I had a total hysterectomy 9 weeks ago, and my remaining ovary does not function very well. About 2 and a half weeks post-op, I started getting overall body aches and joint pains, similar to having a very, very bad flu. It has not let up since and it's now been going for over 6 weeks. I'm in a lot of pain. I had my oestrogen FH levels drawn the other day, so I think that it might be menopausal arthritis. Are there any natural alternatives to taking oestrogen? My hormones were those of a 35 year old prior to surgery, and I'm 54 years old, but I was hemorrhaging for a long time. My iron stores are better now, but I am just in agony. Today, I can hardly work and I feel very fatigued. I take Advil ES but it's not working either anymore. I feel as though I have a chronic flu with aches all over every muscle of my body. I don't have an infection as I've taken two courses of anti-biotics already.

You can take soya isoflavones, which are a gentle plant form of oestrogen. They take around 4-6 weeks to kick in though, so consider taking some extra magnesium in the meantime to help quickly while you wait for the oestrogen to work.

Salus Haus liquid magnesium is fast acting. Take 2 doses per day instead of 1 until you feel better.

Are you taking an iron supplement too? A natural iron would be best - Floradix or Feroglobin, for example. You won't feel like exercising so your circulation will be poor, which doesn't help.

Try doing breathing exercises, as this helps your circulation and also boosts the release of painkilling chemicals from your brain stem.

Eileen Durward

Do you have questions? Please feel free to ask.

Ask Eileen