Drs appointment today

[Marylou2]

I have been taking Estrogel 2 pumps per day and Utrogestan 200mg /12x a month for 18 months now. My GP has booked an appointment for me today and refused to renew my prescription until I've spoken to her. The receptionist said that it was to ensure I understand the risks of HRT. I am aware of the meta analysis recently published in the Lancet about the increased risk of breast cancer. I'm not sure how this is going to go and if they're going to pressure me to stop HRT. It has relieved my symptoms particularly joint aches but not sure I can face having to justify myself every 3 months or so. Has anyone else had this type of conversation with their GP. Super grateful for any help or advice. Thanks.

[PassMeAnotherCoffee]

You should have a check up every year on HRT.

[Marylou2]

I had a check up /bloods 3 months ago. I have a mammogram booked for December. I just can't face this every 3 months if that's what it's going to be now. Just feel like giving up as it feels like that's what they want. Sounds extremely negative but the implication seems to be that I'm raising my risk of breast cancer to make my life slightly less unpleasant.

[JinglingHellsBells]

Sorry but why have you been asked to go in today? Is this your first review in 18 months? Or was the one 3 months ago purely for HRT? The licensing of HRT requires a review once a year minimum but some drs do every 6 months. Is your mammogram a routine one done by the NHS every 3 years or something different?

Your gp ought not to be doing a blood test anyway (unless you are having a premature menopause.) What is she testing for?

It's not a case of 'what they want' Marylou. You are an adult woman who knows the risks and it's your body! if you want to carry on with Hrt then you have to say that.

[Marylou2]

Thanks JinglingHellsBells I think I needed the reminder that this is my body and my decision. I was really proactive when I went to ask for HRT and after a rough year with unrelated issues I think I've let myself become passive and unassertive. Embarrassingly I'm both a qualified nurse and now a senior professional in another field so I am being a bit pathetic. I do know the risks and I'm not ready to give up yet. Bloods were routine check cholesterol etc. Definitely not premature menopause. I'm 51.

[Marylou2]

Mammogram also routine NHS screening

[JinglingHellsBells]

A lot of GPs are reacting to the report detailed in the Lancet.
There has however been a kick-back to this from the British Menopause Society who have written at least two very formal and detailed letters asking why this report was published and 'headlined' when it says a) nothing new and b) contained some errors.

You may be able to find this trail of letters on the BMS website under news' or another tab.

Basically the BMS is very annoyed that the work they have been trying to do over recent years since 2015 is being potentially scuppered by the report without their being consulted on its accuracy. They predict GPs will 'panic' and try to stop women using HRT.

If you are able to google any of this you will see what I mean- many menopause specialists are very angry over how the Lancet handled this.

[JinglingHellsBells]

This is part of their response linked to here...

thebms.org.uk/2019/10/response-from-the-mhra-foi/

[Marylou2]

JinglingHellsBells this is so much appreciated.