Post-menopausal protest

I've had the most uncomfortable, sleepless night. One hot flush after another! When will it end? I'm 12 years down the line from the menopause. My mother only ever had hot feet, that I could cope with. What went wrong with me.

I took HRT on the advice of my GP to help prevent loss of bone density (I have RA so a prime candidate for osteoporosis) Seven years later a new GP said I should stop immediately so I did. The latest research suggests the risks were over stated and benefits under stated. I wish I'd kept taking it - for many reasons which post menopausal women will understand.

Fifteen years on I'm still suffering from night sweats, and in a nanosecond can switch to freezing cold.
Still plucking hairs from my chinny chin chin but thankfully only from one side now.
Cold comfort I'm afraid.

It's the first I've heard of not having to shave your legs after the menopause! My menopause started at 50 and I'm now 66 and still have to shave my legs (all the way to the top!) and armpits. I'm currently having laser treatment for upper lip hair. I was on HRT for about 3-5 years (can't remember exactly) then the doc, not my regular one, there are about 10 at my surgery, said to come off as there was now evidence of increased breast cancer. She told me to come off entirely and not gradually and I felt awful. I returned to see a different doc and he said a lot of women have gone back on because the risk for them is better than not being on it, as they felt so awful after stopping it. I have awful insomnia and feel very tired all the time and my skin has deteriorated and is less plump and more leathery, not wrinkly fortunately, although good for my age as I've always looked after it and moisturised etc. I am also forgetful and anxious. Having read people's comments on here I may return to the doctor and see if I can go on a low dose of HRT. Thank you ladies!

I'm sorry you have all these terrible symptoms, I myself, hardly had any noticeable symptoms.However, if you really can't deal with go and get help, I've heard HRT is fantastic.
I put down my lack of symptoms with walking, I do at least 5 miles a day.

Charly, no you don't have to have periods with HRT. I did for years and then was told there was a kind where one doesn't have periods. Have been using it for years. I have two girls who both say, looking at me, that the minute they need HRT they will use it.

I advise doing your own research, Google etc, so you know a bit of what you are talking about and are up to the minute. Research is varied, a few years ago my female GP doctor advising me gave a lot of information and told me to decide what I wanted. There are pros and cons and it's a personal decision. I probably should follow my own advice and update myself and see if any new informative books are worth reading. Regarding research, see who has paid for it. Drug companies are obviously suspect, they will only publish pro results, but lots of info out there. I shall carry on forever, having also taken medical advice on that!

Hi Tippy is there any chance it's Rosacea rather than acne

15 years!! I don't mind the hairy chin syndrome as it's controllable. The sleepless nights are totally debilitating. No more hot flushes is good news. Loss of libido is disappointing. Grey hair costs a fortune in time and money. No weight problems and I can now eat anything I fancy.

It does get better ..... Very slowly.

Ninathenana
I'm so looking forward to no longer having to shave my legs and armpits...why doesnt anyone tell you this as a positive?
Mind, I would prefer not shaving the chin (I thought I was alone in this pattern of male hairiness)and even the 'foof',any insight as to if and when this is a bonus to add to your 'silver lining'

Charly, I had a hysterectomy so can't advise you re. bleeding on HRT as I only take oestrogen. I do know that any bleeding due to taking the contraceptive pill is not a period at all but withdrawal bleeding caused by stopping a hormone specifically added to the regime to simulate a period. The contraceptive pill originally was given continuously but women were unhappy thinking that blood was being dammed up and too many gave up taking it for this reason. When I started taking it in the 70's I took the pill continuously to do away with periods (many women doctors did this). I suspect that combined HRT works this way too.
Re. coming off HRT - if it works for you why come off it? The government guidelines have changed dramatically (see NICE guidelines). Although some doctors are out of date in their prejudices those who are aware of the new guidelines based on up to date research are more inclined to keep you on patches or implants long term and if you ever want to come off it would recommend gradual reduction rather than the awful cold turkey that some women were subjected to in the past.

My menopause was 20 years ago. The trouble is, nobody tells you what happens to you so it all sort of hits you out of the blue! I remember going to the library and could only find awful books by male doctors saying EVERYTHING about the menopause was psychosomatic! Utter rubbish, what?
The hot flushes were the absolute worst - and it's only in the last few years they seem to have gone. Also, I identify with the brain going - memory and so on. It really worried me till I read Jenny Murray saying she even forgot her best friends name! Also things like arthritis.
I never wanted to go on HRT. Partly because I don't trust pills doctors give you and partly because I feel this is part of life, part of being a woman, and embracing it all.

Can anyone tell me if having HRT means you have to have periods again? I know they give you progesterone as well as oestrogen in HRT if womb /ovaries still intacto, which mine are, but though I like the idea of HRT at times, I hate the thought of a return to periods (progesterone is supposed to stop build-up of endometrial matter, so I believe.).

I also worry about coming off HRT and going through a second menopause.

Is it worth it?

Thank you anni I will try that.

No-one has mentioned hair. As I near 80, the head on my hair is growing ever thicker.... and it always was lush.... but it is also growing down towards the corners of the eye, making me look somewhat like the great white monkey.

Boots Tree Tea Spot Wand is very effective.

I remember complaining to my Aunt (who sadly died last week, aged 99) about a spot She made me laugh when she said 'Oh that's good,it shows there's something still alive in there!'

Oh vq how I sympathise. I am 67. I sailed through the menopause really. I have had lots of problems with hair loss, tooth loss etc but I have always looked after my skin and people have said to me 'your skin is lovely'. Now I have a red, blotchy spotty face!!! Things I have tried so far are - sudocrem, E45 cream, something called Bioderm, Freederm gel and facial wash (on the advice of my teenage granddaughter), even calamine lotion. None of these have worked. Someone said it's probably due to hormone changes. When I asked a pharmacist she said it was rosacea acne and a lot of 'older' people get it. She told me to go to the docs for an antibiotic cream or something like that. If it doesn't go I will follow her advice. I have to plaster make up on to cover it but the little bumps still show through. I am sorry for anyone who has this, but I was so pleased to see this post. I thought it was just me.

Hi tippy 22, I also sailed through menopause,15 years later, I've developed spots- so please post if you find solution, after expensive & exhaustive search I'm no further forward.

My GP made me come off HRT 3 years ago (I had been on it for 15 years following removal of ovaries and hysterectomy). There was no gradual weaning just cold turkey. I knew the day would come but what I wasn't quite expecting the steam roller that hit me. Fatigue, weight gain, teenage spots, my thermostat totally unable to regulate my body temperature - and oh yes - that lovely moustache and chin stubble (looking akin to a hairy piece of pure crackling). I think the worse part though was the sudden lack of interest in any "marital relations" - thankfully I have a very understanding DH! 6 weeks ago I plucked up courage to see my GP to plead with her for a return to HRT. After a few checks she agreed to me trying the lowest dose for 2 months. Wow what a difference! I've more energy, lost over half a stone, sleep better and only have 2 or 3 hot flushes a night - and these are certainly less severe than before. Perhaps the best bit though is that my "urges" ?? have returned! I just pray that my GP continues to prescribe the HRT for many years to come. I know that not HRT isn't for everyone and I am very aware of the potential risks, but i want to continue my renewed zest for life and be able to play and run around with my grandchildren for as long as possible.

Been on HRT for 27 years with no intention of ever coming off it. Life is too short to suffer if there is a solution!

I find that 'sugaring ' rather than 'waxing' is the best method of hair removal as it seems to retard the regrowth more. Look for a local practitioner. I went through the menopause really early in my mid forties with not too many problems but the hair growth which used to be on my legs and under arms has now diminished only to reappear elsewhere!

Reading these posts has brought me out in a flush.

I'm feeling better now, after about 8 years of symptoms. But the exhaustion hasn't gone away. I did some Pilates yesterday and I can barely walk today.

Happy days.

I had a very early menopause (38) and so it's 25 years since my last period. I'm still having night sweats but only occasionally during the day. I have more spots now than I did as teenager, which is surprising considering that my skin is so dry you could strike a match on it. But the worst thing is my memory of silly, inconsequential things. I'm wracking my brains to try to remember the name of a plant in my garden. I know, it but I can't for the life of me remember it. I could just look it up, but that's a slippery slope!

Its been 20yrs since my last period and although I rarely get hot flushes in the daytime I do still suffer from 2/3 at night where I'll throw off the covers or stick my arms and legs out in the cold. The only other thing is chin hairs. I've given up hope that it will eventually all go completely but am grateful the daytime flushes stopped at least.
I never had mood swings thank goodness.

Last period was 12 yrs ago. I'm very lucky not to have suffered any symptoms. I always say it's payback for the years of very irregular and very heavy periods.
Advantages post menopause, I no longer have to shave my legs or pits. Disadvantages the hair on my lip and chin.
I was surprised to read on GN that hot flushes can continue for many years