Against HRT but is now on it?

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Just that. Was so anti putting anythink in my body but now desparate. Hot flushes are unbareable. I have other underlying medical issues with my bones and on lots of meds, so wondering if I wouldnt be allowed

Try to think of it as adding back what your body has become deficient in. If in the U.K. the estrogen used is body identical - ie under a microscope looks no difference to that our body produces. Ditto the progesterone if you’re taking Utrogestan. HRT is also beneficial for
bone health

Well I’m a hormone receptive breast cancer survivor and I’ve had to fight tooth and nail to get HRT.

Hormones control EVERYTHING. If you can get away with zero HRT, great, but if you struggle ( as I do) get on it ASAP! As over50 has said, you are only replacing what is now deficient,

If you were anaemic and required iron supplements, would you debate whether to take them?

I wasn’t against it but VERY naively thought that because I hadn’t had kids and had pretty easy periods that I’d breeze through it. How wrong I was!! 😁

Turns out I would have crawled over broken glass to get it. Perimenopause hit me like a ton of bricks at the age of 45, both physically and mentally. I see it as taking something I’ve no longer got enough of naturally to help me function like a normal human being. I’m 49 - I don’t want to feel or act like an old woman until I am one.

I agree with PP. I don't understand why women should have to make life harder for themselves when there are perfectly adequate alternatives. There is lots of helpful advice from clued up medical professionals at www.womens-health-concern.org/

It’s a bit like saying your kids won’t watch tv or eat chocolate isn’t it?

I’m prepared to go private if I have to.

@WhatDidISayAlan totally agree.
Aged 48 and i thought dementia had set in early!

Took myself off it for two weeks recently ( bleeding issues ) Well Jesus, id rather bleed, than face the horrific symptoms which returned w at the speed of lightening. The last few days have been hell on earth.

OP, again, if your symptoms are shite, get into HRT. No medal for suffering in this life!

I would (gently) ask you why you're holding onto a belief that doesn't serve you? Are you anti putting paracetamol into your body if you have a headache? What if you, say, broke your leg and had to get it reset, would you be anti putting anaesthesia into your body?

There are no purity medals at the end of this process, there's just a good menopause or a bad one. If taking body-identical hormonal supplements can help you have a good one, why wouldn't you?

I was the same. I used to take many many vitamins and supplements to combat the symptoms, which sometimes worked, Sometimes didn’t. I Took antiDs because the GP said they were better for me, they weren’t.

HRT has been life changing. I don’t know why I thought I shouldn’t have it.

I didn't think I'd ever take it because my mum did and developed breast cancer. Having quite recently realised that the collapse in my health and energy is due in large part of perimenopause, I've read a lot more, considered the risks (which seem much less than I expected) and now HRT is slowly starting to help me. I already have osteopenia and concluded that osteoporosis is a fairly likely scenario for me and preventing that is a larger risk to address than those that HRT might cause.

The risk of breast cancer from HRT is quite small.

There’s a bigger risk from alcohol consumption, direct link between the two.

There are no 'meds for bones' where HRT is contraindicated.

What's going on with your bones?

RA or similar? or osteoporosis?

I was never much in favour of HRT as I 'sailed through peri' (as they say) till I was 53 then hot flushes and insomnia hit me. I also found out I had loss of bone density despite having periods till 53.

I am concerned over the risks of BC as I've used HRT now for over 10 years but on the other hand I need to protect my bones and heart issues run on my maternal side and HRT protects against that.

No easy choices for any women.

I waited til I was 55. Suddenly, all too much and realised I had to do something.
On oral hrt and month 2. It is making a difference. I sleep better and feel calmer.
I was climbing the walls, anxious and felt I had dementia. I wish I had started earlier.

How long did it take to kick in

The improved sleep started almost straight away. I am still inclined to wake up early but get off to sleep much quicker.
I had some wobbly moments in the first month. Got very emotional at work on a ticking off. OTT response from me. However, decided to tell work what issue is and that I had just started hrt. No real support but a backing off from the ticking off at least!
In the first month had occasional spaced out feel and feeling dizzy when got up quickly. That seems to have settled.
The bleed at end of progesterone days a bit heavier than my period bleeds of late so a bit of a pain but manageable.
I am towards the end of month 2. I seem calmer generally. I am taking things in my stride better. My hair feels nicer I think and my skin less drawn-looking I think.
I think my brain fog improved. I still muddle words but think less frequent.
So far, taking hrt seems to be the right decision for me. I am on tablets. Femoston 1/10. Still on my 3 month trial.