Anyone choosing NOT to use HRT?

[WandaWomblesaurus73]

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

@anothersmahedmug

It's pretty clear that the benefits for bones is only clear for people who have early menopause

Which is also associated with a poor diet ..

Cognitive problems may well be correlated to hot flushes ... or people who have more of that symptom are more likely to suffer cognitive decline

Cause, effect and confounding factors

I think you will find with further research that those correlations are incorrect. The benefit for bones is not only clear for those who have early menopause. It is clear for all women and men. (Men get testosterone some of which is converted to oestrogen.) Nor are cognitive problems correlated to hot flushes.

@anothersmahedmug

I think ( after following some links posted here ) is that the research so far is quite basic

In the 30+ years since I have been on HRT there have been huge advances in research. The results are taking very much longer to percolate down to GPs. The NICE guidelines need updating to correspond with the latest findings.

@Newgirls

Esspee I have found your posts very helpful and informed. Thanks. I think you are older than some posters so I value your experience and that of your friends.

My lot at 49 think it’s hot flushes and then done, periods stop and all sorted. I wish there was much more knowledge - I do think some women are sleep walking into later life health issues. Not all but some.

I agree with you 100% @Newgirls

The long term effects of low oestrogen levels tend to start to show up in the late sixties onwards, at least with my friends.

Stress incontinence, vaginal atrophy, low libido, osteoarthritis, urinary tract issues, prolapse, osteoporosis, rapid ageing, hair loss, and sleep problems are the ones mentioned most.

@Wreath21

I didn't bother with it. (I'm in my late 50s and menopause pretty much over and done). This is partly because my symptoms were not particularly severe - a few bouts of hot flushing, the final few periods were unpleasant, but that was about it. I think one of the key factors in deciding whether to go for HRT or not is how you, personally, feel: if you are really suffering, get some meds. If you CBA, you'll be fine.

Your life expectancy is somewhere in the 80s. Please do some research about the issues which tend to arise in your late 60s onwards which are the result of low oestrogen levels. If you cannot then be arsed after that then you have made an informed decision which is perfectly fine. What is not right is women not being told that there are extremely serious long term results of low oestrogen. If this was a man’s complaint then I bet they would have got it sorted by now.

TBH I'll pass. I prefer to avoid medications unless actually ill. And I'm not over-fussed by any amount of 'Waah, what about in 20 years' time' simply because something's going to get me sooner or later.

Espee I'm on HRT now, at 50. If I only took it for 5 years and then stopped, would I be likely to have the same issues you're talking about, just later on? Or is it preventative in some way? Or should I just not stop?

I don't feel the need for it. Hot sweats aside, the symtpms have been minimal for me.

If we do not advise longer than five years here in this country are people ok going against that advice?

Not all GPs say 5 years any more. It depends on the hrt product and age of starting. This info changes fast.

@Wreath21

TBH I'll pass. I prefer to avoid medications unless actually ill. And I'm not over-fussed by any amount of 'Waah, what about in 20 years' time' simply because something's going to get me sooner or later.

Of course. It’s for those women who have family risk of osteo, heart and dementia who might want to consider hrt during meno and after that. My GP brought all this up.

Cognitive problems may well be correlated to hot flushes ... or people who have more of that symptom are more likely to suffer cognitive decline

Well that's me screwed then. Is it actually true or just a load of bollocks?

Because if it's true surely women shouldn't be just putting up with hot flushes in the hope that they will end at some point but should be actively trying to stop them?

'Not all GPs say 5 years any more. It depends on the hrt product and age of starting. This info changes fast.'

Ah interesting. I thought 5yrs was the advice as cancer risks accelerate after? Happy to be proven wrong obviously I just thought the lowest dose for the shortest time was the current advice.

I’m all for taking it for a short as pos because it’s expensive!

But yes 5 years isn’t relevant any more. Though it should be reviewed and changed as products change etc

@whowhywhenwhat

Yes, a lot can go wrong and hormones essentially run our bodies. However, this article, is hardly unbiased. It is written by a woman who had health problems which HRT solved after a battle to get it. She is also writing a book on the subject. It just seem to be a very fashionable and current narrative. If we keep hearing about the women who were given HRT and it didn't do much good, made them feel worse or detrimentally affected their health would you be equally swayed?

Thing is people are influenced by their own decisions. They often select the data to support them after they have made them. So they feel validated. Research is affected by who, who interprets it, who will fund it and other societal beliefs and control systems.

At the end of the day it really is up to the individual. And health care needs to be just that, individual choice.

The reason the wonders of HRT is a current narrative is because of advances in knowledge. It is clear from this thread that many are totally resistant to change even though it follows the most up to date research. I meet with top consultants twice a year and usually have an in depth discussion with them. The pendulum has definitely swung to HRT being the best way to deal with the problem of the menopause and it’s effect on women’s bodies. Our ovaries run out of steam around 50 years of age. Our lifespan in prehistory was less than that. Now most of us will live to be 80 years or more which means we will spend one third of our life without enough oestrogen. I wholeheartedly agree with your second and third paragraphs. What needs to be added is that women need to be informed of the facts as it relates to them. Education is the key yet articles like the one you are discussing are rejected out of hand for no logical reason. Read it then discuss YOUR health with a medical professional. Each of us are individuals. What is right for me is not right for you. Once you understand and can weigh up the benefits/risk then decide. After that it is nobody’s business but your own.

@Sweetpeasaremadeforbees

Because if it's true surely women shouldn't be just putting up with hot flushes in the hope that they will end at some point but should be actively trying to stop them?

Hot flushes are a sign that the body is struggling with oestrogen fluctuations. The body is trying to tell us!

It reminds me of when we used to be ok with period pain and then we understood about endometriosis etc - for too long women have soldiered on through pain as it’s ‘normal’ - it really isn’t

It is clear from this thread that many are totally resistant to change even though it follows the most up to date research.

I don’t get these digs.

It’s so sales-y and puts me off. I wonder why someone is so put out that they post as they do with insults.

Is it the untapped market thing

Tbf I’ve not had period pain either so I don’t do soldiering on

I did try the pill once and hated it though, not for me at all.

We are different in our responses

I’m not sure why women who haven’t experienced symptoms are on this thread? Is it more for interest? Journalistic interest?

@WandaWomblesaurus73

Wow I've just caught up with all the posts and it's all fascinating. I know so little about menopause and in a meeting yesterday so many of the women there said they knew nothing either and we were all just sitting there in ignorance and then enlightenment. This thread is case in point. I did send a bunch of them to Mumsnet and Gransnet to do some reading!

So glad it’s been helpful Womble. And great that you spoke to friends about all this too. It’s amazing how little is known isn’t it

I'm just having a rather quiet afternoon at work and therefore looking over active threads.

I’ve been very clear on why

Someone said ‘if you think you’ve sailed through you haven’t’

I have been so clear that I am interested in the preventative part I don’t know why anyone would miss it.

If those points weren’t made I would even think about taking it

I don’t know yet but it’s made me think about it and ask questions, check up got postponed to next week but will bring it up

'I’m not sure why women who haven’t experienced symptoms are on this thread? Is it more for interest'

The op seemed to be asking for a range of views tbf.

@Drunkpanda

Espee I'm on HRT now, at 50. If I only took it for 5 years and then stopped, would I be likely to have the same issues you're talking about, just later on? Or is it preventative in some way? Or should I just not stop?

Only you and your doctor can decide that. Taking HRT is preventative while you are taking it. For example my bone mass is excellent at age 72. If I were to stop taking oestrogen my bones would start thinning. As my menopause started at 40 I reckon I have given myself a 30 year benefit but this might not be accurate. I haven’t researched it because giving up is not something I will ever consider. Quality of life is important to me and life is wonderful. I feel terrific.

How are you feeling on HRT?

Also the title asks for people NOT taking HRT in caps no less

Although not sure if op has posted much