Anyone choosing NOT to use HRT?

[WandaWomblesaurus73]

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

@Jitters22

Why does HRT cause such division?

If you take it and it's wonderful and life changing and all the rest of it then great.

If you don't take it either by choice or for medical reasons and you are thriving or even just doing ok without, then surely that's great too?

IT'S A PERSONAL THING. One of the most personal things in the entire female life span. But there are myriad reasons why some of us don't go down the HRT route. It doesn't mean we're stupid or lacking in education or information. It just means that for one reason or another it wasn't for us.

Why does that invariably turn into a massive great big barney on Mumsnet?

It is personal

Except for the idea that it prevents disease later on then it’s about more than just symptom relief

If it was just symptoms then fine take or leave

Nothing to do with real woman though

More long term outcomes

It is personal

Except for the idea that it prevents disease later on then it’s about more than just symptom relief

If it was just symptoms then fine take or leave

Nothing to do with real woman though

More long term outcomes

........................

@MarshaBradyo

I imagine it is primarily 'symptoms' that send people to their GP in the first place, which results in them being prescribed HRT. I doubt many us are thinking in that moment "I'm concerned with long term outcomes".

We want an end to hot flushes, depression, weight gain, insomnia and myriad other symptoms. For some of us those symptoms aren't debilitating, but for others they are unbearable.

Are you saying that we should take HRT, regardless of how we are personally navigating menopause because of the 'long term outcomes'?

I'm happy with my lot and my life as a post-menopausal woman who has never taken HRT. My mum didn't either and she lived until she was 90 but unfortunately the last 10 years of her life she suffered with dementia. Would taking HRT have made any difference to her later life and health?

My mum's sister on the other hand did take HRT from her late 40s but died of Ovarian Cancer in her mid 60s. Would not taking HRT have made any difference to her later life and health?

Those 'outcomes' you talk about are far from guaranteed either way, and you cannot ignore personal genetics, biology and lifestyle.

Jitters no I’m not saying people should do anything they don’t want to, the contrary

But as someone who hasn’t got symptoms I could easily never take it so when I see claims from pp re

‘even if you sail through it you haven’t’ it makes me ask questions,

I could easily not take it and be happy but I do want to know more about preventative side

Not sure what I will do yet but I’ve gone from I don’t need this (yet) to maybe I should ask more about it.

I have a late 40s check up soon so will find out more then. Even if it’s not HRT maybe diet and exercise can mitigate instead.

Those 'outcomes' you talk about are far from guaranteed either way, and you cannot ignore personal genetics, biology and lifestyle.

Well, exactly I've had cancer. With a family history or all sorts of cancer. I'm also pretty full to the brim of treatments and checks. I understand the reason. But honestly! I want to relax and enjoy the life I have left! I exercise a lot. That has benefits too. I'm not overweight. Pretty fit. No unmanageable meno symptoms at the mo. Forgive me for not wanting to rush to the docs for something else! Bored of that to be frank. And comfortable with risk!

Well, exercise can help bone strength.

www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/exercise/exercise-your-bone-health

'Remember, exercise is only one part of an osteoporosis prevention or treatment program. Like a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise helps strengthen bones at any age. But proper exercise and diet may not be enough to stop bone loss caused by medical conditions, menopause, or lifestyle choices such as tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. It is important to speak with your doctor about your bone health. Discuss whether you might be a candidate for a bone mineral density test. If you are diagnosed with low bone mass, ask what medications might help keep your bones strong.'

Those 'outcomes' you talk about are far from guaranteed either way, and you cannot ignore personal genetics, biology and lifestyle.

Have you rtft?

I’m one of the posters questioning whether there are studies on this.

It is others who seem certain.

@MarshaBradyo

Jitters no I’m not saying people should do anything they don’t want to, the contrary

But as someone who hasn’t got symptoms I could easily never take it so when I see claims from pp re

‘even if you sail through it you haven’t’ it makes me ask questions,

I could easily not take it and be happy but I do want to know more about preventative side

Not sure what I will do yet but I’ve gone from I don’t need this (yet) to maybe I should ask more about it.

I have a late 40s check up soon so will find out more then. Even if it’s not HRT maybe diet and exercise can mitigate instead.

Sorry @MarshaBradyo

I misunderstood what you were saying in your earlier post, so thank you for clarifying.

My apologies.

Yes, it's very difficult to know what to do, and I do sympathise with you as a younger woman (than me) being faced with all the various data both for and against.

Thanks Jitters ignore my post after that ;

@ArabellaScott

'Remember, exercise is only one part of an osteoporosis prevention or treatment program. Like a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise helps strengthen bones at any age. But proper exercise and diet may not be enough to stop bone loss caused by medical conditions, menopause, or lifestyle choices such as tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. It is important to speak with your doctor about your bone health. Discuss whether you might be a candidate for a bone mineral density test. If you are diagnosed with low bone mass, ask what medications might help keep your bones strong.'

No. Not going there. At least at the mo.

But there are more women like me. What is it about women's bodies that they expect us to self destruct? Especially all the 'rude' bits? I know it happens - I've had breast cancer. But I'm bored of it!
I don't like being dependent on medics just to live my life!

I do eat well and take vit D, (too) though. That's pretty easy.

I've had bone scans with the cancer. Nothing highlighted. But population wise how many have this? We've no family history of osteoporosis but we have of cancers.

I'm very much for living and enjoying life until you can't.

Aye, fair enough, whowhy, just copying and pasting info, more on lifestyle choices that can be good for bone health than anything else.

I read (on NHS site) about 3 million people affected by osteoperosis in the UK. So out of 68,000,000 - a bit fewer than one in 20? I guess if you have a family history of it you may be more at risk, or any of the other risk factors listed.

theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/causes/

Yes, exactly @ArabellaScott, you've just got to weight this stuff up individually.

"What is it about women's bodies that they expect us to self destruct?"

The fact that we run out of essential hormones about half way into our life expectancy, unlike men. Hence this thread.

🤷‍♀️

Remember science is not for women, it is paternalistic. It does not support women. Never has. Research concerning women's bodies really is in its infancy.

we run out of essential hormones

One way to look at it. Alternatively, what are these hormones essential for? Mostly for reproduction. So it might be that we just enter a new phase post fertility. Many many women go through menopause and don't have side effects nor long term effects. So they aren't 'essential' as many women live fine without them.

Why do you say that? there are many females in 'science'. There are study after study regarding this subject. The issue is the evidence isn't always clear and it can be conflicting. For example there are estimated to be100k deaths related to osteoporosis a year. How many of those could be saved or would more people taking hrt push up extra cancer rates?

I posted upthread that a study found hrt increases the risk of prolapses when other studies find the opposite.

So what are women supposed to do? Read all the horror stories on threads like this about crumbling bones, prolapses and men running off with younger models or think, actually the effects of reducing oestrogen are ok, their dm may be active well into their 80s without prolapse etc so maybe hrt isn't as essential as some portray it? Fine if you choose to but fine if you choose not to.

'Remember science is not for women, it is paternalistic'

My post was in response to this ^

whowhywhenwhat is correct in that science itself is paternalistic and based often on a male default model. See Caroline Criado Perez for many instances. Yes of course there are females within and many honourable exceptions but the field as a whole is very much only just waking up to women being human beings with their own needs, voices and agency.

Science is male dominated and much of it is commercially driven

Are some of you trying to argue that the companies making & promoting HRT are NOT Big Pharma? That many of the people promoting HRT have not received funding from Big Pharma? That Big Pharma isn't interested in making money off of any & all women age 45+ ? What the F would the logic in them ignoring a product potentially attractive to about 25% of population in UK? Louise Newsome herself has been called out for financial conflicts of Interest.

So come off it. How thick do you think MNers are?

I wouldn’t normally recommend anything to do with the Daily Mail but today’s article under the health section titled …
Why do doctors know so little about natural HRT that can stop the menopause wrecking your life?
…should be of great interest to everyone who has participated in this thread.

I don’t know how to link but it should be easy to find.

@lljkk, @anothersmahedmug, @ArabellaScott, @JaniieJones, @whowhywhenwhat, @MarshaBradyo, @Jitters22, @JaneJeffer

Just want to be sure you don’t miss the Mail article.