Minor symptoms -should I do anything?

[Mumfun]

Definitely in menopause. Over 50. Cycle completely changed. Now skipping period frequently when had been regular as clockwork.

So my other symptoms are mild - some itchy skin, sleep not as good, slightly too hot and cold now and again . Very slightly more anxious. Flatter mood but not depression of any kind. Memory getting worse but age probably just as much a factor:)

I do a good amount of exercise and eat healthily.

Im confused. Is there anything I should be considering like hormone replacement of any kind?

Or for someone like me with low symptoms is it just standard to go with it and do nothing rather than eat well and exercise? Would there be any long term health benefit or otherwise in anything else?

[PollyPerky]

Hmmm...lots of things possible here:)

In general- judging from friends and forums- women only go onto HRT if they find like pretty unbearable. I did!

I got to 53 with no meno symptoms at all except lighter periods. Then I missed 4 in a row and had frequent hot flushes, insomnia and bladder issues. Work - quite demanding- was hard. I was doing everything I could already with diet, exercise, reducing stress etc. So I decided enough was enough and started HRT.

There are small risks with HRT and -personally speaking- I accept those as the benefits so far are outweighing them. If I had your symptoms which were not impacting on my life in a big way, I'd not bother.

Research shows at the moment that there may be some cardiovascular benefits if HRT is started soon after menopause ( less arterial plaque) and it does help bone density for women at risk (that was me, too.)

It's your choice but if I were you, I'd wait a bit longer and you will find your symptoms either get much worse once your hormone levels fall even more, or they will subside as your body adjusts. This is just my opinion- it's not medical advice!

[Mumfun]

Back again!

I continue to have mild symptoms.

But the itching can be really bad now. And I had one month where I felt really bad -very flat and uninterested in everything. Saw my GP who tested for thyroid which was negative and said happy to put me on treatment. But she felt that it was better to see if this reduction in hormones happened again.

I do feel quite flat this month too and much less interested in life :(

So I'm not sure if it would be worth it to take up treatment for this.

Also if you go on bioidentical treatment do you have a monthly bleed from then on?

TIA for help :)

[goingmadinthecountry]

Clicked here because I was wondering the same thing - in fact, I haven't got any symptoms at all except periods missed in the last few months. I don't sleep well anyway and haven't had anything resembling a hot flush. As for mood, I'm as sarcastic as ever but no more grumpy. I'm a bit sad though - is this the start of being old? When do I stop carrying Tampax just in case (and why did they only start making good ones just before I didn't need them?). I'm nearly 53 so I suppose it wasn't going to go on forever.

[PollyPerky]

I guess the thing it to work out if there is anything you can do to help your low mood, apart from HRT. Very often low mood goes hand in hand with kids leaving home, not enjoying work, pressure of elderly parents....

Are you exercising? It's been shown to be as good as ADs for mild low mood- 30-45 mins a day of something to get you out of breath!

If you carry on feeling blue then NICE does recommend HRT. If you've not had periods for 12 months you can use no-bleed HRT, if not then you would use the sort that gives a monthly bleed. Or you might want to use that sort anyway - some of us do- as it means only taking progestogens for half the time, not daily.

[BakeOffBiscuits]

Thanks for stating the thread as I've been thinking the same thing,
I'm 50 and have very erratic periods but my only other symptom is low mood, it's not the whole time, I just wake up feeling very "flat" it lasts for several days then I'm back to being my old self. Everyone else seems to be on HRT so I was wondering if I should be

I will wait and see if other symptoms develop.

[Mumfun]

Hi Polly. Thank you! Very good factors to mention but none of those are a problem for me and I'm fine the months I don't miss a period . It's always related to that where hormones seem to get lower.

And I exercise regularly.

Ill get through this month and go back to GP if any future months see similar hormonal and mood dips.

[PacificDogwod]

There is not medical need to go on HRT - bioidentical or otherwise (bioidentical is a bit controversial: IMO at best it offers more than it can deliver for some, it may be unregulated as unlicensed and testosterone certainly has some risks).

Conventional HRT is mainly used for symptom control, so if you are feeling ok-ish there's no pressing need to do anything at all - the perimenopause truly comparable to puberty in reverse and somehow we are more prepared to accept that puberty takes a few years than we are at the other end.

Otoh, do see your GP for a check-up. Get your thyroid function checked as that too can affect periods. If you came to see me I'd do a general MOT bloodworkwise.

When starting HRT (with which I have no problem btw - I'd take it if I was symptomatic) just bear in mind that whenever you stop it, you are likely to get symptoms again.

Fwiw, I am only 50, had about 4 periods in the last 12 months (previously v regular) and get hot at night in bed only, so don't intend on doing anything at all.

Look at the web site 'MenopauseMatters" - good info there on alternatives to HRT and HRT and a reasonably lively forum (not as lively as MN, but then again what is! )

[PollyPerky]

Are we confusing bio identical HRT with compounded HRT? Bio identical means the same molecular structure ( some drs prefer to call is 'body identical) . Compounded is 'body identical PLUS made in a private lab just for the individual after blood or saliva tests.)

ALL HRT in the main in the UK is 'body identical' except Premarin and Prempak.

Loss of estrogen has short and long term effects; short term (though can be 15+ years in some women) are hot flushes and sweats. Long term effects are loss of bone density, vaginal atrophy / pelvic prolapse, bladder problems, heart disease.

'Symptoms come back once you stop using HRT'. Every woman is different. My dr has told me that some will find symptoms are as bad, (for life- I know of women in their 70s who have gone back to HRT ) others find symptoms come back for a while, others find they don't come back at all. But the point is, all the time you use HRT you are feeling better (hopefully).

[PollyPerky]

Meant to add- there is no need to stop HRT ever. So if there are benefits for a woman and she has no risk factors, it can be taken indefinitely.

[Mumfun]

Just to update. I started to only sleep 4 hours a night. And the itchiness got worse and worse. So being so tired and uncomfortable I decided to go on HRT. My GP prescribed Evorel 50. After looking up Menopause Matters forum I decided to cut the patches in half to start with. I feel so much better. Itchiness gone and creakiness gone. Started to sleep much better in oestrogen phase -has got a bit worse in progesterone phase. Think will go up to the 50 dose on next cycle to see if it improves sleep.I was having a period when started tablets and leaflet said ok. I did end up bleeding for 2 weeks which made me a bit tired again but now stopped and feeling fine. I am so glad I went on it as I feel much better i myself and cant see any side effects yet.

[Mumfun]

and forgot to say the slight anxiety gone and that feels great ! :)