sandpiper, my sister is doing well. Thanks for asking. She was very fortunate. They caught it in the earliest stage. Actually, the rdiologist who read her mammogram didn't catch it. By the grace of God she has all test results sent to her GP. He's the one whose keen eye caught it.

Chick, I think living a full life helps all ailments. Unfortunately, some ailments keep us from living a full life. I'm a firm believer in keeping the mind busy. However, I also believe we need to intentionally take time to dig within our souls each day. Being busy is good, but so is seeking peace to figure out what to keep busy with. Make sense?

Yes Chickadee:

What does influence the time of menopause? Genetics are a key factor. The age at which your mother stopped her periods may be similar to when you stop your menstrual periods. And, women who smoke cigarettes experience menopause two years earlier, on average, than nonsmoking women.

My grandmother had a baby when she was 50. My mom was pregnant with me at the same time! I can't imagine that! Once I reached 40, I was looking forward to my empty nest! Not adding to it! Lol!

Dotsie, I am glad to hear that your sister is doing great. I am still waiting for my mammogram appointment. I wonder why the radiologist didn't detect it, having read so many? Your sister was lucky her GP had a keen eye.

Your comments about being busy makes good sense. Digging within our souls helps create the balance we need to live the full life we so desire.

Wordcharmer, empty nest syndrome vs babies at 40 or 50? We need that time for grand babies, not more kids, don't we?

Anyone here have children later in life or a change of life baby as Mom's generation called it?

chick

Greetings!

I just met Dotsie last night and had to get onto this site. Thanks so much for making this forum possible. Keep up the great work!

I am 55 (look and feel 35), a holistic health educator and certified yoga teacher. I started having sleep problems at 50. Before that I slept like a baby. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC)--traditional herbs-- solved the sleep problem.

I have night sweats when I eat chocolate or spicy foods. The only other time is just before my period, when estrogen is at it's lowest. I'm working to balance that naturally and will keep you posted on my success.

I teach women that we have choices and what these choices are. It is not just a choice between an uncomfortable menopause transition or taking drugs.

Thank goodness we are all laughing about it, though.

You have questions--we have answers.

First for Dotsie,

When do the symptoms end? The menopause transition comes in three stages, perimenopaue, menopausal climax and post-menopause. Symptoms begin during perimenopause, a time much like puberty, where the hormonal balance is changing. Menopausal climax includes the actual date of menopause--one year after the last period. It also includes a year or two on either side of menopause. During the menopausal climax the symptoms are the most severe. Post-menopause is the rest of your life, when the changes are established and healthy women experience new ZEST!

Will the symptoms go away? That depends on many things. But the most important factors are healthy diet, regular exercise, stress reduction and positive attitude. Study after study shows these four factors to be much more powerful than HRT in promoting a smooth transition and a healthy life.

As this is my first post, I am may be repeating the closing, and it is worth repeating.
Remember: "It's not a hot flash, it's a power surge!"

Regards,
Joanna

Joanna, I'm interested in the chinese medicines you mentioned. Where do you buy them?

Joanna, I can't get into your website...

Welcome to BWS. You are in for a great experience here. You'll see. You met Dotsie? In person?

I am going to ask a question,so here goes.

My best friend cannot sleep. She gets very little and it interferes with functioning the next day, This has been going on for a few years. She is 51 and peri-menopausal.(we think) She has tried everything under the sun as is always opened to suggestions of what to do next. TMC?

What do you recommend and what has research said about it?


chick

Dear Chick,

Thanks for your question. I would love to be able to give advise but there are so many reasons for sleeplessness. Since she has already "Tried everything" I don't want to waste her time giving unhelpful suggestions. Like a doctor, I would need the whole story before I could make a diagnosis.

Sorry about the website glitch. I put the name in wrong, but it is now correct: www.yogahealth.us.

One book I recommend for anyone wanting to take control of her menopausal symptoms is Dr. Christiane's Northrup's "The Wisdom of Menopause."

Now let me answer the other question that keeps coming up-- What is TMC. You are probalby familiar with one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine-- accupuncture. Another aspect is a long tradition of herbal remedies. Dr. Northrup uses "Quality of Life Herbs" which you can find on the Internet. See also page 550-551 of her book.

Keep me posted.

Joanna, great seeing you here. Thanks for answering my question. It's something I've never been certain of in the past.

I take Yasmin, a low dose of the pill for peri-menopausal symptoms. It's working very well. It's interesting because the week I take the blanks I've awakened with night sweats. I can't believe what a difference the medicine makes.

Are you against taking the pill during perimenopause? If so, why? What would you recommend?