I want to give in and start HRT

[Michrose]

I am 47 years old. For about 4 years I have had intense itching down below. I have had lots of tests and nothing they can find. Possible chance I have pruritus of the vagina. I have been on and off antidepressants. Changed my diet and what I wash my body in etc. inknow there are dangers with hrt and I worry as I am a mum . Any positive stories from anyone that are on HRT. Not had my period for 6 months so I am guessing I am hitting the menopause’s. Hot flushes aren’t as frequent etc.thank you 😩😊

I've done a bit of reading about HRT and the risks and attended an information session with a GP recently. The risks are much lower than commonly thought. A small increase in breast cancer risk similar to the risk of drinking or low physical activity but no overall increase in breast cancer deaths. And risks for patches and gels are less than for tablets. It is also protective against heart disease and osteoporosis. I'd definitely talk to a GP (if you can get an appointment!). In your shoes I'd be on it like a shot. I'm in my early 40s and planning to ask to go on it as soon as I can actually make an appointment with my GP.

How is taking a drug proven to help alleviate symptoms, with very few risks “giving in”?

No prizes for being a martyr

You could start with the topical cream, in fact many women take it as well as systemic HRT if they have specific issues like you do.

Hell yes, take it!

I’m only early 40s (family history of early menopause) and started it 6 months ago. All those ache and pains have gone as have symptoms which I didn’t even think were symptoms.

Take it!!

ive been on HRT patches (Evorel Sequi) since I was 49, nearly 50, so about 3 years now. There is only a really tiny tiny increased risk of cancer associated with the patches (note: I am not a doctor) as far as I know and, for me, the benefits of protection against heart disease and osteoporosis, not to mention finally being able to sleep at night, far outweigh the risks.

You're not giving in! You're making the decision to take some medication that could pretty much transform your life. I love hrt.

Timodene cream fixed it for me. The itching sent me mad. HRT didn’t help although it helped with other things like sleep. Ask your gp about Timodene . By the way, going on HRT isn’t ’giving in’? Why do you think that?

I've been on HRT for about 7 months and it's been brilliant (I'm 45). Took a good 8 weeks to settle down but I'm feeling so much better now. Most symptoms have disappeared, and there's the long term benefits re osteoporosis and heart disease. I've had no negative side effects at all

Totally agree with the others that you need to challenge your own thinking about 'giving in'.

Go for it! I'm 46 & have been on the evorel sequi patches. I definitely feel more like me & my hair has stopped the absolutely wild shedding it was doing. I'm still having super regular periods.

The gp is slightly changing what I use cos the type of progesterone in the second half of the patches is making me feel...uh...strange. But there's lots of combinations & options.

Hell yes take it. I felt better within 2 weeks and my itch stopped immediately

Thank you all . Not sure if one comment was being rude to me. I said giving in as I am worried about the risks . My aunt went on HRT and not long after got breast cancer. My mums dr said he wouldn’t put his own mother in HRT. I can’t help worry about the risks. Just wish people didn’t have to be rude at times. Everyone else thank you for your replies. I just can’t go anymore with a dry itchy fanny any longer 😂😂😂. I was given the vaginal tablets but didn’t bother as freaked out. I will see my dr again . 🥰

My aunt got breast cancer without going on HRT.
Your mum's doctor is outdated.

please read up on it, the breast cancer stuff is not up to date as previous poster said.

Go for it, it's bloody wonderful.

What age is your Mum? Attitudes and medical science have moved on in the last 25 years.

I wish I’d gone to the doctors much, much earlier. HRT has been life changing. It’s removed all my symptoms.

Why don't you start by asking for estrogen cream? There's no association between topical vaginal estrogen and breast cancer. That should help your symptoms.

OP watch the two Davina Mcoll documentary episodes on it, it talks you through the actual risks rather than the myths being perpetuated. HRT is a game changer.

I started the gel two weeks ago and within a week my anxiety had gone, hoping when it settles (specialist nurse at GP said to give it 12 weeks) that I’ll have other improvements - mood, anger, hot flush, complete randomness, forgetfulness, skin etc but so far so good

FWIW HRT has been lifechanging for me - no longer depressed (oestrogen), no more UTIs, no more sore itchy fanny (ovestin cream), libido restored (testosterone). As reported above as well as overstating the link with the risks of breast cancer, old research didn't take into account benefits that are beginning to be researched like bone density and cardiovascular health.

Obviously it’s not for everyone, but do make an informed choice.

The actual risks are very, very much lower than was believed a decade or two ago (probably around the time the GP was saying that to your mother).

I recommend the Davina McCall book - I think it's called Menopausing - for a more up to date overview. You seem to be basing your decision on "information" which is now discredited.

I've been on HRT for about 18 months now and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have a friend who won't have it because it's "unnatural," and she's really struggling - complete nonsense in my view. Disease is natural. Insulin for diabetes isn't natural. I'm going to opt for what is best for me.

Yeah, this really should have been mentioned to you already by doctors. It's shit how random women's health care is.

Definitely get the topical cream. It's helped a lot. I was so uncomfortable

I’ve been on it six months and I’m 45. It’s been amazing and I didn’t feel like I was giving in, I felt great for making the decision that was right for me

Yabu in that you call it giving i.

I've said it before but HRT saved me! I've been on it for 7 years. I started with a really low dose and in 2 weeks I felt so much better. Eventually I had to go onto gel and capsules but it's been brilliant and it protects my bones.

You could try it and see how you get on?

Not understanding “give in”. Firstly there are almost no risks with vaginal estrogen which will sort out the down below issue. But even with the rest of it, the risks are far less than was thought, and acrually there are loads of health benefits as well, (bone density, lower risks of dementia, heart attacks) listen to the Louise Newson podcast. Might even mean don’t need the anti depressants.