to ask for a realistic picture of menopause

[Happy36]

4 months ago I found out I had cancer. I have had treatment and the cancer is now in remission. As a result of treatment, my periods have stopped and I've started to go through menopause (without any peri menopause period). I'm 40.

What can I expect and what can I do to mitigate it?

[quote MatildaTheCat]@HateJudgmentalPeople why are you against the idea of patches? They are the preferred method of delivering hrt safely ( though the gel is fantastic).

Your situation sounds quite complex but it’s a good thing if your GP is looking out for you.[/quote]
I’m not against them but I thought meds were better? Surely meds are better than a patch and I’m worried that I’m not going to feel better, she said meds give an increased chance of breast cancer due to my younger age

@Happy36 I could give you loads of info, but without knowing the context of your medical history, it's going to be impossible.

Depending on what sort of cancer, and whether your ovaries were removed or not, and whether that means you can use HRT or not, the advice will vary.

You may well get different advice from different medics.

Many however, would try to put you on HRT because at 40, if you ovaries are not there , you need monitoring for a long time to make sure your bones do not deteriorate. For women having surgical menopause at your age, for various reasons, HRT is always given unless it is a complete no-no. This is to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease later down the line.

If you are without your ovaries now, your medical team really ought to provide you with a plan to protect your future health. Not only the flushes etc but the long term serious illnesses.

Have you not been seen by anyone to discuss this?

@HateJudgmentalPeople I'm very confused by what you have posted :)

All HRT is 'meds'. If you are talking about patches, gel, tablets etc they are all 'meds'.

Transdermal HRT ( gel and patches) do not increase the risk of blood clots. Tablets do.

That is the difference.

No difference in cancer risk with either.

[quote JinglingHellsBells]@HateJudgmentalPeople I'm very confused by what you have posted :)

All HRT is 'meds'. If you are talking about patches, gel, tablets etc they are all 'meds'.

Transdermal HRT ( gel and patches) do not increase the risk of blood clots. Tablets do.

That is the difference.

No difference in cancer risk with either.[/quote]
I thought they came in tablet form? Patches are also normally for women that have had hysterectomies and have had the coil and I’ve had neither, I should be getting a combination but doc says no, but I’m reading different things here!

@HateJudgmentalPeople if you have a uterus you must take progesterone, either orally, or it's in the patch, combined with oestrogen. Or you can take progesterone orally with oestrogen gel.

Oestrogen is safest if it's transdermal, either gel or patch.

[quote BatshitCrazyWoman]@HateJudgmentalPeople if you have a uterus you must take progesterone, either orally, or it's in the patch, combined with oestrogen. Or you can take progesterone orally with oestrogen gel.

Oestrogen is safest if it's transdermal, either gel or patch.[/quote]
So why isn’t doc saying this?!

I thought they came in tablet form? Patches are also normally for women that have had hysterectomies and have had the coil and I’ve had neither, I should be getting a combination but doc says no, but I’m reading different things here!

Look at the website of Dr Louise Newson.
There are some great fact sheets on HRT.

HRT factsheets

It’s okay, I’ve just looked at my patches and they have both hormones so I’m sorted, hopefully, I got Evorel.

@JinglingHellsBells

I thought they came in tablet form? Patches are also normally for women that have had hysterectomies and have had the coil and I’ve had neither, I should be getting a combination but doc says no, but I’m reading different things here!

Look at the website of Dr Louise Newson.
There are some great fact sheets on HRT.

HRT factsheets

Thanks for posting link to those fact sheets, really informative 🙂