To not start taking HRT?

[OldSkoolLikeHappyShopper]

My doctor has mentioned that HRT would be an option for me. She said patches because of a family history of breast cancer. I’m 42, no not flushes or night sweats. But my symptoms are:

low mood/irritability
loss of sex drive
find it hard to orgasm when I do have sex (never been a problem before)
bad skin
forgetfulness/brain fog
achy all over
crazy menstrual cycle (anywhere between 18-38 days)

I guess I’m a bit scared because of my family breast cancer risk, and also because I’ve never got on with any kind of hormonal contraception, I always had hideous side effects with it. I know HRT isn’t contraception, but would it have a similar effect in terms of not agreeing with me?

Really don’t know what to do…I wouldn’t say my symptoms are unmanageable or massively affecting my life (the sex drive/orgasms one is probably the most annoying), and I don’t know whether to go for the HRT or play or by ear and see if things get worse.

Others experiences and opinions would be appreciated, I feel completely clueless, this whole peri menopause thing has crept up on me and I feel woefully unprepared!

Wondering if those who have had depression/anxiety type issues at peri/menopause (PMS and post partum) suffered similarly in puberty? I suffered terribly from anxiety during puberty - and the anxiety disappeared in my later teens. It came back horrendously in my late thirties (which I think now is when peri started with me).

I sometimes think it is not the 'lack' of hormones that is the problem (as most elderly ladies don't seem to have issues) but the instability/change of hormones (up and down) that is the issue.

I am happy for those of you that haven't experienced these symptoms - but for those who do it can be absolutely debilitating.

Anyone with experiences of HRT and Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

It’s such a personal decision. I’m post menopause. Periods stopped 5 years ago at 46. The symptoms are manageable if unpleasant. Loss of libido definitely but that doesn’t bother me. Worse symptoms are hot flushes and night sweats. Aches and pains but nothing that massively affects my life. Only you can decide. I guess give it a go and see how you feel.

I was going to try to crack on through without HRT. A year of night sweats and insomnia put paid to that, I was on my knees with exhaustion, low mood, brain fog etc. A week on the gel and I was doing much better.

Not every woman suffers such severe symptoms. You might be fine without. I personally wasn’t and I am really grateful I’ve got it.

PS: no weight gain. I was gaining before HRT because I was miserable and comfort eating. HRT has given me some energy back and I’ve stabilised.

Menopause is not an illness. Neither is pregnancy yet women suffer with debilitating post partum depression. Menopause can cause serious and life shortening illnesses.

I think you are lucky cos good diet and fresh air is bollocks advice.

Menopause can cause serious and life shortening illnesses

Such as what?

Many women report suicidal thoughts as a symptom of menopause (I’m one), and some go on to kill themselves.

www.healtheuropa.com/menopausal-women-suicide-rates-are-at-their-highest-since-1996/111752/

Between 1981 and 1994, suicide rates for older women declined by 50%, with rates continuing to drop for those aged over 55 ever since. However, the rates for women aged 45 to 54 have opposed that trend, steadily rising since the late 1990s. Between 1998 and 2020, rates for over-55s fell 28% but increased by 6% for 45 to 54-year-olds.

From the link above.

Thanks, @salutsandy
I mentioned the book 'Your Body in Balance': The New Science of Food, Hormones, and Health, by Neal Barnard, earlier. I've just remembered he did an hour long interview about the book with Rich Roll on his podcast. It's well worth checking out - the info on there is literally life-changing, I hope you agree.
www.richroll.com/podcast/neal-barnard-492/

Osteoporosis evidence from the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/treatment/hormone-replacement-therapy/

So there's quite a few people on here now claiming HRT reduces the risk of dementia, as one of its key benefits. One said the reduction was significant. What is your source? Please? Since the repeated insistence that it doesn't increase breast cancer risk has been debunked

The repeated insistence that it doesn't increase breast cancer risk hasn't been debunked. It is clear that if you feel better, are less anxious and have fewer aches and pains, that you will sleep better, get more exercise and are therefore less likely to get breast cancer. My understanding was that the increased risk of breast cancer was only for the tablets (which aren't really prescribed anymore) and for certain women with a family history of gynaelogical cancers. If you take the gel or patches, and don't have that family history, there is no increased risk. It is also worth noting that the increased risk was very small anyway (though no consolation if you were one of those women).

My source for the dementia claim is here: www.nhmenopausesociety.org/resources/can-hrt-reduce-your-risk-of-dementia/#:~:text=Here%20are%20some%20of%20their%20key%20findings%3A%201,in%20the%20greatest%20reduction%20of%20risk.%20More%20items

Some of the studies are inconclusive, and there are different forms of dementia - eg vascular is caused by things like high blood pressure. But it stands to reason that anything that improves your health generally will also help to reduce your risk of dementia.

So if the claim is that HRT reduces the risk of dementia/cancer etc not by itself, but secondarily to making feel better and therefore more able to live a healthy lifestyle…

the argument would be against all women taking HRT, as it only benefits those who are being negatively impacted by it?

again the question I can’t find the answer to is if it’s beneficial if you have no menopause symptoms. It clearly is if you are.

It totally makes sense that if HRT gives you your "life back" and you are not an anxious wreck, not leaving the house and self-medicating with alcohol, that with the patches you are in a place where you will be able to make healthy choices, do a bit of yoga, sign up for a walking group. Keeping your body and mind active is always recommended as a way of mitigating against possible dementia and HRT is a tool to help you do that. Not for everyone, but for many of us who find that some of the biggest challenges of menopause are lack of motivation to do anything, or anxiety/depression.

So there's quite a few people on here now claiming HRT reduces the risk of dementia, as one of its key benefits. One said the reduction was significant. What is your source? Please? Since the repeated insistence that it doesn't increase breast cancer risk has been debunked

My evidence is anecdotal in terms of it keeping the symptoms of dementia in abeyance…my mum was taken off HRT in her early 50s as was standard 30 years ago…and she went absolutely hurtling into early onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 53ish, with a diagnosis at 57.

My HRT patches with be prised off my cold dead ass. With no family history of any kind of cancer, any increased risk is one I’m happy to take.

I haven't posted about dementia before on this thread, but was it this?

A new University of Arizona Health Sciences study found women on hormone therapy were up to 58% less likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, and reduction of risk varied by type and route of hormone therapy and duration of use. The findings could lead to the development of a precision medicine approach to preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

healthsciences.arizona.edu/newsroom/news-releases/2021/researchers-take-step-toward-advancing-precision-hormone-therapies#:~:text=A%20new%20University%20of%20Arizona,therapy%20and%20duration%20of%20use

I had all those symptoms and have a terrible history with any hormonal contraception and for the same reason I put off going to my GP for ages but it got to the point where I was worried I was going to get sacked because I felt like I was barely able to do my job any more. Even when I got the patches I put off using them for a month because I was scared of the side effects but honestly, I'm just coming to the end of my 2nd month and I feel like a new woman!

I couldn’t take hormonal contraception as it caused so many horrible side effects (sore breasts, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, depression, loss of libido to name a few, despite trying different kinds). So I was nervous of trying HRT but I have had no negative effects so far after 12 months and lots of positive. So the two don’t necessarily correlate.

Surely that anecdote demonstrates the opposite?

if she was on HRT until her “early 50’s”, but still developed Alzheimer’s by 53, then the HRT can’t have done anything to protect against it.

My gp told me theres new evidence that hrt doesn't help dementia at all

In fact she said theyd need to wait years to find out if hrt lives up to the claims that it helps osteoporosis and heart health

It was never offered to me and I’ve never rec a proper explanation

Before I started hrt I was very overweight, had no energy to exercise and drank far too much alcohol to self medicate.
On hrt I've been able to find myself again, I have lost three stone, have joined the gym and cut back massively on the wine.
Those three things before hrt meant I had an increased risk of developing cancer. So on balance for me hrt is the answer.

There is absolutely no consensus in the medical community on whether or not HRT offers protection against ALZ. Multiple high quality studies have shown everything from a slight decrease in risk to a slight increase in risk.

While HRT offers numerous benefits and many women find that it vastly improves their quality of life, it isn't some magical fountain of youth that fends off all age related disease.

Weigh the risks and benefits based on current (not outdated) guidelines and make the choice that feels right for you. It really shouldn't be a contentious issue at all.

Yup. Nothing so far.