Anyone choosing NOT to use HRT?

[WandaWomblesaurus73]

Does anyone feel that HRT isn't for them or feel happier without it?

Jingling Ok thanks I’ll give it a read

Maybe this is new enough for it not to filter through yet to public health advice

Just so I’m clear do you recommend women look to HRT or bone scan first?

And at what point for scan - eg periods stopped already or before

I’ve never spoken to my gp about menopause, I’ve never been to see a gp about it and they’ve not asked.

I went through this 7 years ago, when do I start falling apart? 😲😱

@MarshaBradyo

Jingling Ok thanks I’ll give it a read

Maybe this is new enough for it not to filter through yet to public health advice

Just so I’m clear do you recommend women look to HRT or bone scan first?

And at what point for scan - eg periods stopped already or before

The new paper is a recommendation for the NHS. Only published 3 days ago so don't hold your breath :)

You should have a bone scan around age 50 IMO. (or sooner if your periods have stopped.) Once you know how they are, you can decide what to do. HRT is one option but you might get a lot of improvement with work-outs (special exercises for the bones), diet, and lifestyle.

The important thing is to get a base line scan and repeat it every 3 years .

If you read the BMS report, is says that there are over 500,000 fracture annually. 20% of those women die within a year. That's 100K deaths a year from broken bones. Usually what happens is they lose their mobility, become more frail, maybe fall again, have a lot of time in bed recovering, maybe that leads to diabetes, lower immune system, catch flu, get pneumonia and from it.

@JaniieJones

'There are easily accessible positions re public eg folic acid, fluoride, vitamin d etc'

'The cost of bone fragility is high for NHS it makes sense to look at better messaging if it’s key'

Exactly. It just seems odd that great we can read a pp's links but it is isn't the point I was making. We all know, for example, that 'breast is best', no need to go googling specific sites. The public health message is loud and clear. So why isn't it with hrt?

This Morning reckon that are going to keep raising awareness. Let's hope that involves more than featuring celebs using private clinics and their private Drs.

There has been a good campaign recently to get posters about peri/meno in GPs surgeries. That is good and recent though how many of us are going into GP surgeries at the moment. I think they should be emailed to all women over 40!

Interesting document although it is beyond belief that this is just being shared with gov, as if it is new information.

Also I was surprised by the estimates not actual stats. Is estimated women over 50 have a 2.8% risk of death due to osteoporosis, it is estimated there are 560,000 annual fractures, with 20% mortality (no mention of co-morbitities or meditation etc which massively increases risk) and no suggestion or even an 'estimate' of how much could be prevented or reduced by taking HRT. That's it! The osteoporosis info on the BMS doc.

'There has been a good campaign recently to get posters about peri/meno in GPs surgeries. That is good and recent though how many of us are going into GP surgeries at the moment. I think they should be emailed to all women over 40!'

Absolutely agree. So many women have no idea things can go a bit a bit haywire and to be forewarned is forearmed. Every women for example should have oestrogen cream at the ready for VA. I don't know anyone who doesn't need it!

Ok have mentally lodged that for a few years Jingling. I admit I don’t know anyone for whom it has been an issue (family etc) - but makes sense to do if an easy scan

Re Drs I got a text last week, rang up GP and got f2f appointment at hospital for late 40s check up within a few days. No waiting - felt a bit bizarre to be so easy and for routine - but I’ll see if there’s much info around

It's is an interesting read.m for sure and food for through as I approach my 50s. I am lucky that I have a GP who is passionate about women's health so very very approachable.

The 20% mortality the reports references is in regard to fractured femurs. Usually due to prolonged recovery time and ongoing reduced mobility leading to PEs or pneumonia.

The whole area of women’s health and preventative medicine could do with more attention.

The medical profession know lots can be done - but paying for it is another matter.

If you have good private health care here or the US you do get this sort of hormone advice, bone scans etc

Heart protection is another one to add to the ‘why don’t we use hrt now’ debate. HRT is linked with heart function. Perhaps it would save countless strokes and years of medication.

Don't try being an American on private/govt/budget health care, then.
Much worse than UK at preventive medicine.

Childhood immunisation programmes, baby weighing, birth control, Cervical screening, mammograms, colorectal cancer screening, most the tests that happen in pregnancy -- these are all examples of preventive medicine, too.

I had a bone scan at 50, ten years after my ovaries were removed then again at 60. When I requested one at 70 my doctor read out the report from the previous scan which said my bone density was excellent due to me taking oestrogen and that there was no need for it to be repeated unless I stopped taking my HRT.

Back to work…..

You're a hard woman to please @JaniieJones

Re. the figures in the BMS paper.

The word 'estimated' is one that is used in a lot of reports and papers.
It's the figure given by the UK's foremost research group into Osteoporosis. The NOGG. I'm sure they didn't just pluck a figure out of the air.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/NOGG/

Interesting document although it is beyond belief that this is just being shared with gov, as if it is new information.

The Dept for Health and Social Care have requested a report. The BMS has provided it.

The 'information' is a blueprint of what the Dept for Health and SC should consider implementing.

It's a strategy to improve women's long term health.

Thanks so much @JinglingHellsBells for sharing that report - it's really interesting reading. These pages really jumped out - especially the suggested Midlife MOT and later life planning.
Should sooo happen ( no not to push HRT or the opposite!) it's just so important to have signposting and a conversation that's not just reactive

I’m completely up for conversations / checks that are free and not pushing any direction

I just looked up what my check up is and it’s more centred around ‘risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes and dementia.’ C& p text

'The word 'estimated' is one that is used in a lot of reports and papers.'

Yes true. I'm just surprised they couldn't estimate how many of the estimated 100k deaths could be saved if women took hrt. You know just a ballpark figure. Or are many obese with many other issues which put them at high risk anyway?

For example, 'an estimated 500k women have fractures of which we estimate 20% will die. Following studies where dexa scans have been compared between HRT users and non HRT users we estimate that 10% could he saved through long term HRT use which would be 10k woman a year'. Something like that (if they've any such an estimate and if they haven't it would all seem half a story really).

I should maybe offer the BMS my services .

@MarshaBradyo

I feel confused about it

Some people do seem evangelical

Others positive

I’m not sure what to think. I’ve never taken the pill, and rarely other stuff and feel good atm but then I read posts and am not sure

Me too, I barely have any symptoms just hotter sometimes and feel absolutely fine so no HRT, yet when I come on menopause threads I feel that I am heading for dementia, osteoporosis, and heart failure because I don’t take it and it will be all my own fault.

Me too, I barely have any symptoms just hotter sometimes and feel absolutely fine so no HRT, yet when I come on menopause threads I feel that I am heading for dementia, osteoporosis, and heart failure because I don’t take it and it will be all my own fault.

This is why I don't like awareness campaigns. Not that I think information is a bad thing just that people who have had bad experiences tend to dominate the message. (Which I do get but then I have had breast cancer and I really don't feel like doing that.)

All I would say is that if you are spending time worrying there are some very helpful people within the NHS. And if you are not worried don't waste your time worrying! We don't need dire warnings and tales of gloom. Life really is too short! And I don't want to waste mine waiting in doctor's waiting rooms if I can help it! But equally don't be scared of going to your GP either.

Go with how you feel. It's as good as anything.

And exercise guards against dementia, bone loss and heart disease too.

That’s the thing though I’m not worried just under informed

@MarshaBradyo I don't think there exists information that is entirely conclusive for every single individual. Whatever you decide involves risk. So then it depends how much searching for info you think is reasonable. Me, if I'm not suffering that isn't much, I'm afraid.

I'm 62, periods eventually stopped when I was 59 1/2! after about 6 years of absolute misery (flooding, periods for 3 weeks at a time, endless tests/scans/womb biopsies). Never had HRT, don't want to bother now.

Thanks @eyeseeyou my GP is very dismissive and unapproachable, think I will consult a private menopause specialist instead and take it from there.

@MyQuietPlace

I'm 62, periods eventually stopped when I was 59 1/2! after about 6 years of absolute misery (flooding, periods for 3 weeks at a time, endless tests/scans/womb biopsies). Never had HRT, don't want to bother now.

Gosh that sounds horrendous. Was HRT never suggested?

Thanks @eyeseeyou my GP is very dismissive and unapproachable, think I will consult a private menopause specialist instead and take it from there.

You're welcome. That's a shame. If you can afford it I'm sure there are ways to check their reputation. But you could maybe also see a different GP, change GP.

My gp just prescribed a bio identical oestrogen gel and a progesterone tablet. I have the coil also. I’m 48.
I just reached the stage with insomnia where I had to ask for help. Tried natural route, no good.