Hi. This is my experience which may be of some help, and certainly wont harm you trying. I was found to have three 4-5cm fibroids when investigating why I wasn't getting pregnant four years ago, seen by internal ultrasound and keyhole surgery. The fibroids were left and endometriosis was dealt with and I became pregnant. Towards the end of my pregnancy I was given regular ultrasounds as one of the fibroids was right next to the cervix and they were not sure if I would be able to have a natural birth. My cervix stretched and it moved out the way so all was fine. Now here's the mind blowing bit...14 months later I had my 12 week ultrasound with my second baby and there was NO sign of them. We asked, they checked...not even small ones! They were certainly not detected throughout the rest of my pregnancy. Of course I have wondered how this could be having read surgery was the only and undesirable way to get rid of them. My conclusions based on my life style are....I have been a non-meat eater for 20 years...so not that. I have never smoked, rarely drink...didn't cause them. My diet is ok, but not really healthy; eaten oily fish for years so not that. BUT I had become lactose intolerant (too many anti-biotics) around 5 years ago, and maybe those fibroids were actually already shrinking when they were discovered? I had also been taking Vitex to help get pregnant and maybe some other herbal things but certainly nothing that promised to get rid of fibroids. After a year of eating no milk products I read that some hard cheeses such as English cheddar, Edam etc have only traces of lactose (see the 'carbohydrates - of which sugars' label on the cheese) which I can tolerate, and have eaten for four years now, but I do not eat any other products containing milk including chocolate, some crisps, cakes etc...check your labels. I would love this info to help someone...worth a try? its not proven and I haven't had them checked out in the last year since childbirth - could have been something else im not thinking of? From my searches they don't look like they just disappear after childbirth? Good luck all XX

Organic donna - I am absolutely 100% in the same place you are with respect to a relationship. In fact, I turn 53 next week, look and act pretty darned Ok compared to some my age (and not as good as others, of course!), and although I'd love companionship, just don't have it in me to start up another relationship nor any real interest in sex. I am recently through menopause, and I don't know if that has made it worse or not. It certainly is a quandry, because it would be great to have someone in my life that I loved and who loves me. But I don't really have the push to get out there and find it. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone on that front! Suzieque

Hi Nancy, I am also new here. I have been using Oestrogel for 2 months now. It has helped some with night sweats however, I am just hot all of the time. Like you 60 degrees is about right for me. What dose of the gel are you on? Maybe you just need a slight increase. I would like to caution you about the Effexor. I read that it could help with hot flashes & asked my Dr for it. They told me that it is a nightmare to get off of it. I have since heard from others that are having a horrible time trying to stop that med. Gale

pleblanc, I know you posted this a while ago but I have just read it and wondered if you got the itching and skin dryness sorted. I have had exactly the same symptoms as you only on the soles of my feet which makes even standing up some days excrutiating. I have been near to tears on a couple of occassions recently. Mine started two years ago out of the blue and I thought it might be menopause related as I had some severe hot flashes start at the same time. My doctor doesn't think so and has been prescribing creams for Pompholyx excema. I am finally seeing a dermatologist next month so we shall see what happens. I also for a few months have had the vaginal and rectal itching. I thought it was thrush but I have no other symptoms. I have been using canesten cream which gives me relief. I find it worse during the night which could be related to feeling hot. Finally, I also get the joint pain deep in my right hip if I lie on it too long and it also wakes me during the night. I would say all my menopause symptoms started about 8 years ago but in the last 2 years it has been constant and I have been trying everything I possibly can to help myself. I am of the belief that if these problems happened to men there would be specialists in every major city in every part of the world. Unfortunately because it is the other half of the population, Drs with a special interest are few and far between. P.S I tried HRT but had a horrendous migraine which was really scary-thought I was having a stroke-and my doc took me off them immediately. My BP and cholesterol were also sky high. Sorry this is so long but wanted to let you know you're not alone.