Menopause without HRT?

[YukonGold]

Has anyone done this?
I’m 48 and currently peri menopausal, hot flushes, night sweats, very irregular periods, period pain for the first time in my life etc.
I’ve not been to a Dr for about 8 years (don’t have kids myself but OH does hence my being on Mumsnet!)
I can cope with my current symptoms but am wondering whether I can avoid HRT completely, has any one else done this?
Thanks!

[thefirstmrsrochester]

I’m 47, periods stopped completely over a year ago (tho been functioning on one ovary for 15 years following surgery), some hot flushes, not been to a dr since surgery, I want to get through menopause without HRT if I can.

[BabyTeeth]

Would also be interested in any answers.

[noeffingidea]

Yes, I didn't have HRT, and neither did other women I knew. It never occurred to me, to be honest.

[YukonGold]

Hello thefirstmrsrochester (love the name!)

It’s good to hear someone else that’s trying to avoid HRT. Hopefully this can be a thread for similar women. How are you getting on? Do you think that it will be possible?

One thing I’m having to cope with is my work colleagues dealing with my flushes and brain fog, last week at work I introduced myself (in a meeting) as my maiden name, I’ve been married for 10 years and have no idea where that introduction came from!

[MistressDeeCee]

Same here, HRT never occurred to me. I think some women use natural ways, don't they? When I was having my worst flushes I bought menopause tablets at Wilkinson's, cheap & cheerful £1.99. This was due to a friend's female GP recommending them to her. Flushes are a lot less now so I've stopped taking them but they really did help.

[Deadringer]

I didn't have hrt either. I had a few heavy periods before they petered out, last one was two or three years ago. I have had a few hot flushes but that's about it.

[mustbetimeforacreamtea]

I have managed to out of necessity as I can't take HRT due to being a migraine sufferer. GP prescribed dixarit (aka clonidine) which sorted out the flushes snd emotional ups and downs.It was originally developed as a migraine treatment and has the added bonus of keeping my migraines at bay. Don't believe anyone who tells you that you only suffer the symptoms for a couple of years. Most people I know who have been through it reckon on it taking 10yrs plus.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

Does the Mirena coil count as hrt? I had one from about 40 - 53, got through without hot flushes or anything else, but I know it doesn't work for everyone.

[YukonGold]

Thanks ladies for all the replies, I was expecting a slow response.

Great to hear that I’m not alone, I think that I’ve been peri for the last 3 years, I’m waiting and waiting for the time that I have no more periods.

10 years of symptoms is interesting mustbe , that’s far longer than I’m hoping for!

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

Menopause at 46, no systemic HRT. At the time it was not recommended with family history of breast cancer and heart disease (but they keep changing their minds)
Managed quite well but certain articles of clothing permanently banned as they provoke hot flushes.
After about 5 years I started Vagifem pessaries to counteract vaginal atrophy with good results

[noeffingidea]

The thing that I found most helpful with hot flushes was to cut out alcohol and caffeine, especially during the summer.

[gelert5619]

Sorry to hear that you are suffering.
You might find this book helpful.
Marilyn Glenville - Natural Alternatives to HRT.
She's a good doctor, I've seen her speak and met her.
Interesting about the Wilkinson's tablets.
Good luck

[YukonGold]

Cutting out alcohol and caffeine could prove problematic.....

Joking aside yes I agree although back in April I bought myself a battery operated fan and I’m NOT embarrassed to use it. Funnily enough I’ve had loads of people asking me where I got it from!

[Noqont]

I agree with cutting out alcohol and caffeine. It's made a huge difference.

[YukonGold]

I’ve even been spotted shoving down my top on occasion, needs must.....

[raeray]

I'm having an early menopause due to cancer at 33 and did 8 long months without HRT.
I now take it and feel so much more like 'me' than when I wasn't on HRT.
Know my circumstances are different but my cancer was hormonal driven and it's still safe for me to take HRT and id really recommend it wholeheartedly even if at first you think you might not want to have it.

[YukonGold]

Bless you Raeray, I can’t imagine what you have been through at such a young age.
Huge hugs, I’m in a different situation so am going to try without but I can totally understand that my approach won’t suit everyone xxx

[FoldyRoll]

What are the pros and cons of avoiding HRT, and why would people be keen to avoid it?

[RaininSummer]

I am 55 and haven't had hrt. Do have some hot flushes and was taking sage complex until I possibly stopped taking it too soon and may resume it. Not been a problem yet. My mum never took it either just some herbal things.

[YukonGold]

Foley, I’m not averse to taking it, however I have very strong beliefs in how much of my time is wasted by the NHS, I’ve only ever been to the doctors a few times and if I can cope on my own the I don’t want to deplete scarce resources with having HRT just because it’s available.

Just my view and I completely understand that my view isn’t the norm x

[Awks]

No hrt and am through the worst now at 53. Best thing for the hideous hot flushes was cutting down on alcohol - they are manageable now. God I've tanked the weight on though as have discovered a sweet tooth 🍩🍪🍩🍪

[heatherblue]

I couldn't have HRT because of previous issues with blood clots. I took red clover and think it helped with the sweats and flushes although I can't say for sure as I don't know how I would've been without it.

[Babdoc]

I’m in my early 60’s and never used hrt. Living in Scotland, I welcomed hot flushes - I used to wait for one before getting out of bed on cold winter mornings!
The flushes are a minor nuisance in the summer, and you can get night sweats that need towelled dry when they wake you up, but I never found it bad enough to want treatment.
Things have pretty much settled down now, in any case - I just get an occasional mild flush every few months or so.
I think it varies so much between women that you just have to see what yours are like - if you’re pouring sweat and scarlet faced every few minutes, and suffer awful insomnia, then I imagine you’d be keener for some hrt to sort it out.

[YukonGold]

Babdoc, you are right, we are all different. Some nights for me are terrible, other nights I don’t get any sweats. That said I have been known to be shivering in bed with a soaking wet top. Only a top, never the bottom half. I just get up and change my top.
Even the two hot terriers in bed with me can’t help. That’s an entirely different post about the hygiene of dogs in human beds.......

[Sarcelle]

53 now. Going through it without HRT. I have taken lots of vitamins in the last 20years but earlier this year I started taking them intermittently rather than regularly and suddenly got hot flushes. Started taking them again and within 3 weeks they had stopped. That was April and they have not come back. Not sure what Vit etc pushed them away, or perhaps it is a cocktail of them, but it might be flaxseed oil.

Feel on top of the world recently. Lost 2 stones, waist is back. I hope that I suddenly don’t dip into horrendous symptoms.