Has anyone done HRT?

[Pettyargument]

I'm 44 and have gone through menopause in the last year, which has just been confirmed by a blood test. Apart from being a bit fatter around the middle which I can't budge (but it might be the chocolate) I've had no symptoms apart from my period stopping. However, my doctor has sent me an email to say I am too young and she is recommending HRT until I am at least 50 years old and I need to make an urgent appointment to discuss it further. Does anyone have any information about this?

If you look in the Menopause section there is stacks of information about HRT.

I started HRT when I was 36 due to early menopause (due to autoimmune issues). If you are younger in particular it’s very important to have HRT as it protects your bones and heart (replaces the oestrogen that would do this naturally).

Yes you have had an early menopause and national guidance states you should take HRT until you reach average menopause age of 50 to protect you against osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The risks of using HRT are minimal until you reach 50. The guidance your GP is following is from the NICE guidance in menopause. Don't have time to link!

Thank you, I mentioned it to both my mother and my boss (female) and they were horrified and said it causes cancer - which I see from google is debunked but it has freaked me out a bit!

I didn't know there was a menopause section I will take a look - thank you

There's a great website called menopausematters which I can recommend

Current NICE guidelines (based on epidemiological evidence) is that there is a slightly increased risk of cancer offset by a decreased risk of heart disease and musculo-skeletal problems.

Oh I didn't realise HRT was medically recommended for that reason. I'm glad I saw this thread. I'm almost 35 and suspect I'm approaching perimenopause early (which was expected) - I have been sort of ignoring it tbh.

I’m the same age as you and I too had it confirmed and am in HRT patches. Flushed have stopped, sleepless nights have stopped. No side effects for me st all. I’m just enjoying my life. One little clear patch every few days and hey presto. I appreciate everyone is different.
They consider 44 early, and therefore prefer HRT, although I’m unsure why.

The current recommendations stress that the 'increased risks' don't apply until age 51, plus you need to put the risks into perspective - your gp will show you hopefully.

Oh and HRT is ace for me.

Everything will give you cancer if you look into it - even walking by the road and inhaling car fumes, eating red meat, sugar, etc etc everything has risks. You need to work out whether the benefits of HRT are worth the risks / side effects and for younger women especially it most certainly is.