Health & Wellness

[Elin]

I was on hormones for decades, as many of us around my age I imagine. I tried getting off a few years ago, but the hot flashes were way too annoying. Black cohosh had no effect. I just got off them this year – first trying bioidentical serums, but no way to titrate those, so the hot flashes came back. Got back on the patch a year ago, and cut them 1/8 per month, having mild flashes most of the time. Last one came off about 2 weeks ago, and the hot flashes persist.

• This discussion was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Elin. Reason: was not done, and it posted when I tried to make a paragraph 🙁

Discussion

[Suzanne]

Excellent story. Probably a good example of how drugs don’t “cure” and when gone, the issue continues, sometimes worse! This was certainly true for me with my itching issue. I used the prescribed steroid cream and it did stop the symptoms (itching). When I stopped, the itching returned even worse.

When I consider hot flashes now, it makes me think of fevers and how the body uses them to heal. It’s a helluva process living through your symptoms, hoping to get to the core issue, trusting the body for its perfect healing. I’m still going through it, though some very very subtle body sensations suggesting that I may be seeing the light at the end …… ?

[barre]

Hot flashes reflect imbalances that can be traced back to pre-puberty imbalances, but they can be handled on a customized basis with patience over time. Prior to menopause much can be mitigated by aligning internal biology with the 13 lunar phases, and supplementing natural secretagogues for the hormones that should be prevalent during the normal progesterone- estrogen phases of the lunar month. It’s a timing issue amongst other systemic issues, and it begins with the 3 master glands that may need attention. The following musical analogy illustrates their roles and possible tx hints:

1) Hypothalamus: the Composer of the endocrine system;

2) Pituitary: the Conductor … ;

3) Pineal: the Metronome … .

See the attached Lunar Schedule that I would use with clients … recommendations were all made on the basis of individualized test results, which was then included on their schedule. Such an approach can also be used successfully even if menses no longer occurs, with a benefical alignment to mimic normal cycles mirroring the larger realm cycles.

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[Elin]

So… I’m STILL having hot flashes after trying all sorts of things and nothing seems to be making a dent after 8 months. For example, I did 6 weeks of acupuncture and herbs, no change. I’ve been on 25-50 mg progesterone cream for about as long now, too. I’m getting plenty of exericise, am off caffeine, and have lost 10 pounds. I’m now starting to take some moringa to see if that helps. I did a blood panel and the levels seem good, maybe on the low side of testosterone. I’m talking to both my DO and my FHP tomorrow to see what they might recommend. I’ve looked at the moon cycle chart, Barre, but don’t know what “est stim” and “prog stim” are – some kind of supplement? Is this just going to take some time to sort itself out?

[Sherri]

As we await Barre’s response will you please share anything notable that may come out of your appointments? I don’t want to interject but being on the journey myself I do have a couple of things I’m working on with some success. Let me know if you’d like to chat more about it Elin.

[Elin]

ok! will do…. and I’d love any suggestions! thank you!

• This reply was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by  Elin.

[Sherri]

Hi Elin, I’ve experienced a huge decrease in the amount and severity of hot flashes since this thread was started several months ago and we all tried and shared various things. There are two things I’ve taken up that seem to be helping. Eating balanced and regular meals without fail in order to keep blood sugar regulated. For me going more than 3 hours between meals can put me at risk of poor sleep and hot flashes. I would say my average is about 4 hours between meals so there’s room for improvement. I just had an accidental experiment as I unavoidably had to skip supper two days ago and have been thrown back into hot flashes ever since. I think they are beginning to subside now. The second thing has been taking an over the counter product called progest e. I’ll share a link. This was recommended by Dr. Ray Peat regardless of lab results. I’m inclined to agree, at least for my body at this time. Also, Dr. Peat recommended increasing protein to 80 grams (for women) and sugars (fruit, honey, milk, etc.) for hot flashes. Understanding what works for me may not for you, or others, I still wanted to share…in case. https://www.longnaturalhealth.com/Dr-Peats-Progest-E-Complex-34-ml

longnaturalhealth.com

Dr. Peat's Progest E Oil Complex, 34 ml

Kenogen Progest E Oil Complex by Dr Ray Peat is a natural bioidentical progesterone oil. Original Dr. Peat's Progest E, the best progesterone there is! Free Shipping option

[Elin]

Interesting, Sherri!

My DO said my progesterone is to high from my blood work and to stop the cream. I was up to 50mg a day. The rest of my hormones look good for menopause per both docs. The DO also said that 25% of women get them genetically and those can last indefinitely. Most of the time, though, the body regulates itself in 6-12 months. My mom and sister had no issues with them, so as I’ve suspected, it’s the harsher transition for me having been on HRT for 30 years. I told her that nothing has helped (various herbs, acupunture, homeopathy, etc.), so she said to keep up what I’m doing: exercise, lose weight (got 10 pounds off, want to lose 8-10 more), intermittent fasting aka IF (per Mindy Pelz “Fast Like a Girl”) and to try carb cycling.

My FHP was in the same camp with IF, carb cycling (4 days regular carbs, 3 days low carbs), and continuing the exercise and detox protocols she’s had me on (castor oil packs, probiotics, zeolite, sauna).

She also has me taking berberine, bentonite clay, and C60 for 45 days as a precautionary general mold detox, and this fall doing two-30 day IF resets, then in January a full mold/parasite/heavy metal 30-day cleanse with herbal tinctures (a kit called Parafy), then getting new complete blood work in February to see where I am.

Meanwhile, I get to just tolerate the hot flashes …. gack…

I’m also adding moringa tea to my daily regimen and a spagyric of Manjistha by Phoenix Aurelius see if those might help. They can’t hurt as they both have other good benefits!

[Cristina]

I’m so thankful this discussion was started! And thank you, Barre, for adding your knowledge. I’m excited to look into it. I started having hot flashes a couple years ago. Super intense, like every hour or two. Wild yam progesterone cream worked wonders, until it didn’t. Then Chinese herbs worked wonders, until they didn’t. The most recent thing I’ve tried is a homeopathic remedy blend called Cyclease Menopause by Boiron, and that also has worked wonders. I haven’t had a hot flash in about a month, which seems miraculous to me. But I feel as though I’m holding my breath, waiting for the hot flashes to come roaring back like they have each time after a supplement has seemed to work. So I’m looking forward to learning more.

[Elin]

Cristina!

It’s day 6 of taking the Clyclease 4x a day, and I have not had a hot flash all day.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll report back tomorrow if my sleep tonight is blessedly not interrupted. You may have single-handedly saved my sanity. ?

[Elin]

Thanks for the lunar reference chart, @barre ! Since I’m past menopause, I would start the cycle with the next full moon – what are the best ways to do the estrogen/progesterone stim? Does AV have products that would help?

[Elin]

and nice musical analogy, too! ?

[Sarah Boyle]

Hi Erin….oooh…I so relate to those memories of the years of hot flashes….and now that they are long gone, I am now finding out about the imbalances, often emotional, unresolved grief, and adrenal shocks behind their intensity…. However, after about 3-4 years of trying western herbs, which were not really recommended by my gp or naturopath in any really knowledgable or personalised way….I stumbled across a 5th generation Ayurvedic doctor ( ie Ayurveda is in her ancestral lineage)…who checked my pulse for a minute, picked up hormonal imbalances, gave me some herbs she mixed up especially for me ( well three sets of herbs and medicated ghee), was very very very specific that these herbs are only to be taken for 12 weeks, because my body needs to learn to rebalance itself….. and voila!…. within 36 hours my hot flushes dropped off almost completely, and I enjoyed 12 weeks of rest….. I was apprehensive when they finished, and clearly my body was learning to rebalance still, so I had a wobbly few months ( although nowhere near the instensity as pre-herbs)….the Ayurvedic doc, put me back on for a different set of herbs ( again after she had checked my pulse) for 4 more weeks, and by the end of that lots, my body was rebalanced, and although I would still have periodic hot flashes, I knew what had triggered it off ( usually some excessive food related consumption).

SInce then I have also realised, I was carrying some unresolved PTSD and adrenal shock, and had loads of unreleased, un resolved emotional work, and also, 4 years later, am seeing how much of that unresolved emotional aspect has been my relationship with fear….and the layers, and layers and layers of fear that I have carried throughout this incarnation, undoubtedly coming through from previous incarnations seeking release and resolution.

Ahhhhh the retrospectoscope is such a wonderful tool…..

Anyway, I hope this helps a wee bit in this discussion thread…

[barre]

Great feedback, which attests to the brilliance of finding a practitioner that knows how to listen to the body, as opposed to the typical recipe approach. In lieu of such support you can still get there albeit usually in a more round-about way. I would add that the trial & error approach is purposeful as well, so it all boils down to which experiences serve us the best in the long-run. All roads lead to Rome as they say. Thx for your input!

[Penny]

Interesting and informative thread. Let me toss in my theory of hot flashes (and other meno symptoms) cuz why not? ? Estrogen is a “part” of what is referred to as the “Jing” in Chinese medicine. So, what is “supposed” to happen during menopause is our adrenals (which are part of the kidneys and hold the jing) should take over as our ovaries go into retirement, and keep us at a maintenance level of estrogen for the rest of our lives. Now, this doesn’t end up happening for many women because the adrenals are taxed from stress and are busy with cortisol issues. So, we end up with not enough jing/estrogen to create a healthy menopausal transition. Lack of estrogen short circuits a cycle in us, that’s why supplementation ameliorates the symptoms, it externally provides the needed ingredient to compete the circuit.

This has been happening a very long time and is not necessarily a late stage modernity issue. If you look at old photos of family’s on their farms, often everyone is fit except somehow, mom/grandma is thick waisted. This is too much cortisol and lack of estrogen which makes fat migrate to the mid section. Grandma/mom was definitely stressed if you consider running a farm and probably having seven kids etc.

Barre mentioned it being an issue coming from extremely early in this incarnation, which brings me back to the jing, jing is one of the three treasures that comes from our parents. If our treasure starts low in jing we are even more set up to struggle during perimenopause. It’s so important for us to de-stress as women and care for our kidneys/andrenals . I have to be honest, I struggle with stress too. I actually see a shamanic practitioner for it believe it or not. I do all the things and still wake up sometimes and start spinning out. However I intuitively believe that menopause should be the absolute best part of our lives and is something I look forward to.

[maryschurr]

Great info Penny! It makes a lot of sense and when you add toxins to the mix as part of the stress you mentioned…there you go… Many of the women back then (and today) had children without the time to “replenish” themselves before having another one. Factoring in breastfeeding as well. Their bodies may have been a quite a depleted state despite the natural farm life.

Lots of good stuff coming forth from everyone!

[Suzanne]

Sarah and Penny, your approaches to hot flashes resonates with me. I view it as holistic-get-to-the-core-issue approach vs the allopathic-treat-symptoms-as-disease-approach. In the early 90’s there were women who knew this. That’s why today, hot flashes make me think of “fevers” a critical healing mechanism of the body. While I listened to these wise women in the past, it would be 30 years before I could take it to heart. We all travel at our own speed. ? I am so happy to see others going this route, it is a road less traveled. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[Elin]

@christina – I just went back and noticed your recommendation for Cyclease Menopause by Boiron, and the homeopathic option here looks really promising! How long did you take them before the hot flashes stopped?

[Cristina]

Hi Elin! I started off by taking 4 tablets a day, spaced throughout the day. When I noticed an improvement in symptoms, I brought it down to three a day. A few days later I brought it down to two. Then again waited a few days and brought it down to one. Then again one for a few days and then I stopped. The hot flashes stopped completely in about 5 days, but I wanted to make darn sure I had my bases covered before I stopped taking them! I’ve had only one mild hot flash in about a month, which has been heavenly. I also make sure to eat nutrient dense meals every four to five hours and to not work out too strenuously for too long of a time in order to keep my stress levels down and my adrenals happy. I hope this helps!!

[Elin]

Wow yeah! I’ll run this by my FHP, but will likely do your titration plan. I get them tomorrow and will keep y’all posted!

[Cristina]

Elin!!!!!!

That’s fantastic! It really does feel soooo good to not have to deal with hot flashes multiple times a day and to finally get some good sleep. Every once in a while I start to feel a hot flash coming, but so far it hasn’t turned into a full blown one. When it happens I just take one Cyclease tablet and I’m good.

Take care!!

[Elin]

ok so well they are not quite gone yet… but it does feel like the Cyclease is working, so I’m going to stick with it along with the shatavari until my system recalibrates. Thanks again for the recommendation!

[Cristina]

Well, everything in its time, right?
I’d never heard of Shatavari! I just looked it up… sounds beneficial!
My fingers are crossed that your hot flashes are GREATLY reduced very quickly.

[Sherri]

Here’s an additional support for hot flashes. Personally I can’t say much about the effectiveness as I haven’t been doing it consistently or long enough…it’s an Ayurvedic coriander hima. After straining the seeds can be used to make a tea as well. https://www.lakshmiayurveda.com.au/2018/05/dhanyaka-hima-coriander-infusion/

lakshmiayurveda.com.au

Dhanyaka Hima/Coriander Infusion – Lakshmi Ayurveda

Dhanyaka Hima/Coriander Infusion – Lakshmi Ayurveda

[Cristina]

Hi Sherri! Thank you for sharing! I’m going to give that a try as well.

[Sherri]

Hi Cristina, Let me know if you’d like a few more Ayurvedic suggestions (as given to me by a practitioner). I’m very happy to share.

[Cristina]

Hello Sherri! Yes! I would like that very much. Thank you for offering! One can never have too many tools in the toolkit, right?

[Sherri]

For sure! From the Ayurvedic perspective excess pitta causes the flashes and to calm that down some suggestions are; Eliminate nightshades until they lessen, eliminate pungent spices like garlic and red pepper, sip on one cup of the coriander hima before eating in the morning. Also, 1/2 teaspoon of shatavari powder dissolved in something like a golden milk or tea each day can help with hormone balance. I think I’m forgetting something but this is a start on the Ayurveda front. It’s a fascinating thing to observe the ebb and flow of this heat and particularly at night with the waking. I’m trying to pay attention to what changes in my world to effect it all. Currently I’m wondering if maintaining balanced blood sugar and hence supporting adrenals might be helping. These are areas that I have issue with and I hear most people do but maybe don’t know it. Anyway, It’s great to be here where we can brainstorm together. Take good care ?

[Cristina]

Thank you very much, Sherri! Lots of good info there. I’m taking notes! Bless you!

[Elin]

Yesterday morning, I had oral surgery to place the post for my one tooth implant (longer story there) and then….. I only had one major hot flash yesterday eve and only one mild one last night. Could the titanium post have cured me???? lol. (or was it the pre op stress that made them so bad the last month… ) hahaha

[Cristina]

Haha! Yeah, wouldn’t it be great if there was only ONE cause for the flashes? It seems that’s so rarely the case for most health issues. Alas.

I’m really glad you only had a couple flashes on that day. Blessed relief! Maybe the pre-op stress really was getting to you!

[Elin]

……aaaand I’m still dealing with the hot flashes… probably just need to stick with the Clyclease longer….dunno… I’m too impatient with this… grrr

[Cristina]

It’s so hard to be patient when one is miserable! Maybe Cyclease isn’t the best remedy for you. I actually bought four other remedies because I couldn’t figure out which one would be the best fit. Lots of trial and error!

[Elin]

haha indeed… I’m sticking with the Cyclease as muscle testing says yes. I’m also 3-4 days in to a blend of shatavari/cohosh/yam tincture, and the flashes are finally less often the last couple of days!

[Cristina]

Sounds like progress to me!

[Sherri]

Hello all,

I’ve heard from a few sources that strength training is a surefire way to balance hormones and therefore reduce/eliminate hot flashes. It seems like a good idea all around and worth taking up. Also, I’ve been working the adrenal angle and being extra mindful about keeping blood sugar levels steady. For me that means not going too long between meals, snacks…this is my own personal need at this time. After just a few days of extra attention to this my hot flashes are currently almost non-existent and night waking has improved. I’ve also been taking cell salts. I didn’t experience change from the Cycle-ease.

[Cristina]

Great advice! I’ve been doing the same as far as supporting my adrenals… well-balanced meals every four to five hours, cell salts daily, weight lifting for most of my life. I’m guessing that the fact that I was on birth control pills for 17 years has something to do with the hot flashes being so stubborn no matter what I try. I went off them ten years ago and have been diligent in doing cleanses, but I’m sure the repercussions are still lingering. The Cycle-ease has worked well, just like the wild yam progesterone cream and the Chinese herbs, but each remedy seems to have a shelf-life. I’ve been getting mild flashes every few hours. That’s much better than before the Cycle-ease, but it’s more than I’d like! I recently met with a homeopath for the first time and recently started taking the remedy she suggested. Time will tell!!

[Elin]

I found another piece to my puzzle this morning. I did a muscle test of a range of things in my supplements box as to what would stop the hot flashes (with the lights off, so I didn’t know which was which hah!!) and came up with a yes for zinc. A little research showed that low zinc could be a factor in the hot flashes. According to a recent hair mineral test, my minerals are all a tad low, including zinc, but my calcium is high – which might be inhibiting zinc absorption. So I’m adding 15mg of zinc liquid tincture to the Zuma hormone blend… and continuing with cell salts: bioplasma and kali sulph (for Virgo). Also doing pilates and hotworx sessions a couple times a week… the flashes are rather minimal today.. so far.. film at 11.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  Elin.

[Cristina]

I just started taking a liquid zinc as well! I’m vegetarian and thought it would be a good idea to supplement with zinc once in a while.
I’m glad your flashes have calmed down a bit. May they only get less and less frequent and severe!

[Elin]

Cool! (pun intended). This is my 2nd day of adding just 15mg of zinc and had no hot flashes until just now. The zinc might be allowing me to absorb more of what it needs to realign… hmmm? @barre are we on the right track here? 😀 thanks!!

[Sherri]

This thread is a wondrous testament to how unique we all are and one size definitely does not fit all! If anything perhaps we can arrive at some idea of a good baseline of support, for example cell salts, then it seems we must find our way towards something more customized. Another tool for the toolbox I’ve looked at is herbalist Susan Weed’s book on menopause. I appreciate her narrative and anecdotes but the herbal remedies didn’t help my symptoms, perhaps they might help others though.

[Penny]

It’s an interesting transitional state to be in and it seems like almost all women have to do a trial and error sort of thing for menopause symptoms, I like The Three Immortals formula, but also gamma E sometimes works, heavy weight lifting, and/or just a good old school yam cream, which despite scientism ranting about it being ineffective, many women for decades have found relief in.

[Elin]

welp… I’m still struggling with this and not finding consistent relief yet. Went back to look at all of the comments and wisdom, and looks like I need to find a real ayurvedic practitioner somehow OR a real Chinese herb specialist. I was on HRT for decades, too, so this is probably why my body is not able to regulate itself. I’m off of caffeine, do workouts, been on a detox protocol, got my cortisol levels way down… so those boxes are checked.

[Sherri]

You’re not alone Elin. It’s such a mystery…ugh. I just got a first hand account of Black Cohosh working for someone. I haven’t tried it yet so that’s probably next for me. Also, herbalist Susan Weed suggests nettle tea which is also good for spring allergies (and so much more!) so I’ll take that up as well. I recently did an Ayurvedic seasonal cleanse/digestive reset which I recommend. While it didn’t eliminate the flashes they have lessened. Thanks for your update!

[Elin]

I tried black cohosh years ago and it had no effect, and the other supplements/herbs sort of work for a week or so, then don’t, but this is just a testament to how individual this is. These things might work for you/others! I’m hearing my body say to stop anything that’s trying to recreate hormones and let it sort itself out. I did call to make an appt for acupuncture, which I also tried before years ago for hormonal migraines, but the guy said that acupuncture and Chinese herbs didn’t work since I was on HRT. I’m now OFF those at least! According to Barre’s post above, I surmise I have too much jing jingling in me from way back, aka heat, which the former acupuncturist also mentioned to me: too much heat. Overall detoxing and getting off all hormone type things would seem to be steps in the right direction to get a whole lot of things sorted out in my physical being, which has been my overall quest this year! Part of the detox is sauna therapy to get more of the skin involved – – and the hot flashes may be also mixed in with that transition in how my body keeps things moving. Whee!

[Sherri]

Thanks for that feedback.

The ayurvedic coriander hima is supposed to help remove excess heat and I feel it did move the needle some for me. Detoxing is always a good thing. I’m sure we’ll get to a better place eventually ?

[Elin]

Amen! We decree it. ?

[Author]

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