Ask the doctor - menopause

Read expert medical advice with doctors' questions and answers from Prima, SHE and Good Housekeeping

Hot flushes keep me awake

I'm 45 and starting to get hot flushes and leg cramps that stop me sleeping. I've heard that an isoflavone supplement could help, even though I haven't reached the menopause.

Women of any age can benefit from isoflavone supplements. They help to balance oestrogen levels and are particularly helpful for hot flushes and sleep problems. An interesting new product is Phyto Soya Night & Day, which combines isoflavones with herbs and other nutrients for additional benefits. Night capsules contain lemon balm, magnesium and vitamin B6 to promote restful sleep, while the day capsules include grape, nettle leaf and potassium to help reduce water retention (£21.49 for 60 capsules from health stores and pharmacies).
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima

 

Herbal remedies for hot flushes

I stopped HRT after breast cancer scares, but the flushes have returned with a vengeance. Do herbal remedies for hot flushes work?

There are several herbal remedies that reduce hot flushes by up to a third. The most tested one seems to be red clover, which you can get from your pharmacist at a dose of 60-80mg a day. Others include dong quai and black cohosh - ask your pharmacist for more advice.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Cystitis and the menopause?

I have had blood in my urine a few times in the past 18 months. My GP says it’s due to cystitis, and has given me antibiotics. I had never suffered from cystitis before I went through the menopause, and wonder if there’s a link?

Going through the menopause can certainly increase your risk of cystitis because it can cause vaginal dryness and inflammation. The opening of your urethra (the tube that leads to your bladder) is very close to your vagina, which is why the two can be associated. Topical oestrogen cream, or a vaginal moisturiser such as Replens, which you can get without prescription from your pharmacist, can help. Talk to your pharmacist or GP.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

 

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The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk