Anyone choosing NOT to use HRT?

[WandaWomblesaurus73]

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

I mean it just becomes an eristic pissing contest with the missiles lobbed at each other being pieces of research.

'No need to be sorry! This stuff is helpful.'

Good .

I think we all agree that taking hrt for the shortest time is a good thing if menopausal effects are intolerable, however I believe the long term health benefits rhetoric should be dialled down until more conclusive evidence is available.

It protects against osteoporosis only for as long as it is taken but if taken for longer than 5 years combined hrt may increase risk of dementia.

'I mean it just becomes an eristic pissing contest with the missiles lobbed at each other being pieces of research'

Ooh, eristic is a good word. New to me. Thanks, whowhy!

I genuinely am trying to decide and want the be informed

I don’t care what others decide but hope they access what they need

I was told that I shouldn’t expect others to google so thought I should put in a bit of effort on the old google front

I tried it. It didn't work out. The side effects outweighed the benefit. I'm in herbals now and feel loads happier.

I did find some potential alternative lifestyle choices interesting, while doing my googling.

High impact exercise, weight training for bone health.
Calcium & other supplements.
Less alcohol, etc.

@MarshaBradyo

I've no beef with that. The intentions are everything. Sometimes we can't even untangle our own intentions very easily. If discussion is done in an aim to establish truth, a good course of action, then great. However, sometimes I think they can move into the category of wanting to win a debate only too easily.

I think research can be like like this. You can uncover all sorts of bias when you dig a little deeper. I think the important thing is just to let people contribute and if you've heard enough, walk away. (You as in 'one' not you personally)

@ArabellaScott yes, that's what I do. Plus running for the lymphatic system and keeping the fat stores low for cancer. In the absence of other treatments it keeps the consultants very happy, and me. I love it!

Oh and plus cold baths! It's all about the telomeres, apparently! I just like them because it makes me feel more Viking!!!

It is tricky because googling is obviously just a sea of information

I started off looking at osteoporosis levels in different countries because I wanted to see if there were any differences (I did find something interesting but no idea how much HRT is behind it and forgot to link) which led me to the one I found for some reason. Which seemed pertinent given some posts re taking for rest of your life

But it is loads of information .. and I can’t say I’ve read much of it, could take a while

I’m more than happy for others to link stuff, but thought I should not ‘go along for the ride’ as suggested earlier

Also just to clarify I do not think there is anything wrong with taking HRT for symptoms, I’m glad it is useful for many, I really just want to know about prevention side atm (this might change)

I like your approach Who

Agree entirely, Marsha and Who.

Running, eh?

I was peri-menopausal in my mid-30s and by the time I got round to having blood tests to confirm, things were well forward. The only symptoms of menopause, apart from no periods from 45, were hot flushes. No sweats, no brain fog, no mood swings. Bone density exceptionally high due to active lifestyle from childhood and plenty of dairy. HRT would have been a waste. And I didn't want to still be buying sanitary protection in my 70s!

@ArabellaScott

Yes indeed!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

I know, I know.

[quote JaniieJones]'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/[/quote]
If you look again at this paper “Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Dementia” you will see the very next line under the title states Evidence is reassuring for women using hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms
That is the conclusion of the authors.

It is very easy for non medical people to misinterpret scientific studies.

This is the conclusion of that study:

'Overall, these observations do not change the recommendation that menopausal hormone therapy should not be used to prevent dementia. [11] At the same time, it is helpful for providers to put dementia findings in context for patients. No increase in risk of dementia was observed with oestrogen alone in this case-control study, and, for oestrogen plus progestogen, the increased risk was five to seven extra cases per 10 000 woman years. The primary indication for hormone therapy continues to be the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, and the current study should provide reassurance for women and their providers when treatment is prescribed for that reason.'

@ArabellaScott

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

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

Correction. The summary of the paper you are referring to, on the line directly under the title reads Evidence is reassuring for women using hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms. Those are the words of the authors, not some ladies with no medical qualifications trying to interpret the data. The authors have evaluated the results and that is their overall conclusion. This thread is full of misinterpreted information and unfortunately some people assume anything written that agrees with their pre conceived notions is true. PLEASE, PLEASE LADIES SPEAK TO A CONSULTANT WHO SPECIALISES IN THE SUBJECT THEN MAKE UP YOUR MIND USING THE FACTS BASED ON YOUR PERSONAL MEDICAL HISTORY.

@ArabellaScott

This is the conclusion of that study:

'Overall, these observations do not change the recommendation that menopausal hormone therapy should not be used to prevent dementia. [11] At the same time, it is helpful for providers to put dementia findings in context for patients. No increase in risk of dementia was observed with oestrogen alone in this case-control study, and, for oestrogen plus progestogen, the increased risk was five to seven extra cases per 10 000 woman years. The primary indication for hormone therapy continues to be the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, and the current study should provide reassurance for women and their providers when treatment is prescribed for that reason.'

And those conclusions interpreted by the authors who have medical degrees were The evidence is reassuring for women using hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms They interpreted their research results and distilled it into a simple sentence of reassurance. Why, oh why continue to assume you are more knowledgable that the highly qualified authors who did all the research.

@JaniieJones

'No need to be sorry! This stuff is helpful.'

Good .

I think we all agree that taking hrt for the shortest time is a good thing if menopausal effects are intolerable, however I believe the long term health benefits rhetoric should be dialled down until more conclusive evidence is available.

It protects against osteoporosis only for as long as it is taken but if taken for longer than 5 years combined hrt may increase risk of dementia.

'I mean it just becomes an eristic pissing contest with the missiles lobbed at each other being pieces of research'

More misinformation, honestly JaniieJones your contributions contain more misinformation than the rest of the thread.

Everybody has a different risk/benefit profile based on their medical history. We do not “all agree” that taking HRT for the shortest possible time is a good thing. Some of us don’t want to take it, some are ill advised to take it and for some, like me, the benefits hugely outweigh the very small risks taking it for the rest of my life.
Everyone needs to discuss their personal risk/benefit profile with a medical professional.

'More misinformation, honestly JaniieJones your contributions contain more misinformation than the rest of the thread.'

I linked a study from the BMJ that states 'Conversely, oestrogen and progestogen combined was associated with a 11% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease dementia among women who had used hormone therapy for 5-9 years and a 19% increased risk among women treated for 10 years or more'

That is a direct quote. A 19% increase after 10yrs. I'm more than happy for people to offer their interpretions but it seemed pretty factual.

'not some ladies with no medical qualifications trying to interpret the data.'

Why do you talk to people like this? Let's debate respectfully shall we?

Everyone needs to discuss their personal risk/benefit profile with a medical professional.

Why? If they have no symptoms which bother them? If their family history knowingly counter-indicates HRT? As mentioned earlier it is not prescribed as and should not be taken as a preventative. So less of the 'everyone' please!

I would say if you are worried see your GP. But if you are not, well don't. If you have symptoms which bother you, concern you have a high risk factor for osteoporosis by all means discuss this. But I, for one, am not going to go around seeking advice for problems that don't affect me, that I am not concerned about. I don't think my GP would want me to either.

It is cruel to purposely create fear in people just because you have found a treatment helpful. Sometimes, I think it seems this is done in order to validate your own course of action especially where there does exist some risk. And that's what the current awareness over peri and menopause seems to be doing in order to normalise HRT. (General you, as in 'one').

It really does not have to be an either or, or so adversarial.

Of course if you are not interested in taking a medication whowhywhenwhat there is no need to discuss it with a medical professional. I was thinking of the people reading this thread accepting some of the misleading nonsense being spouted by unqualified but enthusiastic participants.
Googling medical papers with no medical background gives you questions to ask a medical professional who can then explain further. It does not make you an expert.

Esspee could you stop being so rude and patronising.

I’m not sure what it brings to the discussion