Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
Hi! I just recently joined this group and am glad to be here. I would greatly appreciate comments or advice on what I'm going through... I was having a lot of hot flashes and felt very irritable. Everything and everyone was getting on my last nerve and I was snapping at my hubby all the time. He's a very sweet man and my grumpiness with him was unwarranted. I would also wake up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. I was tested and told that I was in menopause. I was first put on oral estradiol. I was on it for about 6-7 weeks. The pluses: no more hot flashes, greatly decreased irritability, and much better sleeping. The negatives: extreme drowsiness, brain fog, lethargic, confusion and forgetfulness. It was horrible. I kept forgetting important things at work. I got off of the oral estradiol for a few days and was beginning to feel the negative side effects lift. My doctor then put me on the estradiol patch. I put it on yesterday. I slept well last night, but I woke up feeling miserable. I am so drowsy that I will probably stay in bed all day. I have some anxiety and some flu-like symptoms (nausea, weakness and muscle aches). I just took the patch off. With the oral meds, I kept thinking that my body just had to adjust, but my negative symptoms just got worse. I am afraid the same thing will happen with the patch, that's why I took it off already. Has anyone else had these or other problems while on HRTs? Does anyone know why my body is responding this way? Are there any other options for me? Thank you so much for reading my long message!
About the HRT... I also had trouble taking hormones. I was using both estrogen and progesterone for about 3 months last summer. I finally went off of it and went the natural route. I am now using maca for hormone balance - it is also said to be great for hot flashes which I have not had a lot as well as anxiety and depression. It is a wonderful food based supplement! I also use flax hull lignans daily. Flax and flax hull lignans are a food that is highest in phytoestrogens. It will not raise estrogen but it mimics estrogen in the body and will fill in those receptor sites where your estrogen is now missing. It is fabulous! I also take ashwagandha for my adrenals, st johns wort for depression and anxiety and magnesium which most of us desperately need especially in menopause. These are some great alternatives if you decide to go a different way with your plan. I found out in a very short period of time that the hormones route was not for me. It was a struggle getting them right and my estrogen shot way high and I felt very bad.
I hope this helps!