Do I need to take HRT?

[PineappleFwitters]

I've posted on here before - I'm 43, periods have been erratic for the past 18 months (no bleed for 3 months at once point and then a period that lasted a month) and last year I only had 7 instead of the usual 12. This year I've had 2 periods to date, both of them very light. My most recent blood test showed an FSH level of 77, prior to that it was 44 and 51.

I had hot flushes on and off for a bit (mainly over the festive period, where I had a few drinks) but nothing for a while now. I occasionally feel anxious/angry but put that down to work stress and since I've started wfh in lockdown that has died down too.

My libido is non-existent and though I wouldn't say I'm suffering from vaginal dryness, in the past few months I've had a few UTIs. Not so much burning when I urinate, more an uncomfortable feeling in my lower abdomen. I take antibiotics for a week and it clears up and then starts up again a week later.

I spoke to the doctor at the gynae clinic yesterday and she said she was happy to prescribe HRT but as my symptoms aren't too bad, it's up to me whether I take it. But I don't know, I feel like a bit of a fraud as a MIA period is literally the only symptom I've got! Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Also, I wish HRT was free on the NHS like contraception is!!!

You are quite young so have a long life ahead without oestrogen . You are likely to benefit from HRT. Read the NICE guidelines and look at menopause matters website. Of course it is your choice but seem yourself with information. Cost of prescriptions is high but you should think about potential health benefits and compare costs of other things over a 3 or 6 month period that you might buy for the same money.

The doctor was going to recommend an HRT that gives me a regular period but is there any other option? I don't mind being period-free! Are HRT periods anything like Pill ones? I found mine were light and pain-free when I was on the Pill years ago.

Your symptoms show an early menopause (not actually menopause till your last period was 12 months ago.)

Medical advice is HRT to at least age 51.

It's not that expensive- £9 a month is less than £2 a week and 80% of people don't pay anyway as they are on benefits or low income.

You can't have a bleed free type unless you have had no natural period for 12 months. Sorry!

Every month? I assumed prescriptions were for 3 months, like with the Pill. I'm hardly rich but I'm in the 20% that'll have to pay, alas!

Is it possible to use it to skip a period? I used to do that with the Pill if I had an event or holiday coming up that would coincide with a bleed.

I don't know how many months you will get on a prescription but if it's 3 for just over £9 that's very cheap! £3 a month.

I pay for mine as it's a private prescription and each month costs me around £10.

You can skip some pills so it's no-bleed but your dr won't approve this- it's not the 'done thing' although in reality it's okay.

Oh yes, £9 over 3 months is fine but I thought I'd have to pay per item as the doctor has suggested oestrogen gel and a progesterone tablet.

yes you will pay per item if that is what you are prescribed.

it's still not too bad if it's 3 months per prescription- my maths says that's £9-ish x 2 per 3 months? £18 per 3 months?

As far as periods are concerned you could have a mirena to provide progesterone which would reduce and possibly stop your periods and then have oestrogen as patches or gel or pills as per your preference.

Depending on whether you're at all animal welfare-y you might want to try alternatives first.

I'm not vegan, if that's what you mean, but I don't think there are "alternatives".

Depending on whether you're at all animal welfare-y you might want to try alternatives first.

@Carouselfish Is that meant to be a comment on the old usage of mares' urine used for making estrogen?

Only one type of hrt uses that. It includes Prempak and Prempak. These are called conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and are a synthetic type.

They are rarely prescribed now as they are considered less safe.

Most modern HRT is made from plants (yams) and the chemical structure is identical to human estrogen.

Absolutely yes! We need estrogen for our health and well being. I started hrt at 41 and I am on for almost 3 years now. Everything normal touch wood. Take care!😘