Perimenopause Symptoms

[Joyful_Soul]

Hi all,

I am 47 years of age and am glad I have found a site that I am gaining a lot out of reading other women's problems related to menopause.  

I believe I am going through the perimenopause period because I have all the symptoms as regards to it.  I have irregular periods, heavy bleeding sometimes, unexplained headaches, sleeping problems apart from the night sweats and hot flushes.  I have also observed that my sex drive is completely gone.

I saw my doctor a few weeks ago who suggested a hormonal balance test.  He also did a thyroid test and the results came back that everything was normal and she suggested nothing to help me with my problem. All she did was to give me an anti depressant tablet for my sleep but I am not at all depressed and my husband suggested that I do not take it.

I know my problem is real and I just have to get some help for it but I am not sure if going back to the doctor will be helpful as she seemed not really interested in anything more apart from thinking that I am depressed.

I have been doing a lot of reading on the internet and I have read a lot of women who have managed to get some prescribed tablets or creams from their doctors.  I was wondering whether someone can give me an idea of what to buy on the counter or anything that I can do to help my symptoms.

Thanks

Joyfulsoul

[sasmo]

It is an american book and you can get in on Amazon uk or us. I have been taking black cohosh but have just stopped as I was not feeling good. I take evening primrose oil (2000 daily) a good multi-vitamin, **** quai (a chinese herb) and st john's wort. I think the st john's wort is as good as anything - it is an anti-depressant and has just made me much more positive about coping with everything. I have also upped my intake of soya to a pint a day and that has had a dramitic effect on the hot flushes.

hope this helps

[Joyful_Soul]

Thanks very much for the response.  Where can i get the book?  I have noticed that you are in UK, I am also in UK but staying in England.  I would very much like to read all about it so I can make informed decisions.  What herbal treatments are you using?  I tried herbal HRT.

[SassyLassie]

There is an excellent book about peri-menopause by Dr Lee, it is called "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Peri-Menopause, it is excellent and has all kinds of info regarding symptoms side effects of synthetic drugs, and also bio-identical progesterone cream. I use this and it is great, it helps with so many symptoms and is completely safe.

[sasmo]

I recommend the book The Change Before the Change : Everything You Need to Know to Stay Healthy in the Decade Before Menopause
by Laura E. Corio MD
Lots of great info about peri-menopause and how to treat it. I am coping with herbal treatments as a result of reading this.