Has anyone every successfully "treated" there perimenopause/menopuase with suppliments, herbs and/or a lifestyle change alone?

If so, can you share your experience?

Thanks

Hi there,

I have gone it alone. I have come to the uncomfortable conclusion that menopause is the disruption of the way the body functions from an endocrinological point of view. Hormones are a formidable adversary so if you choose to do your 'time' without the help of HRT it is going to be tough.
For what it's worth these are the basic conclusions I have reached: Menopause is going to happen and if you are one of the unlucky individuals who is very sensitive to the change, the road is likely to be rocky.
No herb or regime has ever really helped me. Taking herbs, cutting out sugar or drinking lots of water is sort of like, fighting a forest fire with a watering can. Even supplements like black cohosh, a favourite with many women a few years ago, have been proven to be toxic to the liver.
It goes without saying that you should try to strive for maximum health at this time and allow yourself plenty of rest. The best possible diet can only be an advantage. If clinical depression becomes unbearable I think that it will need treatment.
If you do not attempt to lessen life stress at this time you are likely to crash and burn. Menopause takes no prisoners.
I see it as a process, a sort of horrid tunnel that we have to pass through. Trouble is there are no side exits to escape from. HRT will put you into a far more more comfortable
air conditioned tunnel next door but you may find that at the end of that tunnel you then have to pass into the nasty one again. Yuk! We women just can't win on this one!
For some reason gentle exercise like pleasant walks and a huge simplification of your life style seem to help.
I personally think that heavily symptomatic women should have access to EXPERT support and counseling to prevent them from becoming too anxious and distressed during what can be a nightmare for many women.

Sorry to seem a bit harsh and matter of fact on this one but there is no sense in filling you with false hope. Menopause is a mean business.

Take care,

XIII

Goodness,...hahah! Tell it like it is huh! All of a sudden super depressed ;-)

I think you view is someone skewed though

Our bodies are much better equipped to balance any "imbalance" if given the right tools.
Women made it through this "hell" year before any HRT. Of course it's not pleasant (believe me I know), but I am a firm believer that Mother Nature has a way of balancing.

Just as some women breeze through peri/menopause, I think some women can be helped with supplements and or herbs alone.

Yes, I suppose my view is skewed by my own particular journey which tips over into its 15th year in August. I suppose that is only natural. My opinion has also been affected by the struggles of the thousands of women I have had the privilege to meet over many years on PS. Believe me if there were a magical potion the clever ladies here would have come up with it, but so far it has been radio silence on that one. I am convinced that very gradually I am coming through all this and look forward to moving on with renewed energy to enjoy the rest of my life. Given that my mum and fathers mother had a torrid time in menopause I suppose I was destined to have a bit of bother by the law of genetics. The treatments for menopausal symptoms will all depend upon the severity in individual patients. For instance, I do not think that a menopausal psychosis would respond to herbs alone. Severe degradation of vaginal tissue due to low oestrogen is also unlikely to respond to supplements. Some supplements and even certain herbs can be poorly tolerated by a woman whose gut mucosa has been compromised by hormonal imbalance. I suppose what we are saying that it is horses for courses because menopause represents such an individual journey.


XIII

My dear Friend
Thank you for writing so honestly and yet fairly.Giving equal weight to women with severe symptoms,who may require HRT to those who make a slightly easier transition.
I certainly agree that walks and exercise along with a sensible diet is very helpful but unfortunately I never had success with Herbal supplements.
I do use HRT and cannot imagine being without it and yes you are right it would be very helpful to have more counseling resources available.
That is one of the reasons i like to be here on Power Surge.
We have shared a lot and honestly I have gained lots of information and feel safe which is something I wish for all our sisters.
Actually I do not think you are harsh but just telling it like it is!A long and rocky road.
I also sincerely applaud you for going it alone.

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

If you think XII view is a skewed one, why don't you share your "tools" of managing the "beast"?
I think we all here been through the h**l and back, myself included, and still no relief after extended period of time, for me, almost 10 years!
I have tried it all, and still eat healthy. always had, and no break, ups and downs, symptoms only get better for a short period, to become unbearable again, they always change, I never know what hits next and WHEN, this is the worst part of it.
I basically surviving, not living, I adopted very low key life: no socializing, barely going out, sleep when I am tired, cry when I am depressed, take Xanax to combat the anxiety...
I really wonder if there are women who breeze thorough the menopause, I have feelings now that those who tell you they have, simply not telling the truth.
I agree 100% iwth XIII, herbs can be more dangerous, and black cohosh, if you speak herbs, made me really sick and anxious.
If you do have good personal experience with menopause, please, do share. If not, take word of those who tried pretty much everything on earth and still struggle.

What XIII said

It's going to happen no matter what!!

yep, sooner or later

I also would rather keep my $$ because gee I won't be able to keep my mind

I've been off & on BHRT for ten+ years, because the final throes of peri made me non-functional in just about every way and post-meno because I can just get along much, much better this way. But, as much as I agree with XII, I wanted to offer what worked for me during the first 5 - 6 years of the peri rollercoaster.

For hot flashes and night sweats, I consumed buckets of soy products, and supplemented with both Remifemen and Estroven. After about six weeks, they lessened. I didn't know then about any effects of these things on thyroid function or liver health. They really helped, though.

For rages, I holed myself up away from loved ones as much as possible, writing myself notes not to believe any of the crazy thoughts I was having, but to re-visit them when I felt more sane since I believed (and still do) that there was something to examine and work through. If I could, I'd go to a movie, talk a walk, or just hunker down inside the house -- anything to get me in some sort of lockdown mode so I couldn't inflict verbal harm on anyone. When the storm passed, I'd apologize and enjoy my 'normal' time until some minor thing sent me off the rails again.

For vaginal dryness, I used Replens.

To help my system along, I eliminated caffeine, and processed foods. I started trying the walk more and much later, post-meno, joined a gym and developed a good workout program. I figured my body could use the extra support and also wanted to transition into my older years in optimum health. I'm really glad I did this.

For info, I read reliable books jotting notes as I went. I got informed before I talked to my MD; good luck lead me to a great practitioner. Be prepared to hunt around, asking Q's as you go.

For an overall game plan, I decided not to fight it and to accept all the misery my body put the rest of me through. Like XII, I know this is an endocrine firestorm, not some OB/GYN 'event'. It's a process of our bodies, sure, but it's also a mind and spirit deal as well. I wanted to tune into all of it and to be careful not to buy into any of the noise in my 'being' until I was out the other side. I decided going in that I would trust crazy symptoms to be part of the deal, but to check them anyway and see if I could make them better. I wrote notes to myself when 'sane' to reassure myself when I wasn't. Like those old movies when the safari leader prepares the others in case he gets the jungle fever.

For reference, I kept a simple log which I still maintain.

Peri was a thoroughly hideous time for me. It cost me productivity in all areas of my life, which I am still trying to reclaim after all these years. Two close relatives and two of my lifelong dearest friends just sailed through with only brief and slight problems. I hope you'll be that way, too, but if it gets bad, keep the faith. Keep coming back to PS; lots of information, insight, and support here.
GK

Thanks all for sharing. But I don't want this to be a "bash natural ways" thread. I would really like input on those who have done the natural route and what their experience was.

I personally know 4 women who are all in menopause who have not have one symptom. I SO envy them. They are not lying! Why would they lie?
Not clear on that accusation really!

Gill, thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad you started to exercise, it really does make a huge difference.

I too am not breezing through perimenopause. I am going through hell. It does hinder my progress and I suspect it will only get worse.
I'm so reluctant to start BHRT and want to try all other options first.

And you are SO RIGHT when you say it's so tough to find a great practitioner who gets it.
I'm close to getting my naturopathic certificate and was leaning more towards lupus/lyme treatment, but now with periMENTALpause on my doorstep and everything I am learning from it, I just may look more into this as a focus.

Thanks again everyone.

My tools are only being discovered as I'm just embarked on this journey. I can tell you one thing for certain though, I was 10 % functional when I was dx with lupus and them lyme. When doc's drugged me up, I became a shell.
When I took control of my health and got off all meds and healed naturally, I went from 10% to 90%
I am back to work full time, go to school and work out again (been a weight lifter for 11 yrs) after 9 months hiatus.
I also eat a super clean diet.

I'm not even close to being sure if a healthier body can combat this hormone beast, but I am sure willing to try.

I've only taken the word of a few peeps on this site and I can assure you, this site along with a few members does not a majority make

"I would really like input on those who have done the natural route and what their experience was."

I thought that is what XIII did!! You asked what our experience has been with "natural" remedies and that is EXACTLY what she told you.

Was it not what you wanted to hear?

I'm with her all the way! I tried just about everything "natural."

NOTHING put me where I needed to be!

So, why are you here?

No, all she said was she tried it all and no it's not what I wanted to hear. I wanted actual details of the experience.

What have you tried natural? Also, did you make lifestyle changes?

Would love to hear from both of you on this

Why are you so agressive? !
I'm here to get help for my peri just like everyone else

Cool with you or do you just want to cause trouble?

I too am searching for a natural ways of getting thru this. And though I have made various changes, adding supplements, some herbs, and even going organic, I am still dealing w/the effects of this. I am also now trying a acupuncture. Although I feel like I have such a long way to go to finding the answer, and I will never stop searching, I also feel the years of eating all the junk I wanted to, taking BCP for endometriosis for so many years, and not taking time out for myself has surely not helped me in my struggle.

When I spoke w/the acupuncturist regarding my symptoms, she had a laundry list of symptoms that could be checked either Present or Past or never. I did notice that many of my symptoms such has the acid reflux, IBS, frequent colds, have actually gotten much better. I told her that I was trying everything, and I was really upset that I was still experiencing the anxiety and the panic, that I know is all related to my hormones. She said to me, apparently I have come along way, it takes a long time for the body to get unbalanced, so healing is not something that happens overnight. I hope that she is right, and that I am still on that road to feeling normal again. The more and more I research though, the more I believe that I need sometype of progesterone support, but it will surely be bioidentical.

I am strong believer that there are so many toxins that we put in our body everyday, whether by ingestion or the air we breathe, and this truly put our hormones out of whack. I was dx w/endometriosis in 1988, and after surgery I thought that would be that, but nope, instead I had to go on a very high dosage of estrogen/progestrone for years. Honestly I think all of those years of being on synthetic hormones, along w/the health choices I had made in the past, have a lot to do with where I am at today. Is it soley, no, they don't call it the "change" for nothing.

It truly is a mind-body-spirit experience, and somedays the test on all three are almost unbearable.

I would truly like to know too if anyone sucesses stories, whether it be strickly natural and/or hormone supplementation..

Thanks and God Bless, and good luck...

More importantly, welcome to site.....

Was that not a legitimate question? Maybe I misunderstood your question. That is what I was trying to determine.

You asked others to share their experience with "natural" remedies, XIII told you what her experience was and you began, what seemed to me to be, slamming her, telling her that her view is skewed.

We all have our own "skewed" views, yours included............I thought that is what you were asking for. I can only give you information based on what my experience has been.

My apologies if I misunderstood and no, I am not trying to cause trouble. I'm trying to understand what you are asking.

I would love to hear more peoples experiences with both natural and hrt. I''ve been in peri for quite awhile but just now addressing it realizing its not going away by itself. I havent really tried too many things yet. I just realized today that white bread might be contributing to the bloating so I'm going to try to omit that from my diet I tried to stop drinking coffee but that lasted one day because I needed the caffeine. Has anyone found that makes a big diffference?
if Any one has any ideas of anything that helps with bloating I would appreciate it.

I also appreciate those who shared their positive experiences with hrt. I will keep an open mind
Thanks!

Re-life style changes, I am confused, are you seeking advise or you giving one? You asked to share, we did, we tried natural ways/
I am T2 diabetic, Dx along with perimenopause, I used to lift weight, exercise daily, ate very clean low carb diet and got diabetes anyways....
Seems to me, that you wanted to hear about "natural remedies" that work for women, there are many of us who eat clean diet and try to be active as much as their bodies going through menopause allow them, myself including.
I think diet and life style alone won't help with vaginal dryness, hot flashes, insomnia, obsessive thoughts, nocturnal panic attacks, jitters and shakes in the morning, etc, etc, etc.
If you talking herbs and supplements, vitamins regimen, it helps some, but not everyone.
Why you automatically assume that women who have tough menopause live on donuts and twinkie diet?
I hope you find what you were looking for, I recall you posted something on Prometrium, this does not seem to be natural way of dealing with the process, or perhaps, it was not your post..........
Good luck .

Hi Lara and welcome!
I believe if you read through this forum, there are dozen topic, threads, and hundreds of posts covering the subject, both natural and HRT.
I don't eat bread whatsoever, and yet, I get bloated, on and off, some days more than others. Coffee can make jitters and anxiety worse, makes sense to switch to decaf.
I don't drink coffee daily, but I was not much a coffee drinker even before, I prefer tea, black and green.
I believe bloating is 100% hormonal, and i wish I knew how to deal with it, so far, I have no remedy, drinking too much water does the opposite to me, makes me bloated as a baloon.
I have read they recommend to drink less, as our kidneys can't process water now as much as they used to, and constant changes in hormonal level results in water retention.
I no longer drink anything cold, it makes bloating worse, luke warm or hot drinks: tea, soup, milk, etc.
I started making vegetable juices recently, too early to tell if it will help. I know cukes and parsley help to shed water, will share the results as i go for a week or so.
I was too determined to toughen it up, been trying for a long time, still no improvement, although, I have tried BHRT and it was not good experience, I am considering trying something again.
Good luck finding whatever works for you.

Try mixing regular with decaf for awhile until you can get it right down to nothing but decaf. I have been off caffeine for a couple of years now and honestly do feel better for it. It seemed to take away some of the anxiety back in the day. Besides it won't harm you to lay off of it anyways its bad for ya .

I have tried several natural remedies including soy products, supplements, otc herbal creams, l-theanine, cutting out artificial sweetners, caffeine, processed sugars and God only knows what else I have done lol. Nothing ever made me feel great until I found a Aging specialist to work with my hormones.

I am about to attempt - or in the process, I guess - of attempting to treat menopause naturally. My working theory is this: great stress caused me to hyperventilate (overbreathe) for a period of months, lowering my level of CO2. After about 6 months of this, the levels had gotten so low that it began to affect my hormone levels. A huge oversimplification, but if I tried to explain all the minutia here it would become a book. However, there is a Russian article online here: http://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=515542
that lays out what I think happened to me.

The theory centers around the harmful effects of chronic overbreathing and attempts to correct it by simply breathing less. I know most of the women here won't be interested in talking about something as unsubstantial as breathing irregularities, but hey - if it works for me, and I will be posting the information as I go along, it may work for others. The article cite is below:

Until a doctor has knowledge about the essence of Buteyko method, he would have said puzzling:
what breathing has in common with gynecology?
Let me briefly outline the classical pathogenesis of gynecological diseases in the light of the
Buteyko theory. Imagine how negative environmental influence, in particular stress, affecting a
woman, makes her breath deeper which leads to carbonic acid deficiency. The logical conclusion
based on three Buteyko evidences proclaims that hypoxia, caused by the deep breathing,
interrupts acidic-alkaline balance and - simultaneously - metabolism of all systems, in particular of
hypothalamohypophysial system. That disturbs hypothalamus function which is to produce
neurosecretion. Normally neurosecretion induces the pituitary body to produce three important
hormones which in conjunction with oxytocine govern the workings of ovaries. The disturbance of
the pituitary body function leads to the interruption in amount of those three hormones production.

Ok, as simple as it was, now I see my mistake. You wanted to hear ONLY from those who have had success with herbs and/or lifestyle changes.

I guess I missed the if so part.

Sorry!

In other words, you only want the success stories.

My mistake!

Buteyko method I know is helpful for ppl with asthma, I am not sure if this has something to do with menopause? I have read about his theory of deep breathing causing problems.
Interesting, that most yoga practitioners recommend deep diaphragm breathing, that helps with anxiety, or breathing through one nostril.
Acid-alkaline balance is quite precise in the body, in fact it is so fragile, that slight deviation from the setpoint, will cause acidosis, so our blood pH is tightly regulated.
The disturbance in the HAP axes is in our DNA, either we run out of viable eggs or our body is programmed to shut down ovarian function at certain age, I incline to think of definite number of eggs that each women is born with.
It is not clear, if the ovarian function impact Hypothalamus and Pituitary, but I believe it is drop in estradiol that triggers H/P to release more FSH and LH, to stimulate ovaries to release an egg, and it is a vicious cycle. The H/P hormones are that place entire endocrine system into the overdrive, causing so called domino effect...
I think the pituitary insufficiency is not something common at normal age menopause, unless there are clear disturbances with HPA axis, it is a "normal" process to stop women from having children at older age.
JMHO

Peacesoul,

I think you have completely inadvertently hit upon a VERY touchy subject. Most threads that are about "natural" menopausal cures end up getting fairly heated. I think there are a few things you should consider here. 1. Most women that are current members of PS are having a tough time with their peri/meno symptoms...that is why they are here in the first place. 2. Many women who have successfully made the "transition" into post are gone, they don't come here because it gives them too many reminders of the difficult times they had.

I thought XIII's first post was excellent. She summed up the menopausal experience rather neatly I thought and I loved her analogy about the tunnels. I personally ended up jumping ship to the air conditioned tunnel next door but I was one of those unlucky ones who literally could not function in the world, period, without hormonal support. And even WITH BHRT I still have symptoms.

I know my friend Tidal Waves tried very hard, extraordinarily so, to do peri/meno naturally. It was painful, as her friend, to see how much she suffered. She finally broke down, under the pressure of some of us PS girls to get medical intervention and what a difference it has made for her.

I certainly had never "intended" to use hormones, I didn't use BCPs after I was 25! I thought I would just breeze through it. I expected hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings and irregularities in cycles....and was prepared for that. I was NOT prepared for anxiety and panic attacks - I had NEVER had such things before - I wasn't prepared for the dizzyness and off balance feeling that left me clinging to counters and walls for fear of falling over, I wasn't prepared for the feeling of being mentally detached from my body to the point I felt like I was on some funky drug trip. And on and on it goes.

I guess what I am saying is....the women who have gotten thru this change relatively easy would have no need to find a website like this. I am sure there are many women out there that have gotten thru this transition naturally and successfully, but perhaps you aren't going to find too many of them here.

Hi, what a beautiful post :-) Thanks so much for the input and the kind words

There is no doubt that years of "abuse" causes major imbalance and imbalance knocks off everything, even hormones. That's not to say the hormones fluctuations during peri/menopause can be controlled with a perfectly balanced body, but having a strong system can make for an easier transition, I would like to believe.

You brought up a GREAT point when you mentioned the toxins we ingest either by the air we breath etc. I'm sure many here already know of xenoestrogens which are in our food, water etc and when consumed, respond as real estrogen to the body. This alone can create havoc with the hormonal system. Reducing these pollutants alone can help with hormonal distress.

As for you personally, congrat on the lifestyle transition. The hardest part of change is to admit you need to change, the work then becomes a journey. It does take a while to get the body in balance, but once it is, it's so worth the hard work.


I think BHRT is a wonderful tool, My fear is to have to be reliant on it, for life, in certain cases. I was hoping to transition from this peri hell w/out relying on anything but my own being and mother nature. I'm not sure if that is possible, but like you, I'll never stop searching

I'm one year into working on my naturopathic degree so I am always searching for ways to heal naturally.

I really appreciate your post, thanks so much again :-)

Please keep me posted on your progress

White bread is not healthy, but would not be the sole cause of bloating.
A common cause of bloating is candida. Many MANY people have undiagnosed candida.
Candida causes major issues and mimic many illnesses.

Here are some of the main symptoms of systemic Candida.

Systemic candidiasis is an infection that infects more and more people every year. Systemic candidiasis is also an infection that most of the sufferers don't even realize they have until its too late. This is because the symptoms vary from person to person, and family doctors have no way of a diagnosis.

There are many symptoms associated with candidiasis (a yeast infection of the intestines) which include...

Gastro Intestinal problems such as: bloating, gas, intestinal cramps, chronic diarrhea, constipation, or heartburn
Chronic fatigue, especially after eating
Depression
Poor memory
Lack of concentration
Muscle pains
Rectal itching.
Allergies (including both food and air born)
Severe pre-menstrual syndrome
Impotence
Memory loss, severe mood swings, and feeling mentally "disturbed".
Recurrent fungal infections such as "jock itch", athlete's foot, or ringworm
Extreme sensitivity to chemicals, perfumes, smoke, or other odors
Recurrent vaginal or urinary infections
Prostatitis
A feeling of being light headed or drunk after minimal wine, beer, or certain foods
Aching joints
Irritability
Acne

You think?....HAHAH! I am frankly a little taken aback by the aggression with some of these posts.
I respect and appreciated that many here are suffering (as am I). I am truly sympathetic to "pain". And you're right, the ones who feel better no longer need answers.

I think hormones can be a wonderful thing, but seeking out success stories to alternatives should be a positive thing. I worry I'll have to make the transition to BHRT. I have the cream sitting in my bathroom just waiting for me, but I'm not feeling right about it yet.

You make great points and thanks so much for being respectful and informative......much appreciated.

:-)

Floater,

I am so happy you stepped in here! I had a feeling right up front that this thread was going in this direction when XIII's response came under fire. Her response totally summed it up for me and then I realized that this was about more than what meets the eye.

Her response did not come under fire! What are you talking about?!
My post came under fire by you.
I would really appreciate if you have nothing of substance to contribute here that you don't continue to make senseless posts in here.

I'm looking for insight not drama

Thanks

Oh my god!!! I have everyone of those symtoms except the male ones including the symptoms that dont go typicaly with menupause
like jock itch, &rectal itching. I went to a candida site and will start following the diet.
Thankyou so much for suggestiing this I think this could be a big part of my problem.

Welcome, there is more to ridding the body of the yeast. You can send me a msg if you like and I can offer you some other insight on how to kill the yeast.

:-)

How do you explain my symptoms, I eat yeast free diet and no sugar of any kind, barely any fruit
it seems to be that you are quite determined in GIVING ADVISE and not seeking one, as you posted how black cohosh made you anxious, and this plus soy supplements are the mostly famous for treating menopausal symptoms, add also dong quai and red clover.
if you concerned of BHRT, then why not to try any of the remedies, you already know about, given you taking naturopathic classes and on a way to get your degree...
the candida is an old and dead horse, somehow women had no problem eating sugars before menopause and it takes some testing before one is Dx with candida overgrowth.

All the symptoms you listed as candiditis, are symptoms of hormonal fluctuations and dropping estrogen, well, I had no PMS in my life before perimenopause started, then I got all the symptoms listed without eating sugar, yeast, etc.
it may sound not too pleasant, but I have browsed through your posts, and I am not sure you not seeking positive experience with natural menopause. As as BB, you already eat clean, i am sure, so this does not help?
Other women positive or negative expereince with BHRT, HRT, BCP, or natural treagtment IS NOT GOING TO HELP YOU PERSONALLY, you never know how is your body will respond, react to any of it.
Why don't yuou try it and see if you feel better, or, and BTW, anything that will help you, you will need to continue for extended period of time, once you stop, you symptoms will return.

regarding the yeast killing protocol, it is such an old and beaten to death horse, seriously, and IMHO, it is a snake oil. One has to eat nothing but meat and green veggies, some oil, and no other carbs of any kind. No aged cheese, no vinegar, nothing fermented............yawn.
Sorry I am not buying it, I have feeling you are trying to get business here....
XIII post answered it all, now we are going into something esle, and i don't see the point.
I.

I did not know lupus and lyme can be cured naturally, i thought Lupus is autoimmune disease and Lime can be treated with antibitoics.
Good luck with your naturopathic degree and finding your ways of healing naturally, keep reading this site, but you will see majority sufferers and minority healed.
The autoimune response during perimenopause, it is a typical side effect of dropping estrogen, which works as antiinflammatory agent in our body.
JMHO

I'm even reluctant to answer you since I can see you are looking for a fight, but I need to address your totally UNCALLED for and IDIOTIC comment about me trying to get business.
I'm 2 yrs away from getting my cert to practice and WHY ON EARTH would I try to drum up business with people who do not even live close to me?!
I've given my time and knowledge for FREE OF CHARGE to people have already send me a PM and will continue to do so

MY yeast protocol is a protocol used by MANY, and it not MINE! You're obviously a very BITTER person. Maybe you would get better if you can work on getting ride of some of your negative/hateful attitute.

And to answer your OTHER idiotic comments about lupus. I am not "cure" from lupus, I am now functional. As for Lyme, I did take 5 months of high dose cocktails of abx which did nothing but made me sick.
Ugh..never mind, I cringe wasting my time on people like you.

I will not address you again

Good, because next time you will need to watch your language, Peacesoul, as words like IDIOTIC will be sensored. I am not bitter person, but you came here ASKING FOR ADVICE and instead dispensing it, while bashing those who gave you an honest answer based on their experience and time spent in perimenopause. I am not asking you to reply to my posts, next time I will report your post to the moderator team, so watch your language.
You addressed XIII in a manner that
I never jump into conclusions until I see something like this, READ THROUGH THE FORUM, if you want to learn about other ppl POSITIVE expereince, you can dispense your advice here via PM, but once you get license, you may find some women quite close to you practice.

[quote name='Iradan' date='Jul 7 2009, 06:45 PM' post='295309']

You addressed XIII and TW in a manner that warranted response like this, no one was looking for fight, you brought it up, remember?
I hope you won't address me anymore.

Idiotic? Why would that be censored? Not picking a fight either but just curious...

Meh, don't even both engaging in crazy, you'll never win!

Iradan,

I saw this thread going in this direction from the very beginning. Notice when I asked Peacesoul what her purpose was for being here, after she negated XIII's negative experience with "natural" remedies, she accused me of being aggressive? I asked an honest question hoping for an honest answer. Although I personally did not get it, the answer was forthcoming in her later responses to lara.

I appreciate your candidness in tackling this head on. I do not have the knowledge or the experience that you do in dealing with these issues, but I do know the affect these issues have had on me and my family. Some being very serious!

These issues have to be approached very cautiously and most of all with the help of a licensed professional. Not that they know it all, by any means!

The responses that Peacesoul has received on this thread really concerns me. It borders on bullying and hostility. Honestly, I dont know what's wrong with the people on this forum lately, but you all seem intent on arguing all the time. I feel very sorry for peacesoul. I hope she continues to post and is not put off by your negative approach.

thank you......and thanks also to some of the members who msg'ed me advising that this is not uncommon behavior, so I don't take it personally. But not to worry, I'm not put off by it. My skin is thick and the attitudes that have been expressed here say more about the bullies than the bullied :-)

EP, I think it goes both ways. If you will read what I wrote in the very beginning, I asked a very legitimate question and in turn was accused of being aggressive. If I came across as somewhat curt, it was because of Peacesoul's negative response to XIII. Then, if you will look further, I think you will see that Peacesoul labeled Ira's comments as

IDIOTIC!

Borders on name calling if you ask me.

Why would you feel sorry for someone who initiated this whole mess in the first place?

Go to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd post. We were asked to share our experience with natural remedies. XIII was the first to do so and she was told that her ideas were skewed, off base, so to speak.

Don't ask someone to share their experiences and then poo poo them when they do.

You just had to share that openly didn't you.

Well honestly aren't all of our views and experiences skewed? I don't think it was meant to be an evil comment more of an okay it didn't work for you, now where are the folks it did work for. XIII's post was very well written from someone who has tried everything as many of us have. I know we need opposing views but the opposing seem to always take over every single thread. It's like a freaking tag team, one comes along and then the others follow. Those who have positive experiences get beaten down to the point they don't even want to keep up the fight. Accusing someone of marketing something is just tossing fuel on the fire. Where are the moderators because half of these posts should be removed?

Hi and thank you
I agree some of these posts need to be removed since they were only meant to cause drama and did not contribute to the topic of my thread.

I hope we can get back on topic.

I tried every herbal/homeopathic/lifestyle change/ayurvedic/dietary/etc. remedy in the book, working with a naturopath for several years, patiently giving things the recommended 6-month trial efforts...

Nothing truly eased my symptoms. It seemed to be a hellish process that it was simply necessary to go through. Ultimately, what helped the most was slowing my life down significantly, and giving myself permission to rest. After years of being active and engaged, this was very hard to do.

In the same way that we don't go through puberty with the very start of having periods, we don't go through menopause the moment we miss a cycle. These are processes that are complex, and vary based on each individual's make-up. I'm convinced there is a spiritual component as well.

I'm now 3.5 years post, and have had a significant easing of symptoms in the past year, most noticably, the energy to take on projects again! It's VERY encouraging.

JJ

Thanks JJ
You made a great point about slowing down and how about the spiritual component. Anytime the spirit is at unrest, the body always follows.

You are bang on as well when you say it's a hellish process that just needs to be gone through and though supplements and or herbs are not the "magic bullet" (though I think there are no magic bullets with any life challenge), I do think making the body stronger with great diet and exercise can make the "pain" less.