HRT when breastfeeding

[Pokhora]

Does anyone know if you can start HRT when breastfeeding? Amazingly I asked my GP and she did not seem to know. My LO is almost 2 but reluctant to wean completely. I would like to start HRT as soon as possible but obviously not if it has side effects for LO.

@JinglingHellsBells

That's really interesting *@wearyofwigan* that you have experience of so many women BF and on HRT - only 10% of women use HRT anyway, so they must be disproportionally represented and presumably new mums in their 40s perhaps?

Are you working in the UK as a gynae? Are you currently working in the NHS? (Just out of interest.)

I never quoted a number. Of course they are disproportionately represented because they are referred to a tertiary service (menopause clinic in a gynae department) so we would see a higher number of these patients than GPs.

Yes I work in the NHS and yes I work in the UK. I am not a consultant and menopause is not my specialist area and this being an online forum hence not being appropriate to give individual advice.

It's no skin off my nose if I'm not believed as my job continues and I get paid regardless.

The reason I queried it @wearyofwigan was your post said you were a gynaecologist. I though specialisms like that were synonymous with being a consultant. Forgive my ignorance. I assumed any dr who gave themselves a specialism, was a consultant.
And you said menopause isn't your area or specialism.

Hello @Pokhora I know this thread is a few years old but I'm in a similar situation to you and am interested to know what decision you made regarding HRT while breastfeeding, and whether it had any effects on your breast milk or LO?

Hi Bat88888 I ended up getting advice from Wendy Jones at the Breastfeedingnetwork who said there was no evidence of risk and sent me this link
https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/the-menopause-and-breastfeeding

I started HRT soon after and it has been so helpful. I also had a bone density scan which revealed osteopenia so I am glad I am on HRT. I carried on breastfeeding for another year whilst on HRT and did not notice any impact on milk supply or on LO.

Thanks so much for getting back to me @Pokhora , that's really helpful. I'm not as worried about my milk supply as I am about hormones passing to my LO via the breast milk as he's a boy. You've helped me a lot with your reply, thanks!