Has anyone gone through menopause without hrt

[Jakc]

I’m due to get radical hysterectomy but for medical reasons won’t be able to take HRT afterwards and due to the op will obviously be thrown straight in to menopause. Really scared to be honest about how I’ll cope with that

My mum and her mum both had HRT. Both got breast cancer (assumed as a result). I'm in the enviable position of knowing that both these women had symptoms sufficient enough to warrant HRR but hat I cannot have it myself due to risk of cancer. Yay!

Me. I found the emotional symptoms worse than the physical symptoms. Anxiety, insomnia, feeling like I had no resilience. I had hot flushes for a while but they went eventually. My doctor was very keen for me to go on HRT. She took it herself, but I didn't want it. At some point you have to come off it and then the symptoms return. I just wanted to get through it.

Me - but because I couldn’t get on with hrt pills and I just couldn’t get a repeat prescription easily from any chemist.
Actually felt better for no longer messing around and just letting my body do it’s natural thing. I haven’t suffered and it’s nearly 30+ years since having a radical hysterectomy.

At some point you have to come off it and then the symptoms return. I just wanted to get through it.

You don't ever have to come off HRT. Read the latest guidance. Women can choose to stay on it for life, as many do. (They just don't post on Mumsnet.)

The symptoms don't return unless you would have them anyway.

This 'myth' of it putting off symptoms is covered in the FAQ on Dr Louise Newson's website. In other words, HRT prevents the symptoms, if you stop the symptoms you have would have been there anyway with no HRT. It doesn't 'delay' symptoms till you stop.

@supadupapupascupa No one will ever know what caused that cancer in your family. Have you had a genetic test for it? It's purely your choice, but many drs would give you HRT. The research now points to it feeding an existing cancer that would have been there anyway, not causing it. (This is from the website Menopause Matters, written by a consultant meno gynae.)

Currently, the stats for BC are 4 extra cases per 1000 women, over a 5 year period. Being overweight, gives 28 more cases in the same timescale, so put it into perspective.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone to use HRT but for other women reading, it's important to know the recent stats and research.

Yes no hrt here.
Few hot flushes but ok otherwise.

so put it into perspective- I meant TO put it into perspective.

Me. Sailed through it relatively, a few minor issues.

No HRT here. Really didn't notice the menopause. Just feel so much better not having to deal with periods and contraception!

@JinglingHellsBells

At some point you have to come off it and then the symptoms return. I just wanted to get through it.

You don't ever have to come off HRT. Read the latest guidance. Women can choose to stay on it for life, as many do. (They just don't post on Mumsnet.)

The symptoms don't return unless you would have them anyway.

This 'myth' of it putting off symptoms is covered in the FAQ on Dr Louise Newson's website. In other words, HRT prevents the symptoms, if you stop the symptoms you have would have been there anyway with no HRT. It doesn't 'delay' symptoms till you stop.

@supadupapupascupa No one will ever know what caused that cancer in your family. Have you had a genetic test for it? It's purely your choice, but many drs would give you HRT. The research now points to it feeding an existing cancer that would have been there anyway, not causing it. (This is from the website Menopause Matters, written by a consultant meno gynae.)

Currently, the stats for BC are 4 extra cases per 1000 women, over a 5 year period. Being overweight, gives 28 more cases in the same timescale, so put it into perspective.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone to use HRT but for other women reading, it's important to know the recent stats and research.

I'm not an expert at all, but I have been told by my dr no HRT. Also by family history clinic I attend -no HRT..... not had genetic testing but both had same cancer, same breast, same age. Uncanny really. I've got 6 years to go......

My GP wouldn't prescribe HRT. I took menopace for the flushes (seemed to help). My main symptoms were inability to control my weight, sleepless nights, fatigue and anxiety. And overactive bladder, which I insist is a symptom but I can't get anyone to agree on. .

I never had night sweats. I still get the anxiety (particularly at night). I'm always fighting weight gain.

I didnt need any, so I consider myself very very lucky. Who has told you you cant take HRT? I’m sure I read on here recently how someone’s oncologist said not to have it, but then the gynaecologist (Or whoever dealt with menopause) said that its not always the case that HRT is contra indicated following cancer.

Never needed it. Thinking about a worry can make me go a bit warm but that's it.

There were 2 reports in 2002 and 2005 linking HRT with cancer. As a result lots of women stopped taking it and globally breast cancer rates dropped. On the face of it that looks to back up the link but who knows? I think a lot of it depends on your and your family's medical history.

What supplements are you all taking for peri?

DM did, for about 3/4 years she was interesting to say the least, very emotional/up and down, impulsive, shouty and she isn't usually, lots of hot flushes, difficulty sleeping and recurrent thrush (thanks for the TMI mum). She wasn't against HRT just in denial about being menopausal, she jokes about it now, but my poor dad....

I had a complete hysterectomy at age 36. I was having HRT implant for about 18 months after. I then suffered breast lumps that had to dispersed. It was recommended by GP that I don’t have HRT in any form.

That was at least 15 years ago. Apart from feeling tired on times I have no health problems.

It's dementia that worries me most of all.

No HRT here. Periods stopped 8 years ago.

Not one side effect.

No HRT here either, 7 years post menopause .. of course a lot of women have mild menopausal symptoms which makes life easier without HRT, i was a middle range - hot flushes, night sweats, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, palpitations, itchy dry skin etc.. but managed to get through mainly because i have Fibroids that were causing me really big problems and knew shrinkage without hormones was quite usual, i wasnt going to 'feed' the buggers with HRT So far so good (touch wood)

I’m 58, breast cancer so HRT not appropriate. My GP prescribed alternative medication for my only symptom (heavy sweats, day and night) which works perfectly. I don’t know for sure, but would imagine there are medications to help to deal with most individual symptoms.

(Paroxetine for sweating, if that helps)

I love how so many of you list your debilitating symptoms, then say “ and other than those, I’m fine” Seriously?? Menopause can be brutal post hysterectomy! Your body needs oestrogen to function. Read Oestrogen Matters. A dry but essential read in my view.

Few women cannot take some type of Hrt. Admittedly it isn’t for everyone , but why suffer when you don’t have to? Transdermal is the safest.

Post hysterectomy, I reckon my body would be screaming for hormones!

Early 30s and I had a hysterectomy last year, everything out so I'm in surgical menopause. Can't take HRT due to cancer. The hot flushes are hard but the anxiety has taken me by surprise. It's making work really difficult and my boss doesn't really get it. I've probably still got a couple of years of this....

Blitz unhelpful post there..

Sleep is pretty rubbish - wake up 10/12 times and have bouts of being awake usually around 3ish for an hour or so.

Wow, 10-12 times a night?? Doesn't sound fine to me? Do you work?

But a lot of women seem to make visiting the GP a hobby in their later years.

Really? Have you any idea how debilitating the menopause can be for some women (not all)? Women unable to work, function, sleep, make rational decisions - the list goes on. They are not making visiting a their GP a' hobby,' they are desperate women who wish to have some quality of life!

I am a breast survivor and underwent brutal treatment to save my life. Now aged 50, I am in the hell of menopause. I visit my GP, not because it is a 'hobby' of mine, but because I did not wish to survive treatment, to spend the rest of my life, hot, sleep deprived and anxious.

Be careful with those flippant comments!