Could these menopause herbs be the cause of my bleeding?

I am presently going through menopause at 54 years of age. My principal symptom has been disrupted sleep – and the need to urinate more frequently during the night has doubtless contributed to this.

I was faring reasonably well on a combination of Solgar’s Herbal Female tablets, supplemented by 400 mg of wild yam. However, I had a two-month period of abnormal bleeding earlier in the year, which has been cured by a polypectomy. During the consultation that preceded treatment, the gynaecologist requested that I cease taking the herbal supplements because they could cause breakthrough bleeding. What is the view of WDDTY? – H. Skardhamar, East Sussex

WDDTY replies: You’re right to stop the herbal remedies. Look instead for a nutritional imbalance as a cause of your sleeplessness. You might also consider a stress-reducing programme of exercise such as meditation or yoga.