Menopause support: Introduce yourself and connect

@429

Have you taken bhrt?

@429 Systemic Estradiol definitely helps, but when I was off hormones for about two months Soy Isoflavones was enough for my sweating.

@blueskies1530
Even a milder estrogen, for an 80 year old, like estriol, can help especially if used in a way that keeps major ups and downs from occurring.

This really needs to be run by a hormone specialist. You can find one by calling a compounding pharmacist and asking for a doctor that uses BHRT and hormone testing.
ZRT also has a good provider search for different doctors and compounding pharmacies:
https://myzrt.zrtlab.com/tools/findprovider

@barbaramoore I really sympathize with you. I have always had dense breasts (category C) and understand how stressful screening can feel. I'm not sure if my experience is similar to yours or helpful but here it is...

I had my first mammogram at age 35 and then began having them yearly starting at 40, believing that more frequent screening was purely preventative. At age 50 (I’m now 75), one mammogram showed fibrocystic changes, which led to additional imaging and eventually a lumpectomy. The pathology showed focal epithelial hyperplasia without atypia and no cancer.

It was advised to have mammograms every 6 months. For the next two years I did. Over time, as my results remained stable, I personally became concerned about the cumulative exposure from frequent imaging and chose to space them out. I went about seven years before my next mammogram, which was normal.

Later, when my mother developed breast cancer at age 80 (she had been a lifelong heavy smoker and drinker), I chose to have genetic testing for BRCA1, BRCA2, and nine other breast cancer genes. No mutations were found.

I’ve had more intermittent (rather than annual) mammograms since then. I started hormone replacement therapy two years ago (estradiol patch, testosterone, and local vaginal estradiol), My most recent mammogram in December 2025 — after a three-year gap — was normal.

I’m not recommending that others avoid regular mammograms. This is simply my personal experience. For me, having less frequent imaging brought more peace of mind than frequent testing. I understand that some mammogram findings, especially benign fibrocystic changes, can fluctuate or even resolve over time, while others simply remain stable. Ultimately, it’s important to choose the approach that feels right and comfortable for you.

I am a 52 year old woman who is experiencing night sweats in the winter time, fog brain and more and more emotional episodes. I believe that my body is going through a lot of changes as well and just looking for a place where I feel like I am not alone in this. My drive is low and I get fatigue a lot. I think I am trying to carry on a lot going back to school, working a full time job, active in a couple organizations and raising a teenage son but I feel so overwhelmed. Any suggestion of methods that help. My co-worker suggested taking Magnesium supplements. but I am not sure. Any guidance?

@twashing28 are you peri menopausal or menopausal? Are you on bhrt?
You've got a lot on your plate. Are you getting any support?
Just want to add this. Have you had a dexa scan?

The doctor said per menopausal and that what I am experiencing is normal. I am not on Burt and have not had a dexa scan done. Yes it’s a lot right now with minimal help. I have two adult daughters but I try not to lean on them too much because they have their own lives and spouses.

@twashing28

Yes. Loss of hormones during menopause can cause many of the symptoms you have mentioned. Loss of hormones is also the primary cause of osteoporosis although you should also get tested for secondary causes. Personally, I am a strong advocate for women getting dexa scans earlier than they usually seem to be.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (bhrt) can be very helpful. Depends on your individual health profile and conversation s with your doc

I had a radicle Hysterectomy 3 years ago. I was told I will be in surgical menopause the rest of My life. I was on estradiol for 2 and Half years. Then I took Myself off them because I didn't want to have problems. I went on estroven. You see I still had a small sliver of endometriosis that was left after My surgery. They told Me it was stage 3 almost 4. I have dense breast. My question is do I have to take estroven the rest of My life and will I always have hot flashes the rest of My life and do I need to find someone who can keep an eye of the left over endometriosis? Thank-You in advance.

Hello, I went through menopause in my 30s, now I am in my 60s and just started to take HRT, to help with vaginal atrophy. I started out by taking estradiol Cream, and now have Estradiol patches and progesterone pills. Unfortunately, two months after starting the HRT I started to have post menopausal bleeding. Had a vaginal ultrasound to rule out Uterine cancer. Currently, I’ve been on the patches and progesterone pills for about five months , I feel like it is helping my vaginal atrophy and dryness, But all of a sudden, I feel like it is ramping up my anxiety. Not sure if it is the HRT or life circumstances. Thank you for listening