HRT or not? I am 43.

[speadyourwingsandflyaway]

Hi there, reading through these threads is making me realise how lucky I am to have a good GP. I've been having irregular periods for about a year, and some mid-cycle spotting for a few months, so I went to the doctor to ask about it all. I had blood tests, an ultrasound, a visual pelvic exam and swab and also a DEXA bone density scan. All was fine except the blood tests, which (although not worrying in any way) did show menopause was beginning.

So the doctor would like to talk to me about HRT. In fact, she is keen for me to do it. I am a bit torn because of all the cancer horror stories from decades ago, but at the same time, the bone scan showed my bones were nice and healthy and I would obviously like to keep them that way, especially as I am a regular runner.

We don't have a history of early meno that I know of in my family, but my mum had a hysterectomy in her early 40s so I can't ask her anyway.

So I would really like to hear people's for/against HRT stories as I try to read up on it before meeting the doc next week...thank you if you can help!

I’d avoid it unless your symptoms are severe. But maybe your gp has other reasons as 43 is young.

Menopause under the age of 45 is classed as premature and you should absolutely have hrt to protect your heart and bones. Cancer and clot risks at your age are no more than if you weren't taking hrt because you are just replacing the hormones that you should have rather than adding to the ones you already have. You don't have to take pills there are many types of hrt which have lower risk such as combined patches, mirena plus oestrogen patches, or oestrogen gel and micronised progesterone. Hrt has come a long way and you sound like you have a gp who's on the ball.

@Speadyourwingsandflyaway
@pipandmum

Using HRT for early menopause has nothing to do with whether you have symptoms or not. it's for bone, heart and brain protection in 20 years time.

Women who have early menopause are at risk from serious diseases and even Parkinsons is linked to very premature menopause (also called premature ovarian failure- POF.)

As PP has said, early menopause is classed as a medical condition.
Premature meno is before age 40- and early menopause is periods that stop before 45-47.

The RISKS of HRt do not apply to women who start using it before age 51-52 (age of average menopause.) It simply tops up and replaces what you ought to have.

Additionally, HRT is very very safe for at least 5 years once you get to 51, so you could carry on quite safely until age 56 or so.

Women fret about the risks of HRT but don't seem to know that either 1+ alcoholic drink a day, or being overweight, or smoking or not exercising have far greater risks for breast cancer than HRT.

I am at the same age and started hrt 2 years ago at 41. It gave my life back and feel almost normal again. My only regret is that I had a very arrogant and poor informed gyn.

Absolutely have the Hrt for your heart health and bones! It’s especially important if you are young.

I have been on HRT for the last 3 years - I am 38 and have all kinds of hormonal issues due to autoimmune conditions and the difference it has made to me in all kinds of ways is amazing. The risks with the new types of HRT are very low and you can stay on it forever.

100% pro HRT. It saved me. The cancer link simply isn't true.

Wow. Thank you so much for these very helpful replies....I really am starting this from a point of zero knowledge (and a bit of surprise that it has started so early) so this is incredibly helpful to read...thank you. I don't really know anything about HRT at all so this is exactly what I needed. Luckily my GP is amazing and actually asked me to come in to talk about it when I enquired about the bone scan results, even though they were okay. Thanks again; I feel a bit less scared about it now.

Good luck.

Plus just a random bit of information... you can use Ovestin cream internally alongside your HRT tablets or gels. It really helps with vaginal dryness and recurrent UTIs / thrush if you suffer from them (which can be due to menopausal changes in the vagina). For me this was almost as life changing as the main HRT! For some reason I am allergic to Replens which is the oestrogen free version for women who don’t want extra oestrogen but Ovestin works wonders for me and I need all the oestrogen I can get!

Get all the info you can and decide from there