Menopause

[Cloverjo]

Sorry, guys.
Has anyone here been through the big M? I know there must be a few.

Apparently, I'm going a little bit mad, and OH said "you must be going through the menopause, or something." I'm having the hot flushes and night sweats, but don't think I'm going mad. I did start taking some pills but I don't think they helped. Any tips, anyone? Thank you.

[murraymints]

I had the hot flushes and was a bit tetchy !! nice aromatherapy baths..soothing candles and Ferrera Rochers !!!

[Cloverjo]

Thanks, murraymints. I'm going with gin at the mo. :)
Apparently one of my great aunts or grannies hanged herself when she was going through it. I've heard some horror stories. Who'd be a woman? :)

[Elina]

Clover, you will find alcohol and hot sweats are a no no, honest. Watch how hot sweats follow x

[237SJ]

^ agreed. I was in the pub with a friend last night who is post menopausal and as soon as she had a few sips of red wine, she came out in a hot flush

[Elina]

It's a bore 23 it really is.

[Elina]

Also too hot a drink brings them on, let your tea/ coffee go cool a little x

[Elina]

Clover, if you haven't already got one invest in a table top fan for the living room and bedroom, they really are worthwhile.

[queenofmean]

Nungate always carried a towel around when she had the hot flushes/sweats. Keep one handy to mop up :)

[chanel5]

I Think you need a bit more understanding than just to be told you are going mad! You are not going mad. Things are changing in your body, but you are still you. Whatever you are feeling is legitimate and real. Not the result of "going mad", whatever that means.

[-SharonA-]

It was worse for me at night, so I bought a cool pillow and it helped me.

Doctor kept trying to push HRT on to me, but I persevered.

Friends recommended tablets like black cohosh, but they did nothing for me.

[woofgang]

I didn’t find cutting out alcohol or chocolate helped at all thank goodness, although my alcohol tolerance did become less and has stayed that way.
I tried all of the herbal and alternative remedies except soya which I can’t digest. None of them helped. Tried 3 kinds of HRT (which was all the options then around 20 years ago) and they turned me into the older female version of Kevin the teenager. Dh begged me to give up the HRT when I started throwing things...seriously :(
What worked for me. Natural fibre clothing and bedding and dressing in layers. Keeping the environment cool. Using notes and messages to myself on sticky notes around the house to deal with the brain fuzz (stuff like turn off the cooker, have you got your keys?). Drinking plenty of water. Swearing. Reducing the stress in my life.
Its around 20 years since I started menopause and I am still getting symptoms although not nearly as bad as they were at their worst. I understand that there are now non HRT meds for dealing with the symptoms so maybe a chat with your doc?

[woofgang]

oh PS, I am told that reducing caffeine intake can help but as my caffeine intake is very low indeed I never bothered.

[tamborine]

Some men have no sympathy! For a more comfortable sleep dont share his bed, then he will go mad.....haha.

I spray cold water (scented) over me to cool down.

[Maydup]

I am lucky enough to be sailing through the big M without too much trouble Cloverjo, although I am forgetful and a wee bit tetchy. Sage is a huge help in regulating body temperature. Try it for reducing hot flushes and read this article for suggestions to help with other symptoms.

https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/focus-series/herbs-menopause/

[jno]

Ferrero Rochers, that's not the menopause, that is genuine madness. Or are you the Scottish ambassador, minty?

[Caran]

I found red clover tablets worked best for hot flushes. I still take them today.

[ladybirder]

HRT saved me. Took 20 years off me. I remember my first hot flush. So so hot I had to get out of bed and lie naked on the freezing cold ceramic tiles on the bathroom floor. Bliss it was.

[Cloverjo]

Thank you all for your replies. Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I think I might try the pills again.
Even my dad said "I thought you might be going through the menopause, but I didn't like to say".
Oh well, it happens to us all in some way.
At work, I have the aircon on at icebox temperature, and everyone complains, but tough, I'm afraid.
Thank you all.

[Caran]

I remember my daughter and husband having the discussion with me. Mum you are either laughing or crying all the time. Arguing and disagreeing all the time. . Do something. So I also had HRT. It worked. When I decided I had had enough
Then I went on Red Clover tablets. Everything worked out fine.

[Smowball]

Oh I've got all this to look forward to have I lol