Please tell me about HRT

[Tessticklesyourfancy]

I'm sorry if this has been done to death but can anyone tell me about HRT
I'm 50, started with night sweats well over 18 months ago. I'd been on the mini pill for years and didn't bleed with that. I stopped taking it in May and haven't had even a spot since, not that that bothers me.
I'm constantly tired and no mater what time I go to bed or how knackered I am. it takes me ages to get to sleep then waking absolutely drenched with sweat several times a night. My mood has dropped along with my sex drive, I feel quite teary some days and I'm definitely more angry and argumentative.
I haven't been to the doctor although my DP has said several times I need to go, my moods and snapping are having an impact on our relationship.
I've read posters saying how wonderful HRT is and I'd like to know more. I've suffered yfrom migraines since I was 11 but these last few months they've subsided so I don't want them to increase , I'd rather not bleed and what happens when you stop taking HRT? Do the flushes and mood swings come back? If I started it now and took it for say 10 years I think I'd be less able to cope than now. Sorry for the long ramble and if I'm being a bit dim.

Go and see your GP. Hrt has come a long way. I saw a menopause expert and I have oestrogen gel plus utrogestan - a very safe and flexible combination- can use more/less gel over time if needed.
Don't be fobbed off with old style oral hrt unless that's what you want- patches or gel are safer. If you have gone a year without periods after 50 you can use combi hrt which will mean no bleed.
And no, you won't go back to the beginning when you stop, although you should taper off gradually (like pretty much anything else).

Thank sure I made an appointment back in June but cancelled. I'm not that keen on going to the doctors so tend to rush in and out rather that talk so much which is why I wanted to ask here, people who are going through it and are using HRT
Thanks again

Brilliant stuff - I felt truly great on it. Pissed off when had to stop because of age and length of time I had been on it.

Get thee to thy GP!

I will, I know I need to do something, to be completely honest I've felt bloody crazy at times, out of control with anger and frustration so I'm really hoping this will calm me down and make me normal again x

Blossom- you def ought not to have been made to come off it! Please see another GP! You can stay on it for life. The old 'rule' about 5 years has been blown out of the water in 2016 by the new guidelines. This is from the International Menopause Society guidelines last year.

Whether or not to continue therapy should be
decided at the discretion of the well-informed
woman and her health professional, dependent
upon the specific goals and an objective estimation
of ongoing individual benefits and risks.

Am watching this with interest as I am 50 this year and just starting on the hot flushes though periods still clockwork damn them. Have been trying black cohosh/sage etc which have helped a little but would like to know more about different HRT rather than just a pill really as I get migraines

Has HRT helped anyone with moods and anger as well? I'm ashamed to say I e been quite unhinged at times

Oh yesssssss!

Thanks polly I know I've been a loony at times, I'm going to book for next week and I'll have to be prepared to stand my corner at the doctors and say I Need a good HRT product. I'm not usually backwards at coming forwards in day to day life but I really hate going to the doctors

Appointment made for next Wednesday, all I have to do now is make sure I don't cancel it again

Re. Lax.
They are not gods. They are humans. (drs.)
Be assertive and just remember that all your MN menopause mates are willing you on!

polly I'm reading the other thread about HRT or natural. I'm picking up tips on the patches and gels being better than tablets so I'll be asking about these love mn

Morning, new on here😳 Some interesting and helpful reads. I cant say i am experiencing bad symptoms, but certainly cant sleep, headaches and forever sore and itchy down there and constant feel the need to pee, had camera, allsorts, noth underlying so thinking hormones, anyway been prescribed Elleste Solo patches and Cerozette ( think thats the name ) any takers? Not started them yet 😳 Thanks x

The constant need to pee and discomfort is due to low estrogen. Vaginal atrophy- affects bladders too. read all about it via google. You need vaginal estrogen too- cream or tiny pessary- Ovestin or Vagifem. Ask your dr for it. Don't accept any 'oh you are on HRT now'- many women need both.

I am on Femoston 1/10mg, wondering now if tablets are a good call now as everyone is talking patches, gels etc, i am not experienced enough in HRT so when i walked away with the tablets i was pretty pleased but there are lots of mentions of tablets not working as well as gels, patches etc ... really hoping i am not wasting my time ! Anyone out there taking Femoston ? Any reviews ?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Femoston :)
I've not used it myself, but it does contain a type of progestogen that is considered safer than some others re. cancer. It's closer to what we have naturally.

The pros of gel and patches are that the hormones get directly into the blood stream via skin, so possibly needing a lower dose to get the same result as a higher dose pill.

They also have a lower risk of blood clots. This is relevant if someone is at risk from clots, especially if they are older (60+)
It's not so relevant for younger healthy women who are non smokers and not overweight.

Thank you for this very comprehensive answer Polly.

Coming a bit late to this thread but can I join in ask advice please, l'm 54 still having intermittent bleeding, tired all the time, low sex drive, hot sweats at night trouble sleeping, aching joints, depressed/ weepy and feel like I'm going a bit mad.

My mum had really bad osteo

Do you think I should be looking at HRT ?

itscold I'm no expert, just started HRT two days ago there are some very knowledgeable people on here which is why I started this thread.
I'm thankful for the advice I've had here and very glad my GP was happy to put me on HRT

I use Everol Conti patches - stopped the night sweats and flushes in two days.

woman like me who don't know what to do, wether to take HRT or not...
Post Meno 5 yrs.. worst symptoms for me is lack of sleep, crashing fatigue and up at the loo every night. Have vaginal atrophy, no sex drive. HELP

hells spend a couple of hours reading www.menopausematters.co.uk website.

...and get yourself some HRT as well as vaginal oestrogen - no need to suffer !

@pollyperk thankyou

Thanks @lulu
Great articles still reading @polly