Nervous about starting HRT!

[needmoreoomph]

I'm 55, periods on time and regular up to February, then nothing at all. For the last couple of years, I've felt really bleurgh - low mood, achy, hot flushes, broken sleep etc. Since February, these have all got worse and I feel like crap!
I'm reasonably fit, no illness apart from recurrent painful breast cysts that need aspirating every few months.

Went to a specialist menopause Dr and went through everything, all pros and cons. She has prescribed Evorel Conti patches.
Yet... I have had them here for a week and still not applied one!
I'm nervous - but not sure why. With my breast cyst history, I guess the increased risk of breast cancer is an underlying concern; at the very least they will take longer to settle if I'm on HRT. Also, I understand I may start bleeding again, don't really want that! There's also the fear of HRT making things worse rather than better.
And what happens when I want to stop HRT - in 5 or 10 years or whoever - the oestrogen will stop again and I'll have to go through it again.
So come on mumsnetters, convince me to slap the patch on!

I would like to read the science first, try alternative options seconds and only put the patch if everything else failed.
Watch this video which summarise the medical papers on HRT, read the transcript, follow the links for other videos on menopause. nutritionfacts.org/video/how-did-doctors-not-know-about-the-risks-of-hormone-therapy/

You won't go through the menopause twice. HRT doesn't delay it. And you can use it forever- no need ever to stop if you don't want to.

Breast cysts don't increase risk of b cancer on HRT so forget that one.
Bleeds might happen short term but the best way to s =tart HRT is on a cyclical sort so you will have a predictable 'period' once a month. If you feel better on HRT this way you can then swap to a conti type where you may get spotting for a few weeks or months till it settles down.

I think most women use HRT when they cannot cope any more without. If that's you, you know the answer!

Have a good read of this site menopausedoctor.co.uk/

Ignore the previous link - it's from the US and the research referred to has been discredited a long time ago- it's 20 years out of date.

*previous link-that's the 'nutrition facts video'!

Thanks @QueenoftheNights - I have used that site for reference, it's very informative. It's just taking the first step... (or sticking the first arch!). I'm a bit of a wuss

Arch = patch

Wear it .
If you do not feel better you can always stop.

I was desperate for HRT the Dr asked me to wait a week, he said I had managed for 18mths without it, why start now ( he was v kind and sympathetic) I didn't take it I had the menopase tablets and use the magnet that you wear in your pants, another 18mths on my sleep is still bad but the night sweats have all but passed and just a few hot flushes during the day. But I hate the menopause flushing when putting makeup on is horrible

I was going to delay starting mine until after a holiday but I could not bear the way I was feeling .
I felt better right away .

I was desperate for HRT the Dr asked me to wait a week, he said I had managed for 18mths without it, why start now

Because flushes and sleep issues can be terribly hard to live with and often carry on for 15-20 years!

Why would a dr ask you to wait for another week (as an act of kindness?) for something you had suffered from for 18 months? Menopace doesn't work for everyone and the magnet is a placebo.

Thanks all for your thoughts.
I've made my decision and I'm going to start Sunday - mainly because I wash my hair on Sunday's and Wednesdays so that will kind of remind me that it's patch changeover day!
I'll report back with hopefully nothing but good results

Well I'm a week in, started last Sunday.
Nothing's changed really, neither for the good or bad!
The first few days I thought I felt better, not sure if that was a placebo effect.
I don't think I feel so 'glum' but I still ache so much, having hot flushes, not sleeping great. I'm likely to be hoping for too much too soon! We'll see

I would give it another week - by the end of 2 weeks you should have started seeing some improvements. If not, it could be that the dose is too low - not saying you should up it, necessarily, but the patchesmight not be enough to make a difference.

Something else to remember is that it can take several goes to find a version of HRT that works for you. I went through several different ones before I found one that suited me - the first ones I tried made me feel bloaty/generally not great, or didn't have much effect. Trial and error and I've got one that I'm happy with

So don't give up - go back to your doctor if needed and discuss further.

I was told to give it at least 3 months to consider any benefits. One week is certainly too early. In my case it was a success and the negative that came with it, weight gain, terrible symptoms when on progesterone and giving I up was a relief but strangely felt better after I stopped anyway. My friend who started at the same time than me feels absolutely fantastic on it and kicked herself for not trying it sooner.

Im on day 6 of my tablets today. My joint pain does seem slightly better so im not sure if its just wishful thinking.