In a message dated 04/10/2001 9:12:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Her questions are :
> 1. Can I be going through Menopause while I breastfeed ?
> 2. Is there anything that I can do to relieve these symptoms  ?
> 3. Do I need hormone replacement therapy if it is Menopause ? Anything else?
> ?
> 4. I realize the importance of Calcium in my diet over the years, but is
> there anything else I should be doing ?
>

Dear Barbara,
Menopausal symptoms can begin many years before the body actually is post
menopause.  I liked Susan Love's book on the subject, she wrote that
"menopause" is the brief point between pre-menopause and post-menopause.
There should be no problem with this Mom continuing to breastfeed.  I would
not recommend hormonal treatment at this time because this is estrogen.  She
certainly could try some herbal treatments which may reduce the symptoms.
Regarding the calcium supplements; if she has a great diet I do not know how
much benefit she will get from them.  She definitely does not want to undergo
a bone scan at this time because her bones are definitely depleted but will
rebound after she weans.
A blood test can confirm this diagnosis but I would encourage her to wait
till she wants to wean to get this information since it will not change what
she is currently doing.
Hope this helps.
Ann Perry RN, IBCLC (already post-menopausal and enjoying it)
Boston, MA

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