Should I go on HRT.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Will be making a Dr appointment this week but would love any opinions. I'm 56 last period 3 years ago, had symptoms for last 4+ years. Generally prefer not to be on medication. I haven't been too bad worst thing has been hot flushes. Only other thing that bothers me is tiredness, possibly due to hot flushes and joint pain, worried this may be osteoporosis. Family history of breast cancer. Would HRT help.

I'd say that HRT probably would help.

I don't see it as 'medication', it's reinstating falling hormone levels.

For some women, it turns their lives around, but unfortunately many GPs don't understand menopause as we are as invisible to them as we are to the rest of society.

Just a couple of things- spend a day - !- reading the website of Dr Louise Newson. (My Menopause Dr)
Go to resources on the menu and there are fact sheets, podcasts, and booklets. Masses of info to answer your questions.

HRT is not classed as medication - it's 'Replacement' and almost all hrt now is body-identical, so the same sort as you have naturally. The old types from 20 years ago are rarely given now.

Osteoporosis does not cause joint pain. Pain is more likely wear and tear and osteoarthritis. HRT can help this as it helps your body produce more collagen to support the joints.

Breast cancer- what is the family history? The only relevance that drs use is your mum and sister both having it at a young age. Even then, the best and safest HRT shows no risks of BC in the first 5 years of use.

This is all on the website I mentioned.

Thanks, I have been to doctors and had my blood taken and I am goi g next week for a chat with the doctor.

What was the aim of a blood test? If you are post meno, NICE says that blood tests are not necessary. Are they looking for other illnesses you may have? If your symptoms are flushes, joint pain and tiredness, did they not think 'menopause'?

Doctor mention inflammation markers?

They may be checking for Rheumatoid Arthritis but as you have other meno symptoms, they ought to address those too.

Have you read anything on the website of Dr Louise Newson yet?

I've looked at quite a bit, I only have a couple of issues, but they are the ones that bother me which are night sweats and therefore lack of sleep so constantly tired, joint pain and brain fog. So I need to know or try HRT to see if it will help with these specific issues.

HRT will definitely help with those issues but it sounds like they are not severe so you may be able to go without esp given you are 56 and beyond the bone density/heart disease concern age. It's personal choice ... if you think your life would be materially improved without having these symptoms then go for it, the risks are very low. Lots of women are choosing to stay on hrt well into later life as they feel it improves their wellbeing and keeping them more youthful

@Imtoooldforallthis

I've looked at quite a bit, I only have a couple of issues, but they are the ones that bother me which are night sweats and therefore lack of sleep so constantly tired, joint pain and brain fog. So I need to know or try HRT to see if it will help with these specific issues.

Yes it will if you get the right and best type.

Do not underestimate the health risks of poor sleep.

Poor sleep is / was one of my main reasons for using HRT.
I had a month when I came off HRT not too long ago and my sleep reverted to bad again.

I discussed this with my consultant who said that poor sleep has very serious health risks, long term. It can be linked to weight gain and diabetes, and heart disease as well as wrecking the immune system.

The thing is, you have no idea how long any of this may last. Many women feel ok after a few years, others suffer for life. My Mum has had poor sleep and flushes for 40 years since menopause. No woman knows how long her symptoms will last, so there is no point experimenting and suffering for years.