I’m so confused, Polly are you about?

[ihatethecold]

My gp has said I don’t need HRT until I’ve been without a period for a year.

I’m 43 and haven’t had a period for 60 days.
She did hormone tests about 2 weeks ago that confirmed I was peri.
My fsh was 42
LH was 30 (or vice versa! )
And oestrogen came back as 133

She said because my oestrogen is 133 I don’t need HRT.

I feel very well and my symptoms are much better due to taking Black Cohosh for night sweats.

I’m on SJW also due to a very stressful previous year that took its toll on me.

My symptoms are quite mild and I feel really well.

I tried to read the nice guidelines but I can’t work them out ( brain fog) 😬

On the menopause matters forum I’m being told my GP is wrong and I should go back.

I’m confused

[PollyPerky]

Your GP is wrong on one thing.
HRT is suitable for women in perimenopause or postmenopause. Postmenopause means no natural period for a year. On average in the UK this would mean age 52-53. Many women use HRT while they are in peri and having periods. It's worrying your GP doesn't know this and thinks it's only for postmenopause

If you feel you need HRT then you should go back. Blood tests are unreliable. Your estrogen may be high on the say of the test but it could fall the next day.

FSH
For menstruating women, the normal FSH levels during the follicular and luteal phase should range between 5 and 20 IU/L (international units per liter). Right before ovulation during the mid-cycle peak, FSH levels should be between 30 and 50 IU/L. If a woman is post-menopausal, her FSH levels will be naturally higher, at 60 IU/L or more.

If you need to use black cohosh and SJW then you may as well use HRT and get the extra benefits for your bones. Certainly if your symptoms get worse and periods stop before 45, you must use HRT as prevention for osteoporosis and heart disease.

[ihatethecold]

Thanks Polly.
Do you think I need to dig out the NICE guidelines and go back to see my GP?

[PollyPerky]

I think it depends on what you want next. If you feel well on BC and SJW do you want to carry on with those? or do you want to ditch them and use HRT? I guess it depends on how strongly you feel.
One thing to bear in mind is there are hardly any risks at all with HRT up to the age of 52 as you are only replacing what you'd have anyway up to average meno age. But on the other hand it depends on whether your periods stop altogether soon-ish. You could be in peri for one year or 5 years or more. No one knows.

I think if I were you and BC/ SJW were doing the job, I'd hold off HRT for now but start it if symptoms got worse or your periods stopped before 50.

What do you think?

[ihatethecold]

I think that’s great advice.
I’m really feeling well compared to 6/12/18 months ago.
I think I started peri quite a while ago but put it down to stress. (2 of my kids went through some serious MH issues so life was pretty awful for a while. )

I’m happy taking SJW and BC. They are working well for me.
I take magnesium just before bed so I’m sleeping much better.

Maybe I shouldn’t mess with something that’s clearly working for me.