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.

1,907 Members
4,054 Posts
0 Online
Women's Health
/ Menopause Support Group

Half on half off

DS4me
DS4me
That is the way I wear my sweater most of the time. One arm in one arm out. I was no the pill during perimenopause. Before I went on the pill my period was so heavy I couldn't leave the house. I also couldn't control the tears... Just as when I was pregnant I couldn't watch the news without crying - ugh. All was well with only the occasional hot flash. Then the night sweats came, every night not just when I was taking the inactive pills. Fast forward,the doctor wants me to get off the pill to see if I will have another period. Now the hot flashes are just about every hour or two. My face flushes red and I am hot hot hot. I ended up having o have the ac lower in my office. Now when I am not flashing my hands and feet are freezing. I am also up several times a night turning my pillow over to get a cooler side. I even have a second pillow available so I can constant exchange out my pillow. My question is does this sound bad enough to call the doctor for some rot of medicatiion? How are you handling this? Any suggestions?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, call the Dr.
And keep calling them.

If you're having to change your life (lower AC in office) and are not able to sleep (curcial to function of everything) then the Dr should pay attention.
DS4me
DS4me
I have an appointment on Friday is there any medication that I should say no to?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds like menopuase to me. Maybe that's why the doctor wants you off the pill, to see if you have periods. If you dont then that could indicate menopause. Hard to say what the doctor will offer. Some just prescribe anti-depressants which can help with your symptoms, others might suggest hormone replacement therapy which can have a myriad of side effects. It all depends on what happens if you get off the pill. If you have periods it would indicate no menopause yet. You should go a period of one year before you are considering through menopause and then after one year you are considered postmenopausal. There are many natural over the counter supplements that people on here have tried and Im sure will come along and mention. Let us know how you are doing. Judy
DS4me
DS4me
I am now on PREMPRO TAB .625. I have been on it a week and the hot flashes are down to one or two a day. Still having night sweats but not as often. I am going to wait another week to see if they decrease before calling the doctor again. UGH
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good sign its already brought some relief! Giive it a month or so and you can always fiddle with the dose. Have my fingers crossed for you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
mamiJo, well said!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was on .325 mg Prempro, then dosed up pretty quickly (in about one month) to .45 mg, then onward to .625 mg which is the starting dose for most. I dosed up too quickly and wound up with breakthrough bleeding (a period like a teenager), nausea, breast tenderness, and headaches. I would encourage you to give it a month before dosing up and give your body time to adjust a little. At .625 mg I was getting too much estrogen. Even if you do have some side effects as listed above my GP recommended staying on the dose and letting my body level out on it. Best Wishes, Judy
DS4me
DS4me
Thank you everyone. The doctor did tell me there was a chance I would have breakthrough bleeding (for up to a few months??). I am very lucky I haven't had any side effects and it has almost taken care of all of my menopause symptoms. The only time I have hot flashes now is if I am under a lot of stress.... then the heat floods on. Since I just got back from vacation with low stress, I haven't had any issues.

The only concern now is the Dr said I had to have a mammogram right away as estrogen feeds breast cancers. My mammogram came back and they want me to get more scans :( Hoping all is well for more than one reason.

I will keep you all posted. So far the PREMPRO TAB .625 seems to be the answer for me.
fighting4change
fighting4change
Hope the reason for the additional scan ends up being nothing. I had three in one year because mine showed a spot of calcification. Before the third scan, they told me to stop taking calcium for a few days (or maybe a week - can't recall). The third scan was clear. I was miffed that they didn't mention this originally as I may not have been subjected to the additional radiation. I haven't had a mammo since.

The studies are actually inconclusive regarding estrogen and breast cancer. It's progestin that's been shown through studies to increase BC risk but the increased risk is small. What I don't understand is that many women take birth control pills for years and I don't think doctors mention increased BC risk when they Rx those.
DS4me
DS4me
Fighting4 : "What I don't understand is that many women take birth control pills for years and I don't think doctors mention increased BC risk when they Rx those" You are correct, the same Dr had me on birth control for the last four years.

I just got back from the Radiologist office.... second scan - Dr reads the films and orders a third scan of the right breast. Then she orders a sonogram. After looking at the films from the sonogram she comes in and does a second sonogram. She said something shows up in the film but not in the sonogram. They are going to order another mammogram to be completed in six months.

So good news all around... Last night was the first night in over a year that I didn't wake up from being hot!!
fighting4change
fighting4change
Sleep...glorious sleep! Glad the HRT is helping!

BTW - Although there's no evidence that estrogen increases BC risk, it does increase breast tissue density.