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Menopause

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Original poster

Thinking about HRT...

24 replies

Caught11 · 22/11/2011 20:15

Okay brief history, Im 51 have had symptoms now for about 3 years hot flushes,night sweats,memory problems,missed/late /early periods, god the list seems to be endless.
I have been taking 1000mg starflower oil,omega 3 and black cohosh every day for the last 2 years, and have been able to manage, until the last 3 months I feel totaly a different person, symptoms have got a lot worse. A couple of questions.
Am I still in the peri stage because I still have periods?
I am seriously thinking about HRT, has anyone on here been refused it because they smoke?
How much of a difference has HRT made to your life?
Sorry for the long post,but just want my old self back!

OP posts:

Clure · 24/11/2011 14:58

bumping for you. Can't really give you any answers, but can sympathise with you. I've been advised to do HRT but am dithering. I'm taking black cohosh, evening primrose with starflower, still getting the hot flushes. I'm 43 and discovered through fertility investigations that I was actually peri. Hence I was advised hrt because of my age. I don't think smoking should affect you being prescribed hrt. I'm on medication for high blood pressure so not sure how hrt would affect that!
Hope someone will come along with some answers!

watfordmummy · 24/11/2011 15:01

I am on HRT, 45 here. I had a hyster 5 years ago and have been on HRT for the past 2 years. It has dramatically improved my life. My mood swings are far less, and I although I sometime have "senior moment" it is not nearly as often as I did before.

Sorry I can't answer your questions, but thought I would give my feedback.

Original poster

Caught11 · 24/11/2011 17:42

Thanks Clure and watfordmummy, it's just i hate the not in control feeling !
Think I will go speak to the docs and give the HRT a try,
Thanks for the replies

OP posts:

echt · 30/11/2011 07:48

I took HRT for hot flushes at night; every hour from 1.00 to 4.00. This was my only symptom, and the HRT stopped it in its tracks. A life saver for me as I am a full-time secondary teacher with a massive exam load and management responsiblities.

However, a side effect not noted on the tabs, or by my doctor, was an increase in urinary stress incontinence. It's well-documented, though not widely-discussed. It is not confined to any particular brand. I stopped taking the HRT, and the incontinence ceased.

Fortunately my flushes are infrequent, so someone with multiple and distressing symptoms would need to weigh up the options. I now just sit out the odd flush, and count my blessings.

I hope this is useful, OP. Good luck.

ameliagrey · 30/11/2011 09:27

echt and OP- don't know if you are still reading, but it's worth bearing in mind that there are different types of HRT and different side effects. I am on a 3-monthly cycle where I take the progestins only once every 12 weeks. From what I've read, it's when you take combined oestrogen & progestins daily that you get more side effects, as oestrogen on its own seems okay.

Not all drs would go along with a 3 monthly cycle, but I see a gynae who specialises in menopause and this is what he suggested, as it's better to keep the progestins to a minumum as they think they are responsible for breast cancer, not oestrogens.

ameliagrey · 30/11/2011 09:30

OP you probably know this anyway but there is evidence that smokers have worse meno symptoms than non smokers anyway.

It's unlikely you would be refused HRT because you smoke unless you are very overweight and have high blood pressure as well. However, you would be told that all the risks of HRT especially thrombosis and stroke are increased- can you get support to stop smoking at the same time?

Original poster

Caught11 · 30/11/2011 16:07

thanks for all your replies,I went to my doctors today who was very sympathetic,and has given me Elleste Duet 2mg but will have to wait till the start of my next period to start it,which should be around the 20th December.then he will review and see if I need to have the one which stops your period altogether.
Will keep you informed how it goes, at last there might be light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks again for the input,its been feally helpful .

OP posts:

Clure · 30/11/2011 22:22

glad you got sorted Caught11. I hadn't realised there were various types of HRT. I don't have periods- haven't had for a year...where would I stand on taking HRT if you don't have periods?

ameliagrey · 30/11/2011 23:05

clure if you have not had a period for a year and you are just 43 you ought to be on HRT up to age 50 at least to protect your bones.

It's not a problem taking hrt if you have no periods- most/many women only start hrt when their periods stop- like me, at 53.

Your dr would advise you- some no bleed types are only suitable & prescribed for women over 54 who have not had a period for 2 years. At your age it's likely you would have a type that gives you a monthly, or possibly 3-monthly , bleed.

Having high blood pressure is a bit of an issue as HRT can riase it- so you would need to keep an eye on that- are you making lifestyle ( exercise) and diet changes to try to control it better?

Clure · 01/12/2011 18:39

amelia, thanks for your reply. My Bp is controlled with meds but I have an incredibly healthy lifestyle (I have been vegan for 12 years and train for triathlons/runs I tot up about 6 hours a week) I was concerned about the hrt and bp as I was taken off contraception pill because of this in my early 20's.
I think you are right, I will make an appointment to see GP.

I am currently taking Menopace supplements along with Osteocare calcium&Vit D supplement - I was hoping this would be a good alternative to hrt - need to check this out I guess.

I feel robbed, my fertility has left me when I was trying for another DC

ameliagrey · 01/12/2011 20:03

aaaaaahh sorry to hear this

I take the same calcium supplement but TBH nothing works as well as oestrogen! You are you see having a meno roughly 10 years early- so all the calcium in the world will not make up the difference. The menopace might stop flushes etc but it won't help your bones.

I have osteopenia but have managed to improve my bone density a little each time I've had a scan, by doing exercise and eating well, but I don't eat dairy so that is an issue.

You ought to have a DEXA scan or your bones now, to get a base line reading. that would help your decision. if you cannot get one on the NHS you can have one privately for about £150. I really recommend you have this because if you are a runner , running will build your bones, BUT you can also get hip/shin/thigh fractures through running if your bones are thin in the first place.

Clure · 01/12/2011 22:27

blimey!! gulp, thought running would be good. Right will deffo make GP appointment soon, thanks again

Original poster

Caught11 · 02/12/2011 17:07

Good news! I started my second period in a month today so that means I start my HRT today.....for those following my saga,i will let you know how I get on, and maybe enlighten/help someone else in the same position!

OP posts:

thenightsky · 02/12/2011 17:18

I've been on HRT for about 18 months now. Made a massive difference to my mental sharpness and moodiness.

I highly recommend it.

Clure · 02/12/2011 17:33

does hrt help libido aswell?

thenightsky · 02/12/2011 18:03

God Yes

ameliagrey · 02/12/2011 18:05

clure that's hard to say. TBRH many women who are "HRT age" have been with the same boringpartners for 20+ years so it's not HRT they need but George Clooney! :)

if everything is okay in your relationship then it might give you a bit of added interest, I found that- but if your relationship is dodgy and you are unhappy for other reasons, it's not going to sort it out IYSWIM!

Clure · 02/12/2011 19:01

just libido and physical. I had such a shock after the news that I wouldn't be able to conceive it knocked me sideways. I also have the added complication of a prolapsed uterus (after my DD was born 6 years ago) which was never fixed as we were hoping to have more children. Things have never been quite the same "downstairs" (sorry TMI)

ameliagrey · 02/12/2011 22:25

Clure- might be worth asking to see a gynae again now and having an op to have it fixed? I had that op 20 years ago after my 2nd DC.

Clure · 02/12/2011 23:07

thanks amelia, was considering surgery or else a pessary ring.

Original poster

Caught11 · 05/12/2011 16:26

quick update, this is my 4th day on HRT, what an improvment, feel quiet normal!!! yesterday was good and today! Mood great and have so much energy,dont think its my imagination..

OP posts:

Clure · 05/12/2011 22:29

caught - thats fantastic news

Original poster

Caught11 · 10/12/2011 16:28

8th day update, dont know why I didnt go on HRT months ago! The difference is huge, Got my old self back,but better.Hope this helps someone else.

OP posts:

Original poster

Caught11 · 13/02/2012 13:19

A quick update,it's been 3 months now on HRT,feeling great back to my old self.....mentally-dont worry as much,and dont sweat the small stuff.Had no AF this month but no bloating etc either.
Went for a check up with the doctors today and said to him,I should have been on this sooner instead of being bloody miserable!
Not saying this is a magic cure but it has worked very well for me..back in control.

OP posts:

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