Early menopause, can't take HRT, now have problem with bone density

[Sage44]

Has anyone any advice please?
Have been on HRT for 18 months for early menopause ( am 48 years old)but stopped 3 months ago following a lump in breast which did turn out to be non malignant but was very frightening.
Have had a bone density xray and found to be under the normal levels,
Has anyone any experience of this?
Many thanks

[PollyPerky]

Yes but not for the same reasons as you.
Ask your GP for a referral to a gynae and get back on HRT . One benign breast lump is definitely not a reason to stop HRT. Expect your GP is ill informed. The HRT is highly unlikely to have caused the lump.

I had low bone density at the same age but was not menopausal. I've made good improvements with diet, exercise and HRT. You need to contact the National Osteoporosis Society for advice on exercise and do resistance type exercises with weights as well as weight bearing aerobic exercise.

[Sage44]

Thank you, very helpful.
I have an appointment on monday with GP.

[PollyPerky]

Since I posted I have found in a book on meno and in it the consultant gynae (Harley St) says benign breast cysts are not (their italics) a reason to not use HRT. They also say that HRT does not make benign cysts become cancerous.

[Sage44]

Interesting, thank you.
I will talk to gynae.

[lorrainescottydog]

Hi Sage44, I'm sure you will get good advice about things to help your bone density from the Osteoporsis Society. You doctor will probably discuss things too. Also there are plenty of medications for treating the problem.

Don't believe the scare stories about bones, either.

[PollyPerky]

Don't believe the scare stories about bones, either. smile

Interested to know what you mean by this?
What kind of 'scare stories'?

The OP already has low bone density - and I was pretty scared when that happened to me.

The medications available - bisphosphonates- have very serious and permanent side effects and are not actually recommended for women under 60 with osteopenia- HRT is the recommendation.Trust me- not a dr but have spent 8 years discussing with my consultant.

[lorrainescottydog]

15 years experience here, polly, so I know a fair bit more about it.

Scare stories about possible side effects from osteoporosis treatments; heard them, worried about them...never actually experienced any of them .

If we listened to the scare stories about all medicines we'd never take anything would we, lol, even hrt.

[PollyPerky]

Oh gosh- we're pulling rank now on years of 'experience'?

what exactly is 'your experience'? I think you need to say to back up your claim that you are an expert.

Whatever your experience is, I doubt it is equal to a consultant who is one of the top 250 consultants in the UK_ which is where my info is from. Tough of course, could be wrong- maybe you see them too.

tell us- have you actually had a DEXA scan, been shown to have low bone density and are being monitored with treatment?

[lorrainescottydog]

I've used a variety of treatments in the past 15 years, plenty of DEXA scans, brilliant consultant, and well connected to the national osteoporosis society. Interrogation over?

www.nos.org.uk/healthy-bones-and-risks

[PollyPerky]

well, only you know the facts about your own situation- no one here can substantiate them, can they?

Have you got osteoporosis as a matter of interest? What treatment have you used? I am sure the OP and others reading would be interested to know so they can discuss with their own drs.

[lorrainescottydog]

The clue is in 'I've used a variety of treatments', I'd hardly take the treatments for fun

Now your getting a little bit nasty here, so best not to talk, I think.

[PollyPerky]

I'm sorry but you've lost me now :)

You began posting about not listening to 'scare stories' about bones, then when asked how you yourself have treated what you imply was low bone density, you say this is 'being nasty'.

If you have osteopenia or osteoporosis and use a number of treatments under the guidance of a consultant, what is wrong in asking you to share that? This is the very question the OP asked for help on.

If you came to the thread was it to offer help to her- or for some other reason?