Hi all,
Have arrived here probably like everybody else. Hitting problems with the menopause. I am 52 and my periods stopped - after years of various symptoms but fairly regular bleeds - about 2.5 years ago. Come from a family with breast cancer. Mum died aged 64 at 5 years post mastectomy. Sister currently/newly stage 4 13 years after mastectomy (she's only 56) so have always steered clear of anything hormonal and have managed the past few years watching my diet, self-care and in the last year, through attending a medical herbalist who prescribes a mixture for me. This was originally to combat hot sweats and the almost constant migraines from which I was suffering. Recently, migraines have abated to almost nothing. Hurrah! I thought. Then came the dryness and painful sex. Very painful. A huge blow as this has always been problem-free and very important/enjoyable to my still (sod's law!) very virile partner.
Here therefore to do some research. What exactly does one do to counteract dryness when the solutions tend to involve oestrogen - and consequently that breast cancer risk - and where increasing my levels even slightly seems to bring back hot flushes and crippling migraines? Silly me - I thought menopause meant the periods stopping. Nobody told me it could go on for years after. Coming back as a man next time!
