To not want HRT

[Howszaboutthat]

Need some advice from ladies-in-the-know

I never got on well with contraceptives. They gave me perma-pmt and acne. So, for the last 15 years I’ve had a copper coil which is coming out soon. I was hoping to just ride it out sans synthetic hormones.

I’m 46.

However, Over the last year, the brain fog and poor sleep has set in. I’ve partically solved this by giving up alcohol, taking vitamins and magnesium. The brain fog is getting worse. I feel like such a dunderlinger and my role requires a lot of brainpower.

Other thing - dryness down there. My first UTI in 25 years.

What can I do that is not going to turn me into a fat, lifeless blimp? I was hoping to ride this out. But I think I need to re-think. Also I don’t have time to be endlessly up the doctors (we’re not allowed time off work for appointments in working hours)

Any advice? Am I doomed?

I was fine on the pill but terrible on HRT. I just exercise and take the recommended supplements. It’s a very personal thing.

You can buy HRT online if getting to the GP is an issue (I started with Superdrug and swapped a few times to find the cheapest).

I love my HRT, I’ve been in it for 7 years. Most of my friends are now in it after about 5 years of feeling depressed, anxious, not themselves, saying no to invites etc, trying a weak dose of anti depressants etc.

Im 60 and have taken HRT for about 7 years and I think I would only stop if someone literally tied me down and wrenched it from my hands. It literally saved my life, I was a complete mess.

There are people out there giving menopause support but not HRT...look online. All supplement based.

I didn’t get on with the contraceptive pill either but HRT for me is a game changer, I didn’t get on with the progesterone pill they gave me but changed to Mirena coil which only gives progesterone locally and it’s been great, helped with brain fog, the low mood and irritability and I believe it helps with my out of control anxiety - though still a way to go there ! Joints ache less too. No weight gain, though as we get older we have to reduce calories anyway on or off HRT. I was against the idea but was at my wits end only tried as I knew I could stop if it disagreed and would be out my system quickly. Only you know what’s good for you though. Good luck

What evidence do you have of this please?

It was a press release from the British Medical Journal
https://bmjgroup.com/certain-hrt-tablets-linked-to-increased-heart-disease-and-blood-clot-risk/

It's literally written on the box - contraindicated for women who have had blood clots/strokes, or have high blood pressure.

I’m a similar age to you and never got on with hormonal contraception either. I’m well in the depths of peri, just had a period for the first time since the new year, they’ve been very irregular for about 4 years now.

I don’t feel any need for HRT at the moment. I do take various supplements for various ailments - including menopause complex by Hey Nutrition, magnesium, and lions mane for brain fog. I seem to be doing fine without HRT, no troublesome menopause symptoms

Also I am of the mindset that everyday life doesn’t need to be medicalised - menopause is a natural thing to go through and although I know HRT has been an amazing help to women who have been suffering with symptoms, if you’re feeling like you’re managing without it that’s probably best in the long run. I’m sure others will disagree 🤷‍♀️

This is the old HRT. Not the new body identical HRT which is what most women get and is the first line of prescription. The old stuff tends to only be used as a last resort. They keep the blood clot warning on the new transdermal HRT even though it's only associated with the old oral HRT. The new HRT is actually associated with heart health. This is why I said people have to be well informed as there's lots of misinformation out there. This is a classic example.

There's no link between oestrogen gel and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Nah, I'm not interested either. As long as you're properly informed then it's your choice.

Hardly.

The research was published by the BMJ within the last year.

Yes, but I believe the study has been criticised for failing to differentiate what type of HRT the subjects were taking. I think it started in 2007, when many people were on the older formulations.

Yes. Such a shame that misinformation is still being spread like this.

Body identical HRT is not synthetic like hormonal contraception. Lots of the studies are done on the old HRT.

It’s an individual choice for sure but people should at least educate themselves.

HRT was a life changer for me. I slept for the first time in years! It is licensed
for use in the prevention of osteoporosis. I personally think it does help with heart and brain health though we need more studies to prove this.

Vaginal estrogen is localised, has no risk and helps prevent UTIs. Bit of a no brainer surely..

Regarding the pill vs HRT, they aren't the same. They're still hormones but different forms of them - if they worked in the same way women would be prescribed the pill for menopause issues, but they aren't.

Vaginal estrogen to combat dryness and repeated UTIs is not the same as patches or gel. Many women need both! Even if you don’t want full on hrt, it’s worth speaking to your gp about vaginal cream as atrophy is no joke.

I didn't get in with hormonal contraceptives. HRT isn't the same. I haven't gained weight and feel much more comfortable.

Assuming something isn't really the way to go.

I appreciate that but the BMJ are not going to publish in the last year if they didnt consider it valid.

Its personal choice at the end of the day and it helps to be aware.

I don't think weight gain on HRT is a given, in fact since starting it 4 months ago I've actually lost weight! But ultimately it's your body, your choice. As for alternatives, I think eating better, exercising more can help?

These trials kind of piss me off with the sensationalist headlines. @Willyoujustbequietwe need to read beyond the headline before making conclusions. The Swedish trial found HRT TABLETS increased cardiovascular risk. There was no increased risk with TRANSDERMAL HRT.
Why are we still doing trials on outdated HRT made with horse urine? It’s never prescribed now! Here’s the discussion from the trial which states the risk is with TABLETS.

HRT has been a double edged sword. Almost fixed my terrible hot flashes, disturbed sleep, fatigue and lack of energy.
But I put on weight on it. My midsection and breasts have ballooned. Gone up two cup sizes and a dress size. Could be just menopause but I dont think so.
Trying to work on that with exercise.