Menopause

[rockyracoon]

Is there any way of knowing if you're going through the menopause without having a blood test? I had a uterine ablation about 10 years ago, and haven't seen a period since. So, that clue is firmly out of the window.

[rowanwitch]

Easiest to have the blood test, if you are having hot flushes and biting everyone's head off its likely.

[Sqad]

No.
One can only assume on prevailing symptoms. e.g mood swings etc.

[Jahulaye]

A good friend of mine thought she was going through the menopause after years without a period and then found out she was pregnant.

[rowanwitch]

Despite the ablation you should have the hormone system working so morning temperature not following an ovulatory pattern might be a clue as well.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks all. As I thought.
Any personal recommendations for supplements and the suchlike?

[rowanwitch]

Just include extra nuts and seeds especially flaxseed, and the always recommended oily fish for joint and cardiovascular health. I added high cocoa solids chocolate (a couple of squares a day) on the advice of a friend and it seemed to help with the mood swings. If symptoms get too severe it is worth considering HRT but it isn't right for everyone. It is a natural thing just a stage we go through.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Rowan. The chocolate sounds good. I bought some Menopace, but after reading a bit about soy isoflavones, I'm a bit concerned about taking them.
I'll be holding off the HRT, I think.

[rockyracoon]

I'll have to hunt out my thermometer. Lord knows where it is. I don't think I've used it since the kids were little.

[gness]

Don't dismiss HRT completely, Rocky......I started the menopause at thirty one.....I had some very bad times til I went onto HRT and stayed on it for at least twenty five years.....
It saved my sanity and probably MrG's life...... :-)

[rockyracoon]

LOL.

The cancer risk attached to HRT is too much for me. I'd be a nervous wreck if I took it.

[rowanwitch]

But it does give some protection from other problems. I had early menopause after total hysterectomy and salpingoophrectomy (ovaries tubes the lot ) and night sweats made sleep impossible I used HRT at the lowest dose that gave relief from this. You may find natural methods are not working for you. But come back, between me and my kid sis we tried pretty much everything and there are other tricks to try.

[murraymints]

fortunately I sailed through with very few problems.. a short time of hot flushes but nowt to write home about....don't think I was any more narky than usual....