(Part 2) Top products from r/Menopause

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this so young. Even though I've been struggling with various mysterious symptoms for 3-4 years, including irregular periods, it didn't get really bad until last year, when I was 35 and the hot flashes started. My estrogen levels were tanked (low progesterone too), and my FSH was super high. Now, at 36, I've determined with the help of my functional medicine practitioner (ARNP, CNM) and a transvaginal ultrasound that I'm experiencing POF and early perimenopause. It totally sucks all around. For me, the worst part was the mood/energy stuff -- total lack of motivation, foggy brain, fatigue, anxiety, etc. And being chemically sensitive, I was very scared to consider HRT.

However, I have tried everything in the book on the natural side of remedies (acupuncture, supplements, diet, etc.), and while I'm sure they helped -- especially dietary changes like going gluten- and grain-free and reducing sugar (I already don't drink coffee or alcohol) -- I was still feeling like crap, and beginning to feel hopeless.

I spent the weeks between my diagnosis and my next appt. reading as much as I could. I got these three books: 1 2 3, and found the 1st to be the most helpful. I also watched a bunch of Menopause Taylor videos on YouTube as recommended by this sub. And I came to the conclusion that I owed it to my future self to give hormones a shot, so as to protect my bones, heart, and brain, even though I was totally freaked out that I'd have a bad reaction.

Luckily, my practitioner errs on the natural side of things as well, so she recommended bioidentical hormones rather than the stronger synthetic ones. I started using a bi-est cream and progesterone cream two weeks ago, and so far have had no bad side effects! I'm starting out at, like, 1/3 of the dose, lol. After a month I'll do more bloodwork to see if it's helping, and I imagine I'll up the dose. But, let me tell you -- I can feel the life coming back to me!! Within the first couple days I felt more energy, and my hot flashes have reduced dramatically. So perhaps you can do some research on bioidenticals and see if those might be a good fit for you.

I highly recommend finding a functional medicine person with experience in menopause. I've heard so many horror stories about doctors -- even GYNs -- who are dismissive towards menopause, so I count myself lucky to have found this help. Good luck, OP! Keep us posted!

I love that you're trying to help your mom! I regret so much that I wasn't very understanding or patient with my own mom when she was dealing with this.

I definitely agree with the suggestion of a small fan for a bedside table. Here are 2 that I've been using for years, and highly recommend:

https://smile.amazon.com/OPOLAR-Operated-Recahrgeable-Hurricane-Portable/dp/B0749M96XT (The rechargeable batteries are a lifesaver, and it allows me to take the fan with me around the house. And it's great to travel with -- mine has been with me all over the country.)

https://smile.amazon.com/Caframo-7-Inch-White-Chinook-Fan/dp/B0010UPOEQ (This lives on my nightstand, and it's one of my most favorite belongings.)

Royal Maca

This helps me a ton! Modal fabric pajamas are fantastic too. What a sweet idea :)

Lots of helpful advice in my new book!! “Period. The End: Wit, Wisdom, and Practical Guidance for Women in Menopause—and Beyond” — there are moisture wicking pjs and sheets, essential oils, and lots if other things to try—but it’s been 13 years and I STILL get ‘em every day/nite. For some, they just don’t end. In the meantime, a girls gotta laugh. https://www.amazon.com/Period-End-Practical-Guidance-Menopause/dp/0692179364/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=period+the+end&qid=1556622342&s=gateway&sr=8-1

There’s a growing body of evidence that suggests that’s exactly what your body is doing (conserving weight in response to eating less). This neuroscientist has done a great round up of the research. She also has a good, short TED Talk if a whole book is too much. Intermittent fasting and cutting out carbs will both trigger metabolic changes that increase weight over time for most people.

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Diets-Make-Fat-Consequences/dp/1591847699/ref=nodl_

https://www.ted.com/talks/sandra_aamodt_why_dieting_doesn_t_usually_work/up-next?language=en

I take AM/PM and have found it to be helpful with some symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes.

If you are on facebook search "premature ovarian failure" (another term for early menopause) there are 2 groups that I've found very helpful. There are women in there taking HRT and others doing more natural remedies. I'm personally doing a combo of HRT and natural. I plan to move to bio identical HRT in the future.

Your wife needs to get her hormone levels checked. Low testosterone can impact a woman’s sex drive too. Also there’s a great book if you can find a copy, she comes first. It’s both thoughtful and funny.

https://www.amazon.com/She-Comes-First-Thinking-Pleasuring/dp/0060538260

Magnesium helps me. Now that I'm on HRT especially, I take a ton of magnesium. Every time I feel a HA coming on, I just pop a couple 100mg magnesium tablets and it seems to do the trick. I do this several times per day and always have some in my pocket when I'm working. This is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BD0RT0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon tells me I've purchased it 13 times!

I take Rainbow Light Menopause One. It's been a great help, especially with the hot flashes.

I use the Emerita Pro-Gest that comes in single-use packets ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FJW4F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qLXYCbA9EE3VW ) so I know I’m getting the right dose. You just put it on your abdomen, thighs, inner arms, or the like. I was told by my nurse practitioner to use it on days I’m not bleeding. Some people use it daily, though.
I’ve been using these patches for a couple weeks now, and I’ve been sleeping much better (
https://www.amazon.com/PatchMD-Menopause-Topical-Headaches-sleeplessness/dp/B07D3YYN8Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3URIUM10X5TN7&keywords=patch+md+menopause+relief&qid=1556814375&s=gateway&sprefix=patchmd+menop&sr=8-3).

I decided to start taking HRT after hearing the Peter Attia podcast with the authors of the book Estrogen Matters. Read the book and was completely convinced.
https://www.amazon.com/Estrogen-Matters-Hormones-Menopause-Well-Being/dp/0316481203

My favorite brand of black cohosh Reminfemin. It’s a German brand that was used in all the medical research.

This book was my fast education on everything peri and really helped me prepare for talking with my doctor: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Before-Everything-Healthy-Menopause/dp/0553380311
Very clear and factual, talks about all sides of treatment too.

Sorry, mcg. This is what I take. One tab at bedtime, melt it on my tongue.

I'm tempted to post a pic of all my blankets... I have three or four which I swap out during the night as I'm freezing when I go to bed but then wake up in a pool of sweat!

One thing that helps my insomnia/palps A LOT - Emerita brand bioidentical progesterone cream. I use about a dime-size dollop, or even less, every couple of days, 3 weeks out of the month (I start it seven days after my cycle begins.... 3 or so days after the crime scene stops. ;))

They say to put it on your thighs but I'm really sensitive to meds so I put it on my shoulder every other night before bed... can't say enough how much it's helped me. Expensive but worth it. The only downside is a touch of nausea, but I find Pepto or ginger tea will alleviate that.

https://www.amazon.com/Emerita-Pro-gest-Cream-Tube-Packaging/product-reviews/B000IMQE5U