Has anyone here not taken HRT l? What else did you take?

[kissmelittleass]

I'm 52 never been on HRT but a consultant I seen in gynaecology back in February told me to speak to my doctor about going on it for heart and bone health.
With lockdown happening shortly after I still haven't got round to seeing the doctor to discuss.!! I am post menopause as my last monthly period was in October 2016 but I last had a small bleed for a few days in august 2018!
I would be interested to hear from anyone with their experience or advice!

@Toomboom You could still start HRT at a very low dose. There are very specific guidelines for using it with women over 60, for the first time.

I am well over 60 but have used it since my mid 50s.

It's worth thinking about as lack of sleep is a recognised health risk - it can upset insulin levels/ create weight gain and heart disease.

I will be skipping HRT due to the increased risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer runs in my family so I’d rather endure menopause symptoms (which are entirely natural) than add to my breast cancer risk.

@JinglingHellsBells I don't think I will as I really don't want the risk of bleeding again.

Crikey I say I've never slept since I had my first baby but the last few years my sleep is awful I never sleep till about 1am and then 2-3 hours later I'm awake again for an hour or two then I might get an hour or two if I'm lucky and don't have to rude early. I never knew not being able to sleep was a menopause issue!
I am slightly worried if I took HRT about an increased breast cancer risk but the only person who had breast cancer in my family was my granny's sister so I don't think that would relate to me.
I am worried though about heart and bone health,both my grandfather's had heart problems, one had angina and both died from heart attacks.
My parents don't have any heart issues apart from my mum having high blood pressure which she is in need for.
My own blood pressure is low and my cholesterol I'm told is excellent at 3.8 and been steady around that number for years.
As I mentioned a dietitian told me my bone density was low according to her weight scales obviously how correct that would be who knows!
My mum never took HRT and appears well she does have slightly stooped shoulders and has never had a bone scan.
Loving reading your replies because I have no one to discuss with in real life!!! Great to hear other women's stories and whether you take HRT or something else.
I know nothing really about menopause but I'm learning a bit on here !

@Toomboom Maybe your drs put you on a continuous no-bleed type too soon? It would be unusual to have a bleed all the time with a sequential type which has a regular cycle, with a withdrawal bleed every month at a predictable time. There are lots of GPs (as shown by posts here) who put women on continuous hrt too soon which does result in erratic beeding.

@kissmelittleass It's possible your mum has spinal fractures if she has a hump but on the other hand it could just be loss of muscle tone giving her a stopped posture.

Breast cancer risks with HRT are tiny and do not exist for the first five years, or in women using it if they are not yet 50.

The risk of being overweight, drinking a glass of wine a night, or not exercising all have a higher BC risk.

I'm not pushing hrt (even if it sounds like that) but just trying to make the point because the dramatic media headlines are not accurate.

Heart disease is the biggest killer of women, followed by osteoporosis- 3 times as many women die annually from complications of osteoporosis in old age compared to deaths from all female cancers.

I'm another one who has got away lightly. I'm 59 and haven't taken HRT or any supplements and don't plan to unless things change.

“The risk of being overweight, drinking a glass of wine a night, or not exercising all have a higher BC risk.”

This in absolute spades

Nothing here
Started meno at 48 now 53 on other side
Maintained pre meno weight
Good skin and hair
Terrible eyesight -is that meno related?
Still work full time 34 years in high stress job
Skin ok dry but moisturise and oil +++
Sleep initially disturbed for approx a year now back to pre meno levels
Flushes rare now
Eat well maybe fewer carbs
Lots of exercise
Cut back on wine as exacerbated migraine
Out the other side and feel good.
Considered HRT but breast cyst followed by cervical cyst - oestrogen a factor in both made me decide it wasn't the way forward for me.
Purely personal choice.
A friend 70 plus still on HRT - just didn't seem right to me
HRT not for everyone .

@SundayReilly hi did you actually take any medication to help like extra vitamins or anything else? Just wondering about bone health as apparently I have low bone density, also although I'm on a pretty clean vegetarian/vegan diet since my early twenties and am eight stone, low cholesterol I am slightly worried about heart health after the consultation mentioned to take HRT to help with it!

Yes low intake of meat here too so have always taken spatone for iron .
Cod liver oil for heart.
A good multi vitamin Solgar if I can afford it whatever if I can't and up the dose accordingly.
Added calcium and magnesium into the mix too.
Introduced lots of soya products when started meno but as I said earlier started lots of oestrogen related health stuff off so stopped them.
Generally resolved to just look after myself a bit more .

@kissmelittleass I think if I were you I'd listen to the consultant.

You have some risk factors already for osteoporosis- low weight ( like me), already possible low bone density and a vegan/ veggie diet.

How much dairy are you eating?

You can get calcium from other foods but you have to work at it- it's not that easy to get 1000 mgs a day (suggested amount for post meno women) from veg and so on.

For peace of mind you need a proper DEXA scan so you know what's going on with your bones.

A body mass ratio is not any good because people like you and me who are light, can have less bone but it can still be strong bone.
Ask your GP for a scan! If it was an NHS dietitian you saw, you have that as evidence for more assessments.