To ask you to talk to me about HRT

[BlueSkyBlinking]

So, over on another thread, various wonderful women of about my age (47) have been sharing the chaos that is ageing and peri-menopause. Some people have sung the praises of HRT and I’m seriously considering it.
Poor sleep? YES
Bizarre, vengeful periods? Yes
Itching? Yes, there, no downabit
Mood swings? YES WHY?
Bloating and gut problem? yes
Mind fog? What, when?!
Hot flushes? YES
TMI vaginal issues? Okay yes.

Please talk to me if you take HRT.
How did you figure out which one suited you?
Did you go private or use NHS?
Did you have previous symptoms that disappeared?
Are there any downsides?
What do you wish you knew before?
And if you know where I’ve put my blasted cooling pad, will you let me know?

I've been on HRT via the NHS for about 4 years, I'm 53 . It took a bit of trial and error to find the right one and also some issues with supply, so had to find an alternative. I've now been on my current one for about 2 years. The peace & calmness in my head is priceless. My anxiety has gone, I sleep well, I'm motivated. I no longer have the deep hatred and worthlessness of myself and black doom that I suffered with prior to starting on HRT. They have saved my life. I now also have a wonderful relationship with my 18 yr old son, which in the pit of my despair took a massive nose dive, this I am so grateful for.
I have nothing negative to say . My life is wonderful again and all my relationships are on track with much happiness and joy .

I'm 46 and have been on HRT for a year, 50mg patches (Evorel) and 200mg of Utrogestan progesterone every month for 12 consecutive days.

Sleep much improved, hot flushes disappeared, skin fantastic, loads of energy, sex loads more comfortable. However, my periods are quite painful since I have been taking progesterone. Bit disappointing to be in menopause and still have periods overall though, I highly rate HRT

I'm 56 and have been on patches for 4 years. I was initially refused HRT by 2 GPs at my practice. One was incredibly rude and said menopause was normal, HRT was bad and "what did I want her to do". My symptoms were so bad I could barely function and it was affected my work.

Eventually I went to a private GP and got a prescription. I then did some more research (there's a couple of really good Facebook groups, one run by a menopause nurse specialist) and went back to the NHS GP. I pointed out the NICE guidelines that say HRT should be offered and that for most women the benefits outweigh the risks.

And to answer your other question, I got mine via the NHS but ONLY after being told by my GP and a local hospital gynecologist (I'm rurally based in the SE) that I was not suitable for HRT as there is a history of breast cancer in the family on my mother's side (not my mother though). I did lots of research and dug my heels in for an appointment at Chelsea & Westminster's Menopause Clinic and was told by the menopause nurse that I was a suitable candidate and that the breast cancer link is much, much lower than originally thought. However, many GPs and seemingly gynecologists are not aware of this.

Sorry to post once again, but to be clear, I was informed by the menopause nurse that the risks to my bones and heart if I didn't start taking HRT was much higher than my risk of developing breast cancer if I did.

I'm 44 and was diagnosed with POF at 38 after going to my GP with all of the above! It was horrible. Took a year or so to get on the right HRT but when I did it made a huge difference. I find it interesting/sad that the MH related effects of menopause are so little talked about - even in the data sheet of my current HRT it only mentions hot flushes and other "associated symptoms". There needs to be a much wider conversation about this.
Hope you get some relief soon!

Yes sometimes it seems like the spurious link with breast cancer is just used to dismiss women from the healthcare they need.

I've been on HRT for 7 years. I had an early menopause at 44 and at a routine check-up with nurse (the one you get at around 40+) the nurse suggested it - I was trying herbal supplements up until then, which did nothing.

It's been great for me. I've been on Femoston throughout with no issues. I chose that one as I have a history of depression and I thought this one was the least likely to trigger it as it has a different progesterone in it.

I do still have some insomnia when stressed but no hot flushes in day (get a bit overheated at night sometimes), moods are pretty good and libido fine.

I plan to stay on it as long as they keep giving it to me.

Thank you all! Sounds like all good experiences so far.

I was initially refused HRT by 2 GPs at my practice. One was incredibly rude and said menopause was normal, HRT was bad and "what did I want her to do". My symptoms were so bad I could barely function and it was affected my work

That was my experience too with GP. I then made an appt with the Nurse Practitioner, who was my age. We had a long chat and she started me on HRT. I had to go back 6 months later for review with GP, who wanted me to come off it by cutting it down to every other day and stopping. Back I went to Nurse Practitioner, burst into tears, she restarted me. 6 months later I was called for a review with GP, who told me to stop it. This went on for 4 awful years. Last time I went, I saw a different GP (luckily the old one seems to have retired). This one told me HRT was good for someone like me, with oestoporosis in my family history, plus she listed all the benefits of why I could stay on it pretty much forever.

If they'd stopped me again, I was all ready to book with a private GP. There is one over near Birmingham. It would be a trek, but worth it I reckon.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

Had HRT prescribed by GP. Life changing and nothing negative to say.

I'm 50 and just started on combined patches 3 months ago.
GP at my practice was amazing, and very supportive. She has a special interest in gynaecology.
I'm perimenopausal and still have regular periods but was having hot flushes and itching and was seriously depressed, to the point wherer I was fast tracked for therapy for this.
I went from having severe depression to in normal ranges on the outcome measures and all my physical symptoms stopped.
I feel like me again.

My mother had HRT and it caused a blood clot which killed her.

I had HRT prescribed by a private menopause doctor (the same one as thenightsky mentions). I have oestrogen gel and a Mirena (before that utrogestan tablets for the progesterone).

It has helped with my sleep. I don't get hot and I also actually get out of bed feeling as though I can tackle the day. Quite a bit of my sense of impending doom has left me.

Anecdotally I also noticed that a lot of the women I knew at the gym who were still full of bounce and energy in their fifties and early sixties were the ones on HRT.

@ClearMountain

My mother had HRT and it caused a blood clot which killed her.

That's very sad.

Was she on oral HRT? It's not considered as safe as transdermal forms.

@ClearMountain that is terrible. I am so sorry to hear that.

Can anyone describe the transdermal form? That’s implants, right?

Transdermal is gel or patches.

I have the mirena coil and oestrogen gel and it's been amazing. I feel like me again. NICE guidelines state that any woman over 45 with peri menopausal symptoms should be offered hrt in the first instance.

@BlueSkyBlinking

Can anyone describe the transdermal form? That’s implants, right?

Patches, OP

Okay thank you

Started HRT at about 46/7 - been having symptoms for about 3 years by then of perimenopause but tried the pill first.

The rage, flooding, night sweats - no hot flushes - anxiety, sleeplessness.

Now at 52 still on HRT and oestrogen pessaries. Much reduced symptoms.

HRT is replacing the oestrogen you are losing. I have a few very down days during the pregesteron pills - but I Know what that it.

And it's far preferable to the depressed, mad, raging mess I was before HRT.

Wool duvet helped with night sweats which I still get occassionaly - but I was waking up 3 or 4 times a night before and having to change the sheets.

The flooding only happened once - which is what prompted me to go to the GPs.

HRT was absolutely the right choice for me.

FYI there's no increased risk of blood clots from HRT patches or gels.

Do some women get through menopause without any trouble? I’m 50 and everything feels totally normal so far...

My mum did @Tankflybosswalkjam. She has told me this several times. [thumbs]