HRT

[millmz]

Can i have opinions on HRT from women that are on it please. Have to make a decision. Thanks.

I am on it but it's really hard to advise you because everyone reacts differently. I think the best advice I could give you is if your symptoms are making quality of life really hard, and nothing else has helped ( eg diet, exercise, mindfulness, stress reduction if possible!) then it's worth a try because the risks are minimal.

I feel absolutely great on it and have done from day 1 but I wasn't just given tablets and waved off. My consultant suggested gel for the oestrogen part as you can vary the dose until it's right for you and he put me on long cycle HRT which was a 'period' every 3 months. This avoids taking lots of progestogen which can have minor side effects (like PMT) and possibly more serious ones ( breast cancer.)

BUT you probably won't find your average GP offering long cycle because scans are necessary once a year or so to check the uterine lining.

I'd still say ask for patches or gel because they are safer re. blood clots.
And if you don't get the dose / brand right first time, then keep trying.

As pinkfrocks says, you have to assess how much your symptoms are impacting on your quality of life.

For me, the impact was huge and I reached the point where I barely recognised myself anymore. I was so often irrationally anxious and withdrawn. Often shattered too, thanks to the insomnia.

I could longer find any 'joy' in my life. Every where I looked my life seemed bleak and hopeless. I was struggling to even engage with my children and DH. I was letting friends down and not pulling my weight at work.

I had reached the end of my tether. To be honest I would have necked neat rat piss, if someone had promised it would make me feel better. But I saw a consultant who assured me that what I needed was HRT.

I have just finished my 4th week of HRT. I wear a Estradot 25mg patch, and take separate Utrogestan on days 15-26 of my cycle.

I already feel so much better. Much more like my old self again. The quality of my sleep is good again. My life feels hopeful and brighter

If at all possible I would advise a referral to a menopause clinic to see a specialist. GPs generally know very little about HRT.

Thank you, it is having an impact and seems to be getting worse, i have decided to give it a go, i have nothing to loose.

I've been on HRT for about 2 years now, I'm 45, and its worked really well for me. I use Qlaira after trying another older one that cleared up a lot of symptoms but made me incredibly depressed for 3 days a month.

So I sleep better, few hot flushes, much less anxious (I never used to be an anxious person pre perimeno) and far less shouty. It also cleared up continual low level bleeding.

It probably saved my marriage, and I'm not exaggerating. I wish I'd gone on it late 30s at first sign of peri rather than being fobbed off.

I also use some Herbal tablets (Promensil) as, much against my usual instincts about 'herbal nonsense' they really do seem to have made a difference to night sweats. If I exercise regularly, watch my diet and weight, reduce the booze - that all really makes a difference too.

It might not be the right thing for you, and I think the other lifestyle stuff does make a difference (but I couldn't get to grips with that personally till the HRT sorted the big stuff out). But certainly worth discussing with a doctor.

I started on HRT 9 months ago because of menopause symptoms (no flushes or sweats) and mainly lack of sleep. I first took Prempak c but really didn't feel great and had palpitations, so changed to Femoston 1/10. From the first week of taking HRT I slept all through the night and felt much better. I still have bouts of palpitations, but I think that is just my own hormone fluctuations. At the moment I feel really good, all bad symptoms have gone and I am still sleeping well.

Personally it was a no brainer as I was beginning to feel like a zombie, but I can understand your hesitation.

If necessary I handcuff myself to my doctors desk until he renews the prescription. I lecture and was beginning to be unable to cope with work.

Got loads of help on here and am collecting Oestrogel tomorrow. Also have Mireno coil to give the Progesterone. I am very hopeful!

Fozzie, I was on Prempack C for about 4? years and have just switched to Femoston! I changed because I was beginning to feel so bloaty just before and during a period, and I did have some palpitations, but that all stopped when the GP diagnosed high BP and gave me medication.

OP, I was desperate by the time I went on HRT and it has made a big difference to me.