Okay, I am definitely in perimenopause now. I've not seen a dr, but I AM going crazy! So, I think I'm there. For three months, I had 2 periods per month. For other months, I am unusually heavy for me. And there are times when I swear the AC is not working. And the moods, well, lets just say don't even come in the same room with me. IT IS BAD!

I hear all sorts of conflicting reports on suppliments during this time.

I have recently been purchasing many products from that new company I spoke of earlier (the green stuff). I have LOVED LOVED LOVED everything I have ever gotten, so much so that they have consistantly over exceeded my expectations.

Well, I'm placing my current order, and saw this suppliment. I'm thinking about ordering it, but I really don't want to do something that is not a good idea. Could those who are "in the know" with the ingredients or BTDT experience with other products they have used, please take a look? I'd like to order it today, but I really want to get your feedback before I do. So depending on what I hear from you ladies, I will wait before I do. I really put much value in the information everyone has here, so that is why I am asking. Thanks so much for helping me again.

Here is the link to the product along with the ingredients (look at the section labled "description, product label, additional info" You should find everything you need there to let me know what you know about the ingredients and use of them.

http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.productDetail&pid=2390&sCatId=5

As far as seeing a dr. We don't have insurance and I am married to a man who hates them and therefore hates having to pay for me to see them. Yes, I can go see a dr, but no it is not an easy task for me. Please don't debate the issue of my husbands view and how this causes problems. I am fully aware of that, and live with it daily. So "see your dr first" feedback is fine, and I will if more feedback points to that direction, but right now I just need more knowledge on the subject. Looking for education right now

By Amecmom on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 09:39 am:

My doc recommended evening primrose oil. She said it would help with water retention and mood swings.
Ame

By Dana on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 11:26 am:

Well, I have the mood swings, but thankfully not the water retention (at least I dont think so.

Did you actually try it? Did it help?

By Colette on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 04:23 pm:

I would not try anything until you speak w/a dr. Dong Quai can have side effects, and should not be taken by women w/heavy periods. Black cohosh can cause liver damage. None of these supplements are fda approved. The link you posted didn't work for me, so I went to the site and typed in menopause, I think this is the same product you were talking about.

unless you see a dr you don't know that you are definitely having symptoms of perimenopause, they could be symptoms of something else. If you can't afford a dr, try checking with a clinic - planned parenthood is one that used to offer checkups on a sliding scale, I am sure there are others.

By Dana on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 05:18 pm:

Thanks Colette. That is the type of information I am looking for.

As for "heavy" they are heavy for me. I've always had light periods. And lately I will have one or two days where I am changing several times in a day. But never scary heavy.

By Dana on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 05:20 pm:

Hmm, the link worked for me. Perhaps it has something to do with my log in. The product was called EstrAval or something like that. Sounds like you looked up the right item.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 05:30 pm:

Estraval Menopause Support

By Colette on Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 08:49 pm:

Glad I could help Dana. Please go to a clinic before you self diagnose. There are things that were wrong with me that I thought were minor, nothing things,maybe I had carpal tunnel or something, and I ended up needing brain surgery. Another time, dh and I went out for pizza w/jalepenos on it and the drs thought I had indigestion (30 hours later) and I ended up having my gall bladder out. Don't write things off.

By Vicki on Sunday, November 9, 2008 - 10:45 am:

While I don't know much about any of the specific ingredents in the item you posted, I do know many of the "natural" things have very serious side effects. At the very least, I would put a call into the Dr's office and ask about the specific supplement you are looking at. You might be allowed to just talk to the nurse over the phone about it. But to be honest, I would be visiting the doctor before I did anything just to be positive that it is indeed menopause. There are many things that can mimic it and I just wouldn't want to fool with that.

By Dana on Sunday, November 9, 2008 - 04:46 pm:

Thanks. I don't think I will be taking that product after seeing the few responses here. I do love my other products from this company, but I think this particular one will not make my shopping list. I am a firm believer in "just because it is based on natural doesn't mean it is safe."

By Colette on Sunday, November 9, 2008 - 05:08 pm:

I really, really, think you should call a dr to make sure this is just perimenopause and not something else.

By Dana on Monday, November 10, 2008 - 10:31 am:

Well, besides my extreme bad attitude I have at the drop of a hat, I can't say that there is anything sending off warning signs or making me think there could be something else happening.

I'm just a couple months from 47 yrs now, so I'm not overly concerned. I just want something to help with the mood swings.

I've already been diagnosed with PMDD and was on Sarafem a few years back. Most of my symptoms are the same PMDD complaints, esp the mood change. The only thing different was the 3 months of every 2 wk periods. But even that has stopped during the last 2 months. It was the change in my cycle that really made me think perimenopause vs only PMDD. Never been anything but regular.

Thanks for your concern, Collete, and chances are after the holidays I will see the dr. Maybe even before that, because I just can't stand being so angry with only one good week of pleasentness.

By Karen~admin on Monday, November 10, 2008 - 07:36 pm:

Estroven

You can take it with or without HRT - I've taken it and it DOES WORK.

By Colette on Monday, November 10, 2008 - 08:29 pm:

also Dana, I was on the depo shot for years and I had no idea how much that was making me a total b@tch until I got off of it. So if you are on any meds, that could be it too.

By Dana on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 09:26 am:

No meds. It's all me, LOL

Thanks Karen.