Menopause/hotflashes, probiotics, maca

NWCountryGal

Has anyone tried probiotics and gotten rid of hotflashes? How about Maca Root? I heard this is good also. I have completely given up caffeine and alcohol in order to help get rid of hotflashes. I know there aren't that many women here my age but there may be a few that suffer or have suffered from extreme hotflashes. I've had them so long I have all but given up ever being rid of them and even with my nutrition turning so healthy since last May or June when I got busy on MFP, hasn't changed them. Or the exercise. I want to just, feel normal again:sad:

Anyone?

PS I have tried Estroven, Black Cohosh, and just about everything else except the two things I mention above. Also, I was able to be prescribed HRT but couldn't take it after a week as they brought back my migraines with a vengeance. So it was suffer the migraine or suffer the hotflashes (as well as the other symptoms) and of course I didn't pick migraine

gsager

Bless you heart. I've never had any hot flashes. For I while (10 years, I'm slow) I took bio identical hormones like Suzanne Sommers talks about in her books. Finally I had some blood work done after my doctor said, "let go of the feather dumbo, you can fly!" And found out that it was all a con. My hormone levels were they same whether I was taking them or not, i had spent $20,000.00. So sad. Now I take prempro. Good Luck!

NWCountryGal

Omgosh, that's horrible!! I mean the 20 grand not the fact you've never had hotflashes. I wouldn't wish those stinkin things on anybody:sick:

I've heard of Prempro and will look it up, thanks Gilda;) hugs, me

Chetanpayne

WEll, I have them too. All the time. Especially in the afternoons. I am getting use to them. I thought too, that with the EXTREME changes in my diet and exercise they would calm a lot, but that was what I got for thinking! LOL
I was on HRT for about 7 months but that was just temporary as my doc just wanted to sort of adjust me. He is not a fan and knows that HRT causes cancer or at least there is a significant number of woman on those pills that get cancer, especially breast.
So , he took me off. I pissed and moaned, but he really wants me to go the natural route and I am taking evestrel, natural hormones. They have helped a bit but I STILL have a ton of HF's.
I have never tried the other things you mentioned.
I think it is just one of those things we have to deal with. And being not as overweight, I really do not suffer like I use to. PLUS all the depression is gone. I had hotflashes and lots of HEAVY depression. That did go away.

good luck honey. I know how you feel there!

magairlin

I think it is almost impossible to get totally rid of hot flashes no matter what one tries but I did have some success anda lot of relief with a product called Olivia's Secret which is distributed by a company in California. If you google it you will be able to find it. It's a capsule and it is not in the least bit expensive so if it doesn't work too well for you you won't have wasted much money. I can't believe that I am actually advertising a product. That is not something that I would normally do but my life was miserable with hot flashes and Olivia's Secret helped and if it helps you I will be very glad. I seldom get hot flashedsnow thank goodness and don't take anything for them and I'm very proud that I came through without resorting to HRT or any drugs. Best of luck.

Oretexan

Hot flashes just started for me in the last month or so. I was hoping these things were something we only had to suffer for a short time! Reading some of y'all's posts I gather they can go on for years?!?

NWCountryGal

Thank you all so much;) I will try Olivia's Secret especially since it is inexpensive. Before I buy it I will see what's in it because some of the ingredients could be things I've tried. I so appreciate the info though and I am willing to try almost anything I haven't already:laugh:

denise
PS thanks again all you sweeties:flowerforyou:

Jenn728

I have really bad hot flashes and have been taking Evamist for the past couple of years. I love that stuff!!!! I don't currently have insurance so it's $100 a month but so worth it!

My cousin uses some OTC drops that go under your tongue that she gets from a specialty pharmacy.

I hope you get some relief :flowerforyou:

morticiamom

I've just been suffering through mine, and telling myself that with the heat production, and heart pounding, I must be burning some calories.

I just wish I could do something about the crankiness.

MissJanet55

I suffered mightily from hot flashes. The only thing that helped was extract of rhubarb; I had to get it from a naturopath. It didn't get rid of them, but they were less severe.,

When I found myself awake all night long because of night sweats I began getting depressed, and started HRT. It has made a huge difference for me. I am well aware of the risks, but sleeping is more important than I ever knew.

CarolM1224

Yes, I've had hot flashes for 15 years. recently I started taking probiotics for digestive issues and haven't had a single hot flash for about a week. I'm taking culturelle which is lactobacillis GG, a very specific probiotic which costs about a dollar a day. I also feel better in general. it's only been a week but hopefully will continue. I also take a prebiotic, fiber choice, and eat fruit and nuts when I take the probiotic. Hope this helps.

Melo1966

Yes, I've had hot flashes for 15 years. recently I started taking probiotics for digestive issues and haven't had a single hot flash for about a week. I'm taking culturelle which is lactobacillis GG, a very specific probiotic which costs about a dollar a day. I also feel better in general. it's only been a week but hopefully will continue. I also take a prebiotic, fiber choice, and eat fruit and nuts when I take the probiotic. Hope this helps.

Maybe this is why I have not had too many hot flashes, I take like 2 probiotics a day. I do get night sweats and become hormonal. My weight loss and slowed greatly this month. I was going to look into the cheapest OTC I could find to try.

Good luck.

fittocycle

Sugar and caffeine seem to trigger hot flashes for me. Stress does too.:frown:

I would be cautious of using Premarin or Prempro. Both are derived from horses. It can cause major issues for you if you are allergic to horses-no joke. It's not something the manufacturer makes known either.

TrailRunner61

I started having hotflashes about 6 (yes, !) years ago and had them every ten minutes with hives that also burned and felt like someone was jabbing me with needles, in July no less. After 2 years of suffering I was put on estradiol and zyrtec. Problem solved. Then, I found out that I have a genetic mutation that predisposes me to blood clots, so goodbye estradiol! Cold turkey. The hotflashes came back with a vengeance along with horrible night sweats. It sucked and still does!I'm now taking Estroven Energy and it works for me a lot better than the plain Estroven. I still have hotflashes but the night sweats are gone and the hives are still under control. Thank God for that. Maybe you can try it again? I also eat roasted soybeans and sometimes Silk Light chocolate soymilk, and they seem to help the hotflashes a little.
Now if I could figure out how to have a hotflash when I'm freezing. I can never make that happen. grrrrr
One odd fact for me is that I never have one while working out or for hours afterwards. Usually mine strike if I get overheated with a coat on or at the precise moment that I'm in bed and JUST get warm. It's so annoying!
Thank you for your post!

Edited to add: My Dr. told me that the symptoms would get worse with weightloss because your fat hangs onto estrogen and when you lose the fat, the estrogen goes with it. I believe that to be true for me, but I'd much rather have hotflashes -40lbs than to have them when I was heavier.

jjpavio

At 46, I've been having the odd hot flash and night sweats for about 2 years. I definitely find it to be worse in the morning - which suggests caffeine is not as much my friend as I think. I read the adequate Calcium & VIt D intake is helpful in reducing hormone related symptoms. So I've been very good about taking my supplements and eating yogurt everyday. (Are yogurt cultures probiotics?) While I cannot claim that I've endured anything close to what you describe, I can honestly say that cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, as well as taking my vitamins/yogurt do seem to help with my "middle age misery".

One a sort of related topic - I've been on MFP a month, and am now trying to learn more about the communities. I'd like to know if there is a group/forum just for more mature women? While I truly welcome any support from other members, I think it would be really helpful at times to chat with those who are at a similar point in their lives.

plumsparkle

One odd fact for me is that I never have one while working out or for hours afterwards. Usually mine strike if I get overheated with a coat on or at the precise moment that I'm in bed and JUST get warm. It's so annoying!

Thats exactly what happens to me!! If i get warm walking to work wearing a coat, i sweat for hours afterwards, and frequently wake up dripping with sweat, but the dr has done blood tests and says its not menopause related - i'm 44. But its been happening for about 2 years! The only advantage is that i can turn my heating down for a few hours most days because i get ridiculously hot otherwise!!

samb330

I am currently having one while I'm reading this. I've had them occasionally over the last couple years, then within the last month, it seems like I am constantly having them. So uncomfortable! Thanks for all of the suggestions ladies. I'm certainly going to look into trying some of this stuff.

Yvette_cy

I got rid of my hot flashes using Kefir, you have to make it yourself and drink a glass every day and they should vanish within a couple of weeks, I discovered this by accident. I know it works because if i stop taking it or have to have a course of anti-biotics then they return straight away and go again once I resume the kefir intake. Hope this helps you ladies because I tried everything and nothing else works, but this does!

2manyhats

I was having wicked night sweats for a few months, during the summer of course. Started adding flax meal to my breakfast and no more problems. That's the only change I made. I am 49. Like previous poster said, I would love to be able to turn them on when I am freezing. LOL!