Hormone Replacement Therapy is an option for some women to get through the side effects of menopause. Prior to 2001 most women were put on HRT if they complained to their physician about menopausal side effects, and they stayed on it for 10-20 years. Now studies have shown HRT does not have the health benefits once thought and high dose and long term usage can have adverse effects.HRT at the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time is often now recommended for women who choose the HRT path of coping. Someone who has had estrogen positive breast cancer, HRT is not a viable option.
If you have tried every drug store or internet “solution” and find yourself out of more money than fewer side effects, here are some coping remedies:
1. Fans placed strategically everywhere you go. A small fan in your bathroom as you put on your make-up. Keep a personal fan at your desk for work. Place a small fan on the kitchen counter as you prepare food.
2. Keep your house and office thermostat set at cool. So what that your family and co-workers are wearing down jackets indoors, who cares?
3. Drink iced beverages at all times. Keep ice cubes handy. Drop one down your bra, or rub one at the back of your neck for an instant cool down.
4. Try to make hand held fans and parasols a fashion statement for you when venturing outside in warm sunny weather.
5. Do not fancy the notion of becoming a Vampire. Yes they seem always cool, they don’t go out much in day light but the undead is really not a viable option just to get through menopause.
6. If you are shopping for a new car, buy a convertible. If it rains or snow, just drive faster. If it is really hot outside and you must venture into it, be sure the car has air-conditioning. If you are not in the car buying market, drive with windows rolled down in winter and air conditioning on high all through spring summer and fall. If you take public transportation, sit close to the doors that open, or an open window.
7. Fashion tips from my previous Fashion blog: open toe shoes, wear layers with the first being a wicking layer, no wool, no turtle necks, no hose or socks or hats, waterproof make-up, carry or stash away an extra set of clothes and make-up.
8. You say a mantra that goes a little like this: I love my freedom, I am just menopausal, I do not want to go to jail, I am just menopausal, I do not want to pay attorney and court fees, I am just menopausal, I do not want to look like a crazy woman, I am just menopausal, I am a mature adult, I am a loving woman, I am just menopausal!
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Add a Comment4 Comments
Hi,
December 12, 2011 - 10:26amI totally understand your tone! Quality of life is very important. As a sister breast cancer survivor night sweats and hot flashes are miserable. I write with humor but it is based on truth. I started my company making sleepwear that wicks moisture after the night sweats were keeping me up all night! Of course I still get night sweats but I don't have to get up and changes my clothes or sheets, so I am getting a better night sleep.
This Comment
I appreciate the attempt at humor, but as someone who has had hot flashes since I was 47 (I am now 60) that were then made completely unbearable by the drug Tamoxifen, I wasn't laughing. I need help. I need relief. I took HRT for 4 years and paid the price with breast cancer. Effexor helped a little for about 4 months, then stopped working and I was back were I started, but still paying for a drug that wasn't working. I weaned myself off of it.
This site has talked about the greater-than-expected number of women who complain about the effects of hot flashes and how their lives are affected, Before I was in menopause, older women told me, "Don't worry, honey, not many women get hot flashes". Apparently that is not true today. I'd like to see some serious research done on the causes and then on treatments.
This is a quality of life issue for me and a lot of other women. We are now part of the workforce in far greater numbers than in my mother's day so the affect is more drastic on us than when most women stayed at home.
Perhaps if we started to commit more crimes as Haralee jokes about, there would be more attention paid to this issue. I'm game! Whatever it takes.
Sorry for the sour tone of this comment. Blame it on my hot flashes.
December 9, 2011 - 9:09amThis Comment
I hope this made you laugh!
December 8, 2011 - 3:09pmThis Comment
Thanks for sharing!
December 7, 2011 - 6:39pmThis Comment