"Seeking Older Moms Going Thru Post Menapause"

Hi B....I am a ways from menopause as of yet, but my mother is 56 and all done with that now for the most part. What helped her with all of the dryness was Remi-Fen, soy and balck cohosh spplements, and fish oil. Her hair and skin became so dry and brittle at one point a couple years back it was scarey. Since starting these supplements in the last year, she now needs to wash her hair every day, and her skin is fabulous. I only wished mine could look so supple. Hope this helps, and hang in.

Low progesterone will cause these symptoms . Other hormones out of balance as well. Find a doctor that practices both traditional medicine and complimentary medicine. I like Dr Pauline Harding in Wheaton area.. Hope this helps.

Hi B.,

I am 37 years old and was forced into full blown menapause at the young age of 34 when I had my ovaries removed due to ovarian cancer. (I am cancer free now!) The manapause symptoms have been awful though; I had mainly struggled with severe hot flashes and night sweats. I finally went to my gynological oncologist and he put me on bioidentical hormones. It is a real low dose that comes in gel packets that you rub into your thighs. There is no risk, and the symptoms completely vanish. I would highly suggest that you read the book by Suzanne Somers entitled "The Sexy Years." She addresses the very thing that you are talking about, and how she overcame it by using bioidentical hormones. Good luck to you. Can you believe all the junk us women have to go through?!!

J.

Hi B., I am 49 had a hysterectomy last fall which is forcing the menapause to occur quicker. I had some symptoms before the hysterectomy. I also went through a Hyperactive thyroid about 2 years previous to the hysterectomy. Ireceived radioactive iodine treatment to kill a hyperactive node in the thyroid and now am actually hypactive and take thyroid medicine daily :( . I think we are similar in that I hate to be on any medications so I do not go to the doctor unless I feel it is absolutely necessary. Also remember that just because a doctor tells you to take medicine you are still the one to choose. That said I agree it could be your thyroid or hormones or just a need for some extra things in your diet. I take EFA (essential fatty acids) daily it has helped my skin and hair a lot. I do not like/want any hormone replacement. I think if we try to be in touch with or bodies we can learn a lot about what our bodies need to feel good.

Agree, get your thyroid checked, however, the best method is to take your waking temp first thing in the morning for four days. If your temp is below 98.0 for those four days, most likely an under active thyroid, which most doctors can miss on a blood test, take those readings to your doctor for a complete blood work up (not just your thyroid, get a full panel screening). Most post menopausal women will need some good fats in your diet such as evening primrose oil and fish oils to help balance hormones. Virgin coconut oil is also fabulous, you can go to www.bodyecology.com for more info as well as Mercola. Soy in its fermented state is best, NOT all soy is created equal. Miso soup, edamame is all good. You need to noursish your body from within, hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails are all key signs that you are lacking good fats, need key digestive enzymes and probiotics. If your body is not digesting foods properly, it will show up through your skin, hair, nails, among a few things. Good luck!

I would go to the dr. Symptoms sound like could be thyroid issues.

HTH

I am 50. The thing that has helped my "dryness" is working on the problem from the inside out. I take Omega 3's. I buy the Nordic naturals at Whole Foods but you can also get them on-line. It takes about a month before you start to notice a change. I also drink a ton of water and stay away from caffeine. A caveat is the omega 3's also help with positive moods and are heart healthy.

Hi B.,
I have partnered with an established Wellness company (22+ years) that offers all safe and healthy products. We have almost 400 fantastic non toxic, naturally derived and scientifically proven products that you use in your home everyday. We carry a fantastic line of natural vitamins that I have been using. dI already went through the stage you are at. On top of having a lot more energy my hair has gotten thicker and healthier and my skin is not dry. We also have EstraVal which helps greatly with menopuasal symptoms! I would love to introduce you to a safer and healthier life style. It won't take much of your time and I will be able to get you all the facts. Just give me a call, R., at ###-###-####

Hi, I'm 63 and have been where you are, try Nordic Naturals Ccmplete 3-6-9 they are essential fatty acids and when you need hormones go to a Dr. who will give you designer hormones not HRT.

Hi B.,
I'm fifty also. Have a lot of hair still but remember someone I know had hair loss and I am not sure what exactly she did, but here's what she does with herself. She walks, walks, walks. I have a son in the Navy,so I walk, walk, now, too and am thinking of doing more because that is the biggest stresser for me currently on top of the other one who just grauated highschool Anyway, if you do all those things that the ladies suggest (and there appear to be some great ideas) and perhaps walk, or dance or something that might kick up a whole feeling of well being. Plus try those fish oil tablets. And please let us know what else you are doing because I am sure there are many of us who need some of the advice you are seeking. So sorry if I didn't help directly, but I'm letting you you are not alone. And many of us could benefit from know ing how others have handled this menopausal stuff. Good luck!

S.

Hi B.,

You should ask your doctor for a thyroid test. Very dry skin can indicate a problem that could be easily treated with medication. Your husband is right, you should see a doctor.

please please go to your doctor. He can confirm with simple blood work whether you are really in menopause or not. Then talk with him. I had my last period at 42 - did 5 byears of replacement therapy and am now fine. Also make sure your doctor does a full thyroid panel on you. both hypothyroid (too little thyroid hormone) and menopause could be responsible for yur symptoms. so could other things. Get yourself checked out - you and your husband will be very glas you did

Hi B.,

I sailed through menopause using Shaklee products along with a lot of other women who were looking for natural alternatives during menopause and post menopause. If you are interested in providing me with your address, I can send you a Healthy Women's Booklet which shows what other women used to address issues like yours. Hormones are built from vitamins, minerals and protein, and your needs increase with more birthdays. We've seen people get results pretty quickly. One special favorite of a lot of women is a great cooling lotion for hot flashes.

I will be 50 this year! I take CoQ10, and soy vitamins. You can go to your local pharmasist (Osco, Walgreens), and they can take a blood sample, and tell you what vitamins would be appropriate for you. (if you want!) I didn't do that, I just heard that Soy, and CoQ10 helps during the menopausal stage! I am right there with ya!

I do know of someone who does completely holistic hormone balancing if you are interested. It is not regular medicine and creams like most will give you and have side effects. Its more homeopathic.

have you had your thryoid checked? this is thryoid signs and easy to fix and not scarry!
what did your dr say??? get to the dr and have some blood work done simple as that!
J.

Listen to your rock! Why are so many people afraid of medications? See your doctor and you can always get a second opinion. I am 63 and went through menopause and there are a variety of options for replacing hormones. Don't let some vague fears keep you from doing the reasonable thing.

B.-
I am hopefully a while away from menapause, but do have a dry skin problem at different times of the year. The suggestion of adding a fatty acid supplement seems to work well for me. I also recently discovered using safflower oil. You get it right off of the grocery store shelf and it won't cost you a fortune. A little goes a long way! It is not something you can use right before dressing as it is along the lines of olive oil. I keep mine in the fridge to make sure it keeps longer. If you like how it works, you can even get some essential oils in a scent that you like to keep you from feeling like a salad!
Most importantly, take care of yourself. Remember that just because a doctor has not told you of a medical condition that you have that does not mean that you dont have it!

B.,
Just another exciting time for us ladies!! My suggestion would be to focus on your diet. Not sure if this is part of your eating habits...focus on adding soy (non-GMO) not genetically modified and Omega 3 fats, and increase your intake of fresh fruits and veggies. Consume many daily. It should help with the dryness of the skin too.
Good luck!!
N.-Nutrition Naturally
www.jp4ahealthieryou.com

i'm not menopausal yet, but in my early 40s and have really dry skin, have had it forever. It seems to help when I take lecithin capsules with a meal during the day and a teaspoon full of Garden of Life's Cod liver oil (doesn't taste like fish-it's mint/lemon flavored) before bedtime. But my doc too tested me for thyroid function when I told him about the dry skin problems.

I would see your gyne, if you need a good one, Dr. Ranae Yockey is wonderful and she's located in Elk Grove, in the doctor's offices that are attached to St. Alexian Med center. She is a GREAT ob/gyne for anyone looking for one.

If you are afraid to go to the doctor for fear of what s/he will tell you obviously you KNOW something is wrong. Please go to the doctor before whatever you have gets worse. I had an aunt who said the exact same thing and as a result she was unable to have children ever. (She adopted) If she would have gone to the doctor when she first realized there was something very wrong that could have been prevented. Please go to the doctor - you can always get a second opinion! (or third or fourth...) Good luck!

Hair loss can also be too low of protein intake.

B.
I have found that Curel Life's stages lotion to be a God send. I only need to put it on once a day and my skin stays soft all day. Any other lotion and an hour later my skinis flaking and it looks horrible. In thew winter it has even split and bled, My doctor has me drinking more water and I have found that chewing gum helps with the dry mouth problem. For hot flashes since I can not take hormones I have found wild Yam root capsules are fantastic and dull them too the point you do not even notice you are having one. If youo go with the wild yam root buy it a a good health store. For my thinning hair I use Pantene shampoo and conditioner for thining hair it builds you hair up and makes it appear thicker than it is

Hi, B.. I am not post menopausal, but I do think you should see a doctor. Hair loss can be a symptom of many other underlying causes. If it is post menopausal, then you have the choice of using hormones, or not, but if it is something else, then you know and can go from there. Just remember, it is your health, and you make the decisions about your body. Good luck!

Now is the time to be very mindful of the skincare/haircare products you are using. Any of the ones made here in the US do not follow the European strict guidelines for chemical free products. These chemicals are estrogen mimics and will effect your hormones, resulting in more sever menopausal symptoms.

I am a rep. for Arbonne. We are a skin care company that is developed in Switzerland but made in the US. Arbonne's philosophy is to develop products that are Pure, Safe & Beneficial. We have products that will address all of your symptoms, hair loss, dry skin as well as dry mouth. I would be happy to give you more info. Just let me know. Good Luck.