Hi Kikki21
Sorry to hear about your symptoms and by all means try natural remedies - I did this initially but my symptoms got so bad before I actually reached menopause that I ditched these and started HRT and have never looked back 11 years later!
HRT is brilliant! Don't be put off by the fact that you didn't get on with the CCP years back nor the POP. Most hRT is completely different. The oestrogen is estradiol - the same type as our body makes - not the synthetic stronger one that most CCPs contain. Also the POP is progestogen only - and quite a few women are progesterone intolerant and there are heaps of different types to try.
Do have a look at the Treatments tab on the menu and HRT preparations. Don't leave it too long though because the best time to start is around the time of menopause or soon after rather than years later. Some women find that migraines are helped with a low dose HRT and especially if it is a gentler type. They mostly give a constant dose of oestrogen so that you don't get the sudden fall in levels like you do when fertile or during peri-menopause.
There are lots of threads about weight gain and change in body shape too - most of us need to eat less, change the proportions of the different food types that we eat (lower fat, fewer sugars and starchy carbs, lots more fruit and veg dairy and fish), and exercise more in order to stay the same weight. This can keep the fat gain at bay and body strengthening exercises can help with the shape - although this is mostly down to hormones - reduced oestrogen casues change in fat deposition from hips to middle so we tend to lose our traditional curvey female shape ( pears) and have to work hard to keep looking reasonable!!
Do have a good read around and come back to use if you have any more specific questions -we are here to help.
In the meantime hope you start to feel better soon -you're right this hot weather is somewhat unusual and difficult!
Hurdity x
