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'm 52 and have been post-menopausal for two years. I've gone through it with no HRT at all. It IS perfectly possible. I do experience hot flushes, but they last all of three minutes. Not worth the risk of taking hormones, imo, for such mild "symptoms." Being female and going through menopause is not actually a disease that needs to be treated with medication. OP, just try it without drugs if it feels right to you and see how you go.

Things like sleeplessness, anxiety, etc. can be "treated" with exercise, yoga, and meditation. A simple breathing exercise for insomnia: breathe in to the count of four, breathe out for the count of six. This relaxes you and decreases anxiety.

If you are considering HRT, make a list of your symptoms vs a list of the potential side effects of any medications, and weigh up the balance for yourself.

Good luck and be well.

ali- you may find you get symptoms later on (or not of course.) Oestrogen continues to fall steeply for 5 years after menopause and there can be a 20% or more loss of bone density during these years.

Of course it's possible to 'do menopause' with no HRT. The things you did work for some women. But some women do all of that and still don't feel any better.

The longer term symptoms which HRT can help with include arthritis, diabetes, dementia, weight gain, healthy lipid levels, pelvic floor health, heart disease and bone health.

I have another question. I had my last full-blown period in Feb 16 but minuscule bleeding (only needed panty liners, but was for a few days like a period( in December 16. So which would I count as my last period?

I wish you well. I tried HRT but had boobs like footballs after 3 weeks. I didn't think it was for me. I have however taken Vagifwm which is a vaginal pesssry which helps with atrophy and dryness. It also helps the bladder and incontinence and I have been fine and would strongly recommend this to you. I think my oestrogen levels are now low so may get Estrogial cream. I do however have osteopenia but I believe this is due to long term steroid inhalers and occasional prednisone for asthma. It makes me laugh that it is called "hot flush" or "flash" more that someone has lit a furnace in your body. Jolly uncomfortable.

Vagifem and pessary

Kirsty Wark did a very good programme on BBC called The Menopuase and Me and it's really worth watching. She had been on HRT, was scared off it by her doctor and is now back on it again. She speaks with a range of women and experts. It's available on iPlayer.

I'm still perimenopausal at almost 52 and on HRT. Aches and pains gone, PMT gone, sleep well, no hot flushes, anxiety gone, skin lovely and plump and no spots, hair thick, grey eyebrow hairs have disappeared , hair thick and lush, nails strong and healthy. You'll have to prise it out of my cold dead hands.

I'm due a review next month and going to start a testosterone trial. Yikes.

What are you on now Deux?

Your last period was the mini one Dec 16 even though it was very light. You now have to go to Dec 17 before you can say you are post meno. You might have another mini period or even a heavier one before then :)

I'm on a oestrogen patch - Estradot 50 plus oestrogen gel Sandrina 1mg sachets. I usually use one gel per day but can use 2 per day. I've tried a few progestogens - utrogestan and Provera. Utrogestan gave me very very heavy bleeds.

I am very sensitive to progesterone. I had no idea till HRT that it was my own progesterone that was making me so flipping miserable as it wasn't balanced out by sufficient oestrogen.

I'm supposed to be on long cycle - 4 bleeds a year as a consequence but my own hormones are bursting through and I've been ovulating again and I'm having a bleed about every 6 weeks right now. Hence why I need to review my regime. I do note that prior to a bleed I start feeling a bit hotter, get some night sweats and sleep disturbance and I'm supposed to increase my oestrogen then.

I am seeing a consultant though as I couldn't get an appointment at my GP. Consultant is fabulous and female which I prefer. She also gave me the best advice for avoiding and reducing middle age spread- to massively reduce carbs, don't eat carbs on their own by having some protein with them. It's all about insulin resistance increasing when oestrogen drops. Take flax seed in the form of oil or capsules to help. I'm not over weight but I've lost 4 - 5 lbs and it's all come off between my ribs and hips. Amazeballs and not too much effort.

I went down that route as i found the hot flushes utterly intolerable. I was on HRT within 2 weeks of my first flush. I wish I had realised that so many of my peri symptoms could have been relieved by oestrogen as I would have started it about 4 years ago.

I recommend a book called Your Change Your Choice by Dr Michael Dooley and Sarah Stacey. Lots of common sense advice on all the ways to control symptoms, both natural and drug based. Gives all the pros and cons, then you make up your own mind.

Thank you Polly and Deux - today is turning out to be an epiphany for me

Pollyperky can I ask you whether you think going on HRT as standard is better for you longterm. I have peri symtoms which I manage through diet, exercise and extra sleep. I am mid 40s but my joints sre starting to seize up a bit. Would you recommend going on it to preserve all my bits and if so which one would you recommend with a grandparent with BC at 50, not sure about mum as died early and no sister.

I can't really answer that for you turtle.
I don't think any dr would allow you to use HRT as 'prevention' unless you had a high risk of something and some existing symptoms (ie osteoporosis and low bone density). If you end up with more serious symptoms in 5 or 10 years then you may want to use it then.
I don't think your gran's cancer is hugely relevant because women get BC for many reasons (being overweight, sedentary and drinking regularly) are all riskier than HRT so it's hard to say if you have a genetic risk.

I recommend a book called Your Change Your Choice by Dr Michael Dooley and Sarah Stacey.

Yes good book . I have it too.

Just a quick question. We go on holiday next week and have a doctors appointment to discuss HRT tomorrow. Depending on what sort of HRT I am advised on would I be wise to start this before I go on my holiday or perhaps wait until I return for possibility of side effects. I have been such a grumps lately with extremely bad mood swings and the last thing we need is for me to go worse on holiday DH will sure divorce me this time or get some side effects like bleeding, bloatedness, nausea etc. My period is due on Friday but doesn't mean to say it will come and the way I feel at the moment it could come anytime. I must add that I never took the contraceptive pill so I'm not sure how I will be on HRT.

I think I'd wait but it's hard to say without a crystal ball. :)
Many women feel great- I felt better after a few days (sleep was better) but some women feel a bit odd.

@Larry. Based on my experience, and I know yours may be entirely different, I'd start straight away if you are prescribed a separate oestrogen and progesterone as you'll likely start with an oestrogen.

It's the progesterone element that's more likely to cause side effects, afaik. Transdermal oestrogen is generally well tolerated as you're just replacing what's missing and your body doesn't have to process it in the way it does a tablet.

Do you have an idea of the kind of regime you'd like to be on?

I think Monthly HRT would best suit me from what I have read, but still a little confused. There is so much to learn.

Cyclical HRT, also known as sequential HRT, is often recommended for women who have menopausal symptoms but are still having periods
There are two types of cyclical HRT:
Monthly HRT where you take oestrogen every day and progestogen at the end of your menstrual cycle for 12-14 days

My symptoms are: Bad Mood Swings, very heavy Irregular Periods 30 days then 18 days, Insomnia DH snoring doesn't help, Aching Joints, Tiredness and zero sex drive.

I just rang GP's to ask for an appt and I've got one at 4.30 today! Had planned to research before an appt, so am now doing a rapid rekky of these threads and MM.
Very quick question - as I am still technically peri will they give me HRT or will they say last period has to be 12 months?

Also, where on body is the gel or the patches applied?

Rudolf- HRT is completely suitable for women in peri. many women use HRT for years and years before their last period. When you have not had a natural period for 12 months then you have the choice of a no-bleed sort ( because during peri this is not ideal as your own cycle may keep breaking thru and you will get odd bleeds.)

Patches are on your bum cheek- anywhere below the waist. Gel is applied to top of arms- outside of upper arms- or inside of thighs. It is absorbed where there is fat .

Good luck with your appt. Report back!

larry as someone else has said, the estrogen only part of HRT (for 2 weeks) is likely to be a doddle and you will feel fine. BUT some women report feeling a bit odd, wired or words to that effect. I've never had any of that - my body was just grateful for some estrogen and lapped it up like it was dying of thirst.
Nothing dreadful would happen it you tried it for a few days then decided to stop and resume when home. Might be best, if you did that, to wait for your next period, but you won't come to any harm if you used estrogen for 3-4 days then stopped for a few weeks.

Gel is applied to top of arms- outside of upper arms- or inside of thighs. It is absorbed where there is fat
No problem there then

I've had a look at MM and the NICE guidance and am writing down my symptoms, more than I thought

Thank you Polly, will definitely report back

I went through a rather horrendous menopause without HRT. I'm not really sure why I didn't fancy it, I suppose I felt that menopause is a natural process, and experiencing it was quite interesting, really. I had practically every symptom going, including extreme brain fog, and mood swings that went from uncontrollable crying to near hysteria :) Ah, the memories! I'm out of the other end of it now (am 58, was 48 when it all began) and am still rather glad I went through it au naturel because it's given me a better understanding of what other people might be experiencing, and therefore more empathy.

Having said that, I am lucky enough to have a very calm, very tolerant husband who lived through the experience with me - though I think he probably would have preferred not to!

Rolf, here is a questionnaire that lists common peri symptoms by category. Might helpfulwhen you talk to GP.

secure.thesurreyparkclinic.co.uk/sq.php

My patches are micro ones and are applied on lower abdomen between hip bone and pubic bone.

Print off Nice Guidelines as well.