Riot women and HRT

[Inmy40]

I am absolutely loving Riot Women on tv and like many of the characters have exactly the same symptoms. However the solution to all of their problems is HRT. There’s even a song about it. Medically I can’t take this magic pill that’s going to make me feel alive again. Aibu to feel sad and cross that it’s so prominent as a solution as I try my alternatives of anti depressants, yoga etc none of which work.

HRT didn’t work for me. I’m not sad or cross that it works for others though. I’m glad for them. YABU.

It seems so OTT the way they talk about it, it sounds like an advert for HRT. Like that stupid song and the audience literally all leap up and cheer when she bellows about wanting/needing it.

I've never known any woman to get so excited over it in real life. I guess the whole idea of RW is it's in a kind of alternative universe.

I wish they were portrayed slightly younger, rather than the traditional middle aged women.

im sorry you’ve not found anything that’s helping. I think, ultimately menopause is a hormone deficiency so the only real way of supporting someone who is struggling is replacing those hormones lost. And it’s so expensive trying all the herbal remedies etc.

I caveat this with I know one persons menopause is not another persons. And some completely sail through it with no issue, whilst others are sat at the side of a bridge writing suicide notes.

I haven’t watched RW yet but very intrigued based on the comments here. Incidentally HRT has been life changing for me almost like the silver-bullet it is sometimes made out to be. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but I’d be happy to sing and dance about this if I’m asked to - so profound is the benefit when nothing else has touched my problems. It does come with problems so I know it’s not an answer for everyone and for every problem.

It’s prominent as a solution because it’s so effective for so many women. So yes YABU to complain that it’s prominent. You are not unreasonable to be sad/ frustrated that it isn’t suitable for you.

I've not watched it, but some of the snippets appearing on my Facebook feed look a bit irritating.

For me, HRT is helpful but not remotely life changing. I definitely wouldn't be singing or cheering about it 🤣

I'm sorry you can't give it a try though, that must be very frustrating when so many people find it useful.

I'm sorry you can't try HRT, that must be so frustrating. However I think it's a very good thing that HRT is being talked about so prominently. Bringing menopause out of the shameful shadows is something gen X women should be very proud of. The more we talk to each other about it, the more we empower ourselves. Women are still being fobbed off by out of date GPs insisting on hormone tests or limiting it to 5 years - women only know how to challenge this if they are informed. All power to us for informing each other.

I wish they were portrayed slightly younger, rather than the traditional middle aged women.

why? "traditional Middle Aged Women" are quite rare on TV. Why shouldn't we have our moment

I just think it’s excellent that the conversation is out there, whatever peoples opinions are. Sometimes needing HRT can be seen as a weakness.
I was having a conversation with 2 women in the chemist last week; one had been struggling to get her prescription and the pharmacist was helping. They had both had a hysterectomy so had gone immediately into menopause; I’m peri. One recommended a tablet the other should ask her doctor for. Riot Women was mentioned. It was a lovely open chat and we all left wishing each other the best.

I wish they were portrayed slightly younger, rather than the traditional middle aged women.

Why?
Actually the main character was younger. The vast majority of women needing HRT are middle aged. I know it's possible to get early menopause either naturally or due to surgery but most menopausal women are over 50.

we should probably keep our wrinkly, saggy bodies far from everyone's view

Perimenopause starts at the average age of 45, maybe that's what PP means. Lots of people think menopause is the time when you need HRT and perimenopause is 'pre menopause' which is completely wrong.

Well I’m 58 still getting regular periods so I’m happy to me represented thanks

You're arguing with the wrong person here I didn't say anything about representation

Kitty who is the lead singer in the band is meant to be early 40’s I thought.

I'm hoping it is a magic pill.. please don't tell me it's just another thing that doesn't work. 😔

Im assuming they mean that perimenopause typically starts around age 45 so that would potentially be when someone might be trying to get HRT which is what's being discussed on Riot Women but most of the band are late 50s to mid 60s.

I cant use HRT and my mum/grandma and nan didnt use it . Im not saying its easy or the better path to take. But I agree just giving the narrative that all you can do or should do is take HRT is daft. Its talking about menopause but also not fully talking about it.
Its like saying dont worry men just make sure they get to the gp for HRT then they will be OK.

No HRT here and I survived.

HRT changed my life. As it did to the vast majority of people I know who started it.

Who’s arguing? I was agreeing with you that the menopause is a broad church.

Granted this is anecdotal every person I know has started having symptoms late 30’s early 40’s. I’ve friends in their early 40’s who have had hysterectomys. A glance at the boards here show it’s so much earlier. Yes it’s perimenopause not menopause. It’s symptoms you don’t even consider as part of it, it starts so much younger and you can’t mention it because it’s perceived as something that happens much older.
it would be good to see that side of it.

Spot on.
it’s not that I don’t want to see menopausal women on tv at all. It’s just the myth of it only affecting 50 - 60 year olds. Which does mean those suffering with perimenopause in their 30’s and 40’s don’t necessarily recognise it as that, or are embarrassed to talk about it

@Inmy40I am exactly the same - what I wouldn’t give for a magic pill……..

This is it isn’t it
for some it’s young.
for some hrt is a life safer
for others they breeze through

and I guess they’d never cover everyone