Menopause symptoms have got worse - when will they end???!

[ChristinaRussell]

I'm 56 and my symptoms started about 6 years ago. It's been a few years since my LMP so I'd say I'm definitely post-menopause. My main symptoms were/are: flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, anxiety. I use estradiol pessaries for the dryness but nothing for the rest as, although horrible when I'm experiencing them, when I'm not I convince myself that I'm fine and it's not worth running the risks of HRT to control them, especially as I presume they would just come back as soon as I stopped taking it(?). I figured I'd got this far, they'll end soon, and I'll simply tough it out and then I'll be freeeeee!

However, despite them easing off over the past year, over the past few weeks they've suddenly got much worse. Horrible sweats every night, hot feet (so I'm sleeping badly), plus more (and more intense) flushes throughout the day. Anxiety, grumpiness...

So is this it for the rest of my life? I don't see how these will ever go away. Would HRT help? And what would happen after I come off it? (Do I HAVE to come off it?) Or is it too late for me to start taking it anyway?

Additional info: I'm of generally good health, not overweight, exercise regularly, no family history of cancer.

Sorry - long post and too many questions. But I'd really appreciate any advice. It's so difficult to see the GP these days.

Louise Newson's menopause doctor website is a really useful place to start. www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

The risks of HRT have been overplayed in many instances. Modern HRT isn't made from conjugated equine urine and is often taken by patch or gel. Mine is actually made from synthesized yams, and this is mainstream stuff, as prescribed by the NHS.

I tried lots of things before 'giving in' and getting HRT and wish I hadn't wasted time. My sleep improved and I stopped flushing completely. I just felt more myself, too.

It's worth reading the NICE guidelines before you speak to a GP and reading the material on the website above.

Good luck.

Thanks @oneglassandpuzzled, through that site I found a PDF that answered a lot of my questions. Now going to attempt to get a GP appointment...

Good luck!

Agree 100% with @oneglassandpuzzled

Quality of life is important. The stats on HRT show that the best types have no added risk of cancer for at least 5 years. After that, it's tiny AND all the stats showing breast cancer are compiled from old types of HRT not what many women use now.

My consultant who is a meno expert ( Louise Newson thinks he is brilliant!) says women need to be aware of the risks of NOT using HRT.

Hrt protects against bowel cancer.
It stops osteoporosis
It reduces heart disease by 50%
It may prevent dementia

All women using HRT have longer lives than women not using HRT.

Yes, there may be a tiny added risk of breast cancer, BUT each of us has a 1:8 lifetime risk anyway- it's not as if we have zero risk.
HRT may increase that risk by a tiny fraction of a percent.

My dr says estrogen is not the grass seed (ie the cancer.)
He says it may be the rain that causes the grass to grow.

In other words, it may promote the growth of a cancer that was there anyway.

I'm 54, my main symptom has been severe night-time hot flushes for 4 years (thankfully no sweating, though) and I put off getting HRT until friends talked me into it. I started Evorel 50 and Ultragestan three weeks ago and I'm already feeling the difference. Instead of multiple hot flushes per night, I'm feeling a bit warm for a short period at bedtime and nothing else. I have no idea what the long-term effects might be, or how long I will be staying on HRT, but, for now, it's such a relief. Definitely look into, you can always stop if it's no good for you.

Plus what JinglingHellsBells has said!

I could have written your post.I am 56 years old and had my last period 6 years ago.I have persevered thinking I could get through without HRT. It has as in your case become worse or sort of coming and going and then coming back with a vengeance.I have all the symptoms you describe plus a rage against practically everything and everyone that is so out of character for me. I went to my Gynae three weeks ago and she started me on Eostrogen Gel mornings ,Progesterone tablets at night and a hormonal cream for the vaginal dryness.I already feel better and not so angry all the time.Agree with everyone that quality of life is important and I hope this is just the start of me feeling like the person i once was.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to look into HRT. It's REALLY difficult to get hold of the GP though. So frustrating.