HRT and risk of bowel and breast cancer.

[Metropolismoon]

I’m wide awake most nights in the early hours with a knot in my stomach, waves of heat and dripping in sweat. Hot flushes throughout the day. I’ve checked my blood pressure a few times and it’s higher than it used to be, but I never feel completely relaxed any more, always on edge.
I run a few times a week but that doesn’t seem to be keeping symptoms at bay any more.
I’m sure that HRT would be hugely beneficial for the symptoms I have but my mother died of bowel cancer and I recently read that there is a link between high levels of oestrogen, bowel and breast cancer.
My mother was still on HRT when she died at 71 which I expect was far too long. She was also overweight and drank several units of alcohol per week. I am fairly trim and don’t drink.
I’d love to take HRT (and feel like Davina!) but would it be too risky being as my mother died of bowel cancer and I suffer from migraines?

Sorry you are in such a sate OP.

There is so much to say to help but the best way is for you to take some time reading medical sites.

The best are those of

Dr Louise Newson (go to Resources on the menu tab and see fact sheets and videos)

Menopause Matters (HRT section on right hand side of page)

Women's Health Concern

As for the risks, HRT actually reduces/ protects against bowel cancer. This is in all the stats so not sure how you read something else.

The latest research shows that estrogen and micronised progesterone (Utrogestan) is safe re breasts for at least 5 years (and maybe much longer.)

This is on the website of Dr Newson as well as out there in research papers if you want to google.

Obviously the best way to protect yourself from bowel cancer is to see your GP and ask for screening re your family history. You might be eligible for a colonoscopy at a certain age.

The above post says it all but yes HRT actually helps to protect against bowel cancer. Your knowledge is based on outdated views. My Mum, Gran and uncle all died of bowel cancer and that’s one of the reasons I take HRT - I’m in early menopause, started aged 37 due to autoimmune disease.

There is no such thing as being on HRT too long either - people can literally stay on it until they die now.

The menopause doctor website is great for free up to date information.

Thank you both so much for such helpful advice. Very reassuring. I will read what you’ve recommended.
Do any of you have any views or experience of taking HRT with a migraine history? My GP seemed a bit dubious when I asked about it a few years ago (before the menopause).

I've been getting ocular migraine this year, & am now on hrt, as of this week. No-one has mentioned it causing me more issues.

There was an interesting programme on C5 last night, which was saying hormonal changes affect migraine.

Hi, my doctor also refused to prescribe HRT a few years ago due to my migraines, but I am now on transdermal hrt which is perfectly safe. I had mine prescribed by NHS consultant who works privately, GP has now taken over prescriptions.

The GP said the new iteration of my migraines was hormonal changes.

I’m in my late 60s and intend to keep taking HRT indefinitely. The benefits for me are huge and any risks negligible in comparison.
Interestingly I had my Mirena replaced a couple of months ago - it had been left for more than the recommended 4 years for HRT - and the unpleasant joint and muscle pains I had put down to ageing have reduced considerably since.
I have never suffered from migraines though.

@Metropolismoon I have had migraine since I was around 11 years old.

It wasn't even a question that was asked by my meno consultant because it's not contraindicated. The Migraine Trust has a section on this which confirms that. Transdermal estrogen (gel or patch does not have risks of blood clots.)

I find my migraine is triggered by events which I can control to an extent- lack of food (!) and stressful events.

I think one reason that GPs shy away from HRT re. migraine is that they think HRT is the same as the Pill. It's not.

It's a far lower dose (HRT doesn't ever get our estrogen levels up to where they were before) and it's made from natural substances (yams) whereas the Pill is a synthetic product very different from our own estrogen.

Thanks for these wonderfully helpful replies. I’m so grateful. I’ve joined the Balance app so that’s a start.

It’s very reassuring and informative to hear all of your experiences.

Well I’ve finally got my prescription, Evorel 50 patches and Utrogestan 100mg capsules.

However, I haven’t started them yet as the Utrogestan instructions on the box are different from the leaflet in the box.

The instructions on the box say to take two at night on day 16 to 28 of each 28 day cycle. In the leaflet the instructions say to take two capsules on day 15 to 26 of your 28 day cycle.

Does anyone know why this might be?

Also, having read previous threads about the side effects from the oral route, I’m wondering if the vaginal route might be more suitable. Can someone please confirm the dose? Terrible experience going through puberty, HG with both pregnancies, PMT, migraines...

My last ‘proper’ period would have been about a year ago, although I had a very light (couple of days) pinkish sort of period around March this year.

Can't help with your last post as I'm on different meds. But I've not had a migraine since starting HRT a couple of months ago. Very, very happy with how it's going.

Good luck.

Thanks for the encouragement Wombat49.

@Metropolismoon

Well I’ve finally got my prescription, Evorel 50 patches and Utrogestan 100mg capsules.

However, I haven’t started them yet as the Utrogestan instructions on the box are different from the leaflet in the box.

The instructions on the box say to take two at night on day 16 to 28 of each 28 day cycle. In the leaflet the instructions say to take two capsules on day 15 to 26 of your 28 day cycle.

Does anyone know why this might be?

Also, having read previous threads about the side effects from the oral route, I’m wondering if the vaginal route might be more suitable. Can someone please confirm the dose? Terrible experience going through puberty, HG with both pregnancies, PMT, migraines...

My last ‘proper’ period would have been about a year ago, although I had a very light (couple of days) pinkish sort of period around March this year.

@Metropolismoon the days you take it- it really doesn't matter.

I am on a different type of cycle (with a consultant) and as long as I take 12 days ever so many weeks (my choice when, within reason) it's ok.

The odd day you mention is not an issue.

The main thing is to create a bleed, once every month (or less if that's what a dr suggests) so don't overthink it.

Have been on Evorel 100mcg for 12yrs. No issues. Had hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy at 33 due to borderline ovarian tumors. The risk-benefit may be different as I don't take progesterone. The consultant said I should take it until the "normal" age of menopause onset...presume sometime in my 50s. I do worry somewhat about the length of time I have been on it but hoping that it is having more protective than detrimental effects.

I'm on a different type of HRT (on my first cycle). If it was me, I'd go with progesterone on days 16-28. I think that's 13 days rather than 12 days on days 15-26. I'd do this as it'll be easier to track. You are taking progesterone to stop the lining of your womb from thickening too much from the estrogen and so should have a bleed at some point days 3 -7ish of your estrogen only days.

Thanks for the reassurance Jingling, and yes, I’m overthinking. There’s only so much reading etc you can do. I’ll have to just try it.

Vroomed and Heman, thank you for your views. That’s really helpful.

I’ve just got a couple of concerns that are holding me back from popping that first patch on.

How common is it for HRT to cause breast tissue to thicken. Concerned about it as apparently it makes it harder to spot any concerns on a mammogram. I also don’t want to get any bigger.

Also, I read that Shirley Ballas has had cancerous cells removed from her womb several times. Could this be down to HRT?

I’m sure you’re probably all thinking that if I’m this worried, I should probably consider ather ways to manage the menopause.

*other