Menopause support: Introduce yourself and connect

Hello! I went into menopause two years ago. Hot flashes and night sweats were not fun and were really affecting my sleep.
I would wake up sweating, fall asleep, and then wake up, chilled and cold continually throughout the night. I also could not lose the weight around my waist. No matter how much I dieted or how little I eat nothing could take it off.

A friend shared a podcast that Mel Robbins did with a gynecologist. I attached the link down below. If it doesn’t work, just Google Mel Robbins HRT and you can listen to it. I remember the last 25 minutes of the podcast was the meat and potatoes of it if you don’t have time. It’s actually good to turn on when you’re driving and have some time to listen. It was spot on and it’s important to note that the 2002 study that was done was flawed. It’s the one that said that hormone replacement therapy could cause cancer. It’s totally been debunked now and there is a push to educate women on what hormone replacement therapy can do for them. Our organs need it, our bones need it our brain needs it.
My doctor prescribed the Combi Patch which I put on twice a week. It changed my life! No more hot flashes no more night sweats and I feel good. Also I was able to lose the weight around my waist.
I have a friend who tried to get hormone replacement therapy from her gynecologist, and she wouldn’t give it to her. So my friend got a new doctor. We need to be our own advocates and if our doctors are not up on the change, then they will not support the therapy.
Wishing you the best, Sherry
https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-293/

@lzbthtyler I recommend talking to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. Also, I just attached a link in a post that I just made. It was a life changer for me!!
Best, Sherry

@ramsgirl

Hi,

I started bhrt last year at 76. I have an estradiol/testosterone pellet inserted every 12 weeks. I also take progesterone capsules and use estradiol vaginal cream. Great to have you here.

@gravity3
Hi, Thanks. How are you liking the pellets, especially with testosterone? I didn't know if I wanted to do the pellets or patch and pill, but so far, I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. It's great to be here!

Good information, thanks. I'm KFC (my initials NOT Kentucky Fried Chicken). 69.5 years of age. Terrible premenopause...cramps heavy bleeding etc. Used to sing "Cramps and bleeding, cramps and bleeding seems to happen to me every evening...this I tell you brother, you can't have one without the other" sung to theme song for Married with Children. Comedy is the only thing that saves me! So now the fun part. Hot flashes. Severe. 20 + years. Traded severe headaches for those! My wardrobe the past 20 years has ALWAYS had a black T-shirt underneath for when I had to start stripping off those clothes quickly. There's an author Susun Weed and she has some books on menopause with lots of helpful tips by symptoms. May be helpful as a grounding point. My book has lots of markers and flags!

@ramsgirl

Me too. It is great to feel alive again after decades. I like the pellets. For me it is a matter of convenience. The downside is that medicare doesn't pay for the pellet. The pay for the progesterone and vaginal estradiol cream and my regular lab work. The testosterone has given me back my libido and that has been a wonderful thing for my marriage.

Hello everyone my story begins within the last year, feeling hot flashes, at times seemingly like experiencing 1 to3 every hour or so, for a week or so & then not experiencing a flash but every few days. Any weight gain has accumulated around my mid section & I can't seem to shed any of the weight, only add to it. My hair is coming out & my anxiousness/mental health is up & Down without any new reasons for this reason. My self confidence has plummeted. I feel very unattractive due to my weight gain & all these other reasons as well.

I had a hysterectomy in 2016 due to massive fibroids & large thankfully benign tumor of my right ovary. Thankfully leaving me 1 working ovary without needing any HRT these last 10 years. But now I just want to recapture, if only some small part of my self. Thanks for reading & I encourage any positive suggestions/comments.

@ccwatson1974

I am not a physician but wonder if you would be a candidate for testosterone. What kind of results are your labs revealing about your testosterone and estrogen levels?

Hi I'm Pauline, aged 63 and lives in the UK. I'm glad to come across this group as I recently went to my GP to ask about HRT. He told me I was too old to go on HRT because of the risks. I was very disappointed as although I'd been coping well, I'm finding it harder to cope with the symptoms which seems to be getting worse and impacting my mental health and self esteem especially the hair loss and vaginal irritation. Being part of this community will help lift my spirits as I can see that I'm not alone in this journey, hear others experience and how they deal with these issues, how they're coping and what support is available.

@paulineguk

Welcome to Mayo Connect. Glad you are finding support and answers.
Are you able to find a provider to give you a 2nd opinion?