I am having around 30 hot flushes per day. I hear so many stories from other women and their advice is always different. Some say to take medication, others say that I should let it happen on its own as medication will only prolong the symptoms. What would you advise?

There are several ways of going through the menopause; you could try taking the drugs route, which would include HRT, or you could try using natural remedies and supplements.

Unfortunately, with medications such as HRT although it may be very helpful at the time, most women can end up getting withdrawal symptoms when they come off.

HRT doesn't stop the menopause, it gives a high level of hormones which fools your body into thinking it is not going through the menopause but your own natural levels are still falling and when you come off HRT there is a huge and sudden dip in your hormone levels which causes these symptoms.

So yes, HRT can just prolong things at the end of the day. However, for some women their symptoms are so severe that this is the only option.

Natural remedies, on the other hand, tend to just help and support the body through the menopause making it easier to deal with and there is no 'come down' at the end.

For your symptoms you could try sage as this is traditionally used to relieve hot flushes and sweats, and you may also find taking a magnesium supplement helpful as well.

There are plenty of other things you can do to help yourself as well, such as making sure you have a good varied

Eileen Durward