I was 42 years of age. The doctors strongly recommend removing the ovaries because you then do not have to worry about ovarian cancer. It seemed like a logical recommendation.

However, getting thrown into sudden menopause caused very severe and constant hot flashes and dryness. My doctor prescribed estrogen patches, which did alleviate symptoms.

But it took about six months to arrive at the optimal dosage and for the symptoms to more or less disappear. I also experienced “foggy memory” and complete lack of desire for sex.

This also diminished with time. The symptoms were more difficult to control because I also was taking synthroid for a thyroid deficiency and the dosage of this medicine affects the dosage needed for the estrogen patch.

Therefore, constant tinkering of the prescription was necessary. It was very vexing to discover how little attention is paid to women’s health issues. I read many books and looked into many of the alternative treatments and herbal remedies. I tried a number of those.

Sleeplessness also became a problem for a couple of years. I used herbal remedies, mostly to solve this, and cut down on caffeine consumption. When the medical research came out saying that hormone treatments were dangerous, I stopped using the patch (after about 10 years!!).

The hot flashes returned, but not as severely as before. Some of the other symptoms came back in fits and starts, but I am sticking to herbs for menopause, mostly, and topical estrogen cream at this point.

Mind over matter is a good strategy for me right now, rather than worrying about whether the cure is worse than the disease!!

The hot flashes were severe, and lasted from 30 to 90 seconds. I would soak through tee-shirts with sweat several times per night. My physician wanted to recommend estrogen but I did not want to take it due to potential cancer risk.

Menopause is a natural part of life, even if it is uncomfortable. The symptoms stayed with me for almost two years. Finally, late in my 56th year, I quit having periods. I could hardly believe it.

The hot flashes and night sweats were extreme, but I took some natural substances which did help: black cohosh (Cimicufuga racemosa), and valerian root to calm my nerves.

Black Cohosh has been used by more than 1.7 million women in Europe and Australia to treat menopausal symptoms according to the Life Extension Disease and Prevention book, my main guide to herbals.

I began sleeping in thinner cotton tee-shirts with the idea that I would have several changes during the evening due to the night sweats. I also used an ice pack either on my abdomen or upper chest (over the thorax) to keep my core temperature cool.

At the time we were living in a very hot climate, and experiencing those symptoms with the intense heat outside was completely miserable. At night, I often slept with a fan on, in another room, so as not to disturb my poor husband.

It was the oddest thing, but I found that being able to put my feet out from under the covers at night helped keep me cool, also sleeping at an angle seemed to be easier than flat on my back. I read about everything I could get my hands on during the period, and decided there was nothing really spectacular on the menopause process on the market.

People experience it in different ways. I was assured by more than one doctor and several friends who had been through it that it would indeed get better. I am now 59. I no longer experience intense night sweats. On the rare occasion I will get a hot flash but they do not last very long, perhaps 10 to 20 seconds.

It is a relief not to have to worry about monthly periods, needless to say, although menopause brings its own sets of worries. I am striving to gain additional estrogen support naturally.

I also take a calcium/magnesium supplement and additional vitamins and herbs now that I did not take before. Other changes are less obvious, I seem to be more achy and prone to colds than I was before menopause, and certainly a bit lower on energy, but I think part of that is due to aging.

Just so you know, some other common symptoms of menopause besides night sweats and hot flashes include headaches, vertigo, heart palpitations, tinnitus, nervousness and irritability, depressive moods, and sleep disturbances.

These things can also be signs of other conditions, so it’s best to check with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.