Sex, Myths and the Menopause

[over50andfab]

Not to be missed - on tonight Channel 4 at 9pm. This programme will debunk many myths and address the lack of updated knowledge and support from many GPs and other HCPs.

Davina McCall had been doing loads of work in this area recently. This programme should raise awareness that specific GP training should be mandatory, seeing that half the population will go through this at some point.

Im nearly 51 and the thing i take is progesterone only pill to avoid (v heavy) periods. Feel like id know if i needed to be on hrt.

@Selkie1961

Im nearly 51 and the thing i take is progesterone only pill to avoid (v heavy) periods. Feel like id know if i needed to be on hrt.

This depends on if you feel you’d benefit. At 51 I also had very heavy periods (though eventually had a Mirena coil put in a few years later which stopped them completely). I wouldn’t have considered HRT while having regular periods but no menopause symptoms at that point.

If you’re peri-menopausal and have symptoms or there’s another reason eg as mentioned in this thread if you have osteopenia/osteoporosis it can help
menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MENOPAUSE-SYMPTOM-CHECKER-Nov-20.pdf

@Dontsayyouloveme I do take Vit D.

Just watched it

That study stopped my mum taking HRT amd it siunds mad!

I wonder if anyone can help with a Pill relayed question, I haven't any replies. Hope it's okay to link.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4246200-Combined-pill

I was unsure after watching the programme what I should do and when to look after my health through peri menopause. I’m mid 40s, no symptoms yet, noticed cycle starting to change though. Are there lifestyle things I could do now to help get into the best shape, and if I don’t have problem symptoms is it still worth knowing what my hormone levels are and trying to access preventative hrt at the appropriate time?

Lifestyle stuff - focus on great sleep for mental health eg cut back on caffeine and alcohol. Exercise eg yoga for stress but also hiit etc for bone health.

Track you cycle on an app as that can be very revealing on sleep, well-being etc

Not sure if nhs would test your hormone levels but you could privately. Cycle tracking can give you a lot of insight

@Brown76

I was unsure after watching the programme what I should do and when to look after my health through peri menopause. I’m mid 40s, no symptoms yet, noticed cycle starting to change though. Are there lifestyle things I could do now to help get into the best shape, and if I don’t have problem symptoms is it still worth knowing what my hormone levels are and trying to access preventative hrt at the appropriate time?

The best you can now and long term is a healthy diet, and lots of exercise.

It's a bit pointless testing your hormones because in peri meno they can change hourly and daily. What would that show you anyway? You will know from your periods and symptoms if you are approaching menopause.

There is little hope that an NHS GP would prescribe HRT as a preventative, unless for example there was a family or personal history of osteoporosis, for which it is licensed.

If you want to use hrt as a preventative, you would need to see a private consultant who believes in prescribing it that way. (Not all do or would.)

[quote Ostara212]Just watched it

That study stopped my mum taking HRT amd it siunds mad!

I wonder if anyone can help with a Pill relayed question, I haven't any replies. Hope it's okay to link.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4246200-Combined-pill[/quote]
Posted on your other thread.

Not completely sure what you were asking but hope it's clear!

@Brown76

I was unsure after watching the programme what I should do and when to look after my health through peri menopause. I’m mid 40s, no symptoms yet, noticed cycle starting to change though. Are there lifestyle things I could do now to help get into the best shape, and if I don’t have problem symptoms is it still worth knowing what my hormone levels are and trying to access preventative hrt at the appropriate time?

Once 45+ it’s expected that we’d be approaching menopause so symptoms are used rather than blood tests (as recommended in the NICE Menopause Guidelines).

I posted a link upthread to a symptom checker. You might also find this booklet helpful d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/499/Living%20Well%20through%20your%20perimenopause%20and%20menopause%20v15-03.pdf

@Newgirls

So true Jingling.

Women may end up with heart meds and other medical interventions so surely prevention is better anyway? (And prob cheaper for the nhs).

@newgirls, If you read the NICE guidelines , they clearly state that HRT medication should not be given as a preventative. This is because HRT medication carries with it risk . It is a careful balance for a dr and a patient.

I started HRT just under 2 years ago. I so wish I had started taking it as soon as I experienced the anxiousness, anger and insomnia! It has transformed my life, I am now 'me' again. I will be advising my daughter to watch the programme so that she has the awareness that I so sadly lacked about menopause. It is not something we should 'just put up with'!

This thread is amazing as I too feel I’m in perimenopause but because I’m under 45 then I’m getting blood tests done this week and then fuck it, I’m taking HRT, I’ve heard awful things about HRT but anything is better than the way I’m feeling now, I’ve had major anxiety, fleeting thoughts of suicide with such a low mood, itchy skin and especially on my vagina, and I much prefer wearing no knickers and loose bottoms until I get new pants as they’re all mainly thongs and they are so bloody uncomfy and make me itch like crazy, heart palpitations, and I just feel like shit and not myself.

I cannot believe women put up with this crap for years, so many women are against HRT because they say when you stop taking it then the symptoms come back again, but I have a pal that is on post menopausal meds yet I keep hearing conflicting stories about HRT and I don’t know what’s true.

Can you take HRT for life? I’ve heard yes and no..what’s the truth?

I will definitely be staying on HRT for life! I never want to endure the menopausal symptoms ever again.

@MissScotland101, don’t ask posters here - they aren’t medically qualified.
See your doctor and read as much as you can beforehand. You do not need to pay a private dr. You can ask to be referred to a menopause clinic , they are becoming more common.
You are confused because the situation is nuanced and changes rapidly.
It isn’t black and white . You may find that HRT is wonderful and you have no side effects. Even so, you will be told of risks that come with taking HRT. Some women prefer to accept those risks.
Some women have great initial benefit from HRT but if they must take progesterone ( if they have their womb), the progesterone can cause side effects .

Remember most people on this topic are having a difficult menopause . Some women don’t , just like some have easy pregnancies or little period pain.
Was it on this thread that some one said their friend felt great post menopause as hormone fluctuations reduced ? So true! And you never hear that

@MissScotland101

This thread is amazing as I too feel I’m in perimenopause but because I’m under 45 then I’m getting blood tests done this week and then fuck it, I’m taking HRT, I’ve heard awful things about HRT but anything is better than the way I’m feeling now, I’ve had major anxiety, fleeting thoughts of suicide with such a low mood, itchy skin and especially on my vagina, and I much prefer wearing no knickers and loose bottoms until I get new pants as they’re all mainly thongs and they are so bloody uncomfy and make me itch like crazy, heart palpitations, and I just feel like shit and not myself.

I cannot believe women put up with this crap for years, so many women are against HRT because they say when you stop taking it then the symptoms come back again, but I have a pal that is on post menopausal meds yet I keep hearing conflicting stories about HRT and I don’t know what’s true.

Can you take HRT for life? I’ve heard yes and no..what’s the truth?

Yes, you can. @MissScotland101

It's in the British Menopause Society consensus statement on their website. Basically it says there are no limits to how long women can stay on HRT. It's up to the woman once the risks v benefits have been discussed with her dr.

I can link to the page on that website if you want to read it.
My own consultant has women in their 90s on it, as does Nick Panay (he talks about this in a podcast with Liz Earle on her Wellbeing site if you want to listen- really good interview of an hour , answering ALL the questions that come up on here )

Was it on this thread that some one said their friend felt great post menopause as hormone fluctuations reduced ? So true! And you never hear that

Hormonal fluctuations (PMS) may well end, but a whole new load of symptoms come for 75% of women . Some last for a few years, some for ever (again, quoting menopause specialists with this.) Not my personal opinion.

Yes I would appreciate the link thanks.

@MissScotland101

Here is the link

BMS consensus statement on HRT

3/4s way down is the line 'Arbitrary limits should not be put on ....'

[quote Taketheredpill]@MissScotland101, don’t ask posters here - they aren’t medically qualified.
See your doctor and read as much as you can beforehand. You do not need to pay a private dr. You can ask to be referred to a menopause clinic , they are becoming more common.
You are confused because the situation is nuanced and changes rapidly.
It isn’t black and white . You may find that HRT is wonderful and you have no side effects. Even so, you will be told of risks that come with taking HRT. Some women prefer to accept those risks.
Some women have great initial benefit from HRT but if they must take progesterone ( if they have their womb), the progesterone can cause side effects .

Remember most people on this topic are having a difficult menopause . Some women don’t , just like some have easy pregnancies or little period pain.
Was it on this thread that some one said their friend felt great post menopause as hormone fluctuations reduced ? So true! And you never hear that[/quote]
Are you medically trained red pill?

It is well known that if you still have periods you also take progesterone - it’s in the bio-identical patches.

I think someone with a family history of osteoporosis and strokes etc should talk to a gp about hrt and keep an eye on the situation.

Also it’s a myth that it’s about a year or two of symptoms and some women are fine. Fluctuating and falling hormone levels continue for LIFE and even if a women doesn’t have flushes or other classic symptoms stuff is happening inside eg losing bone density.

I recommend Maisie Hills Peri Meno Power book for a very balanced medical view on this inc diet, exercise, herbals and the variety of hormone products out there.

Brilliant programme, hats off to her as she was advised not to do it.
I take menopace and calcium supplements religiously, I seem to be doing ok going through the menopause but obviously have no idea if it's the supplements or a bit of luck!

@Newgirls

Red clover is prob a bit like soya products. If you’ve eaten them all your life you might get benefits but if you are considering this age 48 prob a bit late!

That's interesting, I've drank soya milk for over a decade and I'm veggie so my diet is soya rich - I'm now wondering if that is helping me?

Apparently countries with diets high in soya eg Japan have very low meno symptoms. They are also slimmer than us and have more fish and veg in their diets so it’s prob all related.

No idea how soya rich soya milk is? Tofu etc prob even better?

@Newgirls

Apparently countries with diets high in soya eg Japan have very low meno symptoms. They are also slimmer than us and have more fish and veg in their diets so it’s prob all related.

No idea how soya rich soya milk is? Tofu etc prob even better?

You need to eat an awful lot of soya to equal HRT. Also, it's not necessarily any safer. The situation with Asian countries is far more complex than just diet, although diet is a factor.

@Newgirls, if you re read my post you’ll see I was advising the poster to speak to her dr. I am not medically qualified - are you ? Are any of the regular posters here medically qualified ?
That was my point. There is a lot of recommending going on, based on what , I don’t know .
The whole area of menopause is very nuanced . Once HRT was heavily pushed, then it was off the table due to cancer fears, now it’s back but in a very measured way- to treat unmanageable symptoms for as short a time as possible .
I think someone upthread said HRT should be given as a preventative treatment for other diseases! This is the sort of comment which should give readers pause. Speak to a dr, speak to several, read the NICE guidelines-they do not recommend this.

[quote JinglingHellsBells]@MissScotland101

Here is the link

BMS consensus statement on HRT

3/4s way down is the line 'Arbitrary limits should not be put on ....'[/quote]
Thank you.