Hi.
I wonder if anyone can help, I’m very worried for my mum. She has just reached 50 last month. I think she is going through a beginning stage of menopause. I’m not sure, I’m very confused aswell, where shall i begin. It’s a sensitive topic, but there’s no one to ask in family. Doctor will do blood test in two weeks time as we cannot get earlier appointment. She last had her period in March 2014 this year, then didn’t have it for four months, then she started this period mid July, it’s 6 weeks now they are not stopping, she is currently on them and feeling really unwell. Saw doctor on Friday, she wasn’t very helpful, didn’t fully explain the menopause. she just suggested go for blood test first then will see, but was emphasising that mum should take HRT tablets but they come with really bad side effects too, or there’s d &c surgery, two options? . mum just wants a natural remedy without going on the meds route. just want the bleeding to stop. She’s having really bad sleeping problems, palpitations, headaches, tiredness, feels hunger pangs like as if her sugar is really low but when checked it is normal range. She is normal weight 50kg.
Anyone on here who can give advice? what’s best route of action, perhaps you know of someone going through the same phase? I’ve researched alot but its all really confusing. After mums blood results come back, then will meet doctor again and need some questions ready to ask her. Appointment will be in 3 weeks time. I would really appreciate if anyone can help.
Thanks in advance.
Re: Menopausal symptoms - Advice needed plz (ladies only )
Menopause is almost like going through your first periods again, ie the periods are always erratic and crazy. The blood test your doctor did for your mom will definitely help in diagnosing if your mom is definitely going through menopause, and it’s not God forbid something more serious, and after that the doctor will help suggest various methods, natural and medical, to help her through this transitory period.
First make sure your mom’s diet is good. She should be eating foods that are high in iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid. That is all because she’s losing blood. She shouldn’t get anemic due to to her ongoing periods. Make sure she drinks plenty of water and fruit juices. Ask your doctor as well if they can prescribe anything to stop the period for now, though I have a feeling he/she might not. Also ask your doctor if your mom needs supplemental iron during this time.
The symptoms you described sound like menopausal symptoms. For some women, if they’re lucky they get out of them in a few month, or as long as they’re going through menopause. For others it can be an ongoing thing. Your family will need to give her all the support she can. What I mean is that when she’s going through hot flashes, and it’s the dead middle of winter, she will want to open all the doors and windows, and it will annoy you, but you have to be patient. It will pass through within a few minutes. Heart palpitations, anxiety, tiredness and a lot of other symptoms are all part of this unfortunately. Try adding evening primrose oil as supplements. Also look into foods that are high in phytoestrogens, like soy. That helps with the symptoms. She will be going through a whole host of problems, and all of it will get annoying very very quickly for the family members, but remember all of it will pass. She herself should also be aware that she might go through memory loss, problem concentrating, sleep problems etc.
HRT is there, but like you siad there are lots of side effects. Risk factors for some diseases increase exponentially, while it protects from others. Make sure you do your research well and decide what is best for you. For some women, they must have HRT, but others can manage through natural remedies.
Another thing that your mom should keep in mind is the risk of osteoporosis. It increases at this age because the protective effects of estrogen are gone. So try to look for supplements that are geared towards menopausal age women. I know there are some that are made specifically for women 50+ . Also ask your doctor about what can be done to lower the risk of osteoporosis.
Here’s a few links that might help you and your mom.
Menopause - Self-help - NHS Choices
Phytoestrogen: Foods High in Phytoestrogens and Health Benefits
Menopause: Foods to Manage Symptoms at MedicineNet.com
11 Ways to Manage the Symptoms of Menopause
Re: Menopausal symptoms - Advice needed plz (ladies only )
You might find this site helpful: Menopause basics | womenshealth.gov
Irregular/heavier/longer periods are part of premenopausal symptoms. Read up on the internet as a starting point and then your mum can ask questions to her doctor about the particular things that concern her.
Your mum needs to figure out what is best for her. To be honest, it all sounds ‘normal’ and for women that chose not to go down the HRT route they do have to bear through this stuff for a number of years. My mum and aunts found Vitamins for Menopause | UK’s No1 Menopause Supplement | Menopace these tablets really helpful.
The blood tests and doctor’s apps are really important.
Re: Menopausal symptoms - Advice needed plz (ladies only )
Thank you so much for the much needed advice. My Mums blood tests came back normal, doc she is not going through the menopause .infact it only just happened triggered by stress. She is also low in iron calcium vit d, other than that doctor says everything is fine. She gave some tablets just to help with bleeding. I think They're called norethisone . As a family, we are still puzzled with her ongoing symptoms, she has been stressed before but never experienced this problem. Nothing out of ordinary has happened these few months, and she still has ongoing same symptoms. I will make another appointment for mum to see a different doctor to get a second opinion. really annoyed with doctors opinion, and really worried for my mums health.