Menopause without HRT?

[twoheaped]

Is it possible to go through the menopause without HRT?

I have never taken the contraceptive pill, or used a chemical device as I just didn't really fancy the idea of taking hormones.
Now I guess the menopause will be coming in the next few years and I have found little information on going it alone, as such.
Can it be done? I'm still not keen on the thought of taking hormones.

I never got on with the pill and always felt nauseous. I was always ill in early pregnancy. The extra oestrogen had that affect on me.

Can I jump on your thread and ask if anyone knows what happens with menopause and the Mirena coil? No periods here, so how will I know for definite? I'm only 42 but definitely experiencing changes in temperature A LOT! Thanks and sorry to sneak in OP.

Kettle/black comes to mind

Meno pause is a puzzle for scientists as most species live to reproduce and only humans and 2 type of whales live beyond reproductive stage. The research is not conclusive but it seems that in complex family structures it might be of benefit to have a matriarch female around and for her not to be in sexual arousement or fertilisation so she could guide the pack...
I'm 43 and have always been affected by my hormones so following this subject. My mom hasn't ever had much issues but has used hrt and she loved it and was recommended cause of her low bone density but only used it for a given period.
My daughter seems to be breezing to her periods but I remember talking to my Nan and think she was more like me which means total mood swings , depression and go on...
it skips generations.
I'm afraid of meds as I'm afraid of docs and believe there is a possible risk of Cancer increase and naturally you shouldn't mess with human nature but on the other hand we need to be able to get through the day ...

I took these, they really helped with the night sweats and the hot flushes

www.fightingfifty.co.uk/health/can-phyto-soya-supplements-help-menopause-symptoms

I don't understand why there is such anti HRT sentiment that by some posters here. You have symptoms you take 'natural' stuff it helps. Great.

You have symptoms. In my case so bad I was barely able to work, you take everything 'natural' nothing works. Take HRT after reading the studies & making an informed decision. I get my life back, great.

Some posters seem to be suggesting that women here aren't able to make informed choices about their bodies. The 'pharma'. Companies are selling them something bad for them but they're too thick to realise it. It's a bit odd

Me too Nellyphants, two of my colleagues cornered me at lunch 10 years ago and said I was being a bloody nightmare and did I have the menopause. made me wake up and realise i WAS being a total nightmare, as soon as I started taking HRT I looked and felt 100 times better.
Why deny yourself a medication that makes you feel normal? People who have depression aren't told not to take their meds because it isn't natural. If the menopause is ruining your life like it did mine then I'm going to take something to make it better.

However it is every individual womans choice to do what she wants, it isn't anyone elses business really.

Exactly Irritated

I went into surgical menopause following a hysterectomy so a few years earlier than many of my friends. They're catching up now.

I've been asked questions as to how I coped. Many genuinely believed that peri menopause would only mean that they would get a bit hot now & then. When they had crushing anxiety, unable to get up the stairs because they're their joints were so painful , no pointgoing up to stairs to bed anyway because they were unable to sleep they realised this was affecting every aspect of their life.

I have had friends tell me that theyre sad that they are 'giving in' by taking hrt. That taking it is somehow indicative of a weak character. That's a bit mad Ted!!

Giving in to what? I'm all for an easy life and not suffering if I don't have to. There seems to be a strange sort of masochism amongst women. I never understood it.

& a bit of sadism Irritated! If I have to suffer so should you. Maybe I enjoy the suffering!

Wow! A lot of information and some puzzling responses on here. It seems strange to accuse someone of mockery and ridicule and the like, if you don’t support their point of view, or maybe because they are losing the arguments? I have come across this elsewhere. Strange how even in today’s world HRT continues to provoke such controversy amongst women?

Yes - whether or not to take HRT is an individual choice and depends on the woman’s individual medical circumstances (to some extent) but surely should be taken in full possession of current thinking and recommendations from the medical profession based on current evidence? When it comes to links to the latest NICE Guidelines or any of the academic Menopause Societies' position statements and recommendations as well as RCOG – where the health benefits of HRT and the consequences of long term oestrogen deficiency are outlined - there seems to be no contest: HRT is undoubtedly beneficial for most women at least for a good proportion of years during and following menopause – and maybe up until 70 and beyond, and depending on the type of preparation used.

I can’t understand the argument that it could be perceived as weak to take HRT nor that we should allow our bodies to deteriorate age naturally – for possibly 40 years. Our society and women’s roles and responsibilities are so different now from what they were in the past and the possible evolutionary advantage of menopause in terms of genetic survival. Those who suffer more during the menopausal transition may well be at an advantage long term – because it is these women who will be driven to seek out appropriate treatment that may well help to prolong their good health and well-being in future years - long after menopause itself has occurred.

Hopefully there will continue to be research into treating those who are medically unable to take HRT.

Yes, good points. TBH I feel fine at the moment but maybe it will get worse.

Precisely lulu

Surely it's simple:
If you have no symptoms, great.
If you do have symptoms, you can choose to do nothing, explore alternatives to HRT or use HRT.

If you want to avoid HRT and advise others who are asking about it, then at the very least you should have read and understood :

-The full NICE guidelines (2016) and followed the links within it to the research
-The International Menopause Society's statement Recommendations on women's mid life health and HRT www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/4429e3dd302aac259ad68c3be7f60599.pdf
-The websites and papers of Nick Panay and John Studd (both UK consultants in menopause
-The RCOG&Ob report on Alternatives to HRT (in full- what works and doesn't.)

Then you are able to make an informed decision.
Otherwise it's just opinions and prejudice behind the arguments.

BMJ on the NICE guidelines

While the NICE guidelines emphasise the clear evidence that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, often referred to as hormone replacement therapy) provides highly effective relief of symptoms, there is less focus on other useful options. Recent high quality evidence shows that selected antidepressants are equivalent to very low dose oestrogen for vasomotor symptoms and sleep,2 3 and gabapentin has a similar efficacy.4 For women who want to self manage, techniques such as yoga and cognitive behavioural therapy may reduce symptoms and also improve quality of life and mood.5 6 Women should not be “suffering in silence” but should be informed about alternatives to MHT, even if these are not as effective, and the risks and benefits of MHT so that they can make an informed choice. …

Shouldn't we all do that dignity, lots of exercise cardio, weights stretching. Good food, keep an eye on the weight.

I'm interested, why if you wanted to stay away from Pharma would any women take anti drepressants to mess with brain chemistry over hrt?

It's choice that's important. Whatever route you choose to take. One size does not fit all.

HRT, vitamins, AD, diet, exercise, mindfulness, yoga ......whatever works for the individual.

Surely it's simple:
If you have no symptoms, great.
If you do have symptoms, you can choose to do nothing, explore alternatives to HRT or use HRT.

I know it's already been said on here, but I did want to add this again - if you go into premature (under 40) or early (under 45) menopause then you should consider hrt regardless of symptoms because of the protection against osteoporosis.

RealNotImaginary sorry to hear about that, and good wishes for your chemo

Thanks, Lineys.

I'm not sure what the BMJ summary adds to this. It is a summary in a journal and, as such, doesn't drill down into the detail.

For example, their comment about ADs- NICE has said very categorically in their report that ADs /SSRIs are not to be used for women with menopausal symptoms unless there are medical reasons why HRT cannot be used.
The summary of the IMS report into health in midlife says this:

Conclusions and action points
^These IMS evidence-based recommendations are
intended to encourage optimal care of all women in
midlife and beyond. With a rapidly growing population
of women in midlife and beyond, it is imperative that
further research continues in midlife women to optimize
quality of life and long-term well-being.
The key principles to achieve this goal are as follows:
The benefits and risks of MHT vary greatly in
individual circumstances.
Research over the last decade has shown that risks
can be minimized and benefits maximized with
selection of the optimal regimen at the optimal
time.
The safety of MHT largely depends on age and time
since menopause.
Healthy women younger than 60 years should not
be unduly concerned about the safety profile of
MHT.
New data and re-analyses of older studies by
women’s age show that, for most women, the
potential benefits of MHT given for a clear indication
are many and the risks are few when initiated within
a few years of menopause^.

Studies strongly suggest that it is the progestogen
component of MHT that is more significant in any
increase in breast cancer risk rather than the
estrogen.

Modern progestogens, natural progesterone and
SERMs optimize metabolic and breast effects.
Recent randomized trials such as the Danish
Osteoporosis Prevention Study (DOPS) and studies
using surrogate endpoints for long-term morbidities
such as the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study
(KEEPS) and the Early versus Late Intervention Trial
with Estradiol (ELITE) are now confirming the
window of opportunity in early menopause when
cardiovascular harm is avoided and benefits can be
achieved.

^Increasing data indicate benefits for primary prevention
of osteoporotic fractures and coronary
artery disease and a reduction in all-cause mortality
for women who initiate MHT around the time of menopause.^
***

a reduction in all-cause mortality
for women who initiate MHT around the time of menopause

This means - Women who use HRT/MHT live longer.

This means - Women who use HRT/MHT live longer.

Polly, I think there is a need to be a bit more sensitive when stating the benefits of HRT.

Please remember not every woman can take it. When you can't take it, someone simply stating that women who take it live longer, it feels like this is some sort of exclusive club you can't join.

It was a statement to say there are alternatives as some people can't take HRT or it doesn't suit them. There are many routes through menopause. No one is better than the other it it works for the individual.