HRT or NOT!

Saxifrage so sorry to hear this. What do the medics say? How are you now?

Took Hrt for about 10 years in my 60s. Then got breast. Cancer. I will never know if Hart was the cause?

You’re right Alypoole. In fact I gave my GP a very good book ‘Oestrogen Matters’ and she grabbed it with both hands! I was lucky to source a private gynaecologist specialising in all menopausal matters. I think I found her by trawling through Dr Google.

Does anyone know how to arrange a consultation with a HRT expert. In my experience GP s know very little.

Dawn22, I started HRT patches at 64 after enduring 12 years of relentless symptoms which made me suicidal. In some women symptoms never cease (according to my GP) so as I had no quality of life I felt it was worth the risks to try HRT. Five years on and I now feel my life is worth living. HRT has been a life saver for me and I shall continue on it for the rest of my life. I don’t drink or smoke and I keep slim, all which help to reduce the very small risk of breast cancer.

If worried about taking HRT (I did, it changed my life back to normal.) might you try using natural hormones? Progesterone cream can be purchased abroad or prescribed on the NHS I think, as can Estriol cream. Both are absorbed into the skin. Make sure you ask for the natural human bio-identical hormones though. Progestin is an artificial one which is thought to give rise to the ill effects of HRT.

Be cautious though, and examine breasts every time in the batch or shower, to check for anything suspicious. I did get breast cancer 12 years after starting HRT, but it wasn't estrogen fuelled. The HRT, which was probably high dose at that time, eventually gave rise to fibroids and very heavy bleeding too.

I don't regret taking HRT though. Falling asleep in meetings is not a good look.

I've been lucky in sailing through the menopause with hardly any hot flushes so in my case I didn't have to deal with the problem. But I would say if you are not as lucky and you suffer do take it, with your doctor's approval, as with any other medication.

it has to be one through at some stage, the body needs to adapt to the big change in hormones. I went through it while working full time, as did some of my friends and we all had a slice of hrt cake, made with seeds and soya. It was like a brick but made a very good tummy filler too. 42 pre, 52, menopause, 62 finished. A chillow pillow helped a lot and being busy, garden and horse on my own, helped my mood swings

Now at 71, I have endless energy, am not on any meds and know that I have treated my body gently, allowing it to adapt in its own time, like it was designed to do

Jura asked a page ago if there might be a placebo effect. (Busy Easter.). I don’t think there is as I’m on Premarin which is a naturally obtained oestrogen from pregnant mares. I really don’t like this so tried various chemically manufactured ones, but none worked. Only the natural one. If it was a placebo I feel sure one of the others would have worked as I was willing it too.

Ideas around HRT are always changing.
I wouldn’t think late fifties was too late to start but it would depend on your medical history. I’d go back and ask again.

Good evening
I have only heard of HRT and have never been on it.

I am in my late fifties and went through the menopause in my mid forties. A few years ago l asked my Dr (male) could l go on it and he poo pooped it. I was interested in it for low mood, energy and to help with sleep all of which l still have.

I would be very grateful if you could let me know posters if it would be too late for me to start? Have l grounds to convince my Dr and is it an easy or hard transition to start taking it.

Thanks so much for any advice anyone can give me. Dawn

I have been on HRT but came off it when I began to bleed. Fortunately everything was fine but I decided to stop taking it as I was very frightened. My main problem is lack of sleep. I never have a night’s sleep. I have got used to this but it does get me down at times and certainly makes me feel low and incredibly tired. It has also affected my sex life greatly. I usually find this is often a taboo subject for many women and I have never found a doctor who seemed comfortable discussing this. Has anyone taken HRT after a long break. I’d love to speak to an expert. In my experience the average doctor just doesn’t know enough.

Ashcombelol

I had a subtotal Hysterectomy about 10 years ago and went into instant menoapausal symptoms that were awfull!
My gynaecologist had warned me and pre-subscribed HRT patches (Everol50).
I have never looked back and do not envisage coming off anytime soon. My GP is very supportive and we have an occasional chat but he’s quite happy to continue prescribing.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Just noticed you asked if it was safe. It certainly protects you from a wide range of conditions but for a tiny proportion of women pre disposed to certain problems it may be contra indicated. As I said, read the NICE guidelines, discuss it with your doctor then make your decision.
Good luck.

I went on HRT thirty years ago after a complete hysterectomy. It has made such a difference to my life and I have no intention of ever stopping.
My consultant is one of the top in the country and one of the contributors to the NICE guidelines on the menopause. You should read it as it gives the government's advice to doctors on dealing with the subject.
For me it is a simple case of quality of life. Menopause is caused by lack of oestrogen. Replace that oestrogen and your body does not atrophy, your bones remain strong and you look and feel great for your age.
Your choice.

At 63 my doctor recommended I try to come off HRT. I tapered it and stopped over a month ago. I now have vertigo and dreadful hot flushes and am going to start back on it again to see if this improves. I am slim, healthy and no family history of breast cancer. I felt so well on it and now feel so unwell. Off to Peru for a month and I don’t want that spoiling by feeling lousy. I would rather be healthy now and worry later!

Each to their own, but I would urge anyone to give some thought to how Premarin and the other forms produced from pregnant mares’ urine are produced. Cruelty and misery in every dose.

Thanks for all your comments- it is really interesting.

I suppose, for me at least, it makes a huge difference if you had early menopause or hysterectomy, where HRT really was essential for a normal life. Menopause for me coïncided with falling thyroïd function (as you say tired all the time, and cold too- but then I had quite a stressful job)- so I was eventually put on Thyroxine which really helped.

I was wondering about the women who decided to take HRT not because of hysterectomy, very early menopause, or even strong symptoms- but to keep youthful and slim- no medical reasons as such, which for me personally, would have never crossed my mind.

If you do not take HRT, do you take something for osteoporosis? Do you have regular bone density tests, measure your height? Are you falling asleep at odd times? I have taken premarin for over 30 years. I had my ovaries removed early and no one thought of giving me HRT until O went to the GP because I was falling asleep at my desk nd the GP took a blood test and said I had no oestrogen at all. He put me on premarin. I asked about risk and he said it was just replacing what I would have normally.

Don't give it up, and if you do not take it, ask the doctor why.

There is no sane reason why you should not be given it by your doctor, except perhaps a professional wanting to dominate. We cannot all be protected from every illness. As someone said, if we don't get one thing we get another. No-one lives forever.

Isn’t it nice to share this problem . I find in my everyday life we all seem to keep it to ourselves . I can’t talk to myvpartner about it . Quite a few of my friends are younger so not dealing with it .And others itcan be a tricky personal subject to bring up . The NHS Docter’s only have a limited time so just write a quick prescription with no tailored variety

Bbbface . I’m really not sure . I was put straight on 2mg and didn’t realise till years later it was a high dose so I guess 1mg must be considered low . I think a lot of Docter’s are as confused as us ?

Willow 10 . I did try 1mg when trying to come off . But found all the menopausal symptoms came back . I’ve faired better dropping a 2mg tablet a week then 2 so I’m now down to 5 a week . My problem is I do believe these hormones are actually good for us in a lot of ways so very confused . It’s hard to get advice as this forum is showing how we all need help

Buster tank the HRT does not make you gain weight . In fact the hormones keep you slim . And as you have more energy you will be more likely to get out there and live life to the full ?