Why did you decide on HRT? What difference has it made? Is it all good news?

[BergenLane]

A friend suggested I might benefit, but tbh I know very little. Any advice appreciated whilst I do some reading.

I was numb, had free floating anxiety, and worse, intrusive thoughts about ligature suspension points, felt no joy in life, joints aching, and last but not least my libido (both interest in and physical ability to have sex) vanished. I love my DH dearly and the thought of having no more sex ever, in my late 40s, was what made me see the GP.
The night sweats were gross but didn't bother me much!
Took the first tablet 10pm. 10:30pm, felt like myself again. Within two weeks I had a libido back (a different one, interestingly, odd but I wasn't complaining!) and didn't feel "super old" any more.
Bloody marvellous.
Lucky I know!

@HeartZone

You don't have to stop taking it though I’d like to hear more about this please? I love my HRT My sister ( who suffered, never took HRT) always says’ wait til you come off it, then you’ll go through what I did,’ Surely this can’t be true, it doesn’t just delay the process? Do we take it for ever? Thanks for any advice.

Have a listen to this: www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/096-i-have-taken-hrt-for-nearly-50-years-and-wont-ever-stop-it-kay-anderson-and-dr-louise-newson

And this ;

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/039-oestrogen-matters-avrum-bluming-dr-louise-newson

'Took the first tablet 10pm. 10:30pm, felt like myself again'

Great that you're mh is better and you aren't feeling suicidal , but hrt does not work in half an hour. It takes weeks if not months. Which would suggest it has had a placebo effect. Of course continue taking it if you wish but it seems the change in how you felt was brought about by you not medication. The reason I'm pointing this is so you don't feel totally dependent on it.

The links are always featuring Dr Newson, the private Dr who benefits financially from more customers.

I do wish there was an NHS consultant without a private menopause clinic and financial interest who would offer a balanced, unbiased opinion.

I believe that Dr Newson is currently working with the nhs to improve treatment for all? But yes we shouldn't have to pay.

The menopause network on fb is helpful. They give lots of advice around how to speak to gps. Diane has a good YouTube channel too and gave evidence to a HoC select committee last week (possibly with Davina?)

There is an NHS menopause specialist - I can't remember his name though! Someone will be along soon who does.

I think the reason Louise Newson set it up is because despite the need for nhs menopause clinics around the country, there aren't enough. Apparently she tried to set it up via the NHS but there was no funding. She is campaigning for better nhs knowledge and training and has set up the menopause charity too. Honestly HRT has been a game changer for me and I think every woman should be able to make an informed choice about it. However the limited resources of the NHS don't stretch this far as someone , somewhere has decided that having 50% of the population experiencing a hormone deficiency for over 1/3 of their lifetime is perfectly acceptable.

@BatshitCrazyWoman

There is an NHS menopause specialist - I can't remember his name though! Someone will be along soon who does.

Nick Panay?

Yes but he has a private clinic too. Many do, which is of course fine but you can't help feeling when they have a financial interest they of course will be keen to get new customers.

@JaniieJones

The links are always featuring Dr Newson, the private Dr who benefits financially from more customers.

I do wish there was an NHS consultant without a private menopause clinic and financial interest who would offer a balanced, unbiased opinion.

You can check out Dr Bella Smith. She's an NHS GP and does a lot of Instagram talks etc on perimenopause. She's @thedigitalgp on Instagram

Actually this specific video from Dr Bella Smith is on how long you can stay on HRT

www.instagram.com/p/B9hbzEiAY3W/?utm_medium=copy_link

Thanks @Fizzgigg I'll have a look at that.

I do wish there was an NHS consultant without a private menopause clinic and financial interest who would offer a balanced, unbiased opinion.

Unless someone has very particularly complicated medical needs, your GP should be able to work with you on the menopause and HRT.

Menopause specialists do not automatically prescribe HRT. They are likely to suggest lifestyle changes first and even complementary remedies if that's your preference- they know about all of what is out there that might help.

Doctors work within a strict code of ethics. They would not be working ethically if they were biased or had an opinion that wasn't backed up by science. They don't simply offer HRT, or any treatment, without discussing what you want and what may suit you.

Many specialists do work in the NHS - your GP could refer you @JaniieJones
to the Chelsea and Westminster meno clinic if you have a medical history they can't manage.

Thank you, this is such interesting information and I recognise some of the symptoms.

I did try by GP, who only focussed on my lack of sleep and suggested nothing more than over the counter sleeping tablets. Disappointing.

Did anyone have to try different types of hrt before finding success? I'm 7 weeks in on a body identical spray and nothing has changed.

Thanks, very helpful thread!

I think I'm early perimenopause (also winding down bf a toddler) and have found magnesium glycinate and taurine extremely helpful for sleep. And a good ferritin level is supposed to be helpful too. But I don't think anything really beats hrt if you are in peri menopause or menopause.

I'm new to HRT having been in the menopause (no periods) for 4 years. I thought I was pretty much sailing through it because I had no hot flushes, but decided to try it a month ago I feel better already. I had really dry skin and that has disappeared, my sleep is a lot better and that's just after 4 weeks. Only downside is a little weight gain but I'm sure that will level off.

Has anyone benefitted from HRT if they didn't experience night sweats as a symptom? I'm 45 and my main symptom was low energy and anxiety. I already take b12 which made no difference. I've been taking HRT for a few weeks and feel better but wondering if it may be a placebo affect!

Good fact sheet on hrt and sleep, also mentions magnesium. Glycinate is best as the glycine also helps sleep.

Taurine is supposed to help GABA as this sheet describes progesterone doing.

d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/562/Sleep%20and%20hormones%20v21-02.pdf

I was having hot flushes and it solved those but I was putting on a lot of weight so I stopped after three months. Now lost the weight again but flushes haven't yet returned!

All Dr Newson's fact sheets - loads!

https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/resources/booklets-fact-sheets

I've only recently found them and they're really useful and easy to understand. The histamine one was interesting; it was mentioned to me a while ago as a possible ibs cause. I don't think it is and it's settled now wrestle my dark chocolate out of my cold dead hands but I've never read such a good explanation, and know someone with mast cell issues who laments the care in the U.K. for histamine issues.

(Although I do have issues with chicken sometimes which might explain it 🤔 .)

@whatthejiggeries

I was having hot flushes and it solved those but I was putting on a lot of weight so I stopped after three months. Now lost the weight again but flushes haven't yet returned!

Funnily enough my mum said a short trial of hrt sorted out the hot flushes. She stopped it because of the scare stories at the time.

@Cozytoesandtoast00

Has anyone benefitted from HRT if they didn't experience night sweats as a symptom? I'm 45 and my main symptom was low energy and anxiety. I already take b12 which made no difference. I've been taking HRT for a few weeks and feel better but wondering if it may be a placebo affect!

Me - never had night sweats or hot flushes. Feel a lot better even after just a month. My skin not being dry any more is definitely not placebo!