Night sweats, insomnia and libido

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gabriellap
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by gabriellap on Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:28 pm

Night sweats, insomnia and libido

I am 48. For the past couple of years, my night sweats have been so bad that on occasions my husband has thought that I have wet the bed. When I sweat I wake up because as well as the bed being soaking wet, I feel dehydrated, which makes me drink water, and no sooner have I gone back to sleep, I wake up again because I need to go to the toilet to wee. This is a continuous occurrence night after night. My doctor will not prescribe HRT for me because I have a history of breast cancer in the family. I was taking a herbal supplement by an American company called Solgar, which worked, but sadly the product was recently discontinued. I have tried several other supplements and nothing works. Can you help please - I'm so so tired.

My other problem is low libido. I used to have a very high sex drive, but it seems to be leaving me. During the day when I am at work I get moments when I feel sexy, but by the time I get home in the evening, I am so tired, and my drive has gone. On a lot of occasions it takes me a very long time to reach climax, and sometimes I can't - this is not like me. Is there something that can help with this too - my doctor has prescribed me vagifem which helps a little downstairs, but not my libido level generally.

All this is really starting to get me down - I'm nearly close to tears just writing about it.

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Dr Masud Haq
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by Dr Masud Haq on Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:02 am

Re: Night sweats, insomnia and libido

Thank you for your post.

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well.

You didn't say but I presume you have reached the menopause. If this is the case, your nights sweats and reduced libido are all consistent with you being menopausal.

I would however suggest a number of tests to exclude other causes of nights sweats. The main one being thyroid function.

Menopausal flushes and night sweats can be difficult to treat. HRT is the best treatment but not suitable for everyone. Alternative treatments that can help include red clover extract, black cohosh, evening primrose oil. Other options include a trail of beta-blockers or SSRI's (fluoxetine).

For reduced libido, then a trial of DHEA may be helpful.

Regards
Dr Masud Haq
Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology
Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells Hospital

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... ud_haq.php

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Dr Heather Currie
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by Dr Heather Currie on Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:06 am

Re: Night sweats, insomnia and libido

Just to add to the above, a family history of breast cancer is not necessarily a reason to avoid HRT, which is still the most effective treatment for estrogen deficiency symptoms of the menopause, and there are very few women who cannot take HRT.
Best wishes
Heather Currie
www.menopausematters.co.uk
Dr Heather Currie
Associate Specialist Gynaecologist
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... currie.php

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Rosemary Mallace
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by Rosemary Mallace on Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:16 am

Re: Night sweats, insomnia and libido

Hi, Gabriellap,

I'm not a doctor and have no medical expertise in these matters. I'm on the forum as a fitness expert. However, My 'expertise' in this is as a woman who has gone through the menopause and so I thought that I would share a tip with you. I totally understand that because it worked for me it may not work for you but it is worth trying.

I found I got night sweats when I kept my bedroom cool. I know it sounds weird but if I kept the temperature of the room down, hoping it would keep night sweats at bay, they were worse. If I kept the heating on and the room nice and cosy the night sweats weren't as bad. I'm 62 now, and through the menopause, but I still get the occasional night sweat if the room is too cold. Seems bonkers, I know, but it worked for me. You've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. Really hope it helps.

Rosemary Mallace
Rosemary Mallace
Personal Trainer

gabriellap
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Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:35 pm
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by gabriellap on Wed Apr 24, 2013 11:17 am

Re: Night sweats, insomnia and libido

Thank you all for your comments.

To confirm - yes, my doctor has diagnosed the menopause, and I have had the thyroid test too. I will speak to her again about HRT. I do take all the supplements suggested too.

Thanks again.

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