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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

100 replies

GooseyLucy123 · 16/12/2021 10:41

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.

OP posts:

Lovelymincepies · 17/12/2021 13:47

Take it, it's fab and will reduce the symptoms you have. I have never had a huge hot flush either, still had regular periods too.

I was moody, depressed, couldn't sleep at all, anxious and wanted to murder everyone.

It has beneficial properties to it too not just symptom relief. Try it and see how you go.

Laiste · 17/12/2021 15:08

So ... you just ring the docs and ask for it? Do you have to win them over/convince them?

In these times it's more likely to be a phone consultation i guess.

My major prob is r ..... brain fog! And being irritable.

DivorcedAndDelighted · 17/12/2021 15:14

@Laiste

So ... you just ring the docs and ask for it? Do you have to win them over/convince them?

In these times it's more likely to be a phone consultation i guess.

My major prob is r ..... brain fog! And being irritable.

Depends on your area. Mine has a specialist menopause clinic which my GP referred me to. I told Dr my symptoms, he offered options for me to choose between.

Authenticcelestialmusic · 17/12/2021 15:25

@sisterjude you say your neck pain has gone. Please can you tell me more about that. I have watched the Davina programme and read up on HRT but am a bit nervous.

samthebordercollie · 17/12/2021 20:40

@DivorcedAndDelighted

Looking back through my family tree, until the last 100 years, almost all of my female ancestors who've been traced died in their 50s or earlier. Most of them had large families. Nature doesn't give a stuff what happens after you've been reproductively successful. Left to nature, I would be in constant pain from my joints and varicose veins after childbearing - despite an extremely active lifestyle and healthy diet, no smoking, very little alcohol. I'd barely be able to see, as my eyesight was awful. I'd have skin like an old handbag from working outdoors without sunscreen, as most of my farm labourer ancestors did. I have not let nature have its way. My eyesight was fixed with laser surgery years ago. The varicose veins were fixed and my legs no longer ache all the bloody time. The joint pain is kept at bay with a targeted pilates and physio programme which comes from science working with nature. Sunscreen is an artificial substance put on my skin to protect it. It works when it's absorbed into my skin. And oestrogen gel is another substance put on my skin to protect me, because I have much higher expectations of the life to come than what nature would afford me. Also... When you get older women talking about their "waterworks problems", it turns out so many are living with really horrible conditions that they feel they mustn't grumble about. Many of these are entirely avoidable with HRT. Fuck that shit.

This says it all

DarlingCoffee · 18/12/2021 09:01

@Laiste I decided to go private to a specialist clinic when I was getting absolutely nowhere with my GP. It was expensive but I can actually sleep properly now without waking up at night so it was money well spent.

Original poster

GooseyLucy123 · 19/12/2021 14:40

GP has recommended a three month trial of some patches called Evorel Sequi. Pharmacy have to order them in so will have a go in the new year. I’m in last week of cycle now - woke up in night all sweaty and had to change t shirt, then woke up this morning with the hangover headache/mildly fluey/feel like I’ve been crying for hours feeling I always get before period (in the last couple of years anyway - not before that) and remembered why this all might be a good idea. Fingers crossed.

OP posts:

oneglassandpuzzled · 19/12/2021 18:47

Can you try another pharmacy and get them sooner?

AgentProvocateur · 19/12/2021 19:02

Everyone that has more energy, when did that kick in? I’m on week 3 of one pump of oestrogen gel and one progesterone tablet at night. The insomnia and night anxiety has lessened, but I’m still exhausted!

BatshitCrazyWoman · 19/12/2021 19:11

@Mojoj

It's artificial hormones. It comes with risks. Menopause is a natural part of life. Eating well and exercising goes a long way to alleviating symptoms. To each their own but I hate how the medical profession push HRT onto anyone post Menopause

It's made from yams! Women happily take the artificial hormones in the contraceptive pill, but not HRT made from yams.

oneglassandpuzzled · 19/12/2021 19:39

@AgentProvocateur

Was there a reason why you’re on a small dose of oestrogel? Isn’t standard dose two pumps?

lobsterkiller · 19/12/2021 19:49

I take Ovestin, but reading this thinking of going for the full bag of mashings. Im forgetful, periods unpredictable, lethargic, lots of UTIs. I was never like this before.

I eat well, lots of raw veggies and walk for miles, but its not enough.

New year, I'll ask the GP.

Redcrayons · 19/12/2021 20:52

@AgentProvocateur

I started on patches and week 1 I felt better. Mainly because I slept through the night for the first time in years. More sleep, more energy, less anxiety.

Will agree with poster that it seems like a low dose. I’ve switched to gel and tablets and I’m on 2 pumps and 200mg tablets.

Mary46 · 19/12/2021 20:55

Great thread. My sleep is awful some nights. 48. But I did read as am prone to ovarian cysts hrt may not suit. Im not sure would have to check it out. 3rd coil fitted

WayneBruce · 19/12/2021 21:05

I felt the same OP, almost felt like a fraud because I wasn't experiencing the image we've been led to believe were menopausal (fat, sweaty, middle aged women fanning their faces).
After watching Davinas programme, I realised the raging, brain fogged, insomniac that I had become was something HRT could sort.
I'm coming to the end on my 6th month and am sleeping well, much sharper and generally more tolerant.

#yams

Charmatt · 19/12/2021 21:32

I had to stop taking HRT and because I'm now close to my periods finishing, my symptoms are are a lot stronger.

If I was able to I'd be on it because over time, your symptoms will worsen.

Hankunamatata · 19/12/2021 22:35

I'm 42 on Evorel Sequi due to hot flushes, vaginal dryness, insomnia and tiredness plus my periods were disappearing after years of being heavy. My blood were normal but dr agreed to hrt as flushes were awful as Id always been a cold person.

I later discovered my mother has her last period at 43 and she has severe osteo arthritis, osteoporosis and gynea issues due to early menopause.

I'm hoping to avoid all this by staying on hrt. Patches take bit of getting used to, some pack dont stick right so have a spare pack and set a phone reminder to change them

Hankunamatata · 19/12/2021 22:37

@gunnersgold

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?

YES

Hankunamatata · 19/12/2021 22:40

@anungratefulwretch

So pleased to read this thread. I cried on DH today as I am so fed up with the way I feel. Anxiety, low mood, exhaustion, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, no bloody libido at all and a constant feeling of tearfulness mixed with fury...I am absolutely not myself anymore and I'm only 48.

I don't want to be fobbed off by the GP so am going straight to the Newson clinic. I'm not having a bloody coil either. Just give me a prescription!

You can have the minera coil as part of your hrt then you just need oestrogen prescibed!

Original poster

GooseyLucy123 · 19/12/2021 22:56

By the way my GP was really helpful, no fobbing off at all. And she didn’t even suggest the coil, after I’d braced myself to give my reasons for not wanting it. I don’t mind waiting till after Xmas to try it. We are staying with in laws and if it causes any mood swings - more than the usual - it wouldn’t be ideal. Happy to wait till back home then start the trial.

OP posts:

Verstappen · 19/12/2021 23:24

I’m on evoril sequi. I got me back.

I had so many issues that I didn’t even realise were menopause until I sat down and researched. Took a bit of persuading with my GP but he gave me the patches.

The first three months were a mix of relief from a lot of menopause symptoms but new issues with sore breasts and a seemingly constant period (I’d been on the pill so not had one for years)
Now things are settled, weirdly my period is pretty regular. My body shape seems to have changed, I don’t know if that’s my imagination but I look less bloated, my face looks better. I can go all night without a wee (never thought I’d celebrate that one!) my hair is thicker and libido returned I have energy and although I still have days where I can’t be arsed I actually want to go out and do things.
The last time I can honestly say I felt like that was in my early 40s.

Lifechanging.

Ibizafun · 19/12/2021 23:41

I'm in my 50's on bio identical HRT to protect my heart and my bones. It has a knock on effect on other things, eg more sleep and energy for exercise.. I have an annual mammogram for peace of mind.

Madhairday · 20/12/2021 09:11

Honestly, go for it OP. I started it around 3 months ago and it's transformed my life, before I was suffering with hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, depression and anxiety, irritability, pretty much everything - but at a fairly low level, so I thought it had to be worse to go on HRT. The lovely nurse at my surgery set me right and helped me realise that I was actually suffering a whole lot and there was no reason I shouldn't go on them, so I did and honestly, all the sweats have gone, I sleep so much better, that gnawing anxiety has disappeared, I feel calmer and generally happier. I'm so pleased I went for it.

gunnersgold · 22/12/2021 18:24

@Hankunamatata .. that's good to know ! Dh is very tolerant and kind but I'd like to get back to how we were !

Splodgerbodgerbadger · 22/12/2021 18:40

I started on it when I was 42 and it made such a huge difference to how I felt. I had pretty much all the symptoms you have described OP and the permanent sense of doom was awful, every time we went in the car I thought we would have an accident. I don’t think I realised how awful I felt until I started on it and felt so much better. It also helps protect your bones and heart.

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