Okay, I'll be the first to mention the big "M" (Menopause)

[kjackson227]

Hello ladies,

Haven't posted on DU in quite a while, but what are you using for the horrid hot flashes that a lot of us get during this tough transition?

[HelenWheels]

1. I'd like to know too

I used to use Estroven but can no longer find the regular strength version. It made a huge difference but the extra strength varieties make me puke - I have this weird thing with vitamins that causes it so it may work for you.

[kjackson227]

2. Thanks, Helen for the response...

I use Promensil which is very good, but it's a little pricey which is why I'm looking for something else. I'll check the price on Estroven to see if it's cheaper.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. Black Cohosh

it's the active ingredient in Estroven and similar products, only MUCH cheaper.

It's in the herbal supplements section of the drugstore or natural foods store.

Test out different strengths and mixtures (some have other herbs added)

[kjackson227]

10. I'll have to research Black Cohosh...

I've got fibroids so I have to be careful not to use something that will increase too much estrogen because the estrogen makes them larger. Again, tmi... so I hope there aren't any men lurking, lol.

[Politicalboi]

4. I must be extremely lucky

2 years in, and mild hot flashes, but nothing that is too bad. I take nothing.

[kjackson227]

8. You have no idea just how lucky you are, LOL! eom

[libodem]

5. I got "fixed" when I was 35

I was on HRT for 20 years. When I tried to quit I'd get a migraine and I had to urinate very frequently. Wierd.

I had to taper off. For about a year I got occasional hot flashes that felt like I had turned red with embarrassment. I just waited for it to pass. No night sweats. I actually had relatively little trouble.

My problem might be more in the dryness department. Does progesterone cream work for any of you? Or some other remedy?

[kjackson227]

7. I've tried the progesterone cream...

and it didn't work that well for me. Plus, I didn't like having to rub it on every night.

[kjackson227]

9. I have problems with dryness also (atrophic vaginitis)...

and nothing helps unless I want to use the horse's urine cream (which I don't because I have fibroids). Sorry, tmi

[The empressof all]

6. In retrospect I had an easy time of it

I just plowed through with the hot flashes and did a great deal of laundry. At the time it was annoying. I'm 56 and no hot flashes in a while. Personally I find altering my diet helped me. I eat less animal products and sweat less. If I fall off the Vegan wagon I struggle with the body temp issues and excess persperation and heat. I don't expect that is a workable fix for everyone but it helped me

[kjackson227]

11. Wish I could change to becoming a vegan...

I don't eat a lot of red meat (mostly lean ground beef), but I do like poultry, and dairy. I know dairy isn't good, so I've changed to Smart Balance 0% fat milk and it's really, really good- along with their spreads. And, I also like Egg Beaters.

[RebelOne]

12. I started going though menopause when I was 44.

I never experienced any of the hot flashes, night sweats or any other unpleasant symptoms. My periods just tapered off and finally stopped when I hit 50.

[LiberalLoner]

13. A fan at night helps me

I had a TAH/BSO last June and am 50. Taking soy and black cohosh and antidepressants, night sweats and chills still bug me. A fan helps some but I wake up frequently anyway.

[kjackson227]

14. Okay, ladies the past few months have been hell on wheels...

Last year I started having a LOT of dryness (if you know what I mean), which causes urinary urgency, uti's, and other problems that I won't go into. So, I've started using the Estrace cream, and this cream is short of miraculous for me. I did worry about the side effects, but I didn't have any. I am afraid that this cream will cause my fibroids to grow, but so far, so good

Hope everyone else is doing well.

[LiberalAndProud]

15. I found this thread to be really helpful.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=325&topic_id=1218&mesg_id=1218

I wear minimal clothing whenever possible and keep the air circulating. Hot flashes have subsided, but there were times I thought I would burst into flames.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

16. iCool

$20 at Kroger. I quit taking it because it's soy though (genestein), so if that bothers you, you may not want it. It got rid of hot flashes. But since I quit taking it I don't have them anymore anyway. Admittedly, have had few 'M' symptoms other than that. But when I started taking it, it worked!

[kestrel91316]

18. I use natural progesterone cream - I think the company is Emerita.

[ellenrr]

19. what worked for me

was to eat more soy. After I read that women following the traditional Asian diet do not get menopausal symptoms to the extent others do.

that cleared it for me.
I realize there is advice against eating too much soy, but those hot flashes were murder.
None of the herbs recommended for this worked for me.

also I noticed more hot flashes if I ate conventinal chicken (makes sense when you think of the crap including hormones that is in chicken) and for me coffee made it worse.