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[Tracey50uk]

Surgical menopause, where to start? I don't really want HRT. I'd like to try herbal remedy. Just not sure which is best options. I've many symptoms but worse is very bad headaches n joint pain, fuddled head and insomnia. Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM Tracey50uk
When did you have your hyster?  How old are you? Why don't you want HRT?

If you have had a hysterectomy then taking oestrogen is your best option - oestrogen will protect your heart and bones for the long term and there are no breast cancer risks with oestrogen only - so you have everything to gain and nothing to loose.

I had a premature meno and have tried just about every remedy in the book and can honestly say nothing has worked.
I am 60 and now taking and break from HRT again  - I'm trying Red Clover and extra soya in my diet with absolutely no benefit so far, and that over the last 3 months.

If you really don't want any oestrogen then looking at your diet and exercise regime is probably your best course of action.  Lots of brisk walking really helps with aching joints and headaches I find.  Make sure you are getting plenty of calcium, Vitamin D and magnesium in your diet to protect your bones and I find Omega 3 essential for relieving those aching joints and is also good for the heart.
The only herbal remedy I do take that is helpful is St John's Wort but that is to help with my low mood and irritability.
There is a section on MM about alternative treatments so do have a read. 
I do lots of Mindful Meditation which is brilliant for helping you relax when you can't sleep and eases headaches. 
DG x

[Tracey50uk]

Hi DG
Thankyou for your reply. I had total hyster in August this year, so I'm about 5 weeks into recovery so it's all new to me, I'm 50 but wasent menopausal until after surgery.  My consultant said I'd be 30% higher risk of Breast cancer taking HRT. I've always preferred herbal remedies and due to side effects I've heard taking HRT this road maybe the easier road. I'm just looking for any feed back from you ladies really, what works , what doesn't. My consultant has suggested a patch. He's left me for 8 weeks to recover somewhat and make a list of symptoms. I'd like to go to my consultation with as much knowledge as I can find in order to make an informed choice later. DG I do take Maca root , one teaspoon in drinks, cold soft drinks or yogurt and it works in porridge. This may be lessening my symptoms somewhat. I've always taken maca and spirilina but have since read this can be helpful in menopause symptoms. I'm going to read round the forums and see what you ladies are taking and dealing with these symptoms. I really just wanted to say Hello 😏👋
Tracey x

[Hurdity]

Hi Tracey50uk

 

It's a good idea to take this opportunity to look at your diet and lifestyle so that you can be in the best possible shape healthwise - as you start menopause. In other words eat a varied diet with lots of freshly produced food - few processed foods,  maintain weight in normal BMI range, reduce alcohol and give up smoking if necessary, as well as taking more and regular exercise and fresh air.

However as Dancinggirl says only oestrogen will help protect your heart and bones long term and more importantly alleviate the symptoms of the sudden menopause you have been put in. Personally the sooner the better to start oestrogen. You don;t have to worry about progestogens - which is the sticking point for most of us on HRT so it's all positive! Were you still having periods before surgery? If so you will be likely to experience sudden symptoms - and I presume by surgical menopause your ovaries were removed as well?

I would definitely consider HRT before your body has long to register that most of it has gone! This would be the easiest time to start - from what I have read of other women's experience on here, ie rather than waiting until symptoms become too bad.

As Dancinggirl says none of the herbal remedies really work for menopause - not properly.

If your consultant recommends a patch then why not give these a try - they are all listed here ( scroll down):
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php

I use Estradot because they are very small and stick well - and they come in a range of doses.

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Dancinggirl]

Tracey50uk - I am staggered that your consultant has said you have a 30% higher risk of getting breast cancer if you use oestrogen - I believe this is quite wrong - even the latest scare stories in the press said that oestrogen only HRT does not give additional risks. The risks are associated with long term use of HRT into our 60s and that is only if we still have a uterus and need to use progesterone - you have had a hyster so don't need progesterone.
The risks of oestrogen deficiency are higher at your age as oestrogen will protect your bones and heart for the long term.  I must also warn you that bladder and vaginal problems are more likely to emerge without some oestrogen treatment.

Maca root is no substitute for oestrogen.

Many of us would really rather not use HRT and maybe you will be lucky and not suffer with flushes etc. too badly but even if you use oestrogen for 5 years the long term benefits will be good.

If I were you I would follow your doctors advice and try the patches, keep to a good diet and exercise regime and enjoy life. Don't waste money on herbal remedies that won't work.
Do keep us posted about how you get on.  DG x

[Tracey50uk]

Thankyou for your advice and reccomendations, I will deffinately be seriously considering the patch. Yes I had both ovaries removed. I was also having normal periods before the op. The symptoms are just presenting them selves and good advice to top up what I have left before my body realises it's gone. Banging headaches, joint pain , fuzzy head , low mood, funny tingling skin sensations so far. My appointment is in 3 weeks. Hopefully be signed off and return to work.

[Dancinggirl]

Tracey -  do take it easy - a hyster is a major operation and with the dramatic changes in hormones (even if you use HRT) your body will take time to adjust and recover. It sounds to me as though your body is already screaming for oestrogen!!!! Keep us posted.  DG x

[Mary G]

Tracey50uk, I too am appalled that your consultant tried to frighten you off HRT in this way.  For a start, he is wrong and some experts even suggest that oestrogen only HRT might REDUCE BREAST CANCER RISK.  If this person is going to come out with garbage like that then he needs to prove it.  The world and its dog knows that all the risks associated with HRT are in the progesterone component of HRT which, luckily, you will not need.

I take it he discussed with you in detail all the risks associated with oestrogen deprivation over a number of years?

I would go ahead with the patch immediately although personally I prefer Oestrogel.

Good luck, speedy recovery and please don't allow this individual to scare you with his outdated views and if necessary, seek advice from a menopause specialist.

[nothappybun]

Hi DG
Thankyou for your reply. I had total hyster in August this year, so I'm about 5 weeks into recovery so it's all new to me, I'm 50 but wasent menopausal until after surgery.  My consultant said I'd be 30% higher risk of Breast cancer taking HRT. I've always preferred herbal remedies and due to side effects I've heard taking HRT this road maybe the easier road. I'm just looking for any feed back from you ladies really, what works , what doesn't. My consultant has suggested a patch. He's left me for 8 weeks to recover somewhat and make a list of symptoms. I'd like to go to my consultation with as much knowledge as I can find in order to make an informed choice later. DG I do take Maca root , one teaspoon in drinks, cold soft drinks or yogurt and it works in porridge. This may be lessening my symptoms somewhat. I've always taken maca and spirilina but have since read this can be helpful in menopause symptoms. I'm going to read round the forums and see what you ladies are taking and dealing with these symptoms. I really just wanted to say Hello 😏👋
Tracey x

Hi Tracey50uk,
It's not right him scaring you off without informing you. I've got lumpy breasts and checked with my breast consultant who said it would even be beneficial and it wouldn't increase the risk. Do be careful with some herbal remedies as some have proven to damage the liver, black cocosh, red clover, kava kava. You need to take it for a long time to see any results if any and high doses are linked to liver damage. Maca root helped me with vaginal dryness when I took it, now it doesn't seem to be working 
Hope you get better and recover from your op, there is loads of first hand advice and information on this site!
take care xxx