Anyone been through menopause?

Don't hate me, but I sailed through menopause with no problems. I didn't even realise it until one day I thought 'When was my last period?' I hadn't had one for one year and I never paid attention to time passing. The bad news is my mom develped hot flashes during menopause. I remember her running out onto the patio in the middle of winter, just to cool off. She's in her 80's now, and she still gets hot flashes! I think every woman experiences menopause differently. I'm so sorry for your torment.

I had a hysterectomy when I was 40, 14years ago. I havent had that many problems I went to the doctor a few years ago as I was having hot flashes and she done blood tests and said I was not going through the menopause so I still dont know if I am, not taking anything but do get hot flashes, I am on thyroxine as I have an under active thyriode gland so maybe these are helping.

Hi dragon54u, I guess if you look on the bright side, you got rid of the faulty bits just in time to avoid the Year 2000 Bug... Anyway, were I in your shoes, I'd be tempted to consult a naturopath or even a Chinese herbalist if you can find one. Although Western womenfolk seem prone to this sort of malady, it's not something that we should just accept as "natural", because actually it's not. People in the Eastern cultures have few, if any, such problems, and a properly trained medical practitioner from the Eastern traditions might be able to pinpoint what's wrong. It's just a thought - but for goodness sake, with the alternative being $50 a month in perpetuity to the touchy-feely pharmaceutical cartels, what have you got to lose?

I am not sure how true this is, but someone told me that when you have a hysterectomy, you always have to take hormones...Im not sure if thats true or not (im 27, so i dont know much about it). I also have a friend who had a hysterectomy about 7 years ago and she is still taking hormones..ill have to ask her about having to take them for the rest of her life, or just for so long. I hope you feel better!

I had a hysterectomy 2 days before my 16th birthday. I had one remaining ovary after that surgery. I have been what they call pre-menopausal since that time (I will be 51 this year). I did HRT for a few years after the surgery but hated it. I think because of my age, even at the lowest dose HRT was difficult for me. About 5 years ago I started taking natural HRT which is available at any health food store (I buy mine at GNC). Menopause can last for several years because you go through pre-full-peri

I had a surgical hysterectomy in '81. I have never taken hormones or any other menopause 'aid'. I had hot flashes off and on for 5 years or so and menopause related mood swings. For the most part, I was not extremely uncomfortable or aggravated. I still have an occasional hot flash but it isn't severe. I think that one's mental attitude going into menopause has a lot to do with how you will carry yourself through it. I had aunts who claimed they had horrible times with theirs and moaned and groaned all the time. I heard all of this when I was just a kid and told myself that when my time came, I wasn't going to be like them. So it wasn't a big problem with me.

I think the safest route to go is to consult your doctor, he knows your history and every women's body is different. We may have the same thing (menopause) but go through it differently. It may start early with some and late with others. It may last for a short period of time with some and much longer with others. Your doctor is the best person you could ask and he'll know what to prescribe to help you during those times.

i had a complete hysterectomy in 2002, due to uterine cancer, they wanted me on hrt, took it for 3 months,then stopped because of all the negative feedback about causing heart problems, heart attacks and such, also did not like how they made me feel, react. i agree with taking natural supplements like black cohosh, i am 60 now and still have hot flashes every now and again, i believe every woman is different in how their body handles hysterectomies. you just have to find the right combo of natural medicines or otc one. good luck and hope all works out for you.