To ask if starting HRT ruined anything for you?

[CurdinHenry]

For example, did it reduce your ability to enjoy wine or coffee?

I am about to start (so excited for many reasons) but a couple of people have suddenly given me the fear. If it's no coffee I am just going to ride things out the medieval way (except with coffee).

It made a monumental difference to me. I had terrible night sweats/disturbed sleep, anxiety, mood swings, muscle aches before I started and these were almost none existent 3 months in. I've now been on it 16 months.

Personally I've found that the drop in hormones has almost felt like a drop in swelling in my brain and I have much more space to think and reason (but I also started ADHD meds so who knows!)

Well obviously that was your prerogative. I do know I would now be jobless and possibly have a very damaged relationship by now without it.

Have you also read the legitimate studies showing it decreases womens risk of dementia, and reduces osteoporosis/loss of bone density?

Modern HRT is widely (and medically) considered to be very valuable for peri and menopausal women's continued good health. Anecdotally, it seems to have decreased my slightly elevated blood pressure too.

One reason I thought I might be entering peri was that my tolerance for wine decreased quite sharply, and HRT reversed it. And my hair stopped falling out. Didn't really notice anything else, but my skin started reacting to it very badly, so I came off it six months ago. Now periods are back to being very irregular, or non-existent, but I haven't noticed anything else. I would like to find one that doesn't upset my skin though and try again.

I have found it causes some stomach issues but they settled down after 2 months and as long as I am very strict about patch change timings.

I loooooove it. I drink less wine because I generally feel better!

I am really looking forward to being able to wear cosy pyjamas again. I know it has to happen at some point, my mum loves them!

Re the patches. My sister in law and I both solved this by putting tegaderm over the top which secures the patch brilliantly. You can also position them to side of top thighs as an option which I find less intrusive during said intimate moments 😅

Oh thanks! Was just picturing leaving a trail in my wake

I have just started HRT, I have nothing to report yet but I went for the spray and mirena. My GP has been very supportive and mobilised into action very fast.

As well as protecting your bone mass, it also reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. So, definitely worth sticking with it, I think.

Thankfully I'm over the menopause.

Started late 30s. Did combined and didn't work well for me as periods all over the place. Had mirena put in and use estrogen patches and its been great. No periods, no hot flushes, better sex, actually wanting to have sex, more energy

Hrt doesn't routinely contain horse wee. Only premarin does which is mainly used in the US is think and is an older type of hrt tablet.

Entirely positive for me, apart from one thing. As my periods dwindled, I noticed that my armpit sweat became odourless, and HRT brought the odour back. The alternative explanation is that the menopause reduced my sense of smell and returned to normal when I started HRT.

All better for me. Helped massively with my insomnia 😄

If your patches aren't sticking then your not getting correct dose estrogen. Needs to stick to deliver hormones. Having it next to skin doesnt do much unless its stuck

No but I think going off coffee and wine would be a small price to pay.

Following

I've been on it since my total hysterectomy 17 years ago. I changed from tablets to patches and they seem happy for me to continue. I don't want to stop as I'm convinced it keeps me young. I'm 64 and full of energy and very fit.

No. I'd be in prison or dead without HRT.

Still love wine and coffee. If which there would be none in prison. ( Not flat white at any rate. I've always hated instant)

HRT has only improved my life. I can’t drink as much as I used to but that’s just all part of being older, and isn’t a bad thing.

No, not noticed any side effects at all, but I have lost 5-6lbs without trying too hard. Have come off some medication too though at same time.

I put on half a stone and my cystic acne came back, having gone away for years. No thank you!