Is HRT totally necessary?

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I’ve been on HRT a few months now due to going through early menopause at 41. I understand the need for oestrogen and how it affects the body etc. My issue is when I’ve gone through menopause I had hardly any symptoms other than periods stopping and anxiety. I’ve started HRT and I’ve now had bleeding and my boobs are soo sore!! Is this just getting used to it or could this be long term? I feel like this is impacting me more on HRT than without but also don’t want heart issues and bone problems. How did everyone else feel when starting HRT?

Doesn't sound right? But I am not on combined, just oestrogen.

Sore boobs is Most likely too much progesterone. What protocol are you on?

I’m on everol Conti. Feels like I’m putting on weight and my backs aching more than normal too. Might give the drs a call tomorrow.

@Icantstopeatinglol Yes it is necessary for bone and heart protection- too risky not to use it till you are at least 50. That's the medical advice.

How long ago did your own periods stop?

Are you sure you were completely post menopause? (That means 12 months with no periods at all.)

Basically, if you are having bleeds on conti HRT it usually means you are still producing some of your own estrogen and the progesterone part of the HRT is not enough.

It depends how low your own hormones are/ were when you started conti.

Conti HRT is for women who have had no period for at least 12 months or are over age 54 (If they are unsure if they are post meno or not for any reason.)

If you are still just 41, some drs would suggest the combined Pill as it gives a good dose of estrogen (they like Qlaira) or put you on a cyclic type of HRT (like gel and Utrogestan) or a 3-monthly cycle using Tridestra.

There are loads of options so YES you do need HRT but you need to get the type right.

If you have been diagnosed as having an early menopause this would warrant a referral to a specialist to get the HRT right- so ask your GP.

Thanks jingling Yea prior to starting to HRT I hadn’t had a period for 18 months and I eventually got referred to a gynaecologist as the drs didn’t seem interested even though I kept saying they must have stopped for a reason. Prior to them completely stopping I had irregular periods for a few years, missing 6 months at a time so I think I’ve been going through it for quite a number of years now. The gynaecologist took bloods and confirmed my oestrogen was low and FSH high which indicated post menopausal.
If it’s just my hormones trying to settle it’s fine but I’m just not sure.
The gynaecologist diagnosed me and sent a letter to my gp to arrange HRT so I was expecting an appointment but when I rang up the gp had just sent my prescription to the pharmacy with no info at all. I thought they’d at least speak to me first. The info online is quite vague and says that you can get breakthrough bleeding or spotting but I’ve been bleeding for 6 days now.
Think it might be worth ringing the dr to see if this is normal as I’m just not sure.

I'm also 41 and have just been given everol conti patches.

I've not started them yet as worried about the side effects. My periods were always extremely regular and never had any bother with them. But hormone contraception didn't agree with me and I had the copper coil.

I don't want side effects and weight gain etc.

Menopause Doctor - Dr Louise Newson is a great resource for all things menopause. www.menopausedoctor.co.uk

Alltheworldisgreen Yea I’ve been listening to some of her podcasts which are great. Haven’t listened to all of them yet though. Thank you.

Chesney have you been diagnosed as menopausal?

I don’t know about necessary but it gave me my life back so I wouldn’t be without them. Am on Evorel conti now and am 56. Plan to continue with it as long as possible.

My period stopped around 45, although it took a while. I'm almost 60 now and never had HRT.

@Icantstopeatinglol I've not had any tests but I had pelvic radiotherapy which they told me would put me straight into menopause.

I haven't had a period since it started in April and I've now got hot flushes, not sleeping well and joint pain etc. Plus I need it for my bones they said.

But I can't find many positive reviews for it. I know everyone is different and I should start it, but I don't want to bleed for months or gain a lot of weight. I gained thorough-out my treatment, pesky steroids and eating beige food and I've just lost 8lbs and that was a buggar to get off.

Chesney ah ok, wasn’t sure if you’d missed periods yet. Yea it’s hard to decide but as you’re having hot flushes and other symptoms it probably is worth trying. You can always stop if you don’t think it’s working for you? My problem is I didn’t have many symptoms at all apart from no periods. I now feel worse but if it settles down I’m ok with it. Just wish someone could tell me if it will settle down but everyone’s different so I doubt they can.

@Icantstopeatinglol if I wasn't having any I don't think I'd start it. If I get side effects I'm going to ask for something else to try.

Maybe they can give you something else which will protect your bones?