The menopause: Are you going through it?

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Recently we've been inundated with women commenting on our menopause articles and offering each other support and advice. There's nothing we love more here at goodtoknow than to think that our articles are helping you out, or providing you with a place to talk to other women in a similar boat.

We've put together a selection of the comments posted on our menopause article - some asking for help, some offering advice to others, because we think it's such an important part of our site.

Hear one woman, Carol talking about herbal remedies she's found as an alternative to HRT or read Karen's honest account of how the menopause at 35 made her so depressed, she even contemplated suicide. All this is combined with their real experiences of the mood swings, hot sweats and fluctuating weight.

If you think you can offer advice to any of these women, or have got questions to ask about the menopause yourself, add them in the comments box at the bottom of the article - we always love to hear what you think.

Your comments

'Hi, I'm 51 and I've been going through the menopause for the last 2 years. I have awful day sweats and night sweats, mood swings, my periods have stopped, my skin is very dry and sore, my sex drive nil. My bones seem to ache and my back, I have memory loss (if I don't write it down I've had it lol.)

I seem to have no energy most times (I'm used to being quite mobile.)I have put on weight which all in all makes me feel depressed. I haven't been able to take HRT because I'm allergic, so I've started to take evening primrose and cod-liver oil capsules, I have been told of so many herbal remedies I'm lost as to what to take but I'm going to stick with this remedy. I have only just started so I hope I can get some slight relief, a nights sleep would be great!!!!!!!'
Carol

'I am 42 now and started going into the menopause at 35, I have had a terrible time, what with having 3 children under 13 at the time I started going through the change.

At first I was very depressed and even contemplating suicide and even thinking of ways I could hurt my own family. After seeking medical treatment and being put on HRT I have learned to cope with the hot sweats, erratic periods and mood swings. My family have been fantastic. Now after 7 years of all this I think I am almost to the end of it?

I haven't had a period for just over a year now and i feel great, the only thing is the weight gain and struggle with fluctuating weight but I am coping with that now. All I can say is hang in there it does get better and it doesn't make you any less of a woman, in fact I think it makes you more so, as you are more able to cope with the life changes with more of a better outlook.'
Karen
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