But where would you post? I agree with Sue and Jane that it would be unwieldy to have different forums about every topic. But… early menopause doesn’t seem to have one forum where posts would be read by everyone affected. I do not consider myself a ‘Younger Woman’ so don’t often look at that forum, and I bet there are women older than me who are also having an early menopause. So, where should I post? Maybe undergoing treatment (if I think my early menopause is caused by Aromasin) or after treatment (because my symptoms got worse after an oophrectomy) or living with breast cancer (because for me that means living with an early menopause). I really do think this topic doesn’t fit as neatly into one forum as some of the other topics Sue has mentioned.
Ellie
—hot flushes —I’ve used something called a “chillow” for about a year now to help with the hot flushes.
It’s a little bit like a hot water bottle, but larger and with a foam interior. You fill it with cold water and slip it between your pillow and pillowcase, then sleep with your head on it. The theory is that the cold water in it helps to conduct heat away from your head during the night, and the cool air around you then cools the water down again, helping you to maintain a comfortable temperature. I think (although it might be in my imagination) that my flushes also eased during the day too!
Check it out on Google. I paid about £25 for mine a year ago.
Jo
Good Idea Hi
I also agree,the menopause is harsh at the best of times,when you are younger it brings lots of different issues.
I am 35 and am finding all the things associated with the meno hard to deal with,
I was having a pretty big hot flush at the same time as my Mum she thought it was funny and I felt bloody cheated.
And also the sex thing well my sex drive is better than before Tamoxifen but I have suffered severe dryness and am scared to have sex now,so there are lots of issues and I feel they warrant a seperate forum.
Love
Sarah x
No new forum required Those who feel for some unknown reason, that they are not “young women” even though they have been put into an early menopause could use the “Living with breast cancer” forum instead?
The important thing is to say how you feel and somehow come to terms with it. I had to, myself.
Wherever you post, you are likely to be read by women who also :
(a) are upset because they were still childless or had not completed their families and / or
(b) are concerned with premature ageing, osteoporosis and flushes if ER+ and unable to have HRT.
Defining yourselves in a very small category WILL make you isolated.
I always felt that “young” was loosely interpreted as those of childbearing age (say up to age 50) and many of the other contributors to the Young Women’s forum were “young” when first diagnosed and feel they can still offer constructive advice to those following in their footsteps?
Please give the existing forums a try before saying you need a new forum. I’m sure someone will respond.
Isolated ! People who have family history may not have had cancer and therefore will not look under “living with breast cancer”.
At least if there is a seperate forum for early menopause all subjects related to this can be discussed under early menopause and this way it does not isolate people because of age, family history or those who face early menopause for whatever the reason may be.
No requirement for a separate forum There are currently too many forums and while that is not good enough reason not to examine & explore other possibilities it is a serious consideration. I also feel the younger women’s forum covers the subject of early menopause adequately. I think it is down to the perception of “younger - the description of the forum is for those pre-menopausal it therefore follows if your treatment has induced early menopause that would be a suitable place to discuss that? Perhaps a re-wording of the forum description would be an idea?
As it stands because there are too many forums users don’t have time to visit all the forums. If there was a dedicated one for those in early menopause this would undoubtedly reduce the support on offer further. Currently users of all ages post in the younger women’s forum as this covers a huge variety of issues but may be much less inclined to visit an early menopause forum - there would then be a real risk of isolation.
Love Twinkle xoxo
— —I am on tamoxifen, and find the menopausal symptoms so hard to manage ! - I don’t think I’ve had a good night’s sleep for at least 6 months! - I am fed up with the sweats at any given time to the extent of affecting my life - they are embarrasing and inconvienient!
I use a “chillow” at night and it is the only way I get any degree of relief, but it generally end up hot and useless too! - just like me!!!
1daful Yeah, I’m in the same boat as you, some nights are just horrendous and I get up in the morning feeling completely hung over.
The chillow helps to a certain degree and I’m glad of it.
Regarding a separate forum…
I don’t think a seperate forum for early menopause would attract as many visits as having it incorporated on here. You may miss invaluable advice from older women posting here who have experienced early menopause.
Er… does that make sense at all? I know what I mean anyway!
Love Zeb
xx