What age did you go on HRT?

[zafferana]

I've just turned 46 and have several symptoms of peri-menopause, a few of which I've had now for several years. I've made an appointment to go and speak to the GP and I remember reading posts on here where women said they wished they'd gone on HRT earlier than they did. So what age did you start and what age will GPs consider it? My memory is becoming dreadful - I lose my train of thought, can't think of words and today I forgot two appointments, both of which I was well aware of. I'm so fed up

50 - i was getting hot flushes and not had a period for three months - still on it 5+yrs later

I’m 48, started a few days ago. Wish I’d started at least a year ago.
Night sweats have stopped immediately. Mood already improving am hoping the brain fog will lift

I’ve just started; I’m 54. It’s definitely helped. Going to keep on as short as possible though.

I was 35!!, been told by GP I have to be on it until 50!

I am 56 and have been on HRT 3.5 years i was post meno when i started it, i have no attention of giving it up.

50, after total hysterectomy - use patches as I regularly do long haul flights. 63 now and have no plans to stop.

Nearly 20 years

50 which is when I starting having flushes. I wasn't on it that long though, gave me migraines. I was far better without HRT and the perimenopause wasn't that bad.

47, almost 7 years now. Was already post menopausal by then and had to beg for it- GP refused because I had a history of endometriosis but gynaecologist was great. Will be taking it forever, it was life changing!

Almost 53. Didn't have any symptoms till periods stopped then.
Have been on it for over 10 years. Been brilliant.
Thinking of trying to reduce and stop but insomnia and flushes kicking in when I lower the dose.

There is no 'right' age OP.
It's whatever suits you.

what age will GPs consider it? @zafferana It's not an age matter and it's more your choice if you have symptoms, than your Gps. Don't let them dictate when or what you can have! If you want to try HRT, you need to ask and if they refuse a) ask what medical reasons they have (unlikely to be any that are scientific and more often prejudices) and b) see another GP.

Fleetheaet- can I hijack slightly and ask what your symptoms were and how the Hrt helped?
I'm 54, post menopause and no insomnia or flushes, but feel my entire body is crumbling away!

Did anyone find HRT helped with weight loss? I'm 42 and no period for 5 months now. Have gained weight on my belly, am emotional and aching in my pelvis, hot flushes, insomnia.

Worried about starting HRT though due to increased risks of breast cancer. Any words of advice please?

34. On it 8 years now.

@wherehavealltheflowersgone

I have found I simply burn less calories now, so have had to cut down my portion sizes as I don't want to gain weight.

It's just a change due to age in general I think, as husband noticed the same. We both eat about 25% less than we used to these days.

Wherehavetheflowetsgone

Friend had just come of HRT and lost 11ilbs

@likestoski you can stay on it as long as you like after 50.

I should have gone on at 40 as symptoms were bad, but tried pill first to regulate periods which were all over the place. Think started HRT at 43 or 44. Still on it at 52.

Mood, anxiety, fatigue, crap periods, night sweats (wool duvet really helps too) all vastly improved.

46. NICE guidelines say if Meno starts before the average age of 51 there is no increased risk of HRT up to 51 because it replaces the hormones your body would have produced and protects from osteoporosis. (I'm aware risk advice gets updated when new studies are available though). My GP showed me a graphic about breast cancer risk - the risk of being overweight was about eight times more than hrt and the risk of drinking alcohol was about four times higher as I recall (and the hrt risk doesn't kick in until after 51). I didn't need a blood test, I wasn't having periods because of partial hysterectomy, but the hot flush symptom was enough for my GP. I strongly recommend you read the nice guideline before seeing your gp then you will know if they are following guidelines.

@TheCanterburyWhales, the hot flushes, insomnia and anxiety were the worst for me. I had had a Mirena since 2012 so hadn’t had periods for a while, didn’t really know where I was with the menopause. But suddenly realised that all these things were its arrival! I also was worried about osteoporosis as my Granny had had that, so I know what you mean about crumbling!

@wherehavealltheflowersgone, GP said to me that normal rate of breast cancer at my age is 4 in 1000, and HRT increases it to 8 in 1000. So it doubles; but the risk is small. And as PP mentioned there are other things like overweight and alcohol which also increase it. So I guess it’s the balance.

Today age. 47. Just been prescribed

@Fleetheart I don't think those stats are correct.
This table shows risks.
Too high.
www.menopausematters.co.uk/risks.php
@wherehavealltheflowersgone You need to read up on early menopause (before age 51.) You need to replace estrogen or you have a very high risk of osteoporosis and heart disease later on in your 50s. There is NO RISK for women your age as you are replacing what you ought to have and medical advice is you use HRT up to 51-52 at least.

At 42 and I am 44 now. For me it is life changing.

Reading this with interest; I'm 47.5 & have no symptoms other than erratic cycles (was 75+ last year but can equally be 14 days).

But I am overweight.

This thread makes it seem like HRT is compulsory.
In my group of friends from about 45 to 60 nobody is on it as far as I am aware!