Anyone choosing NOT to use HRT?

[WandaWomblesaurus73]

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

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

Title of the thread?

@Newgirls

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

Aye. For interest. I presume that is allowed?

It’s a bit odd that posters are telling people not to post on a thread aimed at those not taking it

The research I linked re 5 years was current in Dec 2021 so not out of date

I’m adopting a “wait and see” approach for now. I’m 47 and must be perimenopausal, but haven’t had many signs yet, still have regular periods.

There’s a family history of osteoporosis though so I’ll discuss HRT with my doctor. If it’ll significantly help combat osteoporosis, I’ll definitely consider it. Some of my friends in their 50’s didn't experience bad symptoms, their periods just stopped so I’ll see how I fare.

Thanks for your answer @Esspee
I feel good so far, lot less brain fog and more energy - not as much as I need though!
And definite improvements in the vaginal area

Education is the key yet articles like the one you are discussing are rejected out of hand for no logical reason.

@Esspee, simply because it involves one woman's narrative, primarily. Whilst I don't disbelieve her, it is not a narrative that particularly fits with my own. She also has a vested interest because she has written a book.

The truth, is most usually and especially in my own experience, far, far more complex. Education doesn't even cut it. Empirical evidence is broad, it favours the statistical norm and yet so often we are outliers in some respect or another. And there is not enough data to be able fit all the ways in which we are diverse. To be honest, I've begun counting on that! If I were the norm I might not be here now! Doctors follow processes which again are often pretty blunt tools. You get to know exactly how blunt when considering treatments for the kind of cancer I had. Don't get me wrong the NHS is fantastic, i've had thousands of pounds of treatment and was treated very well on the whole. However, you'd be wrong if you thought just knowing more about medical interventions helps. The more you know, the more you realise how much we don't know!

And if one narrative doesn't fit my own, I'm guessing there'll be many others that narrative doesn't fit.

@Sweetpeasaremadeforbees

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?

It’s a load of bollocks @Sweetpeasaremadeforbees (love your name).

……and the great news is that HRT is shown to be protective against dementia and Alzheimer’s.

I do have to clarify that. Statistically women on HRT are less likely to suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s than matched women not on HRT.

And if you have all the information and you realise it doesn't give any firm answers regarding your own particular situation? You just need to go with what you feel is right. What you feel most confident doing.

Then move on.

'do have to clarify that. Statistically women on HRT are less likely to suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s than matched women not on HRT'.

It depends on the type and duration. This isn't a personal attack but you should link to studies to back up your claims. This study for example finds a significant increase for those taking combined hrt for longer than 5yrs. That is why, i presume current guidelines are to take for the shortest time possible.

blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/09/29/menopausal-hormone-therapy-and-dementia/

Thanks, Janiie, that looks like a good study. And fairly clear, I think.

'menopausal hormone therapy should not be used to prevent dementia'

@ArabellaScott

Thanks, Janiie, that looks like a good study. And fairly clear, I think.

'menopausal hormone therapy should not be used to prevent dementia'

It's quite stark imo, a 10% increase in risk rising to 19% in those taking combined hrt for longer than 10yrs. 19%!!

So as always, it is personal choice and we must all weight up risks and benefits but I don't think sweeping statements saying you can take it forever and it prevents against dementia are right tbh.

As someone NOT taking HRT that is reassuring, thank you!

The study doesn't seem to show much risk for first five years though, and less risk if on oestrogen only - I'm not sure when I can switch over to that still on both hormones just now.

'The study doesn't seem to show much risk for first five years though, and less risk if on oestrogen only '

Yes, the risk seems to be combined hrt for longer than 5yrs. Obviously again if osteoporosis is a bigger risk for an individual fine but as I said some sweeping statements on here aren't quite true and I think that needs pointing out. It isn't advised to take combined hrt forever.

@MarshaBradyo

It’s a bit odd that posters are telling people not to post on a thread aimed at those not taking it

The research I linked re 5 years was current in Dec 2021 so not out of date

My concern is people with an agenda - there are certain posters who seem determined to reduce women’s choices. It seems anti feminist to be honest.

I said the 5 years is not accurate - it’s not true for every woman and every product. Why do you want to pick wholes in that? I encourage women to talk to professionals and read up and not be ‘shut up’ by people on here who seem adamant women’s health should stay in the dark ages

Women are not told to take combined for ever!! After periods stop you may switch to ‘not combined’ products (to keep it simple).

Honestly some of the picking and choosing on here is worrying and frankly disturbing.

is worrying and frankly disturbing.

Mwah, hah, hah!!!!!

'there are certain posters who seem determined to reduce women’s choices. It seems anti feminist to be honest'

If this is aimed at me then I'm sorry that is how it has come across. I want accurate information, even the Alzheimer’s society state studies are conflicting.

'Women are not told to take combined for ever!!'

It has been said on this thread women can take combined hrt (oestrogen and progesterone which continues as long as a women has a uterus) for as long as they like. The studies into dementia seem to suggest otherwise. It's nothing to do with feminism.

No, but really, seriously, this is a real double bind situation.

If women ask questions about choosing what they put in their own bodies and critically asses the information available to them they are told they are ill informed!

Would you prefer HRT to be mandatory? Or taking every treatment offered mandatory? You know sometimes we are just right and cannot even verbalise why. The human brain is like that. And it even saves lives sometimes...

Sorry, I wasn't quoting anyone in my first sentence. Bold fail!

New I find your need to have us stop talking bizarre tbh

I checked the report as pp claimed it was out of date - so I wanted to ensure it wasn’t old.

I don’t want women to make any decision they are not happy with and I’m on this thread for information. I’d prefer it if people who do take it don’t try to stop those who are unsure chatting about it on here.

It’s really not some plot as you seem to think

I am undecided and want to talk to other people in the same position and to hear from those who have decided to take it and why. The latter seem annoyed that the discussion is going on on a thread with the title it has, I have no idea why.

Same, Marsha. Really bizarre.

'reduce women's choices' - by looking at as much evidence as possible and weighing up risks and benefits and alternatives and pluses and minuses? That is my 'agenda', fwiw.

@JaniieJones

'there are certain posters who seem determined to reduce women’s choices. It seems anti feminist to be honest'

If this is aimed at me then I'm sorry that is how it has come across. I want accurate information, even the Alzheimer’s society state studies are conflicting.

'Women are not told to take combined for ever!!'

It has been said on this thread women can take combined hrt (oestrogen and progesterone which continues as long as a women has a uterus) for as long as they like. The studies into dementia seem to suggest otherwise. It's nothing to do with feminism.

No need to be sorry! This stuff is helpful.

I think it has become some sort of new rhetoric, a zeitgeist.

Yes, people are seeking to raise awareness of menopause and peri. Normalise HRT. Fine. But the rhetoric can go too far.

No one should be pushing anything in anyone. That reduces choice. And bollocks to 'informed choice' when it is used as a weapon to accuse anyone who disagrees to not being informed enough.

I'm past it.