Q: Hello! I am 51 years old. My period is still regular. However I feel already hot flashes, fast pulls (especially at night, very low blood pressure (80 over 50, ever over 45 sometimes, strong depression, weakness and feeling of helplessness). I realize that even 10 years ago I used to have some depression, but not such severe, the same with low blood pressure: I always had a tendency to low blood pressure, but never that low as now.
I visited several doctors: a physician, a gynecologist, a psychiatrist. What I got?
From mental health doctor I got a diagnosis of depression and a prescription for antidepressant medication. I started using them, they work for me, but I needed to stop it because of the side effect of constipation. I suffer from constipation for many years even without antidepressant pills. But I use laxatives. However with antidepressant pills nothing helps (none of laxatives). So, I tried several antidepressant medications! But all of what I tried caused a severe constipation. As a result, I do not take anything, just laxatives.
From a gynecologist I got a prescription for patches (estrogen). I asked a doctor if it may be dangerous especially if it is connected with a cancer. He told me “NO”. He put one patch on me as an example during this visit. He told me that my uterus fibroma became smaller that last year.
From my physician I got information that synthetic hormones have side effects including connections with a cancer, and also he told me that smoking and using those patches may case blood clots. I got stressed! My gynecologist even does not ask me if I smoke! I understand, smoking is dangerous anyway. But a combination of smoking and using patches can cause a death. I am not going to use a synthetic hormones therapy.
I read your side and other alternative sides. I got confused: THE MOST SIDES CONSIDER HTR IS VERY DANGEROUS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY OFFER THEIR OWN “NATURAL HORMONE THERAPY” IN A COMBINATION WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL AND SO ON. How can women trust their doctors in USA? How can we trust any websites? For example, I know, I need calcium. But I already tried taking it few years ago to be prepared for menopause (as my doctor said), and I got an allergy. What should I do? Without calcium I can get an osteoporosis. With calcium I am afraid of increasing of constipation and an allergy. Should I make any teats if my body is in luck of calcium before taking it? If yeas, what kind of test it is? Plus, I have heard that calcium not always will go, where we want it to go – to our bones. It may go to our vessels as well. How should I act to be saved from it?
Millions of women went trough menopause without even knowing about HTR and other modern things.
Maybe it is more reasonable to suffer from flashes and other side effects of menopause then from side effects of medications for menopause? Menopause is done by nature. Should we avoid natural problems?
Thank you, G
A: Hello G., thank you for writing. Your last sentences, "Menopause is done by nature. Should we avoid natural problems?" are exactly where I would go. You ask about what kind of hormone replacement therapy might be best, and how to trust all the claims. I would start with questioning if it is even necessary in the first place. If we start with a belief that all of life strives for optimal health, then we could see changes, though sometimes uncomfortable especially when resisting them, as a necessary part of health. In this way I first prefer to see how we can nourish ourselves, using foods, food-like herbs, and lifestyle choices to provide our needs.
Have you read this article on Bone Health from Susun? If you have had a good diet rich in calcium and continue that diet, then you do not need supplements. Whether you have had this kind of diet or not it would be very important to be sure you do now. The article addresses how to do this a bit. Supplements I see as potentially harmful, and sometimes useless, but always only necessary in extreme situations for short terms. Please note too in the artilce Susun's writing addressing the common concern of osteoporosis, and her mention of factors beyond just calcium for bone health. After all, bones are made up of more than just calcium, and do not exist in a vacuum, so need the support of the rest of our healthy bodies.
There is lots too you can do to help yourself through the transition through menopause, that we often call symptoms. Susun's book New Menopausal Years is rich with ideas. Regarding your depression you can read this article from Susun: Avoid Depression. Regarding blood pressure you may wish to read this article on Heart Health.
We also have a wonderful resource available 24 hours a day. This is our online forum where people from around the world come to share life experiences and questions. By searching past posts, or starting a new one of your own, you may find a variety of ideas, support, and inspiration.
Perhaps some of these ideas and/or herbs are unfamiliar to you. I am happy to help with any further questions you have as I am able.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com
Hello Karen! Thank you very much for your respond to my letter. I will study all website(s) you have recommended. I hope I’ll find what I am looking for. And also I am glad I can communicate with people facing the same or similar problems. Once again, thank you G.
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