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| Hi all:
I've searched high and low for alternative treatments to HRT in the treatment of perimenopausal symptoms. I'm currently taking a low dose bcp that is really helpful but the addition of artificial hormones to my body disturbs me on a basic level. My doctor is adamant that I continue my treatment until age 50 or so (I'm 42 at the moment) and until recently, I tended to agree with him. However, with all the press that HRT has gotten in recent months, I'm not so sure anymore.
Has anyone here tried any alternative treatments for hot flashes, night sweats and all the other joys that accompany approaching cessation of menses? I don't like the hormones, but not for medical reasons. Simply because I find it 'unnatural.' I'm not sure that's a valid reason for wanting an alternative.
Thanks
Lori |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
 
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Why don't you use your Ayurvedic means to treat peri-menopause?? |
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| Why don't you use your Ayurvedic means to treat peri-menopause??
Good question. Simple answer is I'm afraid. I have dealt with menstrual problems all my life. I've never been close to normal or regular and I've had some symptoms that have baffled even my experienced gyno. I take the bcps because it sort of works and I'm afraid to mess with it too much. OTOH....there is the flap about HRT.
I guess I don't know what I want. I hate taking the pills and I fear not taking them.
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| my mother uses black kohash and eveing primrose oil to help her with hot flashes and nite sweats. she's never used HRT. |
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| Ok-here we go. My Pop is a retired OB/Gyn and I have aked him about the HRT because I have felt I may be going through some of the peri-menopausal syptoms. I, too, am on a low dose of BCPs, mainly for BC and to lower the chance of migraines. Pop says there is nothing wrong with HRTs.
Now, ya'll quit screaming  , this is his opinion. Pop used to scare me into aging by saying that women needed hormones as they aged so that they wouldn't look like little old men  No wonder I never had kids and the such...scared to poop out of me  Anyway, glad you are branching out, listening to your doctor and finding out other methods also.
Listen to your body and find out what works for you. I have not had the symptoms bad enough to do anything about them. I listen to my Dad and see a female Gyn and check out the facts.
I am 44 and still look like a female
to my Pop! |
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| Zoe--Yeah, I've tried those with limited success. Maybe I wasn't taking enough. Maybe it's my karma to have hot flashes and night sweats and argue with my husband about the temperature setting on the AC and furnace.
namate2--Thanks for the reassurance. I think the main reason I'm afraid to stop taking the bcps is I don't know how bad my symptoms really might be kwim? Perhaps I should leave well-enough alone. 
I was thinking about this last night and wondering what the heck those poor pioneer women did? Life could be so much worse.... |
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| bootywhompus - 2005-08-17 8:42 PM
I was thinking about this last night and wondering what the heck those poor pioneer women did? Life could be so much worse....
i was thinking about that too!
i like your screen name booty! call i call you miss booty? |
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| i don't know, but do you think mindset might have something to do with it?
for example, i have PMS symptoms. I bloat, i get a buzzy feeling in my head, and i have swollen, sore breasts. I feel 'snappy' or 'snippy.' and, i'm probably overly sensitive to language. I know this about myself, and i know when i'm feeling that symptoms come on. When i took the mindset that temperature issues, cramps, headaches and bloating don't have to make me feel upset, they bothered me less. I knew i had them, i knew that they were there, and i knew whey they were there. But i didn't have to 'feel bad' about it. That doesn't mean i wasn't feeling it, i just wasn't judging it or assigning meaning to it. Sort of like a deep stretch or working pose in Yoga. I know that the discomfort is there, but i can choose whether or not i want to judge or assign meaning to that pose, or leave it and run away from the discomfort. KWIM?
The same is true of the emotional/reactive responses. my husband says i'm really easy to get along with. some women whom he knew before me were bears during their menstrual cycles and PMS. He said that it amazed him when we first started going out that i would simply say "i'm sorry, but my brain is buzzing from PMS and i'mnot understanding you clearly. Will you please say what you mean and mean what you say so that i can understand? will you also have patience with me because it may take me longer to 'get' what you're trying to communicate because of this hormonal shift." This often would keep us from getting into arguments over nothing or small miscommunications. Whenever i'm feeling 'buzzy' i apologize a lot--my students even know it.
i was teaching a class just before my period (they totally know the cycle, most of them). During my buzzy time, i kinda forget left from right and get confused about sequencing that i just taught. I apologize, because i'm buzzy--and i apologize for not making sense. Oddly, they say that i make perfect sense to them, it's just that my brain isnt' processing it the same way. LOL go figure. Also, if i snap at someone, i quickly say "i'm sorry! I'm getting near my period and that makes it more difficult for me to communicate clearly, and i'm also in physical discomfort. Please, lets start this conversation over."
Mostly, i realized that i'm prefectly capable of controlling my reactions to the hormonal shifts and bodily discomforts of PMS (which for me includes nite sweats and has since i first started; on top of that, i'm already a hot/warm sleeper!). Once i realized this, i began to make steps to implement ways to help me not be distracted by these things and react from them, but rather to recognize that they were there, calm the mind, and engage appropriately with myself and others.
My mother takes this same approach with her path through menopause. for her nite sweats and hot flashes, she attached a metal plate to her footboard. if she feels really hot, she'll put her foot on the board. She gets hot flashes occassionally, but the evening primrose oil seemed to really help (dosage varies depending upon the person). Some people do well supplementing with soy products. Black kohash helps her with the nite sweats. Anyway, she said that her biggest ally in managing her symptoms is knowing that she's responsible for her actions and reactions. She knows that she doesn't have to react from her discomforts, and that she can choose how to behave in general.
This is why i have this perspectrive about everything. I'm not in menopause, and i know that people's symptoms vary for this and PMS. I also know that there are some things that just happen to some people--like migraines--and there may need to be a great deal of medical therapies for these sorts of symptoms that often come with hormonal changes and stress. Certainly, i have no problem with these sorts of therapies or their appropriate use. But, i think that mindset can go a long way in alleviating a lot of problems in regards to these symptoms.
a lot of women think 'I shouldn't feel this way" and 'it's bad to feel this way" and "i wish i didn't feel this way." instead, i think we should take the approach of "i feel this way, but it doesn't have to affect the way i engage and act in the world.' (that is, i dont' need to strt arguments with my husband juts becuse i'm uncomfortable.)
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| >>>i like your screen name booty! call i call you miss booty?
Why not? Everyone else does. 
Maybe I'm the only woman in the world like this, but it seems to me that I am totally clueless that my PMS or peri-meno symptoms are getting worse until someone (usually my long-suffering DH) points it out to me. Then I feel a little silly and I'm much better. I can get with the idea of me being responsible for how I react to things. I know I have these symptoms and I know there isn't much I can do about it and pretty much all I can do is being done....short of hysterectomy and I don't like the sound of that either...lol. I'm so easy to please...
Hot flashes are embarassing to me. I know I have them but why do they have to advertise themselves to the world by making my face and arms bright red and pouring with sweat? I swear you could cook eggs on my chest sometimes (there's an image for ya boys). Sure, I know the embarassment is mine and I know that people probably aren't paying any attention. The fact remains that I still feel embarassed and it doesn't help when someone DOES notice and they poke at me about it.
Anyway, there it is. Mindset probably has a heap to do with it. When my mood is good, I tolerate those things much better. When I'm stressed (and consequently more likely to suffer with hot flashes) I don't do so well. How do I cultivate that mindset even when I don't particularly feel like it?
I'm very unenlightened...
Lori |
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| well, practice yor yoga!!!
part of doing asana is that asana puts us in uncomfortable or difficult positions. The positions require a certain amount of effort and dedication in-and-of themselves. Then, notice how your mind reacts! Some people affirm: ahh, this is difficult but it feels so good, ahhh! i love that i do yoga. yoga people are cool. these pants look great on me! (you get the idea). Some people panick: oh my god! yoga is hard! this posture is so difficult! i dont' understand it! I'm not as good as that peson over there! she's more fit than me! she's not struggling! i should go to child's pose! If i hold this pose any longer, i'm gonig to DIE! (you get the idea). And some people wander: i wonder what pose we're going to do next? i hope it's warrior II, i like warrior II. the first time i did warrior II, i felt like i was flying. i need to remember to buy my airline tickets to fly to florida. I love florida, maybe i'll do ayoga class in florida while im there. but then, that means time away from the beach! i guess i could do yoga at the beach. . .hmm. oh! look, the next pose!
when most people are embarassed or reacting from discomfort (whether that's emotional or physical), they react in an old pattern--similar to those patterns above. They're in an uncomfortable situation (an asana) and then their mind starts to chatter in order to avoid the discomfort, or in order to cause an action/reaction to avoid the discomfort. So, you become observant. See what the mind does.
What is your thought process that leads to embarassment when you get a hot flash? I know people who get hot flashes and i ask "are you alright?" would this lead you to embarassment? why? i'm simply demonstrating concern for your health and safety (particularly if you were in my yoga class). But, you might feel embarassed. Understanding the habitual pattern that lead to this reaction will help.
Once you see what that pattern is, you can calm the mind. It goes like this, lets take panicky yogin: "oh my god! i'm going to die! yoga is so hard!" can change his/her mind to "oh my ganeshe! this is difficult, but i know i can handle it. I am strong and capable, even if this is difficult." This is a sort of affirmation or mantra approach to moving toward meditation practice.
Meditation practice is actually a great place to figure this out--because it's a deeply observant place. when the mind is calm (thta is, not chattering as above), then you're not going to fall into habitual patterns as easily. The habitual thought pattern will show up, and you can say "oh, that's that habitual thought pattern' (no judgements). And then, you can go "i don't need the habitual pattern, let me see what is really going on." then, calm again, you can act from that space--where you're really engaging your discomfort and everything else from a state of calm and centeredness.
Now, i dn't know anyone who is 100% successful 100% of the time. I know i'm not, but it's something that i'm very aware of. It's worth being aware of, and you're lucky that you have someone who loves you around to point things out when they get out of hand, right? so, that's a blessing too.
anyway, i hope this helps. |
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| I'm practicing as fast as I can...lol...
What leads to my embarassment? I feel self-conscious. I know YOU would be demostrating care and concern, but the people around here who are likely to say something will do so to make a 'joke.' They do it to make themselves feel better or superior in the guise of making the other people laugh. I know I shouldn't be so sensitive, but guess what? When I'm having the hot flash is probably the worst time to bring something that personal up for public debate. I have no control over my body temperature. I guess it's that lack of control that makes me embarassed.
So it's a control issue. And control is an illusion or so I'm told. |
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| Hello Miss Booty,
With your gynecological history you should have a good gyn so you can get checked out at least once a year. Also, instead of self-medicating why don't you go to a good (licensed) natural medicine practitioner. I'm biased towards Chinese medicine (aka acupuncture and Chinese herbs). The Royal acupuncturist/herbalist thousands of years ago had to be good at gynecology since the Emperor had several wives and concubines. There are terrific herbal blends that help with the gamut of gyn complaints, including night sweats and hot flashes.
FYI - like Namaste's father, this is the opinion of one of my Chinese professors who specialized in gynecology (she was the head of the gyn wing of some big hospital in China). You can take it or leave it. She said American women today have such a hard time with peri/pre/menapause b/c of all the stress we have in our personal lives. Actually, she inferred that the more love relationships that go sour the more it affects our hearts, which then have an effect on the uterus, and the Conception Meridian and so on. Example - my mother didn't have any trouble going through menopause. She and my dad have been married for 40 years. Nowadays, many of us have had abortions, taken The Pill, have suffered through abusive relationships, work at stressful jobs...it all takes a toll on our physiology. But there is help out there! |
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| I have a very fine gyn. He has been most helpful to me in many ways and I get a very thorough exam at least yearly.
I am not really self-medicating all that much. I have an Ayurvedic Practitioner that I see on a regular basis. She is very intuitive and helpful. But, being the American that I am, I always look for improvement. I like to be informed and to make informed decisions. In addition, I live in basically the middle of nowhere. The yoga studio I go to has only been in town for 3 years and it's the only one.
So, I don't think I'll be finding a specialist in Chinese medicine anywhere nearby. And yes, I do have a quite stressful job...lol... |
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| I have a very fine gyn. He has been most helpful to me in many ways and I get a very thorough exam at least yearly.
I am not really self-medicating all that much. I have an Ayurvedic Practitioner that I see on a regular basis. She is very intuitive and helpful. But, being the American that I am, I always look for improvement. I like to be informed and to make informed decisions. In addition, I live in basically the middle of nowhere. The yoga studio I go to has only been in town for 3 years and it's the only one.
So, I don't think I'll be finding a specialist in Chinese medicine anywhere nearby. And yes, I do have a quite stressful job...lol... |
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| Hey Ya'll- good responses to the peri-menopausal issue. Jenifer-I understand anout the buzzing feeling in the head. I don't know if mine is due to that or meds. I have not upped or switched meds but lately, I have been feeling slightly dizzy and when teaching at times I forget right ahd left, etc.
That may not be a sign for me, but the buzzing caught my eye. Some nights I do get a little warm and I toss and turn similar to "catnapping", waking up every hour or so. Have ya'll had that happen? I take Pamelor at night to help me sleep more soundly to reduce the frequency of tension/migraine. Taken it for years..not a large dose either
Let me know your thoughts. I have the sweats during the day, but it is because I am working my tush off! I generally sweat in the t-zone and chest area when I am hot during the day, especially under my lip.
Do ya'll have break outs on the face more than you even did as a kid? I am re-living my teenage years even with Rein-A! I guess it is due to stress also?! Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks Cheryl  |
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Expert Yogi
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| Hi Ladies - oh so many issues we have! I have not been "blessed" yet with hot flashes although DH tells me I am VERY warm at night. I used to warm my feet on him and now it is the other way around  Although I can be perfectly warm and toasty and still have freezing feet sometimes.... But being a previously cold person, it is nice to not always be carrying extra sweaters around 
My delightful "symptom du jour" is an extra period that just insinuated itself into the middle of my holidays! Eighteen days from the start of the last one - no fair Mother Nature! It could have something to do with extra-ordinary hormonal activities that tend to occur on holidays...ahem... but anyway, I am not happy.....  I mean, it is pleasant to think that this is a sign of the beginning of the end but at the moment I would rather not have to deal with this.
OK - enough whining! I am off to sit by the pool and read a bit before dinner |
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Treating peri-menopause
