HRT instead of what I’m currently being prescribed?

[FooFightersFan]

Hello. I’m sure lots of us are thinking about HRT after what was discussed in the recent Davina McCall programme about menopause. I certainly have.

I’m thinking of going to my GP to ask for HRT, but I feel a little anxious and as I fear that my request could be dismissed.

About 7 years ago I approached my GP because my PMT symptoms seemed to be out of control. I was constantly crying, having mood swings and rages and generally felt as though I was going crazy and found no longer cope with being me.

I was 44. GP was very sympathetic and advised I go on Fluoxetine 20mg and see how I got in. I did this a bit reluctantly as at the time I wasn’t keen on the idea of being on anti depressants.

A few weeks on and I saw a change in myself and I did feel better. Lots better and in more of an even keel. I was very happy.

Then my periods started to become erratic. Long periods of bleeding with a mix of light and heavy flow day to day. I may have a week or two without bleeding and then I was back to bleeding again. In true female style I shrugged and soldiered on.

The erratic bleeding continued for a couple of years and I constantly felt tired and deflated. At this point I decided I had had enough, and thought this possibly wasn’t normal so I spoke to another GP.

She arranged for blood tests to check my reproductive hormone levels and also my thyroid. The results indicated that oestrogen and progesterone were within normal limits but my thyroid was not working so well. It was the high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (THS) which was the concern. So I was prescribed a low dose of Thyroxine.

My energy improved and I felt better. I was also now entitled to free NHS prescriptions due to me taking thyroxine medication.

At the same time I referred to a gynaecologist for my bleeding issues.

This resulted in me going for a scan followed by a hysteroscopy to check for any issues inside my uterus. The results of the Hysteroscopy were that all was ok in there but they did ‘clean it up’ inside. I bled after that procedure but soon after I had my last period. And haven’t had another for at least 3 years.

A couple of years ago I had a very anxious time and wasn’t sleeping well so was prescribed Amitriptyline to take at night. It also works as a migraine prophylactic which was great because I’ve also suffered migraines for years and years.

So, now I’m on medication for my mood swings/anxiety, medication for my tiredness, and medication to help me sleep.

After a lot of thought and reflection after watching Davina, I had this moment where I thought “why am I on three drugs to mask the symptoms of menopause, when I could be taking HRT?” In addition to all of the above, I’m forgetful, have almost zero libido, have hot flushes or else feel freezing cold , and just generally feel ‘not me’.

Am I taking the piss by asking my GP to swap my 3 different meds for HRT? I want to feel confident before I have an appointment, so I won’t be easily put off the idea by my GP, if they don’t agree with what I’ve outlined.

My other point is that I’m receiving 3 different meds regularly for free! When I could be just taking one, which is be more than happy to pay for. It just seems bad economics on the part of the NHS.

Thank you if you’ve managed to read all of this, as it’s a long old story.

Any advice or shared experiences would be welcome.

It's definitely worth you speaking to a supportive GP but from what my GP told me when we had exactly that conversation last week, my guess is that you are post menopausal as you haven't had a period for three years. She told me there is a window of opportunity for going on HRT and sadly it might now not be right for you. But only the GP can go through what's best in your circumstances so please do make that appointment.

ThrowAwayName01
Thanks for replying.
Hmm what you’ve said your GP told you could be the worst case scenario I’m gutted because I saw two female GPs during all this and neither mentioned HRT as a possibility at the time or for the future.

No, not true.

It was believed 'a window of opportunity of TEN years', now you can take it after this time to good affect.

I was fully menopausal by 45, I took HRT around 46 onwards.

You are quite right in your thinking, take HRT for your health, your bones, your heart, your risk of stroke, your mood etc etc. You will feel (and be) so much better.

People take it in their 80's FFS. You are so young.

FWIW I felt fine until about 46, the menopause really started kicking in (am just 50 now and have upped my dose)

I am hoping that @jinglinghellsbells sees this post as she is super knowledgeable and kind and can explain these things much better than me.

She can give you facts and opinion. I am bumping this for you.

BillieSpain
Thanks for that! Another useful piece of info.

Yes it’s the holistic health benefits that are the selling point of HRT for me (now that I feel confident that the breast cancer warnings are not as horrific as research originally suggested). The bones, the brain, the heart. And besides, if my wonderfully clever body has been used to oestrogen and progesterone flowing around it for 40+ years, surely it will make it welcome again.

I don’t want to end up feeling as though I’m shrivelled and useless. I’m only 51!!!

Hi there @BillieSpain and @FooFightersFan

To be really blunt, at 44, your GP ought to have prescribed HRT then for low mood because the NICE guidelines (pinned head of this section here) say clearly that women ought t be given HRT first not ADs.

At 44, you were just 'on the cusp' of the age for carrying out additional tests, rather than going straight for HRT ( blood tests not recommended after 45 if menopausal symptoms are obvious.)

It's good that your thyroid issue was sorted BUT at that point when your periods went awry, your GP ought to have joined the dots and linked that plus low mood and tried you with HRT.

The odd bleeding also sounds like typical peri meno and it's not normal practice to do investigations if women are in peri meno and their periods are all over the place. Hospitals would have queus miles long if every woman with erratic or heavy periods in her 40s went through those tests. (Having said that there are some issues that do need investigating.)

Insomnia is one of THE worst symptoms of menopause - I had it and it was one reason why I went on HRT. (I've been on it now for around 12 years and when I tried to stop my insomnia came back within days.)

So yes, in my opinion, you ought to ask for HRT. It's not too late at all. Many women don't start will their early or mid 50s anyway.

It may well help your migraines, your sleep and your moods.
I have migraine but have hardly any episodes on HRT and they are all linked to certain triggers (lack of food, stress, loss of sleep.)

If you are still with the same GP you may not get anywhere so be prepared to be assertive.

@JinglingHellsBells
Thank you that’s really good information.

I kick myself now, because with hindsight it seems more obvious that this was the peri menopausal path I was heading along. But equally, you’d think that two female GPs may have been a little more switched on. One is a similar age to me and the other about 10 years older than me. Regardless, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes.

But I do feel a growing confidence to tackle this with my GP now.

With regard a the bleeding and the hysteroscopy, I have learned very recently that this was not standard procedure. The Mirena coil was mentioned as a solution to the bleeding, but I was not keen because I’d read (on Mumsnet) that once it’s in, there was a reluctance to remove it even if you were having problems. So the hysteroscopy was offered and I took that option. And the D&C obviously solved my erratic bleeding.

My triggers for migraines are usually lack of sleep or generally doing too much until
I’m exhausted. So improved sleep does keep them under control. Which HRT could be help with.

This is looking like a no brained now!

*no brainer

It may well have been your odd bleeding was going to stop anyway. A D&C just removes the top layer of the womb lining. It grows back each month. A D&C is usually done for pathology reasons, not to stop bleeding unless there is a diagnosis of polyps which they'd snip out.

I don't think there is any link between female drs being 'good' and male drs being' bad' for women's issues. Most of the best menopause specialists in the UK are actually men - who want to help women. :)

Your drs do seem to have been a bit remiss with what they offered you. some just will not offer hrt even when the need is staring them in the face.

I hope you get on ok.

Well, today I managed to get a telephone appointment with GP. And it was successful! I’m now waiting on a prescription for HRT patches. I’m stunned it was so simple. And very excited too! Can’t wait to collect my patches 🙌

yay! Great it's worked out.

That’s great.

I actually have a mirena alongside œstrogel. It works well.