This important article discusses Hypothryoidism as the culprit behind menopause symptoms not the decrease in hormones (estrogen and progesterone.)  Synthetic hormones in BCP’s and HRT’s affect the entire endocrine system of which the thyroid is a part.  Not unusaul to think that it is the thyroid that is out of whack after years of menstrual suppression and living against the natural menstrual cycle. L.

Beverly Hills, CA (The Open Press) September 18, 2008 — As women get older we’re told to expect certain symptoms. Lack of energy, thinning hair, night sweats, emotional swings, weight gain we can’t reverse, decreased libido and dry skin are among the most common. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the usual solution but often doesn’t relieve most of the symptoms. So, we turn to extreme diets, mood-enhancing drugs and anti-aging skin care products. Why didn’t the HRT work? Although your symptoms may be hormone-related, the precise hormones causing the problems may have been misdiagnosed.  MORE…