Gransnet forums

Menopause

early menopause

(10 Posts)
tiffaney Thu 07-Sep-17 21:53:10

My daughter is having an early menopause at 43 due to a total hysterectomy as she had ovarian cancer. It was stage one and she has made a good recovery from the operation but is suffering quite sudden and severe menopausal symptoms. Obviously can't have HRT. Please can anyone suggest anything to ease hot flushes?

phoenix Thu 07-Sep-17 22:03:19

There are various herbal things, sage, black cohosh. Etc etc.

Suggest a bit of Googling to see , but things that work for one, might not work for another. Might be a bit of trial and error initially.

Eglantine19 Fri 08-Sep-17 09:37:42

Be careful with the herbal stuff. It can interfere with other medications and has its own side effects.
I menopaused naturally in my early 40s, tried HRT for a bit but got scared by medical reports.
I found that diet (fresh food and protein, cutting carbs out, avoid alcohol) and lots of endurance exercise like walking and swimming eased a lot of the symptoms.
On the everyday side, I only wore natural materials, lots of layers so that I could strip off as necessary, bought a fan to have in the house, check the bedding to make sure it's all natural, especially the mattress and its protector. I even bought one of those little air conditioners for the smallest bedroom so I could go there at really bad moments!
I was teaching at the time and was mega popular because I always wanted to be outside on playground duty!
My best wishes to your daughter. smile

devongirl Fri 08-Sep-17 12:02:45

Unless there's some reason why not, I understand that women having an early menopause would still be put on HRT to natural menopause age, as the hormones simply replace those that woul;d have been produced naturally by her body. Talk to GP.

Maddcow Fri 08-Sep-17 15:19:58

I had a total hysterectomy at 47 and was able to have HRT patches (oestrogen only I think) for several years which were wonderful; when I was taken off them I took Menoease pills (Superdrug sells this) & this has helped with the flushes, it I still get a few. I'm now 58 & wish I could have stayed on HRT for ever!

Liz46 Fri 08-Sep-17 16:06:36

Be careful with black cohosh. Don't take it without doing some research as it is not harmless.

Nannarose Fri 08-Sep-17 16:50:10

My sympathies.
I presume the reason she is not being given HRT is because of the ovarian cancer, and the treatment she is probably still having for it.
She should ask for it to be explained carefully to her.
She should, as said, not take any herbal / natural / whatever remedies - complex reasons, but in short, the substances may either disrupt any cancer treatment, or precipitate specific problems. Please be very careful with this.
She will, sadly, have quite a bad time, because it is a sudden disruption of hormones, as opposed to the gradual reduction of the 'normal' menopause. It may be helpful to see this as a side-effect of the treatment that has saved her life.
Her medical team, and especially the nurse, should have some helpful advice to manage the symptoms - as described by Eglantine.

My best wishes to you and your family

Volvariella Sun 10-Sep-17 09:44:06

Sorry to hear about your daughter. From what I've read I don't think there is any reason why she should not have HRT after a total hysterectomy with ovary removal after ovarian cancer, once treatment is finished, although I don't know her specific circumstances. Has she been told this by a menopause specialist? If at all possible it would be infinitely preferable for her to have at least a few years taking oestrogen for bone protection as well as protecting cardio-vascular health.

Other than oestrogen there are some anti-depressants that will control hot flushes but they are no substitute for oestrogen itself.

tiffaney Tue 12-Sep-17 11:38:39

Thanks for all your replies. She has been told she will not be able to have HRT so that is out. I'm finding it hard to advise as I was on HRT myself for 12 years and had very few symptoms when I came off it. She has had a DEXA scan and no sign of osteoporosis but in the last month has also had appendicitis. She jokes there'll be nothing left of her soon!.

silverlining48 Tue 12-Sep-17 12:59:28

This is of interest as My daughter 41 has just finished 2 long cycles of chemo and gets very hot especially at night. She is vegan, eats very healthily and when feeling up to it cycles and runs. I did suggest a fan but there isnt anywhere to put it in her small bedroom.