HRT alternatives

[TheGoldenRosette]

I had a radiotherapy-induced instant menopause at 40. I'm now 43. My mother had post-menopausal breast cancer.

My GP has just given me what are probably my last six months of HRT, due to her concern over my family history. We have not yet had that proper chat about, as there's too much other stuff at the moment.

Anybody clued up on my options?

Have a look at www.ladycare-uk.com I had it recommended to me after having radical hyst for cervical cancer last year. Haven't tried it myself as I am on the hard stuff - Tibolone!

Hope it works!

Can you ask for referral to an expert gynae- or go to a walk in menopause clinic? (google.)

If you are near LOndon or SW I can recommend a very good gynae, or if not you can read his book,
Your change, your choice, by Michael Dooley. It gives all the options- alternative and conventional HRT.

Your mum's BC is not necessarily a reason why you can't take HRT- cancer is only 5% hereditary and if you are under 50 you should be on HRT until the age you would normally have menopause, regardless of family BC.

It also depends at what age your mum had BC- if he was over 60 etc that is not the same as at 50.

You need t oget some expert advice and quite honestly most GPs don't know enough- I have had friends tell me what their GPs have said re,menopause, and my gynae has told me something completely different- and he treats the Royal family.

p.s.

Mr gynae says that close relatives who had BC under age 45 are a consideration re. HRT- but not necessarily older relatives who had BC.

I took HRT and now am undergoing treatment for BC. I wish I had never taken it and used alternatives or simplmy adapted my life a bit to accept the symptoms of menopause.

Have a look at Menopause Matters. Lots of good info there.