Conference turris::womannotes-v1

    For one thing, encourage her to get adequate medical attention. Though
    menopause is something every woman goes through sooner or later
    if she lives long enough, modern medicine can do a lot toward easing
    the discomforts and pains.  (And no, not just estrogen treatments.)
    
    My mother went through quite a bit of h*** before she saw a doctor
    about it. I was too young to understand exactly what the treatment
    was, but I do remember what a difference it made. 

    I won't presume to try to comment on what it feels like, not having
    been through it yet.

    --bonnie

    I recomend that she seek professional help, either a physician and/or
    a psychologist.  Just like PMS more attention is being given to
    female problems that used to be thought to be in our minds.  I am
    on of those fortunate people who is going through menapause with
    no side affects.  I really believe a lot has to do with ones basic
    mental attitude to begin with.  Sometimes we get to hung up on the
    ageing process and dwell on it instead of letting it take its natural
    course.
    I hope that you are supportive of your friend, but try to help her
    by keeping her mind occupied with things other than herself and
    what is happening to her body.

    Having been through menopause myself (ovaries surgically removed),
    I would agree with the replies so far, medical attention, and
    support.  
    
    deb

    How about "not always" (or maybe "not often"???) instead of a flat
    NOPE?  My mother's certainly did, though we didn't know it was PMS
    at the time she was going through it. 
    
    --bonnie

    
    	I suppose that "not always" or "not often" might be more 
    accurate but according to my physician PMS does still continue 
    --- women continue to have a "cycle" so it should follow that
    PMS would continue as well.  Mine is helped some by the hormone
    therapy that my Doctor has prescribed.  But it's still there, 
    but was only noticed after my Dr. called my attention to it. 
    It's not as severe as prior to having my hysterectomy -- this
    is attributed to the hormones that I take. 
    
    	Better?? 
    
    		Myra
    

    I certainly can't speak personally on this subject, only relay what
    I know second-hand of my mother's experiences, so I don't mean to
    tread on toes of those who actually have to face the pains. But
    since I will have to go through this in the not-to-distant future,
    I'm interested.

    When I was growing up, my mother was what was then, in those pre-PMS
    days, called a "once-a-month witch."  Everyone in the family understood
    that it was related to her periods and tried to be helpful, but
    we had some difficult times. All this disappeared entirely after
    menopause and she's now one of the most stable women I know.
    
    Her menopause started naturally, then she had to have a hysterectomy;
    has your doctor said whether natural vs. surgical menopause is a
    factor? 
    
    thanks,
    
    --bonnie s.

    
    No, my Doctor has not mentioned if natural vs. surgical menopause
    causes any difference in women still experiencing problems with
    PMS.  
    
    My mother went thru a natural menopause as opposed to surgical and
    as far as I know had no problems but she has always been extremely
    healthy.  
    
    Sorry I don't have more info.  I'm attempting to become educated
    on the subject as the Dr. who did my hysterectomy never mentioned
    that I would still have a monthly cycle with some of the same problems
    as experienced prior to my hysterectomy.  Needless to say I see
    a different Doctor now.  
    
    Myra
    

    After I started my menopause I assumed I would no longer have the
    PMS so was very surprised that it still happened.  It was a good
    two years before my body caught up to the surgery and hormone
    replacement therapy and the PMS stopped.
    
    deb