Natural Supplements for Hot Flashes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Natural Supplements for Hot Flashes?

Marilyn

Veteran

I'll be 56 in a month and I'm deep into peri-menopause. Recently my hot flashes have become very intense and frequent. I'm not feeling great and it's causing anxiety. A year ago I started a stage where I went 6 months period free. Then it came back. Now I'm about 2 months period free and feel like I might be experiencing some sort of hormonal shift. I'd been managing ok with the various symptoms up to this point.....except for sleep. Maybe I'm getting close to the end??

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone who's gone through this had any luck with natural supplements to get through this stage. Any thoughts and advice would be welcome.

I'm already aware of various coping strategies....and I exercise regularly (am not over weight), eat very well, do not smoke and have decreased my caffeine and alcohol consumption. I recently started working on mindfulness meditation for my anxiety.

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Marilyn

Kate

Veteran

Once my periods started to fluctuate, I started taking Black Cohosh, and took it daily for a couple of years. I never had hot flashes or night sweats, both of which my poor mother suffered from mightily, even though she took HRT. I don't know whether or not the cohosh played a part in my escape from those twin miseries, but it might be worth a shot. I opted for the natural supplement since I did not take HRT. The worst part of peri-menopause for me was absolutely crushing fatigue in the beginning.

Marilyn

Veteran

Thanks, Kate. There seems to be good anecdotal evidence for black cohosh. I'm going to try some. I really don't want to do HRT or any of the prescription stuff either so hopefully a supplement will at least tone down the symptoms a bit. Fingers crossed.

Anonymous

I'm finally through the tunnel now, but anxiety was at its peak during menopause for me too. I wasn't able to take any "natural" supplements as I take a prescription that doesn't react well with those kinds of things and have to be very careful. My doctor is also not a fan of natural products - whatever.

I didn't have any hot flashes, so just toughed it out. I don't have any solutions, and the only thing that helped for me was simply time. I probably drank more wine than I should have , too . Just saying .....

I'm sorry you are having a tough time of it - it's not a lot of fun, is it?

Glory

Veteran

I have a serious time with hot flashes and night sweats. They have been going strong for about 8 years with no real end in sight. For two years early on I used a supplement called Promensil. I started with regular strength and after one year moved to extra strength. This was recommended by my GP and it helped considerably until it just stopped working for me. I was able to purchase them at the drug store but Costco pharmacy also has them (behind the counter) for a better price.

Marilyn

Veteran

Lisa......No, not fun. It sucks pretty hard. I'm guilty of self medicating with substances too. I talked myself out of wine last night because I was afraid it might make the hot flashes worse. A glass of wine temporarily gets rid of my anxiety and headaches so it's definitely a crutch. I also use cannabis oil for sleep. I still wake up two or three times but I'm able to go back to sleep and function the next day. Without it I get very little sleep and I'm a mess. I have a friend who keeps tabs and keeps me accountable though which is great. I'll get something like a, "when's the last time you tried a drug free night (it was Monday....didn't go so good). I'm happy to hear things improved for you with time....that's encouraging.

Glory......Oh my gosh. That's terrible and so discouraging. I'm so sorry. I've been having hot flashes for years but recently they've become just nuts. I keep hoping that at some point I'll get to the other side and feel normal again. Thanks for the Promensil recommendation. I'll check into that one as well. Take care.....and I hope this gets better for you as well.

Anonymous

I've been experimenting with CBD oil too for a little while now. It seems to help me get to sleep faster - but I can't really figure out if I feel better one way or the other....

Anonymous

I'm not at that stage of life yet, but have heard that soy is helpful for menopausal symptoms. https://www.webmd.com/women/ne.....ot-flashes

Marilyn

Veteran

Suntiger........Yes, they do say soy can be helpful. Like all this "natural" stuff there aren't any real concrete studies yet.....mostly anecdotal. I DO get some soy into my diet. I lean pretty plant based in my diet and occasionally do tofu as a protein source. I've finally figured out how to make it tasty. I also do a lot of smoothies for lunch and sometimes throw a piece of tofu in instead of protein powder.

Lisa.....I've played around with CBD oil a bit too and I haven't figured out if it's worth the $s or not. At first I thought it maybe gave me a little bump but I'm not certain it's not just in my head. Some people swear by it so who knows. I don't generally have trouble falling asleep initially because I'm always exhausted. But I can't stay asleep for long. I take about 8-10 mg of indica oil or a capsule at bedtime and it kicks in about the time I would be waking up. It's certainly not something I want to do for too long but the alternative is me not being able to string a sentence together the next day. People actually notice because I'm out to lunch. It's occasionally embarrassing.

lisaflex

Veteran

i take OTC estroven - it helps - doesnt get rid of all symptoms. helps a bit with hot flashes

Marilyn

Veteran

Lisaflex.......Thanks! I've seen Estroven mentioned a lot while scouring the internet. I don't expect any of these things to be a cure all but a bit of relief would be welcome.

Kate

Veteran

The primary ingredient in Estroven is black cohosh. It's much cheaper to purchase black cohosh and take that. There are plenty of reputable manufacturers of the supplement. I used the Nature's Way version, but Swanson's, NOW Foods, and Solaray all make good products. Good luck!

Marilyn

Veteran

Thanks, Kate. I've got a bottle of the Nature's Way black cohosh arriving from Amazon tomorrow. So, I'll give that a go first and see what happens.

I was just looking at Estroven and I see that Canadian versions differ a bit from the American. I'll have to investigate that further. Probably an FDA thing.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Have you tried Melatonin to help with your sleep?

Marilyn

Veteran

Cardiff Girl......Yes, I did try Melatonin for sleep. Unfortunately it didn't help. I didn't want to go with the OTC sleep aid route because they often leave you groggy in the morning. The cannabis oil wears off before I wake up with no after effects so at least I feel somewhat rested.

I just started with the black cohosh today. Only time will tell if it does anything for me but some women report that their sleep improved so we'll see.

cindysmith

Veteran

Black cohosh for the hot flashes, and Sertraline (zoloft) for the anxiety, rage, and mood swings.

Before I learned about the black cohosh, I would be sweating in the walk-in cooler where I work. Of course, my husband and his best friend took it upon themselves to mansplain to me that inside a walk-in was THE place to have a hot flash. Until I explained to them that
A) they needed to shut the he!! up about things they had no experience with
and
B) that it sucks having a hot flash in a walk-in because I'm burning up from the inside but the sweat on my skin has my outside freezing to death
Apparently, the sertraline dosage isn't QUITE enough for the rage-y mood swings bahahahahahahahaha
Needless to say, they shut up; and they leave me alone now
Sending (((hugs))) because I'm right there with you

Marilyn

Veteran

Awe.....hugs back to you Cindysmith. That's exactly what I tell people....burning up from the inside. It's so intense. And no, men don't get it. I think they try but they have no frame of reference for our hormonal stuff.

I'm not "rage-y" and I've always had mood swings to a certain extent. I'm not sure how much of the anxiety is hormonal and how much is just from being stressed out about feeling sh*tty all the time.

What dosage of black cohosh are you taking?

cindysmith

Veteran

I have no idea what dosage of black cohosh I'm taking. I am taking remifemin AND a black cohosh capsule that my pharmacist recommended. I have also gotten my doc to up my dosage of my gabapentin because there is some evidence that gabapentin helps "treat" hot flashes (whatever that means). I was already on the gabapentin for my sciatic nerve pain, so she just increased me from 200 mg to 300 mg. Something is helping, because I seem to be having less intense hot flashes, and I have actually started wearing my jacket in the walk-in cooler I work in, so something is working. I hope something suggested here helps you, too

Anonymous

hugsMarilynMenopause can go on forever. My DSIL started in her 50’s and is still having terrible night sweats almost 30 years later. Her DH begged the doctors to keep her on Hormone Replacement, claiming she was impossible to live with without them. Her doctor said she may have menopausal symptoms the rest of her life...not unusual.
My own journey has not been quite as bad. I have not tried any natural solutions because it can cause havoc with other meds. A generally healthy lifestyle with regular exercise is worth a try. I still take hormones in the most gentle way...vaginal pills a couple of times a week for vaginal dryness and it also prevents hair loss.

Marilyn

Veteran

Thanks, Joy. Thankfully I'm not on any prescriptions meds so I don't have to worry about interactions. I rarely take anything other than my daily vitamins so I don't love playing around with this stuff but I need a bit of relief at this point. Healthy living is my thing and something I'm passionate about so I've got that covered. I noticed after my last gym session that I didn't have a hot flash for several hours after.....I think I read somewhere about vigorous cardio being helpful. I was joking with my husband that it's too bad I can't just exercise all the time because it's good for whatever ails me. If I arrive with a headache it's gone by the time I leave.

Your poor SIL.

Anonymous

I feel so bad, because I never had hot flashes. I went into menopause in my late 40s (now in my 60s) and I remember the doctor asking me about my symptoms. When I explained that I hadn't any, he was worried and put me on progesterone??? (I don't remember) as a test to make sure . Well I never got my period after doing the test twice, so he just said that I was one of the lucky few.

My poor mother suffered as did I when I had to endure the sub freezing temps in the house when she was having a hot flash.

I don't know what I had done differently from others, but I stayed on the pill and when I went off I never got my period again. I do exercise regularly and the only thing I had ever supplemented in my diet was flaxseed meal and CoQ10. Still use both to this day.

Marilyn

Veteran

danusia.........Wow! You really did luck out. I'm super jealous! It seems like women experience everything from terrible symptoms to hardly any and everything in between. I wonder if the pill helped to keep your hormones level. We went the vasectomy route so I haven't been on the pill for over 25 years.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I used Black Cohosh (needs to be a high enough potency to work) for a few years and it helped quite a bit. Then I felt like I should take a break for a while and I did get more hot flashes, mostly at night. So I investigated more and ended up settling on Red Clover capsules - which I feel is more in line with what I needed. I only take one a day though - for some reason more doesn't seem better for these, where as the BC I seemed to require more. I can't say I never experience a mild hot flash, but probably no more than my DH does at night - so who knows. In fact, I think I get just as many cold flashes (and maybe the hot ones too) due to having chronically low iron that is difficult to treat in my case. It can cause both hot/cold flashes. I also take low dose of sublingual DHEA and I take magnesium nightly.

JAileen

Veteran

A friend said don’t raise your arms over your head when laying down. That can cause hot flashes, apparently.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Also, I'm not sure I had mood swings so much but maybe mild depression for a few years? Talking about how you are feeling openly with your significant other or a close friend is recommended. Now I'm into learning guitar, singing and doing more "fun" things and I don't feel depressed unless someone is dying or something specific like that. I do take B vitamins once in a while too and eat a very well balanced diet with PLENTY of fiber. Fiber is also a key thing to keep your body and hormones balanced. Track it for a couple of weeks to be sure you are getting at least the minimum recommended which I think is 20-25 grams for women each day depending on how many calories you eat. Harder than it seems if you don't like to eat a lot of fruit (due to fructose content). I do eat one serving of fruit a day - sometimes two. Plenty of vegetables, potatoes, brown rice, oats or things like that. I personally can't eat nuts but those may be good for many people too.

jasmine

Hi Marilyn. I'm going through peri-menopause myself and can totally sympathize with how awful hot flashes can be! I used Dr Barbara Taylor's book "Menopause: Your Management Your Way" when I was trying to work out how I wanted to deal with these and other symptoms. I ended up deciding to use HRT, but there is a lot of info in the book about supplements which you might find useful. She also has a YouTube channel which covers basically the same material as is in the book. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you!

Marilyn

Veteran

Thanks to all for sharing your stories, recommendations and support. I've been on the black cohosh for not quite 2 weeks now so it's still early in this experiment. I don't seem to be getting hot flashes during the day any more....still getting them in the evening and at night....occasionally first thing in the morning. They don't seem to be quite as intense....not sure if it's just in my head.

JAileen.......Interesting! Haven't heard that one but I'll certainly keep it in mind. I DO lay like that sometimes.

jasmine.......Thanks! I'll check that out. Knowledge is power, right.

texstyle.......I'm taking Nature's Way Black Cohosh, 540 mg capsules. They contain root powder which I THINK is different than the tablets that are lower dosage. Not sure. It says to take 1 or 2 per day. I've started with 1. Thanks for the Red Clover information. What dosage are you taking?

Great advice re depression. I've always been prone to mild depression. I'm adopted and just got connected to some of my birth father's family in February through 23andMe. Apparently he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I'm definitely not bipolar or manic but I've been thinking about how carrying half of his DNA could possibly affect my mental health.

I'm very into health and fitness and I eat very well....largely plant based....so I'm probably good for fiber. I take calcium, magnesium, D, and biotin (for skin, nails hair) daily. I'll check out the other things you mentioned. Thanks!

jasmine

Back again! I was just searching on Amazon for the book I recommended to you so that I could send the link to a friend, and discovered that the latest edition is not available on the US Amazon site for some reason (though it *is* available from Amazon in Japan, where I live). It can be purchased directly from Dr Taylor's website, so here's the link in case you or anyone else is interested: https://menopausetaylor.me/

Marilyn

Veteran

Thanks, Jasmine. I just checked Amazon Canada and they have it listed at $290.00. Whaaat! We get crazy prices sometimes for things that aren't coming from within Canada.