To be unsure about HRT after reading the oestrogel leaflet

[Urbanhymngirl]

I was all set up to take HRT on a trial and now, having read the 4 page side effects leaflet, I am not feeling so sure.

Aibu to feel anxious about it? The leaflet is quite scary and it’s made me feel anxious. On the flip side, I am feeling really crappy and not myself (mostly mood related at the moment as at 48, I still get periods) - I do feel pretty fed up with it all.

Anyone else get put off my the very long 4 page list of side effects?

I watched that programme with Davina on menopause recently (interesting) and they repeated a few times that there have been campaigns to change the list of side effects because they aren’t accurate and they are only on there because when they were first produced, it was following that trial (which has since been found lacking) that suggested links with cancer etc. And they’ve never removed them from the paperwork,

If you can find it, there was a really good documentary by Davinia McCall on Ch4 recently on menopause generally. It specifically addressed HRT and the info that's required to be put with medicine and potential side effects and the chance of having them vs the benefits of taking it. The experts set out the whys and hows of the original data and drug trials and analysis against more recent (positive) findings. You may find it reassuring. Certainly, I found it highly convincing in favour of HRT.

You weigh up the pros and cons and make your decision accordingly. My menopausal symptoms made it an absolutely no brainer, to the point where I lied about the incidence of breast cancer in my family to get HRT. If the impact of your symptoms is outweighed by anxiety about possible side effects, then it’s probably not for you.

Have a look at this graphic my GP showed me - 23 cases of breast cancer in the general population per 1000 women, 19 (4 fewer) for women taking oestrogen only hrt, and 47 cases for women who are obese ( so my overweightness is my biggest risk for breast cancer). Patches and gels (transdermal) rather than tablets are safer if overweight due to a slight increased risk of heart disease. Some cancer risks are lowered by taking it. Taking it until at least 51 lowers the risk of fractures by protecting against osteoporosis. The evidence is updated by new studies all the time but in my view the risk balance for me is very much in favour of taking it. I have had good results and no adverse side effects. Better sleep better mood less aches and pains less brain fog. Good luck with your decision.
www.google.com/search?q=graphic+showing+breast+cancer+risk+obesity+hrt+risk&client=ms-android-google&prmd=insv&sxsrf=ALeKk01jT2ANd-8b_8vm-U5yhjxHwz2oYA:1626080109959&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi38tG6lN3xAhWUNcAKHSBVD04Q_AUoAXoECAIQAQ&biw=393&bih=680#imgrc=kcA0PQh-Z4PLAM

@GoWalkabout thanks, that infographic is really useful and helpful! I find the information really confusing!

But read the leaflet for almost any medication and you can have that same fear - they have to put everything down and most of them are very unlikely.

My GP reminded me that you're weighing up the risks - yes, you perhaps have a tiny tiny increased risk of one thing, but weighing that against the definite disadvantage you have from the current symptoms, which you know you have, you have to decide which you can face.

I love my hrt for what it's worth.

I would crawl over broken glass to keep my oestrogel. All medications come with lengthy notes; if your GP has prescribed it they’ve presumably considered the risk factors for you as an individual.

I have oestrogel and it stops nightsweats. I bloomin love it and like Matildathecat I'd crawl over shards of glass to get it

another one here who thought twice after reading that list but then I weighed up that against all the misery of everything menopausal and as others have said, they will have to pry that pump dispenser out of my cold dead hands now.

It's made such a difference for the better!

Love my oestrogel. It gave me sleep and my brain back. No side effects at all.

@Blossomtoes

You weigh up the pros and cons and make your decision accordingly. My menopausal symptoms made it an absolutely no brainer, to the point where I lied about the incidence of breast cancer in my family to get HRT. If the impact of your symptoms is outweighed by anxiety about possible side effects, then it’s probably not for you.

The problem with that is one of the symptoms I'm getting with peri-menopause is massively increased anxiety - I was prescribed different anxiety meds that I was too anxious to take after reading the info leaflet. Luckily I could go back on the ones I'd been taking previously.

I could see me being the same if I were prescribed HRT, even though atm I'm thinking of going to discuss the possibility with my GP.

@GrolliffetheDragon, my anxiety went when I started on HRT. Watch the video of Jonathan Van Tam reading the list of side effects of the pill, paracetamol, indigestion medication etc. You've got to put the data into perspective.

Because I'm on HRT, I'm more careful with my weight and lifestyle, so I feel that I've mitigated the risks.

You've got to put the data into perspective.

I do that, but sometimes the anxiety has other ideas. Anxiety doesn't respect logic, that's why I have meds for it.

I am considering seeing my GP again. It's just there's only one who is worth seeing about anything to do with peri-menopause. The other GP who supposedly specialises in women's health always seems to be having a different conversation to me - she seems to answer completely different questions to the ones I've asked and her basic attitude is "still having periods? Nothing to do with menopause, go away".