For the last few months i have been having some strange things going on with me
- total lack of sex drive (poor hubby)
-insomnia (never had it before)
-thoughts of bad things happening (all the time)
-anxiety about going to sleep (or not being able to sleep)
-bleeding very heavily (period)
-feeling like jumping out of my skin and running away from everyone
-moody
-itchy itchy skin (very annoying)
anyway, there are lots more but i have an appointment with the DR to see if this is what i think it is (perimenopause)
anyone elase going/gone through this and what was done for these symptoms?
I'm really weary of HRT since my mom had a hysterectomy before she was 40 then got breast cancer and died at 47.
-I am 37.
**oh yeah, the night sweats are unbearable at times!!!!!!!!
anyone know of any 'natural' remedies????
help i feel like i'm going crazy sometimes.....

Your estrogen levels may be adjusting down slightly right now. Once your body accepts the new level the symptoms you're having should go away (until the next estrogen adjustment).

I had a full hysterectomy 3 years ago at 33. The doc at first put my on hormone replacement therapy. Bad idea. After 3 months I finally realized that I should do some research and found that the risks totally outweighed the benefits. A year later they found a non cancerous lump in my breast (I believe it to be attributable to the HRT). Be very careful when considering hormone replacement therapy and do some heavy research. More than likely, if you are going through Peri, your doc will want to increase your estrogen by putting you on some type of pill.

Here's the thing. You can help yourself naturally. I did. About a year and a half after my hysterectomy, I started having menopausal symptoms (all of what you've listed). I did some research and found that soy alleviates menopausal symptoms, protects the heart and promotes bone health, without increasing the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer or blood clots. Also, foods and herbs that are known to contain phytoestrogens and estrogen-like substances (all of which you may include as part of a well-balanced diet) in addition to soy and soy products include: wild yams, corn, apples, carrots, barley, oats, whole grain cereals, nuts, and berries. Daily excercise such as walking for a half hour, or stretching will help you get a better nights sleep.

I haven't had any symptoms since becoming aware of the foods in nature that help. Basically, I eat grains in the morning through oatmeal or ceral, sometimes I throw in berries. I eat an apple a day, and instead of a baked potatoe I have a baked yam. Where I would have had french fries I make them with yams rather than white potatoes. I eat tofu a couple times a week and drink a glass or two of soy milk a day. Oh, and I get my excercise.

I hope this helps you. Please let us know what the doc says.

ETA: Eating or taking flaxseed oil will help with the itchy skin. Topically, I've found straight coco butter to help. It's a little greasy at first, but once it soaks in it leave your skin so so soft (like a baby).

Thank you sooo much for replying and answering some of my questions. the nutritional advice is greatly appreciated. I am convinced that HRT is NOT for me (family history and all) i will research more about all this when i get the results from the DR.
Thanks again :D