Menopause Q&A with Dr Rosemary Leonard

Had chemo induced menopause 2001 but still not fully in menopause. Awful symptoms loss of libido,urinary probs etc. Not on hrt as on lots of medication; what can you recommend naturally please( not too good on valerian based meds)

I had a partial oophrectomy at age 43, cancer at 46, periods stopped at age 47. It's over 10 years later, I notice my muscle mass is shrinking quite fast and am worried about bone mass. Legs feel frail and weak at times. Any suggestions?
I don't drive and walk everywhere, can't take HRT because of the c, and also have palpitations at night which wake me up. Hot flushes ended about 3 years ago.

At 64 I am in a new relationship after 20 years celibacy (my ex husband's choice not mine) My new partner (who at 54 is 10 years younger) has a high sex drive. My libido is at zero and i make every excuse to avoid sex. I had a smear test recently and my GP noted i had the vaginal vault of a younger woman so its not dryness causing problems as it does some menopausal women. I should be delighted that i am sexually attractive after doubting myself during my marriage but the opposite is true!!

Hi Dr Rosemary, I had a total hysterectomy at 42 due to endometriosis and was immediately given an oestrogen only HRT estradiol. It worked for years extremely well until my Gp put me under pressure to come off it last year. Now all the menopause symptoms have returned with bad night sweats, horrible hot flushes, mood swings and little energy. I'm now 60 and coming off HRT coincided with a worsening auto immune disease, which I've had for over 30 years, psoriatic arthritis, which then started in my spine, neck and lower back, knees, hands etc. So I'm already struggling to cope with work, chronic fatigue and constant pain. The hospital doctor indicated that coming off HRT may not be a good idea given the increased risk of osteoporosis together with my degenerative spinal disease. Is there any reason we can't stay on a low dose of HRT if it's working? Or is there an effective alternative. I've been looking at bio identical natural HRT but don't know how effective this would be? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Energy is my worry, l care for four grandchildren four days a week, two at a time from early doors till tea time. I can see I'm quickly running out of steam most days now, any advice?

I would like to know whether there is any correlation between the age you start your periods and the age you reach menopause? Also whether reaching it earlier or later has any effect on how many symptoms you get and if you have had bad PMT with your periods, are you likely to get worse symptoms with the menopause?

I am 52 and not yet menopausal. I've noticed some sleep disturbance and the odd memory lapse but otherwise nothing at all. That's fine of course, but I have started to become increasingly panicky about what will happen when I do finally reach that point. The experience of most of my friends has not been positive and the worry has really started to get to me. I realise this is a bit silly but would love some reassurance and also tips on anything i might be able to do to 'prepare' myself

Hello Dr Rosemary

I am 51, presumably peri menopausal though no symptoms to speak of. I was prescribed the combined pill by my gynaecologist (Qlaira) which I continue to take. They felt despite my age I was low risk for any of the other contraindications. Does this sound right? Also if I ended up on HRT at some point how would the risks of that compare to those of the combined pill?

Thank you

Hi, Dr Rosemary. I'm 53 and haven't had a period now for almost two years. I have noticed a problem with memory (I have to keep a list), motivation/energy and difficulty with sleeping. I have blamed it on the husband snoring, but I'm not sure that's it entirely as it's just as bad when he's away. My biggest problem though is a complete lack of sex drive. I just can't be bothered. As I'm still married, this is a problem!
My question is, I suppose, am I right to put these down to the menopause?

I recently came off Tibolone after 10 years on it without problems and with relief from constant nighttime hot flushes. My GP in his wisdom felt it was time to change me to Ellesse Duet. After one month I had a considerable bleed and was found on hysteroscopy to have thickened endometrium and an ovarian cyst which is now being monitored by two further scans four months apart. Thankfully no cancer was found but it was a shock. I was warned throughout the treatment years of risks to heart and B/P but the possibility of abnormal cells in the uterus was never mentioned. Now I am cold turkey without HRT and apart from a few hot flushes at night if I have a glass of wine too many its fine. My achiness and tiredness I put down to arthritis. I just wonder if we are outing to many other symptoms down to the menopause when they might juts be 'normal' ageing.

I have been having horrible menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats for over 2 years now and eventually persuaded my GP to prescribe me a very low dose of HRT (PREMPAK-C 0.625 mg/0.15mg) which incidentally costs me just over £16 equal to 2 x the normal prescription charge, which is a lot of money to me and I wonder why this is? HRT has virtually stopped the day time hot flushes and the night sweats are no where near as bad as they were however the other symptoms are much as they were. My hair is falling at an alarming rate, my skin is as dry as sticks, I feel very down and often cry at the drop of a hat. I am tired and irritable and am bleeding every month for 7days without fail. So it's a case of do I continue with the HRT to alleviate the night sweats and hot flushes or try to put up with them in the hope that if I stop taking them the bleeding will eventually stop ? Maybe I am on the wrong dosage but it took me so long to get my GP to agree to any HRT and I feel like he might stop them altogether if I complain about the other symptoms.

I am Sixty-three and my periods stopped about ten years ago.
I have never had HRT and coped with most symptoms OK.
Dryness however is a different matter. I tried cream from doctors a few years ago without success and now have lost all confidence and sex is of the agenda,

Thinning hair is my main concern just now. I see so many recommendations for things and have reluctantly started trying them but of course they are very expensive and are making no difference. Any hat or other advice would be gratefully received! Failing that hot flushes, lack of drive and sleep patterns

Hoping for advice on menopausal symptoms for 8 years now. I have hot flushes, night sweats causing lack of sleep and therefore fatigue during the day, anxiety, low mood and crying episodes. I have been advised to avoid HRT due to a strong family history of breast cancer, mother and sister had breast cancer.
I have tried Livial however experienced severe headaches on this.
I sometimes feel so awful,and some days are a real struggle to get through. It is as though part of me has gone and I just want to feel well again. Help!
I go to the gym regularly and love Yoga and walking.

Had total hysterectomy at 38 and was given premarin with excellent results. Twice I've tried to come off, the longest time was for 16 mths, my symptoms of flushes, night sweats stress and lack of sleep just got progressively worse not better, I've gone back on it as life was becoming unbearable i was in a permanent hot lather even wearing natural fiber's and having just a sheet on the bed.im 65 this year and worried my GP at sometime might want me off it and i just couldn't go back to the way i was!!!

Is black cohosh considered to be effective for menopause symptoms, especially temperature control/flushing? Suggested by GP but just in terms of 'some people say this helps'. I'm dreading return of warmer weather as an unheated bedroom/thin duvet through the winter have meant I've been sleeping better for a few months...

Having a doctor phobia, I am unable to get on an HRT programme. When the hot flushes got too difficult to cope with I went to Holland and Barrett where they suggested I start taking Evening Primrose Oil and Soya Isoflavones. The hot flushes ceased almost immediately which is great and I have been taking the supplements for years now.

However, my moods are all over the place. I don't know if this is due to the menopause or SAD. Is/are there any supplement/s which could possibly help with this?

I'm 68 and had my last period at about 54. I had horrendous menopausal symptoms - flushes, sweats but worst of all panic attacks. Nearly had to give up my job as it involved public speaking. Tried all kinds of het settled on mirena loop with patches - and felt amazing. But 10 years on GP said enough - but I didn't realise that afterwards all the symptoms still come back. 5 years on and I still have flushes but much less. Avoiding alcohol (which I don't want to!) helps. I'd go back on hrt in a flash if I thought there was little risk.

I am sure I have posted before about my relationship with HRT.
I think I started trying patches (which fell off) at about 50 at the advice of a gynacological friend to start whilst still menstruating so that my oestrogen levels didn't deplete completely.
I was eventually introduced to Kliofem which I think I have been taking for 20 years now. There was horrible time when a temporary GP refused to give it to me with distastrous consequences, hot flushes, memory loss, tearing during sex despite using lubricants etc.
But I moved so all ok since.........

I started going through the menopause when I was 46, I am now 58.
I must admit I haven't had many problems. In the early days I had a few hot flushes and night sweats, and did get irritable. But on the whole these were manageable.

My doctor did put me on HRT, but it doesn't work for me. It makes me bleed constantly! I have tried various ones and they all do the same. I then gave it up and haven't been on it for over 10 years.

I would like to know why this is as I have never come across anyone else that has this problem. The doctors don't seem to know the answer either.

I went quickly through the menopause 42 so went onto HRT and after a HRT medication change a few years later I suffered hearing loss .I was not informed about any side effects

I would like to know how long you can stay on HRTI am 61. I am on Premarin which suits me very well, I have 1 and a half tablets a day. I have been on HRT for about 15 years following a hysterectomy at 40. I did try coming off it a couple of years ago. I could cope with the hot flushes but I became very anxious and did not feel myself so I went back on it. Even on HRT I have terrible dryness. A friend recently died of a DVT at 55 and it has made me question whether I should continue to take it. Any advice greatfully received.

Hi Dr Rosemary.

I was refused HRT six years ago. I was getting severe hot flushes and very fatigued all the time. The Doc (male) said I should "put up with it". I feel better now on the whole, the flushes have pretty much gone away, but I'm still lacking in energy and have overactive bladder, which is a nuisance.

I'm wondering whether to approach the doc again. Is it too late now, though? I'm 57, in good health, normal weight and fairly active.

Thanks in advance.

I have been going through the menopause for the last 5 years, I'm 48, the night sweats can happen during the day with puddles between my breasts. I'm happier as the last year my heavy periods which lasted up to 3 weeks have stopped, but with occasional spotting I feel better. I take Thiamin and Evening Primrose Oil and as I am used to sweats, acne flair ups I'd rather continue without HRT as a day will come and you stop and the joys or miseries of Menopause come back with a vengeance

I am 10st 9lb and 5' 6". Maybe cuddly but not overweight so I don't think that is causing my problems.