Show Second Forty Forty Menopause and Medication Dear Miss Brookfield Brookfield- I am 48 married but child child- less I am going through the change and suffer from hot flashes and insomnia Is there some medication to give me relief Also 1 I have heard that women who have not had children suffer more at the menopause than women who have borne children Is this true R. R A. A San Diego Calif Dear R. R A. A No it isn't true Dr Eva F. F Dodge writing in the Journal of the American Medical Women's Association states Whether or not you have had children will have no bearing on how menopause menopause meno meno- pause affects you DESCRIBING the basic changes that take place during during during dur dur- ing this period she writes Actually this is the time that important physiological changes take place in women chiefly in the ovaries which female hormones produce estrogen and progesterone and the eggs called ova essential for reproduction As the ovaries gradually cease to function the hormone balance balance balance bal bal- ance between the pituitary and ovaries is upset This leads to changes in the menstrual menstrual men men- period The hormonal imbalance can lead to such common menopausal menopausal menopausal meno- meno symptoms as hot flashes insomnia night sweats and irritability among others There medication estrogen estro estro- is estrogen gen supplements that will relieve these symptoms But the person to decide whether you require estrogen is your doctor See him DISCUSS YOUR symptoms with your doctor so that you will know what to expect during during during dur dur- ing the change In this way you can approach this period with confidence and knowledge knowledge knowledge know know- ledge rather than with half- half truths or fears passed on by friends Se Secret ret Marriage Dear Miss Brookfield Brookfield- Our son a graduate student student stu stu- stu dent has gone steady with witha a girl we never particularly liked When he first went off to college we were hoping he would meet someone else But every time he returned this girl was there to meet him IF HE liE stayed home with the family she phoned two and three times In my day girls were not so aggressive Now weve we've been told the upsetting news that they were recently married I am so furious I dont don't want to see them now My ly husband insists we should forget Who's right JL J.L. Seattle Wash Dear J. J L. L Look at it this way this is the girl your son loves and chose to marry Isn't it time timeto to get to know her You may even become fond of her despite her aggressiveness Su Surely ely you should invite the couple over when you feel you can do so without recriminations recriminations recriminations re re- re- re criminations and arguments Try to remember that you share a common bond You both love the young man you as a mother she as a wife Snoring Dear Miss Brookfield I 1 am convinced there is a al alot alot l lot t to be said for single bliss I am 54 and recently married for the first time My ly husband snores and keeps me awake He claims he What can I do KM 0 O. Dear KM Next time he keeps you awake with his his snoring turn on a tape recorder Let him hear the evidence the next day That should end the argument How to end the snoring Try rolling him over on his side when he starts to snore If you get tired of this just buy ear earplugs earplugs plugs Good Luck co |