There may be more to it than just the soy. Japanese people on a particular island (can't remember which one) have the longest life expectancy in the world. They think it is because these people don't stress about stuff. Stress is a powerful negative influence on our health and who stresses more than North Americans? Also, we eat way too much food that comes out of boxes and way too much red meat. Maybe those are the things we need to change and then we don't have to worry about the soy. I've been told by my oncologist (had breast cancer) to avoid soy, so of course I try to do that.

You bring up an interesting topic. I do believe our diet has a lot to do with how we feel. We eat way too much sugar, too much processed foods, we exercise little, we dont get enough of the right fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in our diets, we eat too many carbs which turn into sugar in your bloodstream when processed which can lead to diabetes, and we are exposed to many toxins. All bad things for us. If you are estrogen dominant soy can make you feel worse in that regard, plus there are a lot of phytoestrogens (plants and food we consume) and xenoestrogens (chemicals we are exposed to) in our environment that gives us extra estrogen without even knowing it and can give us more estrogen than we need. If a person is estrogen dominant they dont need any extra estrogen, and too much estrogen leads to cancer. Soy has been linked with fibroid tumors. Most of the information I garner from this website... http//:www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/xeno_phyto_estrogens.html. There is a lot of information on soy on this site. There so many things that make us unhealthy such as our diets but also we are more stressed out, we eat on the run more which means worse food choices. We have so many modern conveniences that contribute to our laziness. We even have a lot of environmental toxins in our homes which give us extra estrogen we dont need which are harmful such as chemicals in our soaps, our laundry detergent, our dish soaps, our bath soaps, and our perfumes. plastics, chemicals coming from the cans used in canned foods, and more. Here is another interesting site to read on this:
http://www.fibrocystic.com/xeno.htm

There are so many things contributing to our unhealthiness. I am estrogen dominant and have made quite a few changes in my life regarding this after doing a lot of researching. I have become more of a label reader. I changed my laundry soap to a natural soap free of dyes, perfumes, and anything that adds to the estrogen effect, I use a natural shampoo that doesnt have all the chemicals in it traditional shampoo has. I quit using dryer sheets when heated are toxic, as well as liquid fabric softener. I use baking soda in its place. I dont use lotions that are in stores because of all the chemicals in them that are absorbed through the skin such as gasoline derivatives. Everything you put on your skin is absorbed through your skin affecting your health. I could go on and on and I know I am getting off topic but soy is just scratching the surface . There is a lot more to the picture here than meets the eye. So many consumer buy things without actually knowing what is in them and this adds to the deterioration of our health.

It sounds like we need to be more proactive and not just accept all the negative symptoms of premenopause as a natural thing. I have really been working at changing my diet. and I know I need to be more active. I dont eat much soy, but I do find it helps me have an easier period (no cramps or headache) when I eat it a week before my period. Magnesium oil has also been a big help on the sleep issue. I use to wake up evey night and stay awake for hours; now I sleep great. My worst symptoms are extremly dry eyes and Im more anxious then I use to be. I started takeing omega max fish oil which my daughter had to take when she got lazik surgery; its suppose to relieve dry eyes. Im makeing a lot of changes to my diet hopeing that by being healthier I can kick premenopauses butt...instead of it kicking mine.

Good for you! Don't take it laying down. If we don't like something, we should at least try to fix it. I know there are no guarantees, but healthy changes are always a good thing. Good luck to you.

Exercise keeps me sane, but it needs to be substantial. Walking several miles, a cardio class, running etc. If I sit all day, I am moody and tired and that is easy to do bc lack of energy does not make one feel very much like exercising, but often force myself to do it anyway.

I am trying to wean off HT right now, so nothing seems easy, but I am eating alot of raw vegs etc and eating small meals often. I had a big Mexican meal yesterday and felt like a slug for a few hours afterwards. Not smart. And I was so wanting to go Christmas shopping, was really excited and full of zip, then eating a couple of quesadillas & I just wanted to snooze. Yet, I fought that urge and got with it, and then I began to rev up.

So diet can be the cure or the problem, you are right... DaisyC

PS -- yes, I did have a ckup recently and am not low thyroid, diabetic or anything else, though have heard many women complain of having the sudden "sleepies" during hormone changes, even younger women having this as a PMS symptom...one thing that has worked has been a double shot of espresso, LOL..

I have to say I also read an article that stated that Japanese women **do** have symptoms but they are discouraged in their culture from discussing these problems. Not sure how true this is, but thought I would throw it out there... Soy never helped me, that much I can say...DaisyC

yes diet, exercise & lifestyle (stress) have a lot to do with how our bodies navigate menopause. Some things we can control and some we can not. boxed foods w/all the additives, I believe, are not good. exercise makes a difference not only physically but emotionally. stress well that one, sadly, I do not have much control over being a caregiver. what also helps is this support group where we can share and not feel so alone. so I say thank you to everyone for being there for me.

Funny you bring up this soy discussion. Just last week I talked with my cardiologist and she told me to start drinking soy milk because it has estrogen in it.

Now I'm confused because of what you all are saying about it.

What to do ???

I think the soy issue is more for people who have had breast cancer, at least that's what my oncologist told me. I think that it is less risky than taking HRT.

I read today on an old blog- to avoid soy while bleeding heavily.
Im confused too. I ' m vegetarian didnt use to eat soy anything too much but I guess like many, read it was 'good to have' during this stage ..but i think there may need to be better info about in which situations it's best--more estrogen? more progesterone?
here is the link to that blog fwiw. some of the associated links dont work as they are on a site that was phased out , why i dont know
http://menopause.tripod.com/lblanchsite/meno/bleeding.html
best,
w

Thank you wpease11 for posting your link!! I read the rant that the blogger posted and it was such a relief to know that I wasn't the only one who is experiencing such a terrible time in perimenopause. Flooding is the worse ever! I can't wait for all of this to end. I've had so many of the same experiences that she had, from HRT, to suggestions of surgery. I'm on my 5th Dr., actually she's a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in women's health issues. I'm hoping that she can help.
I'm so thankful that I found this discussion board, I don't have any sisters to talk with other than the ones on this site.