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Does anyone know of a herbal treatment to gentally encourage the menopause?

I'm 49 & have been having a few symptoms for about 18 months, but as I now suffer with erratic & VERY heavy & prolonged periods due to fibroids I'd like to speed things along. I'm housebound, tripping to the loo every half hour or so for up to a week, with a lesser flow for several more days. My GP can only suggest a hysterectomy, which I'd like to avoid if at all possible.

It's really getting me down as I can't plan anything more than 24 hours ahead with any confidence. I've been trying to organise minor dental treatment since March, but keep having to cancel the appointments. (My lovely dentist is understaning & has suggested just booking an appointment for every day for a month & cancelling the day before if necessary!) This can't go on! PLEASE HELP!

MW

I sympathise with you. I too had numerous problems with erratic periods and problems and after a year or so bit the bullet and went for an hysterectomy and although i took a long time to recover (due to ME) and had many problems after the op which kept me in hospital I have no regrets now at all at having it done.If you do go down that routs try and have the "suction" version instead of being opened up as you SHOULD be up and about the next day. Sorry I cant be of more help.

I'm really sorry Muddy, don't have any solutions to help just sympathy. My last period lasted for 12 days which I thought was annoying enough and I never know when they are going to come these days. At least I don't have spots any more but have yet to start on hot flushes (or cornflakes )!

you could try a blend of geranium and cypress essential oils MW. They helped me control heavy painful periods for years. The other thing it might be worth asking your GP about is a uterine ablation. Much less drastic than a hysterectomy - the just remove the lining and fibroids. I only needed 1 week off work after it instead of the 12 weeks with a hysterectomy!

For some reason they're reluctant to do it on the NHS - I have no idea why, I was treated as a day case and no problems.

Does shopping at Waitrose bring it on?

Find a new doctor. My mother had serious fibroids and had them removed, and it did NOT require a hysterectomy.

Thanks for all your love & support, (& the giggle from Boboff )

GA I will try the EOs, thanks

Ellandra, this is the third GP that has come up with 'the only answer' but I might investigate the uterine ablation opption.

MMM day 9 so far...this time

Hot flushes in abundance, sleepy days occasionally, bit of hair thining (but the latset colouring could account for that) no cornflake cravings...will keep you all posted on that one, methinks Mrs Sherris has her own personal symptoms

MW

Oh Mrs Sherris is definitely unique!

I had the ablation last Oct (I had the mesh one) as a last resort before hysterectomy and its the best thing Ive ever done....although painful at the time it was well worth it.....I get a slight bleed still but I have got my life back. Shepherds purse tincture is supposed to be good for heavy bleeding....pick while its flowering, stuff in a jar and cover with vodka....put in a cool dark place for a month, shaking daily. Strain into a bottle and label. Take 1/2 tsp 3 times a day until bleeding stops. xx