Re: where to get the black cohosh: cvs or Whole Foods will have it.

I’m 53 and after suffering with hot flashes off and on for about 4 years I finally started HRT last week. It hasn’t worked yet. We’ll see.

As far as supplements go, some women get help from black cohosh, but it didn’t do anything for me.

I was having 10+ hot flashes a day. They were awful…I couldn’t do anything until they subsided and I was left sweat soaked. I already didn’t drink, was down to one cup of coffee a day, and exercised regularly so no changes to be made there. My gyn discussed the risks from HRT and said that they were minimal given that I was starting 10 years of menopause, I was under 65, and I planned to take them for the least amount of time necessary (we will reassess after 5 years). She also put my lab results and family history into an assessment oil that said I had practically no risk of cardiac issues.

I have no regrets so far. Hot flashes are gone and my sleep is much better.

My hot flashes were getting to be more frequent, and - advised by my doctor- I gave up alcohol and caffeine. They went away. I was having 1 drink a night after dinner about four times a week, but was drinking 2 cups of coffee a day. Switching to decaf was easy, and there are tons of non-alcoholic options. My doctor said alcohol consumption - even in moderation can increase hot flashes.

Veozah

If the risks seem worse to you than the symptoms well then.
Black cohosh did squat for me.

Anonymous wrote:HRT has many benefits including possible reduced risks of dementia and maintaining bone density.

Can you link to a source on dementia?
Also, doesn't more hormones increase your risk of cancer and blood clots?

Get your physical health and fitness into best condition. Clean up diet, no alcohol, exercise every day. Then if you still have hot flashes you can consider HRT.

Re: HRT - Both my mother and grandmother died of breast cancer post menopause. My 40 something cousin on that side now has it - she had premature ovarian failure. I also did 3 rounds of IVF in my late 30s to conceive my child.

In addition, I have heart disease in the family as well. I get migraine with aura and have (treated) high blood pressure. As a result of these things, I was advised to stop taking birth control pills at 35.

For these reasons, I am not pursuing HRT. My doctor says that it would be ok for a short time if my symptoms were really debiliating. I am 48 and in the stage of peri where my periods are like every few months. I do have hot flashes, but they are no debilitating. Avoiding alcohol and getting exercise have seemed to help me.

HRT is not for everyone and there are valid reasons not to take it.

Anonymous wrote:I will never understand why so many women put up with debilitating symptoms when HRT is safe and available.

Some can't because of a previous cancer diagnosis.

For those going on about how “safe” HRT is, what say ye about all the studies that find an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and also an increased risk of both ovarian and breast cancers? I’m not trying to argue, just curious how you work this out to be ok. The number one killer of women is heart disease so I’m not keen on things that increase my risk of cardiovascular ailments.

I will never understand why so many women put up with debilitating symptoms when HRT is safe and available.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - in what form does one take Black Cohosh? As a supplement in pill form? As a tea? Also would welcome suggestions where to buy it from. Thanks for all the suggestions, really appreciate them. Going to start carrying a fan with me!! And maybe will try HRT after all. I thought it was related to an increased risk for some types of cancer though?

Pill. Look on amazon for reviews. I tried Natures Way brand. Those cancer HRT studies are outdated. Research newer studies and talk to a specialist or three.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate the patch and having to be careful so it doesn’t fall off. Op, try black cohosh. It may or may nowkrk, but you have to try. Invest in a portable fan. Dress in layers. Drink cold liquids. Excercise regularly and eat healthy.

What are you doing that the patch falls off? HRT has been amazing for me. I have the opposite problem that the patch is really sticky and I have to rub off the glue from my skin when I peel it off. Sometimes I can see the rectangle shape after peeling it off.

Long hot showers. I still have the glue circle that i rub off. The entire process is just so inconvenient to me.

OP here - in what form does one take Black Cohosh? As a supplement in pill form? As a tea? Also would welcome suggestions where to buy it from. Thanks for all the suggestions, really appreciate them. Going to start carrying a fan with me!! And maybe will try HRT after all. I thought it was related to an increased risk for some types of cancer though?