"Doctors warn against over-medicalising menopause"

[flashbac]

"Writing in the British Medical Journal they said there was an urgent need for a more realistic and balanced narrative which actively challenges the idea that menopause is synonymous with an inevitable decline in women’s health and wellbeing..."

www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jun/15/doctors-warn-against-over-medicalising-menopause-after-uk-criticism

I must admit, the raising awareness of how shit the menopause can be has created some worry about my impending menopause, so much so that I've decided against a career change in my 40s.

Are we making too much of a big deal and being overly negative? Or are these doctors just being patronising? Anyone had an easy menopause?

Anyone know anything about the risk of some cancers including ovarian increasing with HRT?

Having read the BMJ article, I note that one of the authors has developed a CBT programme for menopause and has published three books on the subject. So there's someone who clearly has an 'it's all in your heads, ladies!' attitude straight off the bat. I was pushed into a CBT programme for insomnia and ended up suicidal with sleep deprivation and totally unsupported by 'the programme' (never spoke to a single human being), so I most certainly won't be touching her programme with a bargepole, when the time comes.

I don't think menopause is a 'disease', any more than the period pains so intense they used to leave me passed out on the floor, vomiting, or writhing in agony, were a 'disease'. Something doesn't have to be a disease to be miserable though, and if there's a way to alleviate that, why would anyone not want to use it? I took medication for my periods (including the pill from the age of 15, which no one seems to be handwringing about) and if menopause turns out to be as shitty as my pre-baby periods were, I'll take medication for that too.

The CBT thing does work for quite a few people apparently

Another reason why the narrative around menopause should not be as negative as it is today

It's not all in the mind but the mind has a powerful influence on our bodies

I'm 52. So far, I missed 3 periods earlier this year, but now they are regular again. So, I guess I'm menopausal? No other symptoms, no mood swings, no sweats. Of course, they might all be on the horizon, and if I feel I need HRT, I will ask for it. I've decided to do NO reading on what might happen, because then I'll be expecting the worst. I'd rather just be ignorant until something happens.

This is so misleading, two of the authors Myra Hunter and Jane Ussher are clinical psychologists so of course one of them is going to design a CBT course around the psychological anxieties, fears, narratives, expectations and impacts of menopause. That absolutely does not mean they have a menopause “is all in your head ladies” attitude. However you look at it, menopause is a life stage which is as significant as going through puberty. Women don’t need just drugs/hormones for the physical symptoms, we also need the mental health care to manage the psychological fall out of menopause.

It’s a massive fob-off to women. Women doctors can have misogynistic attitudes too (obviously)

Yeah it's a fob off to give them something that works?

It's a fob off to say that not all women , probably the majority, have problems ?

It's a fob off that is trying to help women by pointing out that you should not assume all women in their 40s and 50s will be incapable of holding down a job without medication and support

We face enough discrimination as it is and here people are making out as though there are valid reasons for discrimination

We face enough discrimination as it is and here people are making out as though there are valid reasons for discrimination

I don't believe it's about discrimination. Comparing menopause to erectile problems in men doesn't make sense bearing in mind that erectile problems affects not only men but also their sexual partners.

It depends on your attitude to medication in general and the balance between medicine improving your symptoms v possible side effects. Look at antibiotics for children for example, some parents want ABs for very minor illnesses for their child, others choose not to use them and let their child heal naturally. Some people choose not to use conventional medicine unless absolutely necessary.

100 pc this.

I had an uneventful menopause, my friends have included everything from plain sailing to success with HRT.

I'm all for awareness but not at the price of middle aged women's dignity. Who will employ us if we can't think straight? We need to be very careful what we wish for here.

The erectile dysfunction comparison is laughable.

I knew that argument was going to flop

*With respect, you can do the research as it applies to your own specific circumstance yourself.

If you are well, without symptoms & happy as you are, for me, I'd be reading & informing myself but would be unlikely to take hrt*

with respect, i have done the research. And found nothing to clarify that in the absence of any symptoms HRT is beneficial.

which is why when people claim on here and in the media, davina etc that HRT prevents conditions such as Dementia and osteoporosis, making it sound as though I will put myself at risk NOT taking HRT, i am asking them to show me where this comes from.

any stats showing the beneficial effects of HRT have been done in those who need it for other reasons, so there is none to show it will benefit everyone.

from the research I have done it would appear that nobody has considered whether hrt is appropriate in all cases.

i haven’t found comprehensive analysis of risk either, which means I can’t make an informed decision on whether any risk may be offset by any potential benefit.

Sorry to jump in but I am currently just starting to research HRT for myself. Do currently have what are likely to be peri symptoms ( although some may be fibroid related). I also however have a higher genetic risk of breast cancer ( not BRAC gene but still just over the threshold for being significant).

Im really struggling to find a good place to start with research - does anyone have any pointers to articales etc?

Try the menopause board

My menopause is almost 30 years ago, I've had a bone scan and it showed I think 6 readings, 5 were absolutely fine, one was slightly low but nowhere near osteoporosis. I have no idea why but my bones don't seem affected but as I plan on being around for another 20 years I hope they keep it up.

I did have some symptoms which could be menopause, tiredness, hair loss, feeling low but it was well before my menopause and blood tests showed it was hypothyroidism. The tablets were like magic for me so I have no issues with medication when needed but I just think the menopause message has become relentlessly negative as if everyone will have a bad menopause.

People who have menopause early are advised to consider hrt for bone health

Early - before 45

Others are just advised to have a healthy diet ( calcium and vit d ) and exercise

@Irrationallyanxious take a look at Dr Louise Newson’s website. She has loads of articles relating to HRT and cancer and has also talked about it on her podcast. The key seems to be to arm yourself with info so you can make an informed decision, which it sounds like you are doing.

www.balance-menopause.com

Link to podcasts, there are loads relating to HRT and cancer - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-dr-louise-newson-podcast/id1459614845

@Irrationallyanxious, here is the NICE (what the NHS uses) guideline www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23. It lists the research it considered.

There is also an update underway www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10241.

Thank you both!

I'm all for awareness but not at the price of middle aged women's dignity. Who will employ us if we can't think straight? We need to be very careful what we wish for here.

It’s a good point. My career actually took off post menopause, I was working as a contractor and won contracts in part because I wouldn’t need mat leave and didn’t need childcare. There’s a possibility that increased “awareness” will lead to increased prejudice against yet another cohort of women in the workplace.

which is why when people claim on here and in the media, davina etc that HRT prevents conditions such as Dementia and osteoporosis, making it sound as though I will put myself at risk NOT taking HRT, i am asking them to show me where this comes from

any stats showing the beneficial effects of HRT have been done in those who need it for other reasons, so there is none to show it will benefit everyone

This. Also this thread has lots of posts along the lines of if you don't take HRT you've only got yourself to blame if you get osteoporosis/heart attack/dementia. There is a lot of this on MN and it can feel like you're being bullied almost into getting HRT.

I've got meno symptoms but honestly I can live with them and no intention of taking HRT unless I really needed it. But recently people who take this view are made to feel in the wrong and as if they're taking a massive risk by not taking it.

There's still a breast cancer risk with HRT and some people don't want hormonal medication. I'm not clear on what happens when you stop taking it and whether you're just delaying the symptoms. It's unclear now whether you are meant to stay on HRT for life or what. I know previously that wasn't advised.

Women need more information and studies etc rather than guessing games.

@Newgirls I don't think you understood what I wrote, sorry I'll try to be clearer.

I see women in their 20s complaining of feeling low, arguing with their boyfriends, feeling bullied at work, experiencing all kinds of issues. Rather than looking at the issues, they're assuming they must be peri menopausal, and that HRT will cure their problems. That's due to media hype.

Why are you sitting asking the same questions over and over again? Are you not capable of looking up the NHS guidelines on HRT?

There are so many women posting on this thread who know very little about the facts of HRT. Read the guidelines! eg not knowing if you can stay on it for life etc. Take some responsibility for your own body and find out.

Why are you sitting asking the same questions over and over again? Are you not capable of looking up the NHS guidelines on HRT?

Why are you so interested in what I ask other posters?

if you have conclusive evidence re dementia feel free to post it ratter than be annoyingly rude

that’s more irritating.

but no I haven’t seen any links re dementia on NHS guidelines I’m pretty sure people would post them rather than make statements without backing them up

And if it’s so clear why are other posting asking the same re being unsure

these threads do a disservice to women due to posters like this.