I want to give in and start HRT

Christ, I fought to be on HRT with the doc. No need to put up with awful meno side effects if you don't need to.

It’s mad, especially as anxiety and insomnia are the two big symptoms that HRT has helped me with the most!!!

Sorry Op - I think they mean well, but there have been so many years of women being treated like demanding infants by doctors and the media, just because they don't want to have to feel ill for 7-10 years of their midlife, that people get riled up by the idea that HRT is giving in - widespread availability of it has been hard fought for.

It's really not something you need to try and avoid - if you need it, you need it, so give it a try. You may have to give some different preparations (topical vaginal creams vs patches vs combination tablets and individual hormone gels and tablets) till you find what works for you, though, so give it a chance to work.

People shouldn't be aggressive bu I think a lot of us are so tired of this "HRT massively increases risks for women" narrative that is completely untrue. There WERE more risks in the past, but many of those have been largely mitigated by the quality of the hormones they give these days. And as frustratingly, there are a lot of doctors who don't seem to have bothered to do the research and education to learn how things have changed. So it's frustrating that doctors and society and all the rest are still peddling old, out of date, inaccurate information and the result is that women are suffering. When you have been talking to the doctor abot th eitching, has she not suggested HRT and talked you through the risks and benefits?

It's like when we hear people talk about autism from vaccines. It's debunked. It's not true. But it's still bloody out there years and years later.

Please don’t worry OP. The risks of HRT are very small and for the majority of women taking it for 5 years the benefits outweigh the risks. If you just want to treat your itchy vulva then try oestrogen cream- it’s not really ‘HRT’, doesn’t go into the bloodstream and we even now use it for women who have had breast cancer. Just ignore the leaflet in the pack which tells you all sorts of risks that relate to oestrogen tablets and not the cream. Read any of the information on this website https://www.womens-health-concern.org/. It’s all evidence based scientific information that is up to date.

People are picking up on the idea of ‘giving in’ as its just such a fundamental misunderstanding of your own body. If you had diabetes would you see insulin as ‘giving in’ or if you’re depressed do you see taking anti-depressants as giving in?

These medications are specifically designed to replace chemicals that are missing in our bodies as they change for whatever reason, age being one reason.

FWIW my mum had breast cancer caused by taking HRT. I watched the Davina MacCall documentary and made my own mind up on the risks/benefits. Its literally a life saver for some women and it totally transforms the quality of life for others. I hadn’t noticed how much my vagina and clitoris had started to atrophy until it was so far removed from what I remembered that I thought I’d never enjoy sex again. On a combination of oestrogen gel, pessaries, cream, progesterone tablets and testosterone gel I’m enjoying my life as much as before.

Please don’t worry about the effects of the cream or pessaries - they contain miniscule amounts of oestrogen. And if you opt for patches or gel you’re essentially just taking a medication similar to birth control, which most of us take for out entire adult life without factoring in the side effects.

HRT these days is bio identical and plant based, and applied on the skin rather than orally, which apparently makes it much safer than in our mothers’ day. I’m so sad that it had such a devastating effect on my mum, but I won’t let that ruin the rest of my life. I decided I’d rather take my chances with an increased risk of BC than be literally shrivelled up and dried out, depressed and hopeless.

Its not a magic cure - I still struggle with pain and tiredness every day due to other factors but my sex life is fabulous and I know I’m protecting my bones and heart.

Iv been on hrt since mid 30s as couldn't cope with hot flushes

Vaginal estorgen has virtually zero risks
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/vaginal-oestrogen/about-vaginal-oestrogen/

Oh God - yes. My friend's GP (a woman) put the fear of God into her for suggesting HRT., and said it was a one-way ticket to breast cancer. The first GP I consulted was astonished that I might even think HRT could have any effect on anxiety and insomnia, and wouldn't even consider prescribing it. The next one I saw was a million times better informed than either of those two. It's a lottery.

This. How is it "giving in"? If you had anaemia, would you consider taking iron supplements a sign of weakness?

Not understanding “give in”. Firstly there are almost no risks with vaginal estrogen which will sort out the down below issue. But even with the rest of it, the risks are far less than was thought, and acrually there are loads of health benefits as well, (bone density, lower risks of dementia, heart attacks) listen to the Louise Newson podcast. Might even mean don’t need the anti depressants.

I've said it before but HRT saved me! I've been on it for 7 years. I started with a really low dose and in 2 weeks I felt so much better. Eventually I had to go onto gel and capsules but it's been brilliant and it protects my bones.

You could try it and see how you get on?

Yabu in that you call it giving i.

I’ve been on it six months and I’m 45. It’s been amazing and I didn’t feel like I was giving in, I felt great for making the decision that was right for me

Definitely get the topical cream. It's helped a lot. I was so uncomfortable

Yeah, this really should have been mentioned to you already by doctors. It's shit how random women's health care is.

The actual risks are very, very much lower than was believed a decade or two ago (probably around the time the GP was saying that to your mother).

I recommend the Davina McCall book - I think it's called Menopausing - for a more up to date overview. You seem to be basing your decision on "information" which is now discredited.

I've been on HRT for about 18 months now and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have a friend who won't have it because it's "unnatural," and she's really struggling - complete nonsense in my view. Disease is natural. Insulin for diabetes isn't natural. I'm going to opt for what is best for me.

FWIW HRT has been lifechanging for me - no longer depressed (oestrogen), no more UTIs, no more sore itchy fanny (ovestin cream), libido restored (testosterone). As reported above as well as overstating the link with the risks of breast cancer, old research didn't take into account benefits that are beginning to be researched like bone density and cardiovascular health.

Obviously it’s not for everyone, but do make an informed choice.

I started the gel two weeks ago and within a week my anxiety had gone, hoping when it settles (specialist nurse at GP said to give it 12 weeks) that I’ll have other improvements - mood, anger, hot flush, complete randomness, forgetfulness, skin etc but so far so good

OP watch the two Davina Mcoll documentary episodes on it, it talks you through the actual risks rather than the myths being perpetuated. HRT is a game changer.