Severe Symptoms after Stopping Hormonal Replacement Therapy
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Myra
Posted on: April 07, 2005

I am in menopause. I was perimenopausal for 10 years starting at age 37. The doctors, had me on H.R.T. for that time. I am now taking nothing as I am scared to death of the things I have been finding out about H.R.T. But I have heard about the benefits of soy and horsetail. I have also heard of ginseng extract. What do you think? Am I on the right track? My symptoms are servere at times, low sex drive, burning on intercourse, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain. Also I have low blood sugar and crave to eat all the time! I have gained 30 pounds since I stopped H.R.T.

We have answered several questions about menopause on our website at www.richters.com. Choose "Q&A" from the manin menu, then enter the following words for individual searches: "menopause", "flash", "sweat" and "libido".

With severe symptoms and in sudden withdrawal from hormonal drugs, I advise you to consult with a medical or clinical herbalist, who will assess your symptoms and your health history before advising you on diet and herbs. It does take time for your body to adjust to the withdrawal of artificial hormones. It is advisable to decrease the drug slowly, while taking a herbal formula that will help to balance hormones.

With low blood sugar, I advise you to follow a low-glycemic diet, which balances blood sugar. For information on low-glycemic foods, please see our website. In the Q&A section, search for "syndrome X". The low glycemic diet solves many of the problems you are encountering.

Consumption of high amounts of soy products has negative effects on the thyroid gland. Soy products are promoted in marketing information for menopause because traditional eastern societies consume soy and do not suffer menopausal symptoms. But traditional societies do not consume large amounts of soy, nor do they take soy supplements,

Kegel exercises are recommended for the health of the sex organs and the vagina, to prevent pain on intercourse that is caused by vaginal dryness. Ask your doctor or natural health care provider for information on Kegel exercises. For more information, search the Q&A section of our website for "Herbs for Vaginal Dryness".

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