Ok, I give up... Menopause it is

Yes I know that I am only 38 but I have been having terrible night sweats for
about 6 months now.  My mother went early into menopause and also my older
sister so I was lucky to have them to talk to about what the heck is going on
with me.
My nutritionist told me to try Black Cohosh Extract. I have been taking
them for about 3 months and the night sweats have disappered.
Now whether or not that is in my head or actually working, that is up to you
to decide. Just wanted to share what was working for me. I purchased the
Black Cohosh Extract at the Vitamin Shoppe.

Dani

 I had a total hysterectomy at age 43, and suffered with two years of hot flashes and night sweats.  I gained 40 lbs and my joint related illnesses went into overdrive.  Hormone therapy gave me migraines, so I had a fairly extreme menopause.

I delayed weight loss surgery for two years to ensure that I wasn't having to deal with both menopause and weight loss surgery at the same time.   I am having a fairly typical WLS journey so far, although I probably have a few more food intolerances than normal.  It is not impossible to lose weight after menopause, but your metabolism does change.  

One side note... my Mother actually lost weight after menopause, and she never went a diet in her life.  (Why didn't I get THAT tendency?)

Ha Lora - join the club! I'm 48 and def feeling it!

You made me feel so much better by posting about it though. I haven't come to terms with it yet and just knowing an actual *therapist* is struggling with it too makes me feel better (in some sick way).

Looks like a bunch of us will be facing it together =)

Hey girl haven't seen u in a while!

I'm older than you Lora...but I started menopausing near 50 and it
went on and on  HELLA BAD for years.  I refused to take HRTs because
frankly they scare me and I was convinced that if I just toughed it out for
a few more months, the crap would all end.  My mom had no symptoms
at all (lucky her).  I'm convinced my metabolic disorder made it worse, but
the hot flashes, memory lapses and insomnia stretches came and went
from about age 49 to 57. Sometimes I had multiple melt-downs (extreme
head-to-toe soaking drenches) a day and had to actually take spare clothes
to work with me.  It was awful.  It got better at age 57 and then I had wls
and all symptoms are gone along with the diabetes.  Vanished.  I don't
know if the surgery had anything to do with it, or if I just weathered the
storm long enough.  I did take soy supplements that honestly seemed
to help with the worst of the hot flashes.  It didn't affect my thryoid
(been hpothyroid since I was 14). Other than that, I didn't notice any
natural or holisitic approaches that were of benefit to me personally,
but I think those are worth a try. Everybody's different.  I'm 58 presently
and happily done with the whole thing.  I wish you the best of luck!  It's
quite a ride!

My mother went through menopause when she was 35.

I've thought half a dozen times that I might be going through early menopause, but each time it is some other issue. (ovarian cyst, etc).

 51 here and starting like you.  I had kids and no hysterectomy, so I'm just going to ride this out.  Waiting for my hormonal blood test to come back and see what stage I'm at.  I'm getting occasional, very rare hot flashes.  My period can be anywhere from 20 days apart to 50 days apart so I never know what to expect.  But what's getting to me the most is the mood swings.  I get depressed for a while, then very lathargic.  The other night I got so entirely angry, and not about anything.  I was just sitting there mad.  Hubby offered a foot massage, sugar free chocoate and the fully loaded dark chocolate and I didn't want any of it.  Just sat there being really mad until I finally went to bed.  I mean, since when am I ever so upset that dark chocolate can't help?  And one morning at work I was ready to lose it and start crying.  Few hours later, I felt normal again.  I can handle the hot flashes and crazy periods, but these mood swings will do me in.  :)

Jan