AIBU to think that any woman who can should take HRT?

[HRTevangelist]

It's fucking brilliant and has turned my life around. I have more energy, I can concentrate, I've lost a stone without trying, I've been promoted at work and my facial hair has completely gone. I am unstoppable!

This is truly amazing stuff. It should be considered for all peri women as routine before looking at alternatives as necessary.

I've never had HRT mentioned to me, and I've never asked.
I'm completely uninformed about it tbh, but have managed ok I think without.

Thanks @HRTevangelist will add to my notes 🤞

Also with any other organ failure we don't put up with low hormones causing us to be hypothyroid , diabetic - we take replacement hormones- thyroxine, insulin etc.
So why should we put up with failing ovaries and the consequences of no oestrogen?
But these are disease states.
Ceasing to ovulate and menstruate is not an illness. It is a natural part of life.
I appreciate that some women having a difficult menopause may benefit from HRT- but what are risks of an "unmedicated" menopause otherwise?
And what for the future? Decades of HRT?

I don't take it and feel great at 55. I don't like being told I should be doing something when I'm perfectly happy not doing it. Hormones made me suffer migraines and an awful peri, now that they're gone I've no issues, I'd also like to point out that while hrt is great for some women, for others it isnt the miracle cure that they are hoping for, we are all individuals, and what works for one may well not work for another; so no, all women should not be on hrt as a given!

@speakout

HRTevangelist I don't see the crone state of womanhood as a disease needing to be cured or prevented. It is possible to keep fit and healthy post menopause without medication.

Likewise. I run to keep fit, which counteracts a lot of issues. In cultures with more plant-based diets women tend to experience the menopause differently and far less negatively. I've been vegetarian since my early teens and that may be why the menopause hasn't bothered me. Basically I'm enjoying not having periods any more and otherwise don't feel much different.

I wouldn't extrapolate from that that no-one should take HRT however, since I understand that everyone is different. So don't assume that everyone should start taking hormones just because you feel great on them. And read some Nelly Oudshoorn on 'female' hormones ffs.

but what are risks of an "unmedicated" menopause otherwise?

I said "unmediated" anyway, but the risks are: osteoporosis, dementia, hypertension, heart disease, stroke.

I also feel happy I'm not on hrt when I hear about supply problems. That must have caused quite a bit of anxiety for women.
I feel I'm over the worst and my body is doing what it does.

I'd like to take it but want to go to my gp armed with all the info about it and I'm confused!!
I had a hysterectomy when I was 40 but retained my ovaries. I understand I need a particular type of hrt?;

osteoporosis, dementia, hypertension, heart disease, stroke.

All can be avoided to a large degree by lifestyle.

I was v lucky as I have a sympathetic GP who is also very up to date on the newest research - which has debunked much of the earlier reservations around cancer risks.
I have patches.
I have a serious mental illness, and in his last letter to the GP, my psychiatrist actually mentioned them and said I should stay on them indefinitely as he thought the hormonal equilibrium plays a small part in keeping me stable.
So yet another reason I'll never give them up.

I agree @Stickytreacle. I went on it a few years ago but then developed uterine polyps (with bleeding) and breast cysts - both ‘fed’ by the hormones. Both Consultants I saw were very understanding but did ask me to consider coming off HRT. Cysts and polyps now gone thankfully. I’m now off it and managing OK, touch wood - Ive lost a stone that was taking me to the upper limit of my healthy BMI weight, upped my exercise and take supplements. Still having regular-as-clockwork periods at 52 which is a complete PITA, but otherwise I’m OK.

I think HRT is great if you want it, but it’s not for everyone and that’s OK too.

Those risks arise because of a drop in oestrogen. Getting oestrogen removes that risk.

@brittleheadgirl there are lots of different combinations. I guess you don't know what's available till you ask? I've only got the one ovary and the straight mirena+gel works for me. It's the ovaries that are the important bits in terms of hormones.

YABU. It doesn't suit us all. I tried it snd really suffered. I've spent a year messing with hormones and different doses. My body has been through hell. My gut feeling was to stop it but I pushed on because everyone told me I needed to take them and how good I'd feel. After 4 months of having a period and a stone weight gain I decided enough was enough. It's not for everyone. Voice what works for you (very happy it does) but please don't say every woman should take it.

I personally don't want too because of the increased cancer risk

If you look at the figures, then the increased risk of breast cancer from being overweight and drinking more than the recommended amount is far more than hrt. Breast cancer risk increases with age. With HRT your breast cancer increases in line with the rate before menopause. When you stop taking it, the risk goes to the level it would have been if you were not taking HRT.

Endometrial cancer risk is reduced.

@brittleheadgirl my understanding (I've had a hysterectomy) is that you need oestrogen only, not progesterone, once the uterus is removed.
But obviously don't rely on me for medical advice.
I would do a lot of your own reading before you go the GP so that you're already well informed.
But then I think women should do that about all "female" issues before making the Dr appointment as we're so often fobbed off, so it's good to be able to argue back pre armed with some knowledge!

@speakout

*Also with any other organ failure we don't put up with low hormones causing us to be hypothyroid , diabetic - we take replacement hormones- thyroxine, insulin etc. So why should we put up with failing ovaries and the consequences of no oestrogen?* But these are disease states. Ceasing to ovulate and menstruate is not an illness. It is a natural part of life. I appreciate that some women having a difficult menopause may benefit from HRT- but what are risks of an "unmedicated" menopause otherwise? And what for the future? Decades of HRT?

Absolutely agree with this. We should not be medicating women who do not need to be medicated and there is some evidence that the body compensates very well over time for the reduction in hormones. Lisa Mosconi's brain research on perimenopause has been widely held up as being pro-HRT but her research on post-menopausal women shows that the negative effects are resolved in time Many post menopausal women are fit and healthy without HRT. My own mother is now very elderly and has some age-related health issues but she has outlived most of her friends and relatives, including all of those who took HRT

@brittleheadgirl

I'd like to take it but want to go to my gp armed with all the info about it and I'm confused!! I had a hysterectomy when I was 40 but retained my ovaries. I understand I need a particular type of hrt?;

If you have had a hysterectomy you have oestrogen only sort - ask for transdermal - a patch or gel.

You do not need the combined sort with progestogen as well, as that is to keep the uterus healthy.

I've been on HRT since February and feel great. I'm 49 and was beginning to experience minor peri symptoms.
The last 5yrs have been a bumpy ride with thyroid issues and Graves, leading to a thyroidectomy. I don't ever want to feel that bone crushing tiredness, joint pain and brain fog again, so was glad my GP was super and immediately prescribed HRT pills when I mentioned peri symptoms. I've been fortunate in that they have worked for me really well.

Great thread. This topic has become so much more mainstream and I’m super grateful.
I’ve had lower libido, fatigue, higher anxiety and a real loss of zest for life. I would have tried to cope but given this is getting more attention I actually thought ‘I need to see if I can get help with this.’

Called my GP and he ordered initial blood tests as a first step.

No because many women don't need it.

This. I can't get on board with the idea that anyone think everyone "should" take anything unless it is needed.

I'm glad you are clearly on a high, but it doesn't mean everyone wants to put things into their bodies just because it has helped you.

If you look at the figures, then the increased risk of breast cancer from being overweight and drinking more than the recommended amount is far more than hrt.

That's a weird argument. Many people aren't overweight. Many (most?) people don't drink more than the recommended amount. So what have either of them got to do with this discussion ?

I'm always bemused by the breast cancer risk comparisons.
If you're overweight and like a drink surely that's more of a reason not to take hrt and add to the risk. If you're not, then why increase your risk by taking hrt unless you really aren't coping.

I had promised myself that if I started to really suffer during peri’ I’d consider HRT. As it turned out, the physical stuff, whilst occasionally annoying and upsetting (hair loss that was fortunately temporary; strange tendon and muscle pains) nothing was unmanageable. I’m now 2 years plus post meno’. In my case, I’m slimmer, calmer and generally better balanced. One concession to hormonal treatments I do use is vaginal oestradiol as I was getting some U/G discomfort.

My late mum had a surgically induced meno’ aged 40 and eventually she developed osteoporosis. However, she had other health problems that would have contributed to bone density problems. Health problems such as cardiovascular disease (and osteoporosis) are to some extent protected by oestrogen, but they are also lifestyle related. I try to include weight-bearing exercise and have been vegetarian for many years.

Menopause isn’t a disease process. That said, for some women, the hormone fluctuations trigger other medical problems and for those women HRT may make a lot of sense.

I don't like this suggestion that women who have bad menopauses have just let their health and fitness go. I am vegetarian, nonsmoker, teetotal, (was) a healthy weight until meno symptoms hit quite early, at 45. It floored me, and I'd had no gynae-related issues until then. 'Menopause' isn't just your own subjective experience of it. I had three easy pregnancies and very quick labours with no physical consequences, but I would be very presumptuous to think that many women don't suffer these events horrendously.

I am thinking of asking about HRT but haven't read much yet. One of my problems at the moment is hair loss, definitely getting thinner... does any type of HRT help with that?

@brittleheadgirl

I'd like to take it but want to go to my gp armed with all the info about it and I'm confused!! I had a hysterectomy when I was 40 but retained my ovaries. I understand I need a particular type of hrt?;

You would need oestrogen only HRT, which has fewer side effects, I believe. Progesterone is the problematic bit for many women but it's just given to protect the uterus, which can't be exposed to unopposed oestrogen.