out of control in my life. I knew it was because God was far from it, meaning I had not involved him enough, sincerely. God loves you and wants you to seek his face, and he will if your patient and trusting, give you the answers you need.

[shilo1]

I feel for you.  I have been active all my life.  I always worked out hard at least an hour a day.  I ate anything I wanted and was thin....until menopause.  I hav gained 40 pounds,my breasts are like cement bags but hurt like hot coals.and I am depressed for no reason.  Black cohesh does help.  It is cheap and you can buy it anywhere.  I found it is the only thing that helps.  I eat very little now,no caffaine,no alcohol, very little suger.  I do everything right to no avail.  I am ready to just give up.  Oh yes, and I did not mention the heart palpations.  They really suck.  Good luck and please keep me posted.  

[nightsweats33263]

does all of this stuff work and is it all in pill form

[ManOnPause50]

My doctor said I am in  perimenopause, within the last year I have been having skipped periods. I take evening primrose 117GLA for hot flashes and had to clean my system out to do that other required 50 year-old test - colonoscopy --earlier this year, which caused the hot flashes to come back with sleeplessness from waking up 3 times a night. I started back with the evening primose twice daily along with Isotonix OPC3 and these eliminate my hot flashes. What I am suffering from is having bad tension headaches around the time my period is suppose to come, although I do have migraine occasionally and can tell the difference with perimeno headaches. Which is what brought me to the search of the Macafem and this thread. Looking for something that's natural to balance my hormones. Thanks for the all the inputs on Macafem, will keep searching.

[daugherty]

I am new this board and I am currently in perimenopause. I was wondering if anyone else had expereinced thinning hair. It seems that suddenly my hair is thinning at an alarming rate. I keep reading this can happen during peri and menopause. Any thoughts on how to stem the thinning? Could this be a thyroid issue? It is so distressing! I have always had loads of curly hair and now this! Along with all the rest of the symptoms, it is making me so depressed. Thanks for your input!

[pamdid]

I have now had three months without a period (not a bad thing).  However, my night sweats, moodiness, loss of libido, etc. etc. etc. got worse over this same time period.  I am 53 years of age.  I ordered Macafem in early Oct - started taking it on Oct 11th.  I am only taking the 3 tablets at breakfast.  My night sweats have pretty much disappeared and my other symptoms have also decreased. I have tried other stuff but this seems to really work for me.  I certainly don't have extreme menopausal symptoms like I have read on this site.  I feel for the ladies that do.  If you haven't tried Macafem, give it a shot.  What have you got to lose?  I also work out 4x per week with cardio and light weights. In addition, I do hot yoga 4x per week.  I have been doing workouts and yoga for the past three years - this exercise routine may have helped keep my menopausal symptoms from being extreme.  Get moving, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and try Macafem.

[co1208]

The same thing is happening with me. My hair is suddenly thinning at such a rapid rate that I am terrified. I can feel my scalp in so many places and it is so sensitive. My doctor is sending me to a dermatologist but that's not for a few weeks. She didn't mention that she thought I was pre-menopausal but I don't know. I'm 39. If anyone can suggest anything I would really appreciate it. I'm freaking out!

[Doughnut211]

I am 55 and have not had a period in 6 years. My main problem (like most of us } is sleep! But now my hair is falling out! It is so hard to see the girl you knew..become older and gray( even down below!!!!!!) YICKS!! But all in all, we are here and some days are so wonderful to be alive. I lost my girlfriend to cancer last month.
We do have a choice on how we face this. But having other girlfriends to go through it with ....makes the load lighter! Love to all of you...heres to that sleepy, bald, puggy, WONDERFUL women we are at, this point in our life....Hell, we are still on top of the dirt!!!

[susan409]

I am glad I came across this site, thank you for all your posts.  I tried Black Cohosh but it gave me such bad dizzy spells I had to hold on to things or I would fall over.  I take fish oil, Wellbutrin and small dosage of Celexa - believe it or not - these depression meds have helped me more than anything.  Wellbutrin gave me 5X the energy and I can work fulltime again. I also have had some success with Red Clover.  But, I will try the Maca powder online or the capsules from GNC (latin name - see previous comment) I won't order the Macafem because at 30.00 a bottle - just another ripoff for women.

[GamesJunkie]

Re Menopause/Weight Loss/Other Side Benefits....my 2 cents...

I started a year ago with flashes - hourly for four months. At the same time I was having major issues with pain in my feet/legs so decided to get some weight off to see if that would help. I was desperate because I'm into sports and very active also and I was literally coming home from work and putting my feet up from the pain and getting into a bad cycle of inactivity. The more I exercised, the more my feet killed...anyway long story short, I read an article by Dr. Simeone called Pounds and Inches - READ IT READ IT READ IT on (http://www.****.com.) I tried the HCG drops. I didn't hold out much hope because I thought it was too good to be true. This stuff for me was nothing short of A M A Z I N G!!!! I lost 66 pounds in 4 months. I got tuned in with my body and adjusted/tweaked things for me and went from size 12/14 to size 6 and I'm 5'7 1/2". I took B12 drops also during that period of time and my energy shot through the roof. No more coming home and putting my feet up. For me B12 drops was like somebody flipped an energy switch - wow! Anyway the premise is eat 500 calories a day (I know that sounds ridiculously low and unhealthy). It isn't. What the drops do is tell your body to release the rest of the calories you need from your fat stores. My feet are great (the side benefit, no menopause symptoms while I was on it and less issues when I was done since I'm not as fat.) On top of that - my hips are GONE, my thighs are GONE, my wrists are GONE, my big fat flabby boobs from babies are GONE, weird pockets of flab are GONE. I am wearing a bikini and have zero cellulite dimples. My husband now tells me he doesn't like scrawny chicks - you know what I told him lolol....I knew my muscles were in there all this time - yay! I'm mentioning this for those discouraged by their appearance and how they feel going through menopause. I know you may say size 12/14 is not big - I weighed 212 lbs at that size - very solid/compact fat but heavy (I had two 11 pound kids so we're a solid bunch). I'm now 150 lbs, size 6 jeans and my 20 year cholesterol problem is gone. Totally different weight distribution than when I got married. Back then I worked out 6-7 days a week, 128 lbs. and size 8/9....This is very different weight loss. The drops are what your body produces when you're pregnant so that's why menopause symptoms go away. Very ecstatic I did it. The program is simple once you get the hang of it and they are accessible to help with any confusion when you get started. I ordered from this site even though I'm in Canada, ship by Fedex in a few days. We have a supplier of the same stuff in my town but she was off on maternity leave and I was referred to where she buys to replenish while she was off.

Just thought I'd post to help those where weight is a problem and getting you down. Who needs that on top of the other menopause fun. Good luck ladies - if nothing else - read that blurb from Dr. Simeone (in there it says the stuff is not accurately named - they named the HCG before they knew what it did)...(btw try Asian Pears (50 calories) - one of my favourite things now to snack on, big, hard, juicy drink almost - very filling.)

[Raymondmm]

I recently read about and purchased Macafem pills from the manufacturer's website.  When I opened the bottle they smelled AWFUL.  Has anyone taken these pills?  Are they suppose to smell so terrible or did I get a bad batch?  I am afraid to put them in my mouth because the smell so bad.

[unraveled13]

  Thank you witchey,I'll be 52 in june and I am up at this moment because of nights sweats and chills. It is sure good to know that I'm not alone. I've written down every hint and herbal suggestion,that I've found here.
  I want to pass along another non traditional assist that I've found. I really don't know what I would do without my computer.
   This is where I have come getting out of bed just now at my time 5:30 am here in New Brunswick Canada.
Well I digress,back to that non traditional assist. I have found a site and have been essentially viewing my way back to energy and optimisium. I would reccommend and urge anyone to take advantage of this great positive site that not only myself but my husband and I have become members of. ( over three months now)
    I wouldn't honestly reccommend  this if it didn't work,this is cutting edge stuff and you can view a free seminar and get all the info going on now.
   I have to admire all of you gals , look at how we women will support each other.Thank you from the bottom of my heart just for giving me the reassurance this morning. I'm going to try all the suggestions you have all given.  Here is that website;  ****l.com/?ref=25439 I believe in this sooo much need to give back !
    Ann from New Brunswick ,Canada

[unraveled13]

  I just wanted to say I'll be back to let you know how or if any of these wonderful hints that you all have given will work for me. But most of all finding this community is truly a godsend !
   Thanks girls I needed this!

              burrr   :(  

[unraveled13]

Oh hi Doughnut211, I'm  new to this site and it is hard to see the girl I once was changing and I feel the difference.But I agree we are all great women and we will rise above all the pain and the discomfort,or downright suffering for that matter.
I'm glad I found this group.I need to stay grateful....Thanks to all of you for being here!

[Andrea831]

I have been researching and researching for 3 days straight......doc put me on HRT meds on thursday and I didn't like the side effects so started looking into something natural... What I found was a product called "mendapause." this one seemed to be better than the others according to other women's stories and trials. I ordered it and will let you know how it works. I have found that soy will reduce the severity of the hot flashes which will help you sleep better. Try it, you won't be sorry. I drink a soy protein shake every morning. I ran out a week ago and the night sweats and hot flashes are eating me up. On the soy I only had one flash during the day and one or two at night. Off the soy I'm having 4 to 5 a night and 5 to 6 during the day. Just make sure if you do a protein shake it doesn't have a lot of calories.
Some women swear by "amberen" but I didn't like the MSG in the ingredient list. My girlfriend takes "oceans 3 healthy hormone" by garden of life. She has no flashes or anxiety and sleeps well. You get it at a health food store. The stores in my town didn't sell it or I would get it.
Good luck to you all and I will let you know how the "mendapause" works.
It cost me $17 for a months supply. So not bad.

[DINOOO7]

looking all this up, it is nice to know I am not the only one who has gained so much weight, I just can not seem to work it out, with all the diet and excercise I do, and I dont even weigh the same, since Jan to now march i have gained 7 more pounds, and I am about at my witts end with all this, just can not seem to get a handle on the weight thing, went to the doc and she wanted to try me on a weight loss tablet.....and believe it or not there is a problem with the surplyer and wont be any more around until end of summer, or thats the story so far, had any one found any sort of an answere for the weight gain or not, please share, i am sure there are loads of us who would like to know Thanks Ann

[FreakinOutinWi]

Hi all,
     So Im new to this whole menopause stuff, and I don't get hot flashes or sleepless nights, but I swear I want to scratch the skin right off of my nether regions! I've been doing some searching around and found that menopause can cause women to have a lack of estrogen which can give you the same symptoms of a yeast infection, and trust me, if you've ever had one, you would know how frustrating and painful it can be.  I bought Macafem today online, so once I get it and try it for a few, I will be able to know if it works for this issue.  When I was researching it, it said it was awesome for this department.  However, I am open to any suggestions.  My libido is dwindling but ONLY because of the pain I have to deal with when it comes to intercourse.  I love sex (should have been a guy), but when you know what the outcome is, you kinda run from it.  We have tried KY jelly and it does seem to help immensely during sex, but the issue I am having is in the day to day life, more than anything.  I thought I had a yeast infection, treated it with Monistat7 and thought I was going to rip my skin right off! Made it worse!  So here I am dealin...any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!!

[alexandrastratan]

sound like the thyroid gland is not in order, doctor do not test extensively enough, regular THS is not a true reflection of how the gland is really doing one has to test reverse T3 to get a better picture and doctors seldom do that, an increase in in stress can increase cortisol levels and hinder T3 which is needed for healthy thyroid function, a sudden increase in gain like that is abnormal and most likely related to your thyroid gland... you can exercise all you want and still gain weight, the thyroid controls your hormones...I too gained 30 lbs over night. Exercise does help however with hormonal balance... another consideration is checking your Heavy metal in the body, can be done through blood testing, that can also have the same types of synthoms, as low thyroid: sudden weight gain, sweet tooth, depression, fatigue, ... I hope that helps, and as for the woman who suggest getting off your but she is ignorant to this condition, when your thyroid and hormones spin out of control you can work out all you want...you may need to find a doctor that has knowledge and undrstands the thyroid issue, and hopefully has a natural approach rather than the use of synthetic prescriptions and that can be expensive as most insurances do not wan to cover this sort of care, they would rather have you on a synthetic drug, or hooked on anti depresents, sleeping pills, synthetic thyroid drugs...
good look

[ImMelting]

Wow,stumbled on this site and I thought I had it bad!  I do have night sweats,hot flashes that would melt an iceberg, and weight gain.  Not so much moodiness ( as far as I know)! I also have painful intercourse and have completely lost the urge.  I bought the
macafem and have been on it for about a week now. I have noticed anything yet but I have had some really bad stomach aches.  Not sure if that is a side effect or something else. I have noticed that I get period cramps though. No bleeding though.  The choice when you start these is 1 2 or 3 tablets twice a day.  Since I can't take the hot flashes waking me up I started with three twice a day.  Maybe it is too much for my stomach.  Has anyone been on this dosage for a longer period of time?  

[iamskinny]

I found this site while researching macafem.  I also use alternative and western medicine.  I am a supporter of acupunture and definitely notice a difference.  No hot flashes yet, actually I still use a heated mattress pad and am cold all the time.  I have not been tested for menopause (47 yo) but my monthly cycles have started to be shorter with longer periods between cycles.  I have gained 70lbs in four years with over 50 of it in the past two years all while busting my backside in the gym!!  So much so that I hit the grand slam by tearing three tendons in my ankle deue to working out. My endocronologist performed blood workup in Aug. and it showed high testosterone levels (which I have had off and on for 25 years) but no one seems to be concerned.  Also diagnosed with a pituitary tumor years ago but since my prolactin levels have remained "within" range, why worry?  BECAUSE IT'S NOT YOUR BODY DR!!!

I talked with a naturopath and not only is she performing blood work, she is also going to perform iridiology and hormone saliva testing.  Has anyone had Iridiology or the hormone saliva test performed?

Two words to describe my pain - SUGAR CRAVING  Is it illegal to kidnap a girlscout and eat her wagon of cookies?

[iamskinny]

Thanks for the info

[MothergAr]

Try saw palmetto complex for the libido.  Has helped tremendously for me.  I actually looked forward to sex and orgasm are back, they were almost non existent for me even with a very patient and caring husband!

[Madhatter1201]

I also just stumbled onto this site and am so glad that I am not the only person going through all the horrible side affects of menopause.  I'm 58, and have been suffering for about 5 years now.  I can't remember the last time I actually slept through the night.  My friend takes melatonin so I bought some and will try them tonight.  I've had some pretty severe negative reactions to prescription drugs and am afraid to take anything really, but I'm going to try to melatonin.  Hope it works so I can get some sleep.  Thanks all!!!

[tandori]

If you can tolerate the flushing, Niacin is a good choice for sleep and helping with sex.  If you take it on an empty stomach, it naturally produces growth hormone.  Although a side effect of Niacin is flushing (like a sunburn), I find it MUCH more pleasant than a hot flash and I believe in the long run, it reduces the frequency of my hot flashes.  It is also good at producing sex hormones and converts to triptophan in the body, which helps with sleep and relaxation. It reduces bad cholestrol and stimulates good cholestrol.  It cleans out the plaques in the blood vessels.  Side effects are flushing and itching (due to histamine release in the bloodstream) that goes away within 20 minutes...these are harmless and are actually good for you since it is clearing toxins from your body.  Ramp up slowly on Niacin (maybe start with 100 mgs).  YOu might flush unevenly causing red blotches..the blotches are because of blockages that are eventually removed by repeatedly taking the niacin. The flushing improves blood flow to all areas of the body so flushing is good for you.

[medicalchat6]

I was just looking around to see if anyone had anything to say about Macafem one way or the other and ran across your post. I just wanted to run by you a situation my son just went through. I know you had your thyroid tested but have someone look into your parathyroid for small benign tumors that drag your energy level down to almost unfuntionable levels. He was a rarety because it usually affects women. Even slighty high levels of calcium in your bloodwork are a sign of this disease called hyperparathyroidism. He just had surgery 2 weeks ago and feels like a new man. The hormone in this gland robs your bones of calcium and the no. 1 symptom is extreme fatigue. I hope by now you have resolved that issue, but if not speak to your doctor. We would never have made the connection except for an on the ball doctor. By the way did the Macafem help any of your symptoms?

[kipper1999]

hi ya i have been having symptoms of extreme tierdness and joint and muscle pain for about 2 years i am 48 and a personal trainer and nutritionist i train reguarly but am finding it increasingly difficult due to slow recovery after sessions i can completely sympathise with your predicament my best advice for weight loss is lower carbs increased meals 5 small meals a day to increase metabolism carbs should be fist sized i have plenty of other little techniques as for the menopausal symptoms i am at a loss will watch with baited breath to see how you all get on good luck

[GypsyCowgirl]

Speaking for myself, I know my husband suffers right along with me.  Though he is man enough to admit he has no clue what the medical side of hormonal imbalance must be like for a woman, and though as he says, he would take the suffering from me if he could, he truly wouldn't want to ever experience menopause.

He is also man enough to admit that until the day comes when a man has to go through child birth, having a period, and the fluctuation of hormones before, during and after a menstrual cycle, he has no damn business presuming he knows what a woman's body goes through, physically emotionally or otherwise.  

If your mother, God rest her soul, never had to deal with PMS, she was a fortunate woman indeed.  Not all women are blessed in this way.  However, not all women suffer from severe or debilitating side effects of menopause either.  This doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Saying that PMS is a made up illness is like saying men aren't prone to angry outbursts when their testosterone levels are too high.  Or that a man's hair doesn't start to fall out when their testosterone levels are too high OR too low.  Or that when a man gets older and he starts losing testosterone and can no longer get an erection it's all in his mind.

Before insulting women, and presuming to know what a woman's body goes through during hormonal fluctuations, perhaps you should speak to a medical professional like a gynecologist, or a doctor who fully understands hormones, so you can have a clue.

It is fortunate for your wife, she has never had to deal with PMS, because it's pretty obvious you would have offered her no comfort during her times of physical distress.

I will say a prayer for you, as I hope all the ladies in this group do as well, that you never suffer any debilitating illnesses where your loved ones turn their back on you in your time of need.

[scrapnsewsue]

I am 46.  3.5 years ago I had very strange symptoms...lots of sudden anxiety, 25 pound weight gain in 9 weeks, I was a regular gym person.  I started to have night rushes of adrenaline, very hot...figured they were hot flashes.  They all went away in about 12-14 weeks.  The only thing I took was ativan for about 5 days.  I had my cortisol and thyroid, hormones checked, normal.  Now, all this time later, my hair is significantly thinning (has been for 6 years), and I am recently experiencing a strange kind of buzzing or vibration feeling.  It is not tingling, like when your foot goes to sleep.  It is more like an alka seltzer is in my blood.  Lots of muscle twitches from time to time, too.  My gyno tells me since my periods are regular, I am not in need of hormone supplementation.  She has never heard anyone complain of this buzzy feeling.  A trip to a neurologist and I am now on neurontin, takes the buzzy away..but no diagnosis.  Wants to do an MRI for MS, but I have no other symptoms and even if it's negative for MS, I could still have MS.  I feel like I was myself one day, and the next I was someone else.  I feel like I will never be who I used to be ever again.  What the heck is going on with me?  My libido is zip, dryness, and cyclical yeast infections...always after I ovulate.  I have cut sugar out of everything I eat.  Nothing packaged, I cook it all now.  Still have the itchy crotch problem at least every other month.  I began to work with a nutritionist 2 weeks ago and I have lost 7 pounds.  Encouraging, but 45 pounds is a lot to lose.  I am not even officially having hormone changes, so I have to get this off now, so when I gain what seems like the normal 40 pounds from menopause I won't be 80lbs. overweight!!  Ugh.  

[DebinTN]

How did you know 3 pills was too much?

I just started taking Macafem.

[rma174]

Good Heavens! I thought I was going crazy, and/or was dying of something for sure! I just started with so many of the symptoms this past year. My period is over - 3 months now. My mother never went through menopause, so I had no idea! I'm 52...you all have just given me back my sanity!

Licorce Root 3x's per day helps a little with hot flashes.
Apple Cider Vinegar 3TBS 2x a day is my new trial and is working for hot flashes.
Smooth Move Tea has flattened tummy considerably - one cup after dinner - watch out in morning - stay near bathroom until you adjust to it...about 3 days and you'll be good.

Need help with muscle aches - ouch
Thanks Bunches!!!!
I'm so sorry for us all...

[rma174]

One more thing...I'm not sure how anyone feels about this but I take 1 Benedryl before bed if I think I'm not going to sleep...it works. The active ingredient is the same as in Tylenol PM

[Carolynnd]

I have been on Macafem on and off for over 3 years.  I find that taking 4-6 tabs a day truly reduces night sweats and daytime hot flashes.  I do find that after about 4 months I need to go off them and start up again about a month later.  They have been a life saver for me as night sweats were keeping me awake most of the night and then I was tired and irritable the next day.  Try them for at least 3 months and see how you feel.

[Carolynnd]

I have been on Macafem on and off for over 3 years.  I find that taking 4-6 tabs a day truly reduces night sweats and daytime hot flashes.  I do find that after about 4 months I need to go off them and start up again about a month later.  They have been a life saver for me as night sweats were keeping me awake most of the night and then I was tired and irritable the next day.  Try them for at least 3 months and see how you feel.

[reen227]

I'm 47 and having some menopausal symptoms too. they are not to bad. Some sleepless nights, exercise does help. But my biggest problems are hair loss and mood swings. I have lost more than half my hair. I had very thick hair and I can now see my scalp. It's very embarrassing. Also the mood swings are bothering me. Hopefully it won't last too long. I have read most of these posts and only saw 1 mention of hair loss. Anyone else with this problem?

[reen227]

I'm 47 and having some menopausal symptoms too. they are not to bad. Some sleepless nights, exercise does help. But my biggest problems are hair loss and mood swings. I have lost more than half my hair. I had very thick hair and I can now see my scalp. It's very embarrassing. Also the mood swings are bothering me. Hopefully it won't last too long. I like the idea of B12 drops, but what is the hcg drops?

[Lifeonpause]

I am so glad I found this blog.  I began feeling ill 4 years ago.  I passed out in my kitchen and broke my nose, browbone, and severed the optic nerve to my right eye and lost my sight in that eye.  No hospital, no doctor NO ONE could tell me what was going on.  Every month right before my period I would get SERIOUSLY ill.  I was nauseous, exhausted, began having migranes (migraines) and was either homicidal or suicidal.  I began bleeding so intensely I go thru 5-6 super plus tampons a day with the blood still running down my legs. Sleep is a thing of the past.  Sex is a thing of the past. Energy is a thing of the past.  I have gone to three different OB's and they confirmed I am in menopause but the last OB just looked at me when I described what I was going through and said, "I've never heard of that". PERIOD.  Are u kidding me??!!!!  Well, apparently you women have!! At last I can remove one symptom (thinking I was going crazy).  I have lost two jobs due to memory loss and confusion and am currently wondering who to foist myself upon next.  Until I read this blog my self-esteem was in the bucket because I thought I had early dementia.  And DONT GET ME GOING on those Viagra commercials!  If you can't get it up I DONT CARE RIGHT NOW so why are you taking those damn pills?!!!  I am taking my vitamins and forcing myself through my daily routines but I have lost any lust for life.  My insurance will not cover bioidenticals and they run around $60/month plus going to see the 'I don't know' doctors.  I guess I should be happy I still have the energy to be pissed off.  I will take any suggestions you have.   The last doctor told me to go back on birth control.  I am tired of doctors playing with meds to see if my symptoms are alleviated.  I get the impression they know about as much as I do about what is going on.

Signed,
Lifeonpause

[Lifeonpause]

I also get the buzzy thing.  I just thought it was the result of sheer unadulterated exhaustion; another menopause symptom.  Since it doesn't bother me as much as the other symptoms I had ignored it, but want you to know someone else out here is suffering with it.

[aussielife]

What a great forum!  I have just spent an hour or so reading right from the beginning and now its past 2am!  Another sleepless night!  I have been writing down all these natural remedies and will go to the shop tomorrow and see what they say.  
Thanks ladies for sharing all your problems, it certainly has helped me.

[shemed]

Macafem is an expensive brand of the herb maca, which can be bought at a health store.  When I first read about Macafem on its website, I was desperate and ordered it for about $35, since it claimed to be the only place selling it.  Then I found out that the health store nearby sells the identical product, maca, for $7.00.  So I returned the $35 product and bought the one for 1/5 of the cost.  My headaches and hot flashes were noticeably improved for a few months, but now they have become bad, though I'm still taking maca.  I'm guessing I am more intensely into the progression of menopause and I need to increase my dosage, so I'll try that.  I've been taking 2 or 3 capsules a day.  But I advise everyone to not be ripped off by Macafem.  Get the same product at a nearby health store.

[titiris]

Hello wellness-
I just would like to let you know that I've been trying macafem and It really works!!
It's been already a month and you can actually start to feel better in the second week,, try 4 caplets the first week everyday with your breakfast, and then 3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon,,

My hot flasshes are gone and i feel more happy than ever,, I'm already 50 years old and my meno started 3 years ago,,
wish you the best!

[vick221]

I take Macafem and they do have an unusual smell... kind of reminds me a little of burned butterscotch!  I took Macafem for months and it really did help me, then I stopped and just started again!  I am very health oriented and do not just try anything without reading and talking about it first!  Go ahead and please take the Macafem, follow the instructions and give it some time, everyone reacts differently to things, but if has helped me because I was climbing the walls with night sweats and hot flashes constantly.
I wish you good luck!  
Vicky

[MichelleGrace53]

5 years ago I had a terrible time with no sleep, joint/muscle pain, brain fog, itchiness, etc.  Perimenopause + stress.  Drs. checked everything and said I was healthy. It ends up I am very sensitive to foods that change hormone balances.  I needed to give up caffeine, chocolate, and soy primarily with tiredness issues related to yeast.  It's hard to watch my diet this much but totally worth it to be relatively pain free and able to sleep.  I need regular exercise as well, but no-one focuses on diet as much as I think is necessary.  If you are having undiagnosed problems with sleeping and other menopausal symptoms PLEASE try tracking your diet and try eliminating hormonal foods.  It has been a lifesaver for me.
Good luck,
Michelle

[sissycat]

Hi reen and all women with hair thinning - my gyn said my hair loss was due to meno but that it would level off after two years...great, right, hope I'm not bald by then! Anyway, she suggested to lessen the amount of hair loss I begin using shampoos without sulfates or sulpher ingredients, and use a conditioner (sulfate free) only once a week (yes, it hurts trying to get that brush through my hair, but worht saving my hair.) Guess sulfates is an irritant at our age and causes the hair root to fall out. I have been doing this for two months and although there is hair loss, it certainly doesn't fill the sink as it did before. Another interesting tidbit, if you color your hair after 50 years old, any shampoo/conditioner with sulfates will take the color out quicker.

[SooooHot]

Your situation is terrible. I sympathize with the hot flashes, sleeplessness etc. I have not gained weight, although if this goes on for too long I might. My carb cravings are insane. I do work out but not to ridiculous levels. I have tried everything. Including bio-identical hormones. Incredibly expensive and caused terrible symptoms, breast enlargement and dreadful associated pain. Did fix the hot flashes, but brought back periods and had to cease taking them because of the dangerous breast side effects. Now periods stopped again thus hot flashes, night sweats back with a vengeance. And yes, worst of all, no libido. Zilch. And I love sex, well I used to. It's very sad. I have tried all the natural treatments on the market with no success. So was thinking about this macafem, but no-one appears to have anything great to say.
I really hope you find a successful treatment.

[Debi602]

if you are on any other Meds.please check with your Pharm.for any drug reactions with herbal supplements,I took the black cohash without checking and ended up with a full body rash that lasted for weeks until  it was out of my system i guess.and it was my beta blocker/blood pressure pill that i was taking that i was not supposed take any herbal supplements with.so just check to make sure

[Menoblues]

I have the same symptoms you have that fuzzy feeling but also accompanied with tingling. I am getting tested by a neurologist but with all the other symptoms I know its menopause. Periods have been erratic and now have stopped for three months. I am looking at taking maca. All the best with your symptoms and keep me posted. One doctor recommended neurontin but neurologist told me to wait till my test results come out.

[Menoblues]

Am curious, you said you may still have MS although you have tested negative? I had a cat scan and MRiIand came back negative for MS although I also have parasthesia on mostly my feet. I would rather it was menopause than something neurological. You are the first person who has similar symptoms to my menopause symptoms so can relate to you. Please stay in touch. I will try maca though. All the best.

[tifftread]

I was diagnosed with menopause last year at the age of 40. My main complaint was joint pain/stiffness. I am on a low dose Estrogen but try to take the minimum amount. What is most helpful is a hormone program called Women to women...they have a regimen of supplements that have helped me tremenduosly. Also, trying to stay away from triggers such as alcohol & caffeine...which is hard. It's a balancing act, when I take too much estrogen, my breasts become engorged & so painful. When Ireduce the dose, my joints hurt so bad. There is little support in the medical community. My Gyn doesnt really know much about it either. They put you on estrogen & forget about you. She cant really answer my questions either. I feel like Im in the dark trying to treat myself. Thankfully, Im a nurse with some knowledge & I try to listen to what my body is telling me. I actually diagnosed myself even though my Gyn kept saying I wasnt in menopause. Sure enough, checked my levels & I was in full blown menopause. So dont trust that your doctor knows what they are talking about.

[plou55]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a complete masectomy and reconstruction four years ago.  My cancer was estrogen fed.  I have had a complete hysterectomy a year and a half ago due to fibroids and irregularites in my ovaries.  I suffered massive bleeding during my periods and was constantly anemic before, but due to my breast cancer it was thought that I may have ovarian cancer since the blood test they ran came back elevated.  Totally different between breast cancer and hysterectomies.  Breast cancer is diagnosed and treated whereas a complete hysterectomy is a wait and see if you already have cancer or not but we must remove everything to find out.  Hmmmm... not so great!  Since my breast cancer was estrogen fed I was told I needed to go Tamoxifen which is a drug that acts on your estrogen so it doesn't create more cancer but my cancer growths were small enough I said no.  When the hysterectomy came up last year I was left with nothing and I could not take any kind of hormone because of the estogen fed cancer.  Well, after the hysterectomy I started experiencing all the horrors of menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleeplessness(of course who can sleep when you are either burning up or freezing to death).  My doctor (who was a female and specialized in female cancers) prescribed an antidepressant.  One of the side effects of this particular drug was preventing hot flashes, so you know I said great!  I am not a drug taker even though I take a handful of vitamin and mineral supplements each morning(my mom is a health food nut and the vitamin thing is engrained in my brain).  The thought of relying on something that is not natural for my health does not get it but at that time I was game for anything and nothing else was in my realm for relief.  I have been taking the antidepressant for a year and a half.  I started out taking two a day with some relief but still night sweats and hot flashes persisted.  I started seeking other remedies, soy, black cohosh, and additional menopause miracles.  Nothing! I could have spent $$$$$$ but I had faith that one day I would be free of the heat.  I decided I was going to try to get off the antidepressant, I was told that there would be some withdrawal but not that bad.  I reduced my pill taking by half and the flashes were bad, so I started taking the whole 2 pills a day again.  I have gradually gotten down to one a day and my flashes and night sweats have all but disappeared.  I will reduce  another half a pill for a couple of months and see what happens.  I have gained about 15 pounds since the hysterectomy but am trying to eat right and walk everyday for 15 minutes.  I have to make myself!!!! Eating right is hard and ice cream is so good!!!!  I am a new grandmother and have two babies.  I take my happiness from them, my family and my wonderful friends and yes of course my husband.  
I might look at this hysterectomy/menopause thing differently if I hadn't had breast cancer but I don't think so.  Look for the little things in life to take joy in and try to be happy with life.  Things could be worse!!!!

[Grixy]

I have been busy reading over a lot of these comments. I am fifty years old and a mother of 6.  For a few years I had quite a battle getting up in the morning, due to depressed feelings and achy stiff knees and joints. No libido!Tending to the house, husband and children, was becoming increasingly difficult. Then, my close friend, told me about a product called Laminine. Out of a courtesy to her, I bought it and started taking it. Within a month, no more stiffness, and my mood, energy, libido and sleep greatly improved.  I am fifty and still have a regular period, no major menopausal symptoms, and I feel fairly good. I still have bouts with an irregular heartbeat and heart palpatations. Cardiologist couldn't find anything wrong. Very frustrating, so I think I will check out my thyroid and parathyroid since my mother had similar problems. My brother suffered with fybromyalgia, and he started taking this product Laminine, He suffered for 4 years and he has been taking in for 2 months. He says he feels 95% better. Two other family members have had issues with depression and joint aches and it has helped them. I don't know if there is a connection, but I thank the Lord for His help.

[Laidir]

Have you ever considered that some people can wind up with shocking adrenal fatigue in the situation she is in and need help NOT to work themselves stupid and make the adrenal fatigue worse. You have absolutely NO right to assume everyone is NOT exercising either!

[wahinebh]

As a 58 yo Nurse Practitioner and a Hot and Heavier women going thru all the same symptoms as you folks...I will offer what i am doing and recomending to my own patients with some success.
1. changed to a "whole food" lifestyle..no dairy or gluten, Organic (trial for 6 months) eating on the outside edges of the grocery store. Processed foods cause chronic inflamation (inflammation) in the body...with all kinds of outcomes, especially fatigue, insulin resistence, belly fat, achy joints & muscles. (Soft back book called "Practical Paleo" by Diane Sanfilippo, BS, NC is wonderful. $25.00 Costco or online.) I am so busy, travel on the road and work 2 jobs, and have 2 grandkids...I need easy! It has 30 day meal plans, grocery list, how to do everything to get healthy. Check if you have "my fit foods. Try Whole food and gluten free foods at restaurants. many have special menus. Delicious! it taught me ideas on how to make and pre set up for lunches in my cooler on the road. LARA bars &/or nuts for snaks.
' in your area, great for prepared food glutenfree and some dairy free if on the run or don't know how to start paleo. not expensive!
2. Exercise 3 x w; zumba twice; ball room instruction on Saturday early pm.
I go alone to both as well as others and all of us just worrry about moving our bodies not trying to be perfect. I very briskly walk my crazy puppy almost nightly.
3. When insomnia bad...Melatonin Plus. It has melatonin to get sleepy, Theanine to keep you asleep mid-nite, and Valarian to calm and promote rest. Its at Sams club for $6.58 for 300 tabs. (outside pharmacies want $22.00 for 30 tabs.) does tend to give me very colorful dreams...not all bad or scary but it does work for many with minimal hangover effect.
4. Laugh hard, alot, often...see funny in everything!!! (for those who have SiriusXM radio they have "Laugh USA" clean humor. really helps while  on the road)
5.Drink, Drink Drink, min. 64 oz (8 glasses) filtered water that removes 99% of everything .End after 7pm with only sips to keep mouth wet so not up all nite peeing.
6. I tell all my patients to go online or listen on the Sirius Radio to "Ask The Pharmacist" with Joe Demateo. (just google it) He is amazing, sincere genius! His credentials of very impressive and you can email in symptoms and he reads it on the show. Or for $75.00 he will do a personal eval with you of problems. I have learned so much from him.
7. Keep a "Thankful Journal" daily. No matter how bad a "Job" day you have had, there is always something you can be thankful for (which increases endorphins as does vigorous exercise. This is natural feel good drug! the more depressed, the lower the chemicals in the brain causing more clinical chance of chronic depression and possible need for treatment.
8. I agree with the other commentors... your situation is serious and you need a therapist to talk to so you can develop some healthy coping mechanisms to get thru this...and you will! Apply for Medicaid, State medical insurance if it is available- sliding scale or go to free clinic for your therapist and healthcare needs. You would be amazed at what services are available when you have nothing but you have got to search for them.
9 don't try to do all this above at once!!! start small, 1 step at a time, make better food choices even when you can't afford organic right now. Be patient with yourself. the real you (normal harmones) is inside, and you will see her again...this is a season, keep repeating this to yourself.
With much compassion and love...we are a sisterhood of sorts. Use us!

[wahinebh]

www.slideshare.net/hectorham/lighteninginajar, this should put life in better perspective. just a beautiful slide show on u tube. It really makes u think.

[kawingo]

Hi there, and I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time.  I have been someone who works out all my life and what I noticed as I've aged is that I am much more tired and it is much more difficult to melt away pounds.  The pounds I used to gain and get rid of within days, now stick around very stubbornly.  I had this discussion with my doctor who is very open to alternative therapy.  He gave me a pamphlet on Macafem that also included other information about other alternatives.  Since then I have used Macafem for about 9 months and have had amazing results.  My libido has kicked back in and when I exercise I find the stubborn inches around my mid-section tend to respond much better.  My exercise routine consists of walking most every day (often I do a walk-run routine where I walk and few minutes then I put a hop in my step to kick it up a notch for a few minutes then alternate back and forth that way during my walk).  It works wonderfully for me and I find I don't dread the thought of exercising this way.  Sometimes I take my dog and sometimes I go with a friend and sometimes I go it alone and enjoy the serenity which is also good for my soul.  Exercising this way has given me more energy.  Now the amazing thing is that I ran out of Macafem and did not get around to ordering more for about a month.  Guess what?  The stubborn mid-section pounds once again began to be difficult to lose.  I'm back on my Macafem and they are melting away.  Of course, I have to keep exercising in order to make that happen though.  I am 51 years old and love Macafem.  I hope this helps you or anyone else who might read it.

[SaraBiston]

Hello,
Every women want get relief from menopause symptoms. She tried many things like patches, cream, supplements. Supplements is the easy way to get relief from menopause. But the menopause supplement must contain the natural ingredients. Macafem is one the menopause supplement. My aunt tried that supple but she was not satisfy much enough. Read the product reviews before buying any product. Choose the product wisely.
http://www.thebeautyinsiders.com/macafem.html

[kccajun795]

Without taking in extra calories, a person doesn't gain 30-40 pounds in a short time because they're not exercising.  If what you said is true, every woman over 50 who doesn't exercise would be morbidly obese.  I took a drug for a few years that caused weight gain, a lot of it, and the crappy comments by know-nothings like you were lies based on pseudoscience and harmful to the person going through whatever problem they're having.  Once I stopped taking the drug, the weight slowly came off with no dieting or exercise.  All the lectures about calories in, calories out, workouts, etc., were bull**it, just like your comment.

cc101---your problem sounds extreme for menopause, so you may want to get your thyroid and adrenal gland checked as well.  Keep bugging the doctor until you find something that works.  Good luck.

[kccajun795]

You most certainly did insinuate that she was lazy.  This woman is having some serious health issues and you're spewing your nonsense about 2 hour workouts to make YOU feel good.  Idiot.

[Jorja13]

Hi. I bought some black cohosh about 2 months ago and started taking it. I had really bad hot flashes in the daytime as well as feeling dizzy sometimes. At night I was hot and cold .....sweating till my clothes were damp, then freezing. I didn't think it was helping and was going to stop until about a couple weeks ago I realized it had finally started working. I rarely have any hot flashes now and I'm sleeping much better at night....except for when my husband snores! I have read some articles that say black cohosh can cause weight gain and others say it can help with weight loss so who knows. I gained weight over the last few years due to other things....I don't think the black cohosh changed that either way. I'm going to stop taking it for a while and see what happens....but keep some on hand.

[deedeebree]

Hello everyone! Nothing like misery loving company, but as many of you have stated,  it is reassuring to see that others are going through the same hell and that weird symptoms are shared by others. What a long strange trip.

I am in my third year of peri-menopause (I am 53) and after having had most of the severe symptoms somewhat regulated with dietary changes (I have given up on most dairy and gluten at the suggestion of my acupunturist), acupuncture treatments and varied vitamins and herbal supplements, have now had the hot flashes, tingling fingers, insomnia and other fun stuff come back with a vengeance. Not being able to sleep is the worst, I am so tired that I can barely get through the day, which doesn't make me want to keep up with what I have been doing. Vicious cycle.

Has anyone had any experiences good or bad with Amberen? I tried it, it worked for me, went off of it and had everything come back, went back on and it has stopped working.

Good luck to all of you...hang tough, you are NOT ALONE. I read someplace that due to the size of the baby boomer population, this is now the largest number of menopausal women in history!!