NetWellness Menopause

Pregnant?

Linda Bernhard PhD, RN — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:12:00 EST

Question: I am age 45 have been experiencing hot flashes for the past 4month a have been gaining a lot of weight..my partner and I are sexually active and have not been using any protection..now my hot flashes have stopped altogether..can I be pregnant?

Answer:

If you have not been using contraception, you could certainly be pregnant. Please take a home pregnancy test and/or make an appointment with an obstetrician/gynecologist.

Ask an Expert: Linda Bernhard PhD, RN, Menopause

Muscle Tiredness and Perimenopause

Linda Bernhard PhD, RN — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:10:00 EST

Question: Is muscle tiredness a symptom of perimenopause?????? If so is it because perimenopause can cause excessive inflammation?

Answer: If you're having "muscle tiredness" and you're perimenopausal, it's easy to say that they are related...because you have them both. But they may or may not be related.

Perimenopause does not cause inflammation. Your muscle tiredness may be due to exercise, or something else. I . . .

Ask an Expert: Linda Bernhard PhD, RN, Menopause

Hot Flashes AFTER Periods Stop?

Cynthia Evans MD — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:10:00 EST

Question: I stopped having periods almost 4 years ago. I never had any of those symptoms they often say are associated with menopause. My periods just stopped, at at 54.

Now I`m 58 and I just now started having hot flashes. I never had them before.

Is this normal? How long will they last?

Answer: Typically testosterone decreases a few years later than traditional menopause. The decline in testosterone could be giving you the new hot flashes. They will go away just as any others resolved at your true menopause.

Ask an Expert: Cynthia Evans MD, Menopause

Getting Cold During Perimenopause

Cynthia Evans MD — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 08:09:00 EST

Question: Could I address the question to Cynthia Evans. I`d like to know more about cold flushes. Is it possible to get cold flushes in peri-menopause??? How common is it to get cold during peri-menopause??? What can I do about cold flushes. I feel that no matter how high I put the heater on and no matter ho . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. That is not typical of menopause, but can occur with thyroid disease. I would recommend you discuss this issue with your doctor.

Ask an Expert: Cynthia Evans MD, Menopause

Age 42 and Duphaston 10

Linda Bernhard PhD, RN — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:08:00 EST

Question: I Dr,I had 5 days of Duphaston about 2 weeks ago and still I do not get my period .Thanks a lot for your help

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. Duphaston is a synthetic progestogen. If it didn't "work" for you as intended, you should go back to the provider who prescribed it for you.

Ask an Expert: Linda Bernhard PhD, RN, Menopause

Length of Menopause

Cynthia Evans MD — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:08:00 EST

Question: I have had everything including ovaries removed when i was 23. i am now 52. When does the menopause STOP?. i have been taking premarin off and on for 30 years. i`ve stopped for 3-4 years at a time hoping to ride it out and hope it stops. so far within a week of stopping the symptoms are all back aga . . .

Answer: Thank you for your question. Your menopause occurred when you had your surgery. I think you're asking when will your hot flashes stop, and that is a much harder question to answer. I usually recommend stopping hormone therapy about age 55. Usually after 2 months, the hot flashes begin to slowly impr . . .

Ask an Expert: Cynthia Evans MD, Menopause

Can Diet Reduce Menopausal Symptoms?

Linda Bernhard PhD, RN — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:07:00 EST

Question: What kind of diet reduces the symptoms of menopause like night sweats, hot flashes, or sleeplessness?

Answer:

There is a lot of discussion, and not much research, about diet and menopausal symptoms, most typically hot flashes. Soy and flaxseed are two "phytoestrogens" that have been studied, but results of the studies are inconsist . . .

Ask an Expert: Linda Bernhard PhD, RN, Menopause

Tolerating HRT

Cynthia Evans MD — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 08:06:00 EST

Question:

Is it true that hormone replacement therapy can cause sleeplessness and headaches as side effects?? Is it possible that some women can`t take HRT because of these side effects??? It`s just that I`ve heard that some women feel even worse when put on HRT.

Answer: All medications have side effects and they are different for each person. As with all medications, the risks (including side effects) must be weighed against the benefits.

Ask an Expert: Cynthia Evans MD, Menopause

Tolerating HRT

Cynthia Evans MD — Fri, 27 May 2011 10:05:00 EST

Question: I`m 50 y.o. and I`ve suffered from panic disorder and depression all my life. I`m currently on 600mg seroquel. I`m very concerned that I may develop more panic and depression from my changing hormone levels. I know that if this happens I can take HRT but I`ve heard that HRT may cause headaches and/o . . .

Answer: There is no easy way to answer your question. Your physician will treat symptoms as they occur and try multiple different options.

Ask an Expert: Cynthia Evans MD, Menopause

Sudden Loss of Period

Linda Bernhard PhD, RN — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EST

Question: Hi, I am just curious if it is normal to suddenly stop having periods when going through menopause? I am 48, healthy and have always been regular on time to the day. Four months ago I just completely stopped having them. No spotting or anything. Is that normal or something to have checked out? Than . . .

Answer: It is unusual, but not impossible to "just stop." If there is any chance that you could be pregnant, you should have a pregnancy test to be sure. There are also other reasons to miss periods, like stress (either positive or negative), change in medications, or illness, but not usually fo . . .

Ask an Expert: Linda Bernhard PhD, RN, Menopause