I just turned 49 yesterday, and I am in my second year of menopausal symptoms.  I began with irregular cycles and hot flashes.  I had hot flashes, and I tried Revival, and the hot flashes stopped but I don't know if it was from the Revival or not because I quit taking it and the hot flashes didn't return.  Neither did my period, for six months.  I actually thought it was over! Then my period returned VERY heavily, still irregularly, and so did the hot flashes ... BADLY.  It is very uncomfortable to be sitting in polite company and suddenly have sweat start running down your body.

I have ordered more Revival to see if it will work again. HRT is not really an option for me because my mother had breast cancer.  But this is my question ... DO THE HOT FLASHES EVER END?  I ask this because after my mother had breast cancer, at age 70, she tried to stop the HRT and started having hot flashes again!

I know the duration of these symptoms is a highly individual thing, but is there an end to it all?

TIASharon

Hi wintersky,Yes, there is an end ! But like you say, everyone is an individual and it's not the same for everyone. I think your Mom had hot flashes because she suddenly stopped the hrt. I read that it doesn't matter what your age -  when you go off hrt you experience meno symptoms . The hrt just prolongs this process. I do think your hot flashes may continue until several years post menopause - but maybe not ! I take black cohosh in addition to the soy and it does make the flashes less intense. I do still get them but it's alot more bearable.That must have been frustrating to all of a sudden start your periods after not having them for so long. It's been 7 months since my last period - I hope that doesn't happen to me!

Suzie

You are right, Suzie, it was really awful getting periods again after so long! I had begun to feel so free! I felt really rejuvenated, as silly as that may sound.  Anyway, I'm working on the hot flashes with revival, with diet and with exercise.  If I have any success I will let you know!

Sharon

WinterSky, your story sounds a lot like mine.  My period had stopped for about 9 months or so (as I remember) and then they returned.  I had also started on Revival by then.

The good news is, that after a couple months of these awful periods, mine did go away for good.  

I'm still on the Revival, though I was off it for the last several days while I was travelling.  I'd had good intentions and taken my shakes and a little blender along with me, but I never seemed to find anything to mix with it.  Anyway, the upshot of that is that now some of my intense itching (my worst meno symptom) has come back somewhat.  I know that thse will get better again after a few days back on schedule.

I think that the hot flashes will eventually stop on their own, but as with my itching, I'm not taking any chances.

I hope that your periods WILL stop for good soon.  You're right, it's such a much better way to live, period-free.

Itching? I didn't know that was a side-effect of menopause! But I DO have it!  Worst is the foggy thinking.  I'm lucky because I work at a high school and so many of my coworkers are in the same age group as I am, so when I goof up I just tell people to come back in a few years!  Anyway, thanks for the hope that it will end soon.

Sharon

Oh, my  .  I can really relate to all of you !!  I am 2 years post with many hot flashes , sweats and itching. It is not getting any better.  I am going to try some black cohash.  What is the dosage needed?  It seems to be reasonably priced in some of the mall large vitamin stores.  Help.

Whitney, Dearest has compiled a wonderful list of things to help us with various symptoms.  You can find the complete list at Power Surge Recommendations.  It's also on the Power Surge Quick Links at the top right of every page here.

About black coshosh Dearest writes:

Black cohosh:  a hormone precursor which some find it excellent for treating menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and depression. Black cohosh is said to relieve vasomotor symptoms and depression. Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has been valued by many societies, including the American Indians, for its nutritional support of the female reproductive system. It was also made into a poultice and applied to snake bites; hence it is sometimes known as snakeroot. Modern natural health enthusiasts, like those of the past, use it to nourish the female system, helpful for hot flashes, hormone balancer, nerves,  spasms. Black Cohosh is fairly well studied in Germany, where it is used to treat hot flashes. Experiments have shown that the herb has substances that bind to estrogen receptors in animal models and lower LH (a hormone which is elevated in menopause) in both animals and humans. Remifemin is a popular brand. There are other good standardized brands of black cohosh which provide the same effects at a lower cost. Caution: Black cohosh can cause lowered blood pressure when taken at high doses.

Black cohosh is also a part of the Power Surge Active Women's Multi Vitamin, also listed on the Power Surge Recommendations page.

I didn't remember all that info about black cohosh, Mary ! Thank-you for reminding me! I remember reading Dearest's recomendations but at the time I wasn't using the black cohosh. Maybe that's what's been helping my nerves and anxiety ! I thought I was feeling better because I haven't had any periods for 7 months. I think now it's probably the black cohosh! I've been using it for about 3 months.

Suzie