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.

I’ve just noticed your comment @Newgirls about it being a myth that eventually symptoms go. I’d be interested in your figures on this.
I don’t think anyone knows! That is the sort of thing that would be worth knowing!
Won’t the symptoms return if you are on HRT and are told to stop after a time ?
I read a comment in the guardian that really made me think. This reader said once the symptoms faded ( and it seems they do for most people) a wonderful clarity appeared as the hormone fluctuations had stopped. That is worth looking forward to ! Esp no more PMT

I’m not sure what % of women take HRT but I’ve a feeling it’s low.
I saw what you said about Japan and how there is little menopause industry there. It’s interesting. Is it diet, is it cultural?

[quote Taketheredpill]@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]
Most of this thread @Taketheredpill is a showing how little most GPs know about HRT, hence the praise for the TV prog.
This forum has posts day after day where women are misinformed by Drs and come here asking for clarification.

Posters don't need to be medically qualified to read and post guidance from NICE and the BMS, or refer to other sources where menopause doctors give their advice. Often the 'advice' of GPs is contradictory to NICE and the BMS.

Nick Panay - featured on the Davina prog- is one of the world's foremost menopause specialists. He runs the meno clinic at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as well as his own private practice.

In an interview online (I can link if you wish) he was asked if he would give HRT to women without symptoms but who wanted to prevent some of the diseases the menopause can bring in the long term. The answer was YES (as long as they understand the small risks.)

However, you average GP who has had 1 hr of menopause training at med school would not go that far.

What is clear is that many millions of women are being let down and denied the right treatment because of Gp's lack of training.

You might like to read some info because, there is no time limit on the use of HRT- it is no longer 'as short a time as possible.' Both NICE and the BMS say there are no time limits on its use and women well into old age take it.

I’d be interested in your figures on this. I don’t think anyone knows! That is the sort of thing that would be worth knowing!

it's about 20% - symptoms lasting for more than 10 or 15 years, so until the 70s or later. My own consultant says some women never get rid of symptoms.

You might find it really informative to spend a day or longer reading all the fact sheets and articles, podcasts and videos on the website of Dr Louise Newson. masses of experts there. Her own mother is interviewed about her long term use of HRT. All very interesting :)

@Taketheredpill

I’ve just noticed your comment *@Newgirls* about it being a myth that eventually symptoms go. I’d be interested in your figures on this. I don’t think anyone knows! That is the sort of thing that would be worth knowing! Won’t the symptoms return if you are on HRT and are told to stop after a time ? I read a comment in the guardian that really made me think. This reader said once the symptoms faded ( and it seems they do for most people) a wonderful clarity appeared as the hormone fluctuations had stopped. That is worth looking forward to ! Esp no more PMT

I’m not sure what % of women take HRT but I’ve a feeling it’s low.
I saw what you said about Japan and how there is little menopause industry there. It’s interesting. Is it diet, is it cultural?

Have you watched the davina tv prog? It says how many women take hrt etc

Loads of info in the Maisie Hill book Peri
Meno Power - so worth reading up on it.

The title of the tv prog includes Myths and it’s there for a reason. There is so much muddle around this subject. Many of us ‘learn’ from mums/older women and it’s just not accurate or up to date, just for starters.

Red pill your Q about symptons returning. Depends what you mean by symptoms? Hot flushes? Bone deterioration? There are so many symptoms related to hormone levels changing that it’s impossible to know where to start. Some women may never get hot flushes but their bones may suffer over time. Women have more dementia and heart problems than men. There is some though very limited research into this. It might be hormone loss related - still to be determined which is shocking when it has such an impact on women (and the nhs).

@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?

@MissScotland101 if you're planning on discussing HRT with your GP you might find this booklet useful. If you're still having periods the way you take HRT differs to those over who are at least 1 year post last period. d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/449/Menopause%20and%20HRT%20v15-03.pdf

For vaginal dryness and irritation have a look at this booklet which explains that local estrogen can be more effective in helping with this, plus there's little systemic absorption. It's usually in cream or vaginal pessary form. A good moisturiser is also really helpful internally and externally d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/463/Vaginal%20Dryness%20v21-02.pdf

On stopping HRT, if doing this it needs to be stopped slowly as if someone goes cold turkey they can experience stronger menopausal symptoms.

@MissScotland101 The idea of symptoms coming back after stopping hrt is covered in one of the many fact sheets on the website of Louise Newson.
The answer is.....if symptoms are still there when stopping hrt, they would have been there all along (without hrt.) So hrt does not 'delay' the menopause, it just treats symptoms while it's being used.

Regarding stopping hrt, the latest advice is to stop slowly over several months, because some research has shown that there is a risk of blood clotting if it is stopped abruptly.

This has been really interesting and thanks for the links to booklets etc

My GP has said the decision to start HRT is mine but she wouldn’t give me any info on the pros and cons and referred me to the menopause matters website. Given how often we’re told not to rely on info from the web, it’s strange that a GP would palm someone off with a website instead of explaining pros and cons, particularly in light of knowing about my medical background and any potential problems or risks that may be heightened as a result.

@GCAutist

This has been really interesting and thanks for the links to booklets etc

My GP has said the decision to start HRT is mine but she wouldn’t give me any info on the pros and cons and referred me to the menopause matters website. Given how often we’re told not to rely on info from the web, it’s strange that a GP would palm someone off with a website instead of explaining pros and cons, particularly in light of knowing about my medical background and any potential problems or risks that may be heightened as a result.

Menopause Matters is a website set up by a gynae consultant. The info on it is fine, and medically correct, but it doesn't replace the role of your GP. NICE states very clearly that the patient /dr role has to be one of a partnership where women's needs, risks and benefits, and opinions are discussed.

If GPs aren’t trained (as pointed out on the davina show and many other places) at least sending you to more info is a start.

They need more training. Perhaps they all need a day or two off to take the training. Would prob save the nhs a fortune down the line in heart/bone meds etc

@GCAutist

This has been really interesting and thanks for the links to booklets etc

My GP has said the decision to start HRT is mine but she wouldn’t give me any info on the pros and cons and referred me to the menopause matters website. Given how often we’re told not to rely on info from the web, it’s strange that a GP would palm someone off with a website instead of explaining pros and cons, particularly in light of knowing about my medical background and any potential problems or risks that may be heightened as a result.

Your GP should have asked you questions about your symptoms and reasons for starting HRT and also taken any particular risk factors that there might be in your taking HRT. Maybe there were none that needed mentioning in your case?

I think referring to a reliable website isn’t that bad an idea tbh as you can then take your time in learning what you want - choices of HRT, taking it long term, other options like local treatment for vaginal atrophy, benefits of doing resistance exercise and so on.

This goes into some of the pros and cons d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/449/Menopause%20and%20HRT%20v15-03.pdf