Menopause - HRT alternatives you can recommend please?

[*oh*no*i*just*wet*my*espadrilles*]

Hi

That dreaded time of lime has hit me at 47 

I've been to the doctors who confirms my symptoms are menopause related (sudden and instantaneous heat rushes from waist upwards / tearful at the slightest thing / no periods etc)

After reading up on HRT and considering my medical past history, this treatment won't be suitable for me. 

My doctor said that a herbal route might be worth considering, and briefly mentioned that black cohosh helps some people.

I wondered if any of you could share your experiences with ANY of the herbal alternatives please? (as I know very little about what's out there, and the benefits of such treatments)

Thanks!

p.s

Please do PM me if you don't want to post here publicly

[aernethril]

Black Cohosh is one that I used and it worked fine for me, but then I didn't experience anything much at all so again, it might not be good for you.

I've also read (after the event LOL) that it should only be used for 6 months, and it is one of the more ............... 'definite' herbal remedies, so that's why if you can, get some expert advice or do research on what may be better for you to try first of all.

Have we mentioned that cream here yet?  There's a cream you can rub on in tiny amounts but cannot for the life of me remember what it's called - and that's supposed to be very good.  (Really useful suggestion, that!)

There are a lot of good books out there too and again, find them on the big river site and read the reviews to get an idea if they're going to be of any help. I'm all for getting a cheapy second hand copy of this kind of thing and so if you find one, check if you can get it cheaper here or on other book websites.

[rose2008-2008]

If you dont talk about things it makes you feel worse,,and some people may not have many people to turn too. I think we all know on here that we have someone to turn to on FHG. Some things are not pleasant but it does not mean you should not talk about them!!. Its best to get it off your chest!!. Face it and talk about it. No matter how unpleasant i would always want to help someone if they wanted to talk!!.

[ilove2patch]

Well said Rose. 

[saasher2012]

Yes Rose well said, I don't think any subject is taboo if it can be answered & put someone's mind at rest !

[rose2008-2008]

Yes its part of life,,,thanks saasher and patch.

[aernethril]

errrr - I didn't say people shouldn't talk about things?

I only suggested they might find some books helpful.

[ilove2patch]

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@aernethril wrote:

errrr - I didn't say people shouldn't talk about things?

I only suggested they might find some books helpful.

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Frederick said some things are too personal to discuss on here. It was nothing you said.

[saasher2012]

Yes Rose was replying to Fred , your advice is always good! Poor Rose will be mortified if she thought she had offended you. lol.

[aernethril]

Ooooooooooh - got it now - I thought I'd written something the wrong way and it didn't read as I had meant it to.

Thank you all, and indeed, as long as we're not breaking any rules, some things are as much needed to be in the open and discussed as others.

Too much has been in the dark ages for far too long and this is one very good aspect of the internet IMHO.

When I was growing up, one never mentioned P.......................P ..........................P.................................... Periods!

So it was all guessing and messing basically - and not a little suffering from ignorance and accute embarrassment dumped firmly on the hapless young person's emotions.

[saasher2012]

Yes I agree! & I didn't mean to imply when I said there should be no taboo subjects anything that would offend or shock as that would defeat the object of openness !.

[leoleoleo123]

I am just going on the natural course and not taking anything... I had a year or so of hot flushes, then nothing, then I get them now and again.. Sage tea is supposed to be good for them, or even just sage tablets.
Luckily I don't really have any other symptoms, but losing a bit of weight also seemed to help..

[rose2008-2008]

I was just going to put i was not directing that at all aernethril,,, bless you. It was just a little one in answer to our Soapbox Fred!!,,,lol,lol,.. 

[rose2008-2008]

I just looked i should have answered to his thread contribution not yours aernethril. I did not mean to confuse, im sorry.

[Anonymous]

See what happens when a man puts his nose in things he should stay out of.....total confusion follows.

[rose2008-2008]

Ahaaaaaa haaa haaaaa LOL HARRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. LOL

[saasher2012]

Oh so true! lol.

[aernethril]

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@Anonymous wrote:

See what happens when a man puts his nose in things he should stay out of.....total confusion follows.

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Ahhhh - mais non, mon brave.

You menly folks all needs the ejoocashun about this too so you can demonstrate yer prowess with yer own female partners / relatives / friends - pick yer timing with care tho.

Keep reading and taking notes.

rose rose

[saasher2012]

Er! I think our Harry is one of us?

[soppysofty]

The wife is currently going through the menopause (why do they call it a 'pause'?) and has been for the last 6 years (I would be on parole by now).

Tried everything with no effect until a friend suggested Black Cohosh AND Sage.

Nothing else, come off of everything for a fortnight (bloody hell for everyone - should have migrated) then use the Cohosh and Sage together.

The together bit is apparently critical.

3 weeks later I have my wife back and peace reigns supreme.

That was 8 months ago and everything is fine - you would not know she was going through the menopause at all.

[ed_blackadder_1]

Bit like me then Sam.

I haven't posted on here yet as i didn't want to tempt fate,  I went the natural way in the end as it was only the night sweats that I had and the occasional hot flush,  it comes in phases, I have now been clear of both for 5 months now so fingers crossed, I had a dreaded Period once but that has gone again now, been going on for 2 years now,  so everything is fine, I agree about the loosing weight I am sure that would help, unless you are skinny anyway.  I don't drink but I do use the dreaded coffing sticks, but I try not to have one too close to bedtime and that seems to help although they might have just gone anyway.

We are all different and some get it worse than others.  My mother sailed through, her periods stopped and she didn't get any flushes and that was it, obviously it doesn't run in families ( she would be mortified if she read this with me talking about her)