Questions & Answers : menopause symptoms, hot flashes

Intense hot flashes

Editor — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:22:00 GMT

Question:

I'm 36. I am experiencing some rather intense hot flashes. At least, I think they are hot flashes. My face and chest area is on fire a lot of the time, and I can't seem to find relief. They last almost all day and night. I had a partial hysterectomy three years ago and I think it has sent me into menopause. I am experiencing a lot of anxiety as well, because the burning on my face and inside my chest is worrying me. Is this a normal symptom of menopause for some women? I also have the fuzzy thinking thing going on. I just want to know if I'm okay or if I should see a doctor. I can't afford to go unless it's absolutely necessary

Name withheld

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Answer:

You’ve put us in a tough spot. Our baseline advice is always: See your doctor. The symptoms you’ve mentioned are consistent with perimenopause. But when it comes to health, there are a multitude of variables. While we don’t see any cause for immediate concern, that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. We appreciate your financial limitations; is there a health clinic you can go to for a reduced-rate checkup?

Bad body odor

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:41:00 GMT

Question:

Is it part of menopause to have BO (body odor) in your underarms?

Sandie

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Answer:

We don’t know – maybe? It’s not a common side effect, but irregularity in hormones can lead to acne and hair in unexpected places. It seems reasonable to think body odor might also be affected. But if you’re concerned, by all means speak with a physician.

Day-long hot flashes

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:32:00 GMT

Question:

Can you help me about hot flashes? I have them all day.

Help me.

Judy

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Answer:

The answer to your problem can (hopefully) be found at your doctor’s office. The good news is that hot flashes are very typical side effects of perimenopause. That said, you should see your physician to be sure nothing else is going on. Medication may be the answer. Regular exercise, identifying and avoiding hot flash “triggers, trying to stay cool day and night, and keeping your inhalations slow, deep and calm when you’re struck by a hot flash can all help.

Early Menopause at 23!

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:59:00 GMT

Question:

I went to my gynecologist yesterday because of a lot of things that I felt were not right: mood swings, hot flashes, very tender breasts, lots of anger and frustration over the simplest things, no sex drive, insomnia, and a change in vaginal mucous. After doing a few tests, my doctor told me that I am going through menopause. I am having a really hard time with this since I am only 23 years old. I have two children and my youngest is just six months old tomorrow. I’m still breastfeeding him. My doctor told me that the sooner I wean my son the better it will be for me, due to breastfeeding decreasing estrogen levels. He also put me on Yasmin (bcps). I still have a lot of questions that I want answers to and, of course, did not think to ask them yesterday. I am having a lot of trouble dealing with the fact that I am going through menopause at 23. I am very thankful that I have two children, but I may want more children later. Do I have any chance of having any more children, and why did this happen to me at 23? I am a nurse, so don't be afraid to send anything. I can pretty much figure out a lot, but I guess I am having a lot of emotional problems right now trying to deal with this (I feel even more sorry for my poor husband – we've only been married for four years and most men don't have to go through this for about another 20 years).

Krystin, Florida

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Answer:

That’s a lot to have thrown at you. Whether or not you can have more children depends on where you are in your transition. If you are still in perimenopause, it may be possible. If you’ve passed menopause, it won’t be (although obviously adoption may still be an option). Reaching menopause at such a young age puts your health at risk in a number of ways. The good news is that treatments exist for many of the problems you’ll face. The bad news is that you’ll need far more information than we can give you here. Pick up a book on the subject, and make a “double appointment” with a physician (so you won’t feel hurried as you ask questions). Also, it may be important for you to speak with a counselor about the way you’re feeling, and your husband may benefit from joining you at a session or two.

No symptoms of menopause

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:55:00 GMT

Question:

Are there women that are not bothered with menopause, and don’t go through the hot flashes, mood swings, et cetera? Also, at what age do you go through menopause? I’m 50 and haven’t yet.

Teresa

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Answer:

Yes, there are women who have minimal or no symptoms of perimenopause. And there is no standard age far passing menopause, although 51 is the average.

Partial hysterectomy and menopause

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:37:00 GMT

Question:

I am 51 years old. I had a partial hysterectomy at the age of 29. Will I have the same symptoms as other women? I am having lots of hot flashes, day and night, extreme difficulty sleeping, no energy, etc. Please answer my question the best that you can so I will know if I am really going through menopause. If so, what do you recommend?

Jill

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Answer:

If your ovaries were not removed, your symptoms of perimenopause could be similar to those of a woman who has not had a hysterectomy. The difficulty, of course, is that you do not have a period, which makes it difficult to mark reaching menopause. Your age and symptoms lean towards saying you are in perimenopause or have reached menopause. We’d recommend a check-up with a physician.

I want off HRT

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:35:00 GMT

Question:

I am 64years old. I have been on HRT for 18 years. I have tried to stop taking the hormones, but the hot flashes come back. Sometimes, I even have them while I steadily take the hormones. I've been to three doctors and they all say that “about 20-percent of women have hot flashes forever and the only thing to do is to take the hormones." I've tried soy, herbs, but nothing is helping. Can you please direct me on where I can go for help? I want off of these hormones, but all three doctors keep me on them.

Joyce Carpenter

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Answer:

We’re going to have to disappoint you, Joyce. We’re not going to offer advice that flies in the face of a unanimous opinion offered by three physicians who have examined you. But by all means, go to a fourth physician, express in the strongest terms possible your dislike of hormones, and demand that the doctor spell out other alternatives – even if s/he doesn’t recommend them! You should also look at your own lifestyle and recognize that changes to diet, activity level and use of recreational substances, such as smoking or drinking, might make a difference. Also, have you looked into finding a menopause support group in your area?