What menopause symptoms did HRT relieve?

[keeponworking]

These are the symptoms I have and wonder if anyone else who's gone onto HRT found relief/improvement with any of the following:

Decreased motor coordination, clumsiness
Persistent physical and mental sluggishness
Bouts of incredible tiredness
Frequent urination
Increased appetite especially at night and after dinner
Dark circles under eyes
Joints (hips, fingers) feel inflamed and achey
Increase in chin hairs
Bumping into things constantly
Occasional dizziness
Dry hair, poor skin, bendy brittle fingernails
Itchy, crawly skin with a strange sensation like insects crawling around under the skin
Teeth aching or worsening bleeding gums
Dreadful short-term memory
Mis-reading words

Also, did you have to talk your GP into giving it to you or are they happy enough if you've decided you'd like to try it?

How long would you say it took for symptoms to alleviate?

I'm on Implanon, can they test for hormone levels or do they just take the range of symptoms you have and give it a go such that, if one or more symptoms are alleviated, then hey presto it must have been menopause??

Would really be grateful for other people's experiences as I'm booking a GP appointment and would really like to get on this and see if it helps.

GP will no longer prescribe Polly - isn't that the same as taking me off them?

I don't understand how this has happened, that's what I mean.

Have you seen your dr in person and they have said they won't prescribe? If so what reason has been given? The point is, the '60' reason is contrary to the NICE guidelines. There is no age limit for HRT especially if you are already using it and are low risk.

The other point NICE makes is that HRT is something that's discussed and it's a mutual decision- not the GP imposing their wishes on the woman if there are no sound medical reasons to not use it.

If you wanted to continue and you have no risk factors then your GP has no right to withhold it.

ally above post was for you!

Just as a matter of interest I went to the doctor with a list of symptoms, tiredness, dizziness, feeling low, aching etc convinced I was menopausal.
Blood test. Turns out my vit D was deficient.

Started taking cheap vit D supplements and am feeling loads better.

Obviously, your issues are different to mine but some cheap vitamins have really improved my well being. Worth a try.

Ahhhh I C .... yes he just said I had to stop now as been on for 5 years and coming up to 60. Online research didn't really disagree. I do have a lot of other health issues. I think its pretty normal in UK as you are the first person who has been surprised by it so you are either somewhere else or have a better GP practice?

Ally it's not normal in the UK. There are plenty of women using it over 60. The British Menopause Society says this:

thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/hormone-replacement-therapy/
See point 5. That means no time limits.
See point 7- that means if HRT is STARTED over 60 (not current users.)

There never, ever was a time limit about being 60.

Some GPs who are anti HRT and don't understand it like to stop women at this age.

I am in the UK. I see one of the top meno consultants in the UK and therefore know what the 'rules' are which GPs ought to follow.

This is from the International Menopause Society publication on women's health in midlife.
Whether or not to continue therapy should be decided at the discretion of the well-informed woman and her health professional, dependent upon the specific goals and an objective estimation of ongoing individual benefits and risks.

So it's pretty clear that you have a say in what you want. if you are happy without it, fine, but your GP cannot insist you stop without giving you good reasons.
Between 60 and 70, benefits and risks are equal.
See this nice pic of the scales!

menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

Thanks Polly I might print that off and take it to my GP if I want to go back on (I was going to see if the flushes and night sweats were better in the winter) - don't want another summer like this one - been counting the days till its over! . He is anti most things and he is the most liberal one of them all!

I'm not allowed to take HRT. I've had some success with black cohosh and sage, which made a huge difference. Marilyn Grenville has written a really useful book.