To take HRT when my symptoms aren't that bad?

[GooseyLucy123]

I've got the appointment with the GP to decide tomorrow, she's sent me the RCOG guidance about how to manage the menopause to read beforehand, which talks about other options such as CBT and diet & exercise. My symptoms are: depression (I've had clinical depression before, but these mood swings (and the anger) are new), anxiety, night sweats, insomnia (I can't sleep in now which used to be my superpower!). I am tired and stressed (aren't we all). But I don't get hot flushes. GP did a blood test as I'm not quite 45 yet, and results were all normal (this included vit D, thyroid, iron as well as LH and FSH. The only thing slightly elevated was LH, but not by much, apparently).

I exercise regularly and eat healthily. I can't work out if HRT would be the amazing panacea some have found it, or the benefits might not be worth the risk. Am I being unreasonable to take HRT when things aren't that bad? Any advice welcomed. If it improved my sleep I think I would be very happy.

Massively improved my sleep. Same for the other symptoms you mention. Also protects against bone density loss etc.

My DM was against HRT and never took it, she's now having issues with her bones, breaking them so easily, low oestrogen etc and says that she wishes she had taken it now.

I don't know if that helps but it's something to consider.

@WhenISnappedAndFarted your mum can still take it. You can keep taking it into your 80s and can start even when the menopause is long over. Check out Dr Louise Newson’s website for more info.

Oh yes do! Honestly HRT changed my life! I never had hot flashes but I had insomnia, night sweats (really bad ones), anger issues, feeling down and fogginess. Within weeks I was so much better. It take a little bit of trial and error to get the right mix. I started with a very low dose and I'm not on gel and tablets (still not super high).

HRT is magic, it changed my life for the better. Recommend trying it to see. I had no idea how unwell I had been feeling till I started taking it. You can always stop if you don't feel the benefits. The risks are quite small.

I was considering HRT and coincidentally watched the Davina McCall documentary and that confirmed my decision to start.

I had fairly mild symptoms, similar to yours and the change when I went on HRT was amazing! I have so much more energy and my overall mood has lifted. I noticed a difference after about a week and was kind of shocked that how crap I had been feeling before became my normal.

I suppose you can always stop if it doesn't suit you, but I think you should give it a go.

@Yellowtulips33 I didn't know that - thank you'll I'll mention it to her.

I’m same OP. I have depression and under active thyroid so half of the time don’t know whether I’m feeling crap because of that. GP had prescribed patches but I’ve been too much of a wuss to start. Think I will go do so now after reading this. Good luck to you too OP.

Thank you very much for this information. For the people who voted YABU -- it would v helpful to know why you think it is a bad idea.

@ThelmaDinkley

I’m same OP. I have depression and under active thyroid so half of the time don’t know whether I’m feeling crap because of that. GP had prescribed patches but I’ve been too much of a wuss to start. Think I will go do so now after reading this. Good luck to you too OP.

I’m hypothyroid but never been offered HRT. I’ve read that oestrogen affects thyroid hormone levels. This doesn’t matter if you are not hypothyroid but it does if you are.

Massively helped me with insomnia, anxiety and depression. I don't think I'd realised how bad it had got until I'd got more back to myself. The sleeplessness was the worst for me. Never really got hot flushes.

It also helps protect against osteoporosis.

Take them. My symptoms improved massively and sleep deprivation is a huge barrier to wellbeing.

You’ll only know if it’s worth taking if you have a trial. I’ve had tablets, patches and gel and the gel works best for me though all have worked. The menopause has a wide range of symptoms- not suffering from all of them doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from HRT.

Do you have a Mirena coil? The lowest risk method of delivering hrt is this plus as small a dose of oestrogen as possible delivered as above. I have increased my oestrogen because I was shrivelling up. Oh the joys.

I don’t have a coil and I really don’t fancy one at all. I had a traumatic birth and the idea of having something painfully inserted which then needs a professional to remove is not appealing. I am sure GP will suggest coil first as I understand it’s the lowest risk option but I am not keen.

I didn’t have HRT - mainly because my doctor told me that it is only kicking the can down the road - eventually you have to stop taking it, and then you have to deal with all the symptoms anyway. Not sure if that is still current medical advice though!

The menopause is never 'over'. It consists of all he time you are alive after you stop being fertile.

I watched my aunt shrink before my eyes.

I was not allowed HRT for 7 years, as I had an early menopause and had osteoporosis at 49.

It is not just for hot sweats. It is for all the symptoms. I could barely climb the stairs before I managed to get HRT.

It saved my life in so many ways.

@FortVictoria my GP told me last month current evidence says I can stay on HRT as long as I want to take it.
It was life changing for me, physically and mentally.
I was undergoing therapy whilst I was first prescribed HRT, I went from depressed to the point of self harm to normal on outcome measures in about 6 weeks.
Therapist had never seen anything like it, im convinced that at least in part this was HRT.
I feel like a terrible black cloud has lifted and I'm myself again.

I've just started, I'm 1 month in and it's a game changer. I'm 46.
My sleep is much better quality, my joint aches have completely gone, breast soreness has gone.
For me it's the accumulative impact of all the symptoms. I am happier now than I have been in the last 6 years.

@LadyJJ - so glad to hear it’s been a good experience for you, and that you can continue as long as you need to.

@FortVictoria ty.
Yes me too, my lovely mum has been so disabled by osteoporosis, im hoping to avoid that too.

This is all really helpful. Thank you lovely Mumsnetters. If anyone has bad things to say about it I would be interested in hearing them too.

What age did everyone start it? My gp said I can have it if I want at 47 with a few symptoms but I'm not sure if I want to try some gels first to help with symptoms . I'd love to get some sex drive back again though . Does it help that?

Can't recommend it highly enough. I took it after a total hysterectomy in my mid 50s as a consequence I suffered no unpleasant symptoms of menopause at all.

I sailed through the next several years feeling pretty much the best I'd ever felt. I was gutted when I was told I'd been on it too long and had to come off it; although, by that time it had been long enough that symptoms did happen anyway. Didn't realise you could go on taking it into your 80s as pp says.

Tbh your symptoms sound quite severe and if HRT is going to help you through them, in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate.

*by that time symptoms didn't happen anyway. That should be