The ‘end ‘ of menopause

[Shellady]

Hi I am wondering about something I hear a lot from drs and on lots of ‘informative info where it talks about menopause symptoms lasting 5-10 years for most women . Several places talk about how women should stay on the hrt only as long as the symptoms last
I understand that restless sleep or hot flushes ‘may ‘ come to an end after those years but …….Considering vaginal atrophy and dryness can be very common symptoms how on earth can these symptoms just end ?
Am I missing something here ?

Wouldn’t someone coming off hrt just still be dealing with those symptoms ?

Yes. That's why I plan on taking HRT forever.

Liz Earle's mother has been prescribed HRT again to combat symptoms. I think she's in her late 70's.

@Learningatmyownpace

Yes. That's why I plan on taking HRT forever.

Yes I can totally understand but will drs actually prescribe it considering this seems to be the advice ( it’s even in my hrt brochure ) widespread belief that hrt is something only required temporarily?

I've been on HRT for 32 years (I'm ancient). No chance of me ever giving it up. I love not having what is after all a hormone deficiency which has huge disadvantages healthwise. If you have diabetes you replace the missing hormone insulin. Underactive thyroid you replace the missing hormone thyroxine. Menopause you replace the missing hormone oestrogen.
Why would I think of stopping the natural replacement hormone I can no longer produce? I don't want to start on the crippling path to osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, sleep problems, osteoarthritis. loss of libido, incontinence, prolapse, even Alzheimers is more common in oestrogen deficiency.
As far as aging is concerned, when my peers chose menopause they quickly aged more rapidly. In the last year I have been mistaken for the daughter of two different friends, one of the friends is 5 years younger than me!
Read the NICE guidelines on the menopause. It is the government's best practice guidelines for doctors in the UK. Widespread belief does not equate to facts I'm afraid. Doctors frequently need to be challenged on their outdated beliefs, particularly male doctors.

@Shellady Treatments like Ovestin and Vagifem can be used for life. Simply because vaginal atrophy never goes away.

I also know very old women who use it.

Yes, drs will prescribe forever, if they are enlightened.

There is a podcast interview with Nick Panay and Liz Earle where he says his patients in their 80s will 'kill him' if he takes away their HRT.

Most women find hot flushes end after perhaps 10-15 years but some find they have them forever (my own consultant told me this.)

The advice of the BMS is that there is no time limit for using hrt as long as for each woman, the benefits outweigh the risks.

@Esspee may I ask your age and if you are using combined HRT or just estrogen (perhaps after a hysterectomy)?

The risks of BC seem to be directly linked to some types of progestins but not with estrogen only.

(I'm mid 60s and started using it in early 50s.)

@Learningatmyownpace

Liz Earle's mother has been prescribed HRT again to combat symptoms. I think she's in her late 70's.

Dr Louise Newson's mum has used it for decades too- she must be late 70s or early 80s.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/032-taking-hrt-forever-ann-newson-dr-louise-newson

@JinglingHellsBells oestrogen only. Had my ovaries, womb and cervix removed at age 40.
I have a tiny pellet of oestrogen implanted under my skin twice a year then forget about it for the other 363 days.

Meant to say I'm a very young 72.

Thanks all . Great responses . Totally agree some drs need to be challenged… just disappointing that so many seem so lacking in knowledge around this

@Esspee

Meant to say I'm a very young 72.

There is no end to the menopause.
Oestrogen deficiency is for life.
Symptoms may dwindle over time, but VA, brittle bones and all that, doesn't improve.

Some women are on HRT for life, literally until the day they die.

Hrt is there for a reason. To help improve the quality of women's lives. Thank god I say, particuarly as the pension age for alot of women now, is something like 67/68!
:-)