Supplements/ diet to treat peri-menopausal symptoms?

[teacup]

This question is for Tara or anyone who may have suggestions. At 48 years old, I am in peri-menopause.

Every month I feel like I am having a pseudo-exacerbation. On top of that I am severely depressed, very emotional and just horrible to be around because of my mood.
My doctor has suggested the birth control pill seasonique where you only get a period 4 times a year to help control the fluctuating hormones that seems to be causing all this but I am reluctant because of all the side effects of b/c.

I would appreciate if anyone has recommendations or suggestions for controlling these symptoms by supplements or diet.

[Sequoia]

I can tell you that I used Black Cohosh (capsules) during perimenopause and menopause, but it's been long enough that I don't remember if it helped with my mood or not.

For dosage, I just followed the directions on the bottle. I do remember that I used Nature's Way, but there are other good brands.

[AnneLouise]

I, too, am peri-menopausal. Since I was 36, I'm now 48!

My gyno is also a nutritionist. He prescribes a compounded progesterone for me. It is a godsend. It keeps me together. My periods are normal (though I have missed several in past few years! Yay!), the anxiety is relieved, I sleep better.

He recommends the Mediterranean diet, which I do, with some alterations, considering I go gluten free. He also says no dairy, which is fine since I don't eat dairy anyway.

He was the one, too, that found my vitamin D was low. And tests for it!

He also prescribed low-dose naltrexone. I am on the first bottle. He also suggested that the progesterone may be helping with the ms.

He seems to be more on top of things than my neuro!

[JerryD]

AnneLouise,
What? You found a 'real' doctor who believes that 'nutrition' has something to do with your health! Surprise!
teacup...
I know that there are natural remedies for your situation and it would be great if Tara responded. I can tell you that vitamin D levels are really important to maintain in the maximal range to help your body maintain equilibrium. Of course, a traditional MD will ,probably , do no lab tests, then prescribe steroids. What ever the configuration.
If this is your doctors' course of action, you may need to prod him/her for lab tests or find a doctor who specializes in 'integrative' medicine. Integrative doctors are real MDs will use natural and/or prescription drugs that are not a guessing game. But I say, if there is a lab test for the condition, do it before trying a remedy.
Good luck

[nutritiontara]

I've used Bio-Identical Progesterone for my patients since 1995 for many hormonally related issues.
I would start there.

About 25-35mg 2x/day to start.
If you are still cycling; use 3 weeks on, 1 week off

Also stabilizing blood sugar; low sugar eating spread out over 4 meals per day will assist the adrenals and other body systems- which when stressed will impact hormonal balance.

Getting consistant 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

And you have to keep in mind; hormones are not a priority when the body is dealing with a crisis
But getting hormones balanced will help with the MS.


In addition, I am giving 8mg/day of Estriol fot MS patients, with positive results