Embarrassing Illnesses

I'm 57 and just been told by my GP that i can no longer have HRT.They did perscribe a lower dose but this enduced a menstrual cycle which i didn't and don't want. The hot sweats are back and i can not sleep which for me is a real problem, if i don't sleep i don't function. I seem to be in limbo, does anyone know of anything that will just stop the sweats at night and please not Prozac as i told my GP when it was suggested....i'm not depressed i just want the night sweats to go away. Please help.

The menopause is played down by society and doctors. We are told it is a natural occurence - but it is really the evolutionary system having not caught up with our extended life spans. Menopause produces a raft of humiliating symptoms including incontinence, depression, vaginal atrophy, sweats, mood changes, sagging skin, osteoarthritis, raised cholesterol, increased adipose fat. I would advise women not to be fobbed off by their doctor and to expect proper hormone therapy. HRT has been villified in recent years but the cancer risk rises from 44/1000 to 45/1000.Men suffering from Andropause get correct hormone treatment. Why should women be left with magnetic devices, chillows and dubious herbal remedies? I started bio identical hormone therapy privately and got my life back.

I am 50, I started menopause when I was around 45yrs old. No major problems except hot flushes which have now stopped. I feel fine except the fact that my family in Africa (Nigeria) are quite alarmed that I started menopause at this age. They believe the monthly cycle flushes diseases in the body and because my period stopped, my body harbours diseases. As a result of menopause, some older generation in Africa stop having sex with their wives to 'prevent' them 'catching' some of the 'illnesses' from their wives. I regret sharing this personal information with them.

I am 33 years old and the last couple of years i have gone completly off of sex i dont even want my husband touching me. I also have very bad mood swings could this be the start of the menapause these are my only symptoms but its putting a strain on our relationship. Can you help or do i need to see my GP.

I have gone through the menopause early i was only 41,about six years ago i had blood tests as my periods were dwindling to one every six months,with hot flushes lack of sleep etc the tests revealed i was on the change then three years ago my periods stopped i thought great as i use to get painful periods and my moods were awful.imagine my horror and surprise to then have a period a month ago.I went to my gp who has referred me to a gynaecologist as this is not normal.I attend the clinic in march,i will let you know the outcome

I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 27 for precancerous cells - everything was fine until the last two years - I'm 57 this year and am now experiencing severe vaginal dryness combined with a "driving me mad" vaginal itch to the extent that I no longer can have sex and I miss it so much - I have been blessed with a very understanding hubby but I am so miserable !! I have been back and forward to the docs on numerous occasions, been given tubes of creams that have not worked, hormonal pessaries, you name it, I seem to have been prescribed it! The problem is that I have been told that there is nothing more now that can be done other than go on HRT which I don't want. I'm not prepared to take the risk of getting breast cancer, etc., to me its like Russian roulette and feel that there must be someone out there who can help me get my life back on track! Its such a little health issue but its created the most miserable two years I have experienced

I have hot flashes constantly all day long, all night, i sleep with a fan going and when i finally seem to cool down i put a blanket on until the next one. I have small anxiety attacks short attention span, itchy skin, weight gain, can't lose weight, toss all night long, sporadic sleeping, I need good night sleep and to stop the hot flashes.I know longer get my period, but that was horrible when I still got it, it lasted sometimes a day then 3 then 7 a few times it lasted 29 days, some days light some days heavy, sometimes it would last then go for a day or two then come back, I only say this for you to know as many symptoms I can think of. been now over a year no period, but the sex drive is still there, that has not diminished. I am 47, this has been going on for about 6 years or so give or take a year, how long does menopause on an average last..or is there such a thing as average?

I SHARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF 4TH FEB REPORT. I HAVE PANIC ATTACKS AND YES I FEEL MUCH SAFER WHEN SOMEONE IS WITH ME WHEN GOING OUT. MY PANIC ATTACKS STARTED A YEAR AGO. IT ALSO TRIGGERED OFF ME FEELING LIGHT HEADED AND UNSTEADY OF MY FEET(LIKE BEING ON A BOAT). AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS LABRYRINTHITIS. I WAS FOBBED OFF BY MY DOCTORS WHO KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS A VIRUS. EVENTUALLY GOT THEM TO PRESRIBE ANTI SICKNESS PILLS - THEY DID NOTHING. AFTER BEING HOUSE BOUND FOR MONTHS, MY SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED IN APRIL. I WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SECOND ATTACK IN JUNE, I WAS WALKING OUTSIDE, IT WAS GETTING HOT, NEXT THING I KNEW I WAS SWEATING AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS LIGHT HEADED, UNSTEADY AND SHAKEY. AUGUST I WAS BACK TO NORMAL. OCTOBER, I WAS SHOPPING AND OUT OF THE BLUE HEART STARTED TO RACE AND YES YOU HAVE GUESSED IT I WAS UNSTEADY AGAIN. LAST WEEK I HAD ANOTHER ATTACK AND ONCE AGAIN I AM UNSTEADY. IN THE MEANTIME MY GP PRESCIBED ANTI DEPRESSANT - RELUCTANT TO TAKE THEM AS I KNEW I WAS NOT DEPRESSED. IN NOVEMBER, I HAD A HEAD SCAN, AS I THOUGHT THE WORST - IT CAME BACK CLEAR. MY DOCTORS ARE USELESS. I HAVE COME TO MY OWN CONCLUSION THAT IT IS THE MENOPAUSE WHICH IS TRIGGERING OFF THESE SYMPTOMS. I SOMETIMES I HAVE PROBLEM SPEAKING TOO AND CONTANSTLY NIGHT SWEATS. THE SWEATS I CAN TOLERATE. IT IS THE UNSTEADINESS I CANNOT COPE WITH. MY QUALITY OF LIFE IS NIL. SELF HELP I HAVE HAD BLOOD TEST TO SEE IF FOOD IS AGGRAVATING THIS. I AM INTOLERANT TO CARROT, COWS MILK, GLADIAN AND YEAST. I AM INTO THE SECOND WEEK OF THE DIET - NO CHANGE SO FAR. I EAT SENSIBLE AND TAKE PLENTY OF SUPPLEMENTS, INCLUDING A MENOPACE. I AM AT MY WITS END. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A CREAM CALLED SERENITY WHICH I MIGHT TRY, BUT I AM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS. ON A FINAL NOTE I SYMPATHIZE WITH ALL THE ABOVE WOMEN. WE ARE THE UNLUCKY ONES BECAUSE AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE SOME WOMEN JUST SAIL THROUGH THIS PHASE OF LIFE. HELP

I started the menopause 10 years ago, all the usual symptoms. I also suffer with very itchy arms which can last for 3 to 4 months. The only way I can stop scratching is to put ice packs on, which freezes the skin. It only occurs at night every night.

i think more women should be aware of the fact they can go through menopause at an early age. i am 33 and just been told i,ve got premature ovarian failure! didn't ever think menopause would happen to me so early. makes me feel like i am 80 years old.