Isoflavones - Menopause - help!

[bmccasland]

I get doing the controlled breathing during the day, but how does that work at night?

I wound up going on HRT, and was moved down to the lowest dose 1:2.5 .

The rhetorical question about taking birth control pills for several years, but not HRT is a good one.

[navybeetle]

I do not know what HRT is, just started dealing with this in the past year or so :-)

[tiva]

I probably have an extra pregtest in the bathroom! Thanks though. Just reading this thread alone kind of confirms to me that I am in pre-menopause. I have trouble sleeping, sweats at night sometimes, irregular bleeding patterns while on the pill and very lethargic at times, especially when my period kicks in. I will be glad when this is over

Welcome to perimenopause! It's tons of fun. Seriously, here are some tips:
1. buy lots of fans
2. buy housemates lots of sweaters, so they stop complaining when you open the windows and turn on all the fans in mid-winter when it's 20 below out (wimps)
3. if hot flashes, night sweats, mood issues, cognition issues, etc are driving you crazy, don't hesitate to do something about them. Lots of options exist, from bioidentical hormones, to meditation, yoga, herbs--different women need different approaches
4. exercise a LOT & eat well (for me, that means lots of protein, lots of good fats, fruits and veggies, cut out the sugar and most grains--other people will do well on other foods).

[celticgarden]

Sheesh. I am in the club. I couldn't take the interrupted sleep and resulting energy, brain power crash. I desperately wanted to try and do this 'naturally.' Was drinking gallons of herbal infusions (sage from my garden, oatstraw, nettle) plus herbal tinctures but to NO AVAIL. I started taking BC pills again. They bring their own problems for me such as increased tendancy to yeast infections. I started trying to commute (14 miles round trip) yesterday and my girlie parts are crying with the beginnings of yeast today. This better not be a trend as I was planning on doing this commute as much as possible this Summer.

Anyway I'm here to offer my voice of sympathy. I'd rather take the risks of the pill than live like I was. Of course, I'm lucky, no major risk factors here.

Good luck to all of you.

[navybeetle]

I wanted to let you all know something that has worked for me and my little sister on yeast infections. First, she eats a serving of yogurt every day and so do I. This has helped both of us. We were having recurrent yeast infections at one time, what a drag... Then I saw my gynecologist and he recommended that as soon as I feel/smell/or show the discharge of a yeast infection I should put @ 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt in a reusable douche bag and fill to the top with very warm but not hot water. Then douche with this mixture. It actually feels good inside. YOU MUST USE PLAIN YOGURT, the sugars and the yeast will have a holiday if you don't. Do this for a couple of days and see if it helps. THE TRICK is to douche as soon as you detect a yeast infection. Don't wait. Get right on it. Any drug store should have the reusable douch bags. I rinse the bag out really well with hot water and let any drops drain out. Using soap may irritate your skin inside and out. Even if you are "just itchy" and it is not a yeast infection it will not hurt you to douche this way. I am on the pill and I have not had the yeast infections I used to, it was pretty bad there for a while. Also, if you don't catch it, you can get a prescription for diflucan and that works within 24 hrs. One Pill, 24 hrs.

[badger]

I've had night sweats during my period since I was 18. My doctor even did a blood test to make sure I'm not going through very early menopause, but I wasn't. She even put me on progesterone for a cycle or two before I swore it off due to wild mood swings.

I know when my period's coming as I start sweating a night or two before it starts, and it'll go for about 3 or 4 nights after that. I've tried various herbs to try and curb this but so far haven't found anything that works all that well. Wild yam extract does seem to help with my other pms symptoms but not much for the night sweats. Ick!!

[ny biker]

I know when my period's coming as I start sweating a night or two before it starts, and it'll go for about 3 or 4 nights after that. I've tried various herbs to try and curb this but so far haven't found anything that works all that well. Wild yam extract does seem to help with my other pms symptoms but not much for the night sweats. Ick!!

This started happening to me a couple years ago. I used to get bad "warning cramps." Now I get no cramps, but they've been replaced by "warning hot flashes and night sweats."

Oh well, at least the migraines are not as bad as they used to be...

[badger]

oh yeah, I forgot the migraines (how could I!?). So, in addition to the night sweats, I know I'm getting my period because of the nasty headaches, lethargy, and night sweats.

Honestly, next life I'm coming back as a man!!