menopause

Have you considered HRT?

Great question Pollaidh. I came off HRT on the advice of a new GP. I wish I hadn't. The latest research suggests it is much less of a risk than was thought some years ago. Go for it bluviolet. Nothing to be gained by suffering when HRT can sort it.

GPs overreact to outdated information regarding HRT. I am very lucky to have the support not only of my GP but also the consultant gynecologist. HRT is definitely worth a look. I returned to it after 12 months of suffering without it!

There was a fantastic article in the Times last week. It went into the results of a 20 year long study of the effects of HRT and debunked most of the scares. I would say all of the scares but , naturally, I can’t quite remember it all.
It was printed on the 4th and , of course, there is a book connected with the article call Oestrogen matters.
I came off HRT after 10 years and have regretted it.
After the article I have started again with the patches I have left. I’m off to the Drs in a couple of weeks so I’ll bring him up to date on my self medication.
The only reason I stopped was because they couldn’t find a replacement that suited me after my previous pill had been discontinued. I think this one is a bit strong so I’ve solved that problem by cutting it in half!
Anyway I only started again on Saturday so we’ll see.
I’m sure some will gasp at my cavalier attitude to my body but I don’t care.

Hi Pamela I take tibolone and it suits me brilliantly. Might be worth asking about. It is commonly available and no longer under "copyright" so not as expensive as others.

Will do.

Yes I purchased this cream online. I thought no it was called wellsprings or similar.
It was a complete waste of money for me!
I take menocool black cohosh, have a monthly acupuncture session, go to the gym and have cut out sugar and lowered carbs. So far it has improved my symptoms massively.
I am 55 and 3/4 years in so trying alternative methods as HRT is a last resort for me.

Missfoodlove I really think that if you can manage without HRT you absolutely should. I tried everything in my year off and it all just got worse. Within a month of returning to HRT I was a different woman!

Missfoodlove I really think that if you can manage without HRT you absolutely should. I tried everything in my year off and it all just got worse. Within a month of returning to HRT I was a different woman!

Isn’t black cohosh bad for the liver? I could be wrong but I work adjacent to a practitioner who warned me off it.

the positive of HRT is its well researched, women who take it are carefully monitored.
The negatives about the alternative type treatments (like black cohosh) is they haven't been subjected to medical research. all drugs/alternative treatments create different reactions in those who take them.

Please DO NOT take any oestrogen-like supplements (e.g. black cohosh or dong quai) without consulting your provider first. These can mimic oestrogen function and are usually not safe for women who can't take oestrogen. Furthermore, oestrogen should generally not be taken without progesterone in women who still have a uterus. Unopposed oestrogen can potentially trigger endometrial cancer because the uterine lining can become too thick.

bjgp.org/content/68/676/538

This interesting book was discussed on Woman's Hour this morning. The link is to an article about it in the British Journal of GP practice.

Depending on the preparation of HRT I'm not sure if the urine from pregnant mares is still used. I know there were certain brands that were used at one time.
What I'm justifying here is that most women now object to wearing animal fur or are vegans because of the distress that animals suffer etc. but pregnant mares also suffer for the sake of women's discomfort during menopause.

I'm not an animal rights activist,nor do I display double standards. Just sayin'.