Menopause? Pre-menopause.....?

Can any ladies tell me about their experience of the menopause. I keep suffering from hot flushes esp at night and then someone mentioned it could be pre-menopause symptoms which I not even heard of!

How long did you go through the menopause what were your symptoms and what if any medication - even herbal remedies - did you take?

If poss i would prefer real life experiences and no links. Many thanks :) x x

Hi

I started to suffer hot flushes at night in my late 40's while still having fairly regular although lighter periods. I will try to explain my experience and hope its of some help.

Periods

Regular but lighter
Gradually becoming further apart and lasting a day or so.
After about 18mths it was only slight "staining" every 4/6months - I always carried a few panti liners and tampons for work situations etc.
I haven't had any period/staining for about 18mths - brilliant as I always thought that was a bad design idea!!

Hot Flushes

Started at night and seem to occur in "batches" eg. would get them for 1 or 2 months and would just be about to make an app. with GP when they would disappear.

Gradually they became more frequent and durning the day also although never as bad as the night flushes.

I tried the herbal remedies - black cobash etc. and personally found them useless although others have had great success. Eventually went to GP and as I wanted to avoid HRT was prescribed Dixarit which helps to minimise the flushes. I wouldn't claim they stopped the flushes but certainly minimised them - I only ever took them on a "need to basis". Now I find the flushes both night and day are shorter and less frequent.

Things I find useful

Wear very light if anything going to/in bed.
Keep the bedroom window open if possible.
Daytime - dress with light layers, I find I cannot wear wool of any description.

At the start I felt tired durning the day (work full-time with husband, 23yr and 18 yr old sons) so explained I cannot do everything and need some help - and that has made a difference.

These are the best years as we have the experience and confidence to move forward.
Take care

HTHs

Hiya, Ive recently been told Im peri-menopausal, which to you and me means pre-menopausal. Im troubled with night sweats, but the only thing Ive found help is to go bed naked. I also get mood swings prior to periods, which I have never had before. Someone recommended St. Johns Wort as a herbal remedy, and it has helped quite a lot. Other than that I seem to be going through spotty puberty again, which is pretty naff! Hope you fair better than Im doing!

I'm going through menopause myself. I suffer those hot flashes myself so I can sympathize. Like you I never heard of pre-menopause til lately, it's the period of time before true menopause starts, sorry I can't be more helpful.