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Menopause

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Original poster

What age did you go on HRT?

76 replies

zafferana · 07/12/2019 17:50

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 Sad

OP posts:
Barsh · 08/12/2019 17:33

@Mushypeasandchipstogo. They probably don’t tell you in case you are judgy.

It is recommended for women with early menopause to help prevent osteoporosis.

If one has symptoms that are causing issues in daily life That are peri or menopause related why wouldn’t you take it?

I’m happy for you that that wasn’t the case. For me HRT saved my marriage and I’m not exaggerating.

BrotherlyLove · 08/12/2019 17:35

It's a thread titled 'What age did you go on HRT'
What were you expecting? Hmm
It's not compulsory, but you might want to seek out an 'alternatives to HRT' thread if you want different views.

BrotherlyLove · 08/12/2019 17:38

I'm not on it myself btw.
52 and still no signs of anything happening so far, no flushes or anything.
Worrying that I'm suddenly going to feel horrendous one day.

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 08/12/2019 18:01

Mushypeasandchipstogo I hope you are never troubled with awful VA, where you can't sleep, sit down or even walk round a supermarket without being in burning pain, HRT has given my life back.

Aquamarine1029 · 08/12/2019 18:14

44, 47 now and have no plans to stop. The effects were almost immediate and life changing. At 43, I began having crippling anxiety which I had never had before, and then the night sweats, hot flushes, joint aches, insomnia, ad nauseum quickly joined in. All of my symptoms were gone within a week and I felt like my old self. Why so many women suffer without getting help is awful.

SageMist · 08/12/2019 18:16

Just remember, not everyone has really bad symptoms. My friend didn't ever have anything other than occasional hot flushes. So she didn't ever need to have HRT.

Annasgirl · 08/12/2019 18:18

49 and I wish I had known 6 years earlier that my symptoms were peri menopause and gone on it. I intend to stay on it as long as possible

OverByYer · 08/12/2019 18:19

@Aquamarine1029 I’m 5 days in and already seeing results. Night sweats stopped immediately, anxiety seems to be subsiding.

Good for you and your friends @Mushypeasandchipstogo
But as this is a thread about HRT why are you here?

TellySavalashairbrush · 08/12/2019 18:24
  1. Been taking it for 3 months and in the last month it has really started to make a noticeable difference. I’ve had no libido for years and suddenly it’s starting to come back! Aches and pains reduced and I feel more like the old me.
RumbleMum · 08/12/2019 18:30

41 - I started a few weeks back. I was utterly desperate and barely functioning and I'm already largely back to normal. Good luck OP

ShutUpLegs · 08/12/2019 18:30
  1. Saved my life. After 18 months of insomnia, heart-burn, anxiety, mood swing and no libido, I was more or less symptom-free inside 8 weeks.
Original poster
zafferana · 08/12/2019 18:39

Thanks everyone who has contributed so far - a real variety of ages and symptoms then. I don't have insomnia or night sweats, so I'm wondering if GP will question that? I've just developed acid reflux though and have had to cut out almost everything from my diet to try and combat it, and for ages I've had an erratic cycle, thinning hair, low/no libido, anxiety that comes and goes, poor concentration and memory, dry skin, joint stiffness and heart palpitations.

My main worry about HRT is weight gain which I absolutely do not want. Is there a difference between tablets, creams, gels and patches with regard to likelihood of weight gain? I'm currently a healthy weight, don't smoke and barely drink alcohol, mainly because it just doesn't agree with me any more Sad

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 08/12/2019 18:50

HRT has not caused me to gain weight at all. In fact, it has helped keep me stable.

RumbleMum · 08/12/2019 18:51

I understood that HRT can help you lose the weight you might typically gain in middle age? www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251570.php#3

Rewilderness · 08/12/2019 18:53

53 when I started. I’ve been on it 6 years.

foxyknoxy30 · 08/12/2019 18:54

45 for me just had my dose doubled so waiting on an improvement 😁

whatisforteamum · 08/12/2019 19:43

Foxy what did u get dose doubled from?.I was 53 so only this year.I had had insomnia anxiety mood swings sweating and flushing and exhaustion.I barely went out in 2 years apart from work so it has been life-changing for me.

wherehavealltheflowersgone · 08/12/2019 19:45

Thanks all, I'm 42 and GP offered it to me but also did a referral to the early menopause clinic. My appointment isn't until March though and I'm currently 5 months without a period.

My question is - if you were me would you wait until you see the consultant in March or start HRT now? If I started it now would the consultant cancel the referral or not be able to take a good reading from my bloods? Would another 3 months make a significant difference to my heart disease and osteoporosis risk?

Aquamarine1029 · 08/12/2019 20:24

@wherehavealltheflowersgone

If you are suffering with symptoms, I would start the HRT now. As for your bloods, they are very unreliable during peri-menopause anyway.

OverByYer · 08/12/2019 21:18

Bloods don’t really show anything until you are actually menopausal, it should go on your symptoms

JinglingHellsBells · 08/12/2019 21:58

weight gain...

I've not gained any and am within 2-3 lbs of what I weighed in my 20s. (BMI around 19). I'm petite.

No proof HRT causes weight gain according to research but using it coincides with 'middle age spread' when metabolism slows down so many women 'blame' the HRT.

I can't eat what I could in my 20s or 30s so have cut back quite a lot.

LearningPianoAgain · 08/12/2019 22:09

48 years. Sudden severe hot flushes. One GP refused to put me on it and started an anti depressant instead - these are also used for menopausal symptoms

Then I saw a different GP who was much more sensible and put me straight on it. There’s lots of benefits in terms of heart and bone health. She showed me the BNF which does seem to advise stopping at 55 years

It also seems safer to have the progesterone IUCD in combination with just oestrogen as HRT

I feel it’s giving my body a boost before entering old age. Also I feel you have to be realistic about the cancer risk - it could happen - and if it does I’m not going to regret this choice. Think my body would be crumbling by now - two years on

tinytemper66 · 08/12/2019 22:44

I am 53, still have regular periods and have had two horrible episodes of flushes that were like hangovers/migraines and 9 months apart. So no medical interventions as of yet. I will keep an open mind.

Haffdonga · 08/12/2019 22:48
  1. It's helped.
ThunderboltandLightning · 08/12/2019 22:55
  1. I am on day 5 so too soon to know if it is helping. First asked GP about 3 years ago and got given anti-Ds which did nothing. New, younger, female GP offered it up straight away.