How have you decided to have or not have hrt ? What made up your mind ?

[Perimeopausepip]

Just wondering about people’s though process as to weather to take hrt or not ?

im tempted but worried

I tried full HRT even though my periods had stopped 8yrs previously. Main reason for starting was low mood but being on it for 3 months didn’t improve that. I also put on half a stone and got bloated so stopped it. I didn’t really get menopausal symptoms that others describe apart from dry vagina for which I now use Vagifem pessaries.

I'm 71 and they will have to wrest my pills from my hands before they put me in my coffin.
Basically I can't live without it!

I started hrt for the uncharacteristic panic attacks I started to get. They disappeared within the week. A painful joint also got a whole lot better within a few days too. I've been on it for 4.5 years. Then .. had a dodgy mammogram in the autumn (not cancer, something called DCIS which could become cancer ) Long story but I had a mastectomy & implant 2 weeks ago. The surgeon wanted me to stop hrt so I have for now, might go back on it though- I am reading a lot of research papers on it. I am worried about osteoporosis and joint pain. And vaginal atrophy, libido as well. I was on gel, micronised progesterone and testosterone cream. The worse thing about the dcis was not the mastectomy, it was coming off hrt.

Thanks for this recommendation @Wallywobbles . I have hypothyroidism too so really suffer from brain fog. Do you buy them directly from the company online?

I started taking it on October (patches and progesterone pills) and it's been great. I sleep better, my brain fog has cleared (mostly), the hot flushes are gone, my emotions are much more regulated, I have lots of energy and most surprisingly, the weird pains that I assumed were just getting old, have just gone. I have both osteoporosis and dementia in my family which was a big factor in my decision but it's been genuinely life changing.

One more thing, I was worried about gaining weight on it but I feel so energised and positive, I'm actually losing weight. I don't comfort eat as I'm feeling so much better. I've lost half a stone in just a few weeks.

@Whatmarbles as a fellow migraine suffer (under control through daily preventatives) may I ask why you were told it wasn’t suitable?
(obviously I know the pill isn’t, but I don’t know enough about HRT)

I won’t. I attended a talk by one of the leading breast cancer surgeons in the US (invited to talk to us as part of Breast cancer Awareness Month) and she said that a link between hrt and increased risk of breast cancer is starting to emerge. I’m already higher risk due to dense breasts so for me that’s sufficient reason not to.

You're welcome @lifeinthehills. I really hope it helps you too if you decide to go for it. VA really is no joke.

I've managed to get an appointment at the end of February to discuss options, with someone with good knowledge of the area. Until then, supplements it is! They are helping but it's good to know the options, even if it's too soon for me at this point.

@HesterLee i get them from Landys chemist online. Total life changer. I've changed career thanks to them. Retrained at 50!

At 43 my hair turned to straw, my skin broke out, I was sleeping 3-4 hours a night, i ached all the time, I felt anxious and angry and my memory was going. All the blood tests came back fine but these symptoms persisted. Luckily my dr said given my profile (good blood pressure, healthy bmi etc) there was no issue me trying HRT. Thank god she did. I feel like I've shaved 10 years off my body age.

Do you have a link to a talk by this person, or studies, or something? I'm not on HRT but at that stage where it could be suggested.

@Wallywobbles That's brilliant for you. Thankyou very much. I'm going to give them a go!

I will too. I already take some of the extra things in there, but this would condense it into less tablets.

But still the brain fog and fatigue continue.

have you had your thyroid tested?

I've just ordered some and will report back. Not knowing if the brain fog is because of the menopause or the hypothyroidism is frustrating, although it's probably both. I have been on hrt for a few years now - recently changed from a combined tablet to a capsule and gel. Hot flushes and night sweats stopped but the brain fog has never diminished.

I've been the opposite. When I started HRT, I became ravenous ALL THE DAMN TIME. Seems to be wearing off a little now I'm 3 months in but OMG I have been SO hungry.

@Whatmarbles as a fellow migraine suffer (under control through daily preventatives) may I ask why you were told it wasn’t suitable?
(obviously I know the pill isn’t, but I don’t know enough about HRT)

Something to do with if you have migraines with aura. Those people are less suited.

But I know of people who say HRT helped their migraines and headaches. My aunt, however, started with migraines in peri menopause and she said they decreased after taking HRT.

I didn't, and haven't, because I pretty much haven't noticed the menopause at all.

If you are having symptoms that make you feel bad then you should take it. Why wouldn't you.

I think some people may need to try different types/doses to find what's right for them. You should also look at diet and lifestyle - not always easy if you have a very busy lifestyle.

Yes. Had everything checked. Liver, kidneys, thyroid, diabetes, iron, B12. All fine.

Including calcium and PTH?? Hyperparathyroidism causes brain fog and fatigue and is often only picked up when being tested for another illness. It's most common in women aged 50-60.

I take it. Protection against heart attacks and less risk of crumbling bones were sufficient for me to try. I had no brain fog, hot flushes or any of the usual symptoms, but it confers significant long term benefits.

I’m 45.

Would have to check the printout at home.

I cannot function as a human being without it.