Hi Ladies,
Does anyone have any natural tips/remedies to help alleviate the symptoms of perimenopause that they would care to share? The two that are getting to me the most are hot flashes and insomnia. I'm looking for natural remedies as I am a total lightweight when it comes to pharmaceuticals. And I hate that draggy, drugged feeling when I wake up, can't seem to shake it. Even when I halve or quarter the dose.
I need sleep! Just one good night. All the way through. The hot flashes aren't so bad during the day, but at night, arghhh. Most of the time that is what is waking me up. Froze my dear husband out of bed one night when I threw all the blankets to the floor and threw the window open wide (it was 10 degrees out side). He asked what I was doing and I told him that I was about to spontaneously combust!
So, please, if you have any tips or suggestions or questions of your own, please post!
Sincerely,
Combusting in Connecticut
Replies
- PH
PhilfreeeukJan 25, 2009[quote]Hi Ladies, Does anyone have any natural tips/remedies to help alleviate the symptoms of perimenopause that they would care to share? The two that are getting to me the most are hot flashes and insomnia. I'm looking for natural remedies as I am a total lightweight when it comes to pharmaceuticals. And I hate that draggy, drugged feeling when I wake up, can't seem to shake it. Even when I halve or quarter the dose. I need sleep! Just one good night. All the way through. The hot flashes aren't so bad during the day, but at night, arghhh. Most of the time that is what is waking me up. Froze my dear husband out of bed one night when I threw all the blankets to the floor and threw the window open wide (it was 10 degrees out side). He asked what I was doing and I told him that I was about to spontaneously combust! So, please, if you have any tips or suggestions or questions of your own, please post! Sincerely, Combusting in Connecticut[/quote] Ahhhh Haaaaaa, So that's why you go rolling about in the snow! I have no problem with it myself! ....hehe I do suffer from acute insomnia which has got even worse since I joined TN. My body clock has got to be about 8 hrs SLOW, which means I don't get to sleep till about 6 or 7 am. It's a night mare! ( no pun etc) I stayed up all night (Friday)in an effort to re set it and get to sleep at a reasonable time last night, (Sat) but I ended up on here till 3 am again. Just woke up again at 12pm :( so that went out the window! I also find pills don't really work and make you feel so groggy the next day that you can't do anything. Used to be that pills for a few days would put me back on track, but not anymore. Only thing that I found to work is, go for a walk! yes, good dose of exercise helps, and all the usual things like no internet or brain work for a 2-3 hrs before bed time. NO TV / Computer in the bedroom. ONLY go to bed to sleep, if you can't sleep, GET UP, don't stay there. Keep to meal times. Write a To-Do list is a good one, stops you thinking about stuff. Ahhhhh! ...write Rhymes in your mind, that works, stops you thinking about other stuff, but it's annoying in the morning when you can't remember them :) I know all the stuff to do, problem is, I just don't do it! But I guess it's the hot flushes that are keeping you up and other than a good roll in the snow, I don't know what to suggest :( Not helping much! ...am I MUM! (hehe, do you remember that add?) Sorry!!! Phil.
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009
LOL! You are multifaceted - Phil, Steve and now a lady to boot! But your suggestions are all great. We've no t.v. or computer in the bedroom. As for brain work, lack of sleep is making me feel a little brain dead! Nothing but ice here to walk on right now and with my luck, I'd slip and fall and they'd find my cryogenically preserved body in the morning. As for rhyming...well, it's my muse. When she arrives it's usually in the middle of the night and she niggles me until I get it down on paper. That's what woke me up night before last, result - The Epic. TN is not helping, becoming an addiction, may have to go cold turkey for a bit. Or at least give myself time limits.
I'm having a hard time both falling asleep and staying asleep. But last night I got an entire 4 1/2 hours in. Woohoo! Will try cammomile tea tonight.ReactReply - TH
ThomasJan 25, 2009Just wondering, did my music calm you or wake you up? I used to have problems going to sleep unless I had radio on to help cover city noises. Now that I am in the country I can't hear any so don't listen as much. Soft relaxing music would be best, as long as not too romantic, might keep you from sleeping for another reason. LOL
I have used cammomile tea to help me sleep when I was working nights and had trouble falling asleep in the day time.
Hope this helps.
ThomasReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009[quote]Just wondering, did my music calm you or wake you up? I used to have problems going to sleep unless I had radio on to help cover city noises. Now that I am in the country I can't hear any so don't listen as much. Soft relaxing music would be best, as long as not too romantic, might keep you from sleeping for another reason. LOL I have used cammomile tea to help me sleep when I was working nights and had trouble falling asleep in the day time. Hope this helps. Thomas[/quote] Music always helps to sooth the savage beast! Thank you for sharing yours. Love all different genres (although some only in small doses) Loved baremusicians song. He REALLY needs to get that published. Back in the day when I lived in a studio, would run the dishwasher at bedtime - the white noise helped to put me out. Soft music is a good idea, I really hadn't thought about it. Will give it a try. As Steve works an overnight shift most nights the romantic music wont be too much of a problem. LOL It helps immensely, thank you! JenReactReply
- MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009
LOL to you Steve (2). On nights when he's not home my biggest problem is falling asleep. On nights when he is home, staying asleep is my biggest problem. Combine hot flashes with an oven sleeping next to you and it's a wonder I haven't combusted yet!
The insomnia alone I can deal with, it's the hot flashes and feeling wide awake at 2am, 4am, 6am falling back to sleep just as the alarms going off at 7am.ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009
I so appreciate all the helpful suggestions I'm getting. But would really like to encourage more women (read any women) to post! Come on ladies, I know you're out there and I know you have natural remedy solutions for the hot flashes and maybe a few questions of your own that can be addressed here...
Looking forward to hearing from you,
JenReactReply - MEMemberJan 25, 2009Hello, Jen! What a great question. For me, the nudist life style is about more than just running around without clothes, it is imbracing a more natural way of living - including my approach to health and wellbeing. You might find some relief from your perimenopausal symptoms by working with a naturopathic doctor. I strongly believe that finding natural remedies and cures for our health issues is the best way to resolve them. I've been working with an N.D. and finding some very good results to my own health issues. She is also a Certified Nutritionist, so she looks at the body in a very holistic way. Although I'm not being treated for menopausal issues, I'm certain that your symptoms can be helped naturally. Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct form of primary health care and the docs include both modern and traditional methods of treatment. While some disease and illness can ultimately best be treated with a knife or meds, I feel very strongly, that the vast majority of our health care woes can be treated by natural and holistic means. The following link will give you a search tool for an N.D. in your area:www.Naturopathic.org. Be Healthy and be natural! ~ LauriReactReply
- MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009
Thank you, both Lauri and Deb! This is pointing me in the right direction. I'll check out the links you've given. I think I've heard of Green Willow Tree. In the meantime tonight, I'll try going for a long walk (I better not slip on the ice, Phil!), drink some chamomile tea and listen to soft music.
Nice to hear from the ladies on this!Jen
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009EDIT: My apologies to those of you who saw this post before the edit, I was being overzealous due to my grief over the death over our dear friend, Commom Sense. This would be a great site for the above mentioned organizations to advertise, as there is a large contingency of Nudists/Naturists who are also interested in Naturopathic/Homeopathic/Holistic practices. TT1 - if I work at selling advertising space can I have my membership for free? (Oh, that's right it already IS free!)
JenReactReply - MEMemberJan 25, 2009
An excellent example of self policing, Jen!!! Thanks for the reminder!
ReactReply - CD
Cheri Donna DawsonJan 25, 2009When I started that life plateau, I tried all the natural options and had to go the Rx route. I'm through menopause now and am thrilled.
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 25, 2009[quote]When I started that life plateau, I tried all the natural options and had to go the Rx route. I'm through menopause now and am thrilled. [/quote] I bet you are! I realize it's different for every woman, but how long (roughly) does this physiological change take???? Thank!s JenReactReply
- GA
gator1Jan 29, 2009[quote]...The hot flashes aren't so bad during the day, but at night, arghhh. Most of the time that is what is waking me up. Froze my dear husband out of bed one night when I threw all the blankets to the floor and threw the window open wide (it was 10 degrees out side). He asked what I was doing and I told him that I was about to spontaneously combust!...[/quote] If you find a good remedy, we'd like to know, too! That sounds like my house. Funny, but we had that discussion this morning about wouldn't it be great if guys had similar hormonal patterns that could actually match up at the right time...we could both be hot and fix it, or both be cold and fix it, lol! GatorReactReply - GAgator1Jan 29, 2009
Oops...last post before I saw Jackie's post.
ReactReply - MEMemberJan 29, 2009
What a great post, Jackie! These are great natural options for women to explore before going the synthetic hormone route!
ReactReply - MEMemberJan 29, 2009
Didn't want to jump in here but considering the other guys have already broken down the door. I recall reading something about natural soy based estrogen....I don't remember exactly where I read it but I'll try to remember to look around for it when I have more time.
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 29, 2009[quote]Homeopathy Treatment For Peri Menopause * Ferrum phosphoricum - for hot flashes with redness in the face * Belladonna - for hot flashes that start and stop suddenly * Sepia - for anxiety and irritability * Sanguinarina - for hot flashes to the face, neck and ears * Kali Phosphoricum - for anxiety, nervousness, depression, and hot flashes Vitamins Treatment For Peri Menopause * Evening primrose Oil - As well as helping the skin and mood, evening primrose oil is important for the production of estrogen * Vitamin C with bioflavanoids - This is excellent for hot flashes * Brewers Yeast - This is a great source of calcium, which is important for maintaining bone health * Vitamin E - helps treat hot flashes and other symptoms. It's also an excellent antioxidant * Vitamin B complex - Vitamin B is excellent for stress, and it helps with cellular function and circulation Perimenopause is a time for growth as well as change. Even though we may find it challenging, a time where we are guided by our bodies to look at things we thought were sacrosanct, it is ultimately a time of great renewal. The natural treatment for peri menopause options here can help support that journey, but they will in no way mitigate the need for that journey. But through the end, we will emerge happier and more whole than the place we started in.[/quote] Wow! Jackie, thanks! That is EXACTLY the information I'm looking for. I so agree with you - any time the human body (male or female) is going through a physiological change it is also a time for growth and renewal. I really don't want to go the Modern Medicine route if I can avoid it. Feel that, very generally speaking, Mod Med's tend to mask or hide syptoms in a way that isn't particularly healthy for one's body overall. I'm looking for the gentler means of natural remedies so I can learn to embrace and accept the changes. And you've really helped point me (and other women) i nthe right direction with your information. Thank you, again! JenReactReply
- MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 29, 2009Thank you, Snoopy, I value your input! Right now I'm looking for natural remedies before going the synthetic route (would like to avoid some of the scary side effects and risk factors involved.) Please don't any one get me wrong, I'm not slamming Modern Med's, there is a time and need for them. I'm really happy that there are medical professionals out there who are seeing the need for Modern Medicine and Alternative Medicine to work together.JenReactReply
- MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 29, 2009[quote]An excellent example of self policing, Jen!!! Thanks for the reminder![/quote] Hey Realgirl thanks for the vote of confidence. Lol, Now that I read it over, I think my post on that was a little overzealous due to lack of sleep. I'm sure there is no problem with sharing information, as that's what the forum is for. That rule really is in place to keep people from getting "free" advertising and clogging the forum with spam. So I'm rescinding that post! JenReactReply
- MEMemberOriginal PosterJan 29, 2009[quote]Didn't want to jump in here but considering the other guys have already broken down the door. I recall reading something about natural soy based estrogen....I don't remember exactly where I read it but I'll try to remember to look around for it when I have more time.[/quote] Hey Steve (and all the other men who posted), thank you for jumping in! It may be the ladies room, but the door on this thread is wide open! Every man has a mother/sister/aunt/niece/grandmother/wife/female friend who has, is, or is going to go through this. As long as your posting helpful info on this subject, it doesn't matter what gender provides it.Thanks for mentioning, Soy. It reminded me that at one point or another (before this became a concern of mine) I did read or hear something about it being a good thing for women to increase their soy intake. Will look into that as well.
Jen
p.s. Nice to hear your "voice", feels like it's been a whileReactReply
- MEMemberJan 30, 2009
Thanks Jen,
I have been a bit preoccupied with work and taxes lately. I do check in here pretty much every day if for nothing else than to see what's new. Just don't always have the time or energy to post to the forum. It's going to get worse before it gets better here over the next couple months but it won't last forever. For both of us LOLReactReply - 4E
4EVRBAREFeb 13, 2009I was one of the lucky ones who did not get the hot flushes however my body heat is definitly higher than before.. for sleep get from a health shop Melatonian its what I use when necessarey and also when flying .. also flight attendants and crews use as these and those who travel time zones . its the natural substance in our brains that infact helps us to go to sleep.. you will never have " wakeup hangovers" take 2 - 3 a night to build it up for about 5 days and then drop back to 1 - 2 30 mins before going to bed.. Hope this assists you and I totally agree with Jackie also as i am into natural mediciene and have a GP/MD who is as well HUGS
ReactReply - ADadriaboldJun 4, 2011Even I am suffering from the earlyperimenopause symptoms. They are too irritating. Irregular menustral periods and frequent urge in urine. I am presently following the things mentioned below to get rid of perimenopausal symptoms. Try to stay cool. Keep your bedroom cool at night. Use fans during the day.Wear light layers of clothes with natural fibers such as cotton. Try deep, slow abdominal breathing (six to eight breaths per minute). Practice deep breathing for 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the evening and at the onset of hot flashes. Daily Exercise is necessary. Walking, swimming, dancing, and bicycling are all good choices. Chill pillows; cooler pillows to lay head on at night might be helpful. Pills and Tablets Vitamin B complex Vitamin E Ibuprofen Catapres, Catapres-TTS, and Aldomet, blood pressure medications Birth control pills Antidepressants, such as Zoloft, Paxil, and Effexor Other hormones, such as Provera and Megace Neurontin, an anti-seizure drugReactReply