The Study's Over. It's Time To Call It A Night.


So, OK, it's been three months. Every day for 90 days, as I participated in a double-blind study, I had to log on a special calendar the number of hot flashes I had, and whether or not I took my study pills. The researcher didn't know if I had "the real thing" or a placebo; neither, of course, did I. The real thing was red clover which is apparently richer in isoflavanoids than soy.

The cool thing was that I went from an average of ten hot flashes a day down to an average of two a day Ð and I actually experienced several days with no hot flashes. It was heaven.

Well, now the study's over. They gave me some red clover supplements (promensilª) to carry me over for three months, but my hot flashes are back. They also gave me a list of Chinese herbs I could get to help reduce the hot flashes, which I'm happy to share with you, with a caveat. Go visit a licensed herbalist who can accurately prescribe herbs that are appropriate for your specific needs. This treatment is based on correcting the balance of "fire" and "water" in the body. That said,

- Liu Wei Di Hung Wan is a formula used to restore the balance of fire and water during menopause.

- Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan is similar to the above, but contains stronger, heat-clearing herbs.

Some women may experience nausea, heartburn or more frequent bowel movements when taking these herbs, so don't take more than are prescribed.

If you don't want to go the herbal or pill route, go soy. Eat soybeans, use tofu in cooking Ð I know, some of you are grimmacing right now, but if you season tofu, which is completely tasteless, it will blend into any dish you make. Soy chocolate milk is pretty good, but watch the calorie content.

I have an appointment to see a licensed herbalist and acupuncturist next week. I'll keep you up-to-date on my sweat progress.

The bad news is that a friend of mine told me she had perimenopausal symptoms for about a year, then they stopped for a year when her period stopped. Then they started again. Menopause. Go figure.

The copyright of the article The Study's Over. It's Time To Call It A Night. in Menopause is owned by Susan Irene Fox. Permission to republish The Study's Over. It's Time To Call It A Night. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic