To ask for your positive non HRT menopause stories

[Upthebracket22]

I am 49 and having a shit time in perimenopause- I think it’s actually triggered PMDD possibly and it’s just all awful. I tried HRT and it actually made some of my symptoms worse especially really awful headaches & the utrogestan made me feel extremely dark.

So at the moment, I am not on HRT but in won’t completely rule it out.

I am interested in your positive non- HRT storied though- what did you go? How do you feel now? I read a story about someone who said her life was like a calm sea once the hormones had gone! Anyone else?

This isn't looking very promising so far OP :-( Hoping this bumps it for some useful responses...

I didn’t use HRT. In fact, apart from a few hot flushes I wouldn’t have known I was going through the menopause. Don’t think that’s helpful though, it’s just the luck of the draw?

Hello I'm 49 too. I've asked twice for HRT (not bled for years and GP told me after a blood test I was peri menopausal at 43/4). I've been offered ADs which I don't want really and after a blood test, some vit D oral megadose.

I can't help you but I feel terrible. I don't want to be with anyone. I want to be alone with my audio book. I particularly hate the way men talk to me, and I feel out of control. I had a panic attack in the night recently, which is a first (I've never had anxiety).

Everyday life things are too hard.

Hot flushes and night sweats passed a few years ago.

I am happy to consider non HRT.

Sorry meant to say that I too would like to look at other help. I can and do meditate and I do go and also run classes (!!!)

Today I made breakfast for dp and I - it tasted delicious and then I completely forgot to serve it and found it all on the hob hours later. DP hadn't realised it was meant for our breakfast.

I tried for a year. It was horrendous.
HRT has given me my life back.

Hard to say as HRT is usually the best bet if you get symptoms

Are you doing the obvious ? Lots of fresh air and lots of exercise , very healthy eating , no sugar or alcohol

I'm 51 and not taking hrt.
I take 2 supplements religiously (menopace & omega oils) and try hard to eat well and drink lots of water etc I'm not always successful with the eating well plan! 🙄
I suffer with migraines every month and have learnt that staying hydrated and avoiding sugar helps but I do resort to taking co-codomal once a month!
My symptoms come and go but generally I'm doing ok and so far I don't feel I need hrt?

@Upthebracket22 it doesn’t sound as if your GP has been much help. Could you stretch to a private consultation? My SIL did this with the Newson clinic

Had an online appointment with an expert and got meaningful advice. Her GP prescribes what they recommended.

Not me, but my mum often says she was "pleasantly surprised" by menopause. She had hot flushes and increased appetite but that was it. She was just happy periods had stopped!

Periods stopped a few months ago.
Skin and hair better
No night sweats
No anxiety

Not had a hard time of it at all sort from some weight gain but I'm a lazy so and so 🤣

HRT would protect your bones from osteoporosis and brain health. Most HRT is transdermal, safe, does not cause breast cancer and will help with a large range of symptoms. Women's bodies do not start to produce oestrogen again.

Following with interest as I've been told I won't be about to have HRT when the time comes, the thought terrifies me tbh.

Sorry, won't be about?

I was lucky - no hot flushes or other symptoms just periods getting more infrequent until just stopped. Did coincide with a lot of positive things happening in my life and I was one of those people who didn't get PMT or pain.
Plus a happy day to metaphorically throw away the condoms

In my early 60s. No period since 52/53. No HRT. Take supplement : The Complete Woman from Boots. Lots of exercise. No osteoporosis. Has some hot flushes but not anything worth getting stressed about just aware that this is a menopause thing. My GP was slow to recommend HRT as l was doing well although l have no idea how l would feel if l was on it.
My only real difficulty has been overactive bladder for which GP and Gynaecologist have not prescribed HRT but other meds.
I am relieved not to have periods and feeling extra tired at different parts of the month.
Hopefully l won't pay any price later in life but at the moment l am good.
I could honestly say exercise has been key.

@cleowasmycat
I have recently had a bone density scan and my bones were described as 'fantastic' so all good there!

I do worry about the brain function aspect of menopause but if I'm brutally honest I'm someone who would really struggle with life if I put on any weight and this is why I have so far been reluctant to take hrt.
The fact that I seem relatively well as I go through menopause reassures me?

Can you explain your comments about breast cancer? I thought there was a small risk?

The breast cancer risk is v v low with transdermal HRT. Obviously a family history will make a difference. The old studies have been more or less completely debunked.

I am 53 and been told i am now post menopausal. I do have additional stressors with a sick DH so i was never quite sure what was stress related and menopause.

I focussed on exercise as I wasnt happy at the gathering around waist and boobs. That and vitamins and reduced alcohol consumption has worked for me. I did go to the GP about HRT as I was worried about the missing supplements that are essential. Not started anything yet

I think it’s wrong to say HRT does not cause cancer. GP’s and the manufacturers all say that more people on HRT get some cancers.

GPs are very undertrained with menopause.

Hope you feel better soon, OP. My periods were very painful for about 10 years before I had kids, but not since, phew. I had high-emotion PMT when I was young, but that faded by my mid20s. I also had a pile of minor but overwhelming health problems in my late 20s & early 30s, I have managed them well for decades since.

Now I am mid 50s. My periods have become more erratic but not yet stopped (which I only mention because it means I'm not fully menopausal). My periods are not problematic.

I'm fine. (peri)menopause has been a non-event. I can't attribute a single unpleasant symptom. If anything, I'm more resilient, calmer & more confident than ever before in my entire life. Nothing physical has gone wrong, either.

Thanks for all your comments- interesting!

HRT made me feel really crappy- I maybe need to try different types but utrogestan was awful- I could feel the darkness descending on it!

You can take it vaginally to lesson the effects. What oestrogen did you take?

I went to the GP and got HRT but haven’t taken it. Something is stopping me, so I’m going with my gut.
I got the Mirena coil for heavy frequent periods, and that’s had the added benefit of lessening my rage.
Reducing alcohol to almost nothing has also helped. My night sweats, that I only got when drinking, have stopped.
A good sleep routine and magnesium tablets /baths have really helped sleep.
I don’t get hot flushes any more, and I don’t have anxiety.
‘I just wish I could lose weight and lose the DH !