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Menopause

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Original poster

HRT is a lifestyle medication

73 replies

HeyJackKerouac · 15/01/2021 16:19

This was said to me by a GP this week and I've been thinking about it ever since. I wanted to discuss HRT as I've been having some distressing symptoms: anxiety, insomnia, aches, hot flushes, night sweats. I really don't feel like myself.

Anyway, I know I have some contraindications to HRT so I'm in 2 minds about it. There is a history of breast cancer in close family plus hormonal contraception triggers bad migraines for me.

GP felt HRT was not right for me due to this and then finished the consultation with the cheery sign off that "HRT is really a lifestyle medication" The more I think about this the angrier I get. I am really affected by symptoms right now; this is not a lifestyle choice!

Advice was to give up coffee, booze, lose some weight. Yawn!

Anyone got any other suggestions??

OP posts:
bestbefore · 15/01/2021 16:28

Omg. Look up the menopause doctor Louise newson. Please.

Tumblebugsjump · 15/01/2021 16:29

What an absolutely short sighted comment, expect it was a man who has no concept of what he's talking about! If it was a woman, even worse. Get a second opinion, I'd be livid too!

WhatKatyDidNxt · 15/01/2021 16:30

Let me guess was this a male doctor by any chance?! Ridiculous

Original poster
HeyJackKerouac · 15/01/2021 17:33

It was a woman!
Thanks for the web/podcast recommendations. I'll check them out.

OP posts:
Newgirls · 15/01/2021 17:39

It protects your bones, heart and helps ward off dementia. I wonder if the gp might change her mind when she needs it...

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 15/01/2021 17:43

If my GP had ever said that to me I'd have gone absolutely bananas. It isn't a lifestyle medication, I would have committed suicide without it. Does this stupid doctor think anti depressants are a lifestyle medication too?

Tootsey11 · 15/01/2021 17:46

If that was said to me I would not have held back in telling her what I thought.

Peaseblossom22 · 15/01/2021 17:54

Please follow @thedigtalgp on Instagram. HRT has many benefits for example protection against osteoporosis. I still have some symptoms but they are so much better and my GP ( see above) was so helpful in helping me to decide on the best treatment for me . Also recommend menopause matters .

CaraDuneRedux · 15/01/2021 17:57

Letter to the practise manager asking for a different GP.

Angry on your behalf, OP.

dementedma · 15/01/2021 17:58

I wouldnt have got through the last few years and kept my job without it. Lifestyle my arse

raeray · 15/01/2021 18:02

A life style medication Angry

If she meant saves your sanity, quality of life, and everything in between as well as all the health benefits of having it....

I started the menopause in my early 30s after a total hysterectomy for womb cancer. HRT hasn't made life 'normal' but it's made it liveable and more enjoyable again.
My cancer was hormone driven and I'm allowed it so please see another doctor and ask for a menopause clinic referral if they haven't enough knowledge to advise you properly.
Good luck

C8H10N4O2 · 15/01/2021 18:02

See a different GP. She is talking bollocks.

HRT may or may not be right for you with your medical history and background but you need to discuss it with a doctor who takes menopause problems seriously, understands the different risk profiles for the differet HRT combinations and can suggest alternatives if no form of HRT is suitable.

Lostinwinter · 15/01/2021 18:13

Could you ask for a blood test to see your hormone levels?

Funksoul · 15/01/2021 18:14

Request another G.P Sad

JinglingHellsBells · 15/01/2021 19:15

I'm not even sure I know what she means by a lifestyle medication!

What does it mean?

If it means women have a better quality of life then she's right.

If she means it's a vanity treatment like having Botox or your teeth whitened, then clearly not.

You need to explore your choices with a menopause consultant unless you prefer to try various things yourself.

Herbs are an option, acupuncture can be good, some meds used as anti depressants or beta blockers can be helpful for hot flushes.

BUT I think the first thing to do is discuss the breast cancer risk with a specialist re. your family.

The 'rule' which specialists tend to follow is that if your mum and a sister have both had BC at a young age ( ie not your mum at 80+) then it's wise to be cautious. But it's not black and white and one type of HRT seems to be safe for at least 5 years re cancer.

mrsalfstewart · 15/01/2021 22:25

I spoke to my GP yesterday as I have been having night sweats, feeling anxious, emotional, not sleeping etc (I'm 47) and she agreed that my symptoms are all classic peri menopausal symptoms - however she suggested I make 'lifestyle' changes before she will consider prescribing HRT and to go back in 2-3 months if I'm still feeling the same way! I cannot go on feeling like this for much longer so I tried to make an appointment at the Newson Clinic but the waiting list is 3 months!

Newgirls · 16/01/2021 09:38

Mrs - if it helps I was very good on ‘lifestyle’ eg slim, exercise outdoors most days, veggie, couple units alcohol a week max, yoga, low stress job... still got awful symptoms and within 2 months of patches dramatic improvement. Def do those things but don’t be fobbed off.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 16/01/2021 09:52

I don't agree with what the GP said but that said I have an elderly relative who was on HRT for years, has both osteoporosis and dementia and has had breast cancer.

JinglingHellsBells · 16/01/2021 10:16

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

I don't agree with what the GP said but that said I have an elderly relative who was on HRT for years, has both osteoporosis and dementia and has had breast cancer.
It's not as simple as that and we don't know all the facts and timescales.

Bone density falls off rapidly once HRT is stopped and it depends on what state her bones were in before it, the dose she used, and how many years she used it.

For example if she used it from 50 to 60 and got osteoporosis at 70, that's not unlikely as she'd have had 10 years off it.

I know someone in their 80s who had a hysterectomy early, and has the most terrible osteoporosis, in a wheelchair a lot, heart failure and breast cancer. No HRT ever.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 16/01/2021 10:20

So if you're slim, tell your GP that you do some yoga and don't drink, you might be in with a chance of getting HRT?

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 16/01/2021 10:21

@JinglingHellsBells oh I'm sure - but then the blanket 'it protects against osteoporosis and dementia' posts are also inaccurate

JinglingHellsBells · 16/01/2021 11:20

[quote RockingMyFiftiesNot]@JinglingHellsBells oh I'm sure - but then the blanket 'it protects against osteoporosis and dementia' posts are also inaccurate [/quote]
No they aren't inaccurate.

It is a prescribed treatment for women under 60 who have low bone density and / or osteoporosis. You can't argue with the science of specialists who prescribe it for that.

The dose to prevent osteoporosis is on the estrogen pack leaflets.

Obviously, I know nothing about your relative.

They may have taken HRT for only a few years and stopped too early.
They may never have had a DEXA scan in their lives until the broke a bone.
They may have had osteoporosis before they used HRT, unknown, so they got some improvement on HRT but not enough.
There may have been no regular monitoring of their bones.
They may have been a smoker, drank a bit too much, didn't exercise, didn't have a healthy diet, or a multitude of lifestyle factors which resulted in osteoporosis.

Who knows?

HelloThereMeHearties · 16/01/2021 11:23

@HeyJackKerouac

It was a woman! Thanks for the web/podcast recommendations. I'll check them out.
Wait til she hits the perimenopause... Angry
HelloThereMeHearties · 16/01/2021 11:23

[quote RockingMyFiftiesNot]@JinglingHellsBells oh I'm sure - but then the blanket 'it protects against osteoporosis and dementia' posts are also inaccurate [/quote]
No they very much are NOT!!!