Anyone choosing NOT to use HRT?

[WandaWomblesaurus73]

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

I'm not dismissing him, at all. Just taking his business model into account when looking over a range of evidence. And yes, points taken re NHS advice.

From a business point of view he’s be risk averse surely? He won’t want women saying ‘Aghh you gave me cancer’.

I don’t know him but I think the rise in private doctors offering these services is because of the need. Women really should be able to get the advice they need without paying for it

I didn't have it. My GP at the time suggested I try without it can increase breast cancer risk if in it long term. She suggested that once you start it's hard to stop. I wouldn't say I sailed through it at all as PP suggested, more persevered and glad I did.

Was that recently rocking?

That advice would be out of date now for most women.

@ArabellaScott

I'm not dismissing him, at all. Just taking his business model into account when looking over a range of evidence. And yes, points taken re NHS advice.

If you dismiss every consultant/expert in this space on the grounds that they have some element of private practice then good luck finding any expert to talk to (in the UK at least).

Women's health issues are poorly served in the UK and for many women the only way to get any help at all is to use the private practices of the experts.

This isn't unique to menopause - its true of many common, debilitating women's health issues which are "non urgent" in the tax funded services.

No. Menopause is a natural part of life. I am relying on a good, plant based diet and lots of exercise. HRT is not natural.

I decided not to take HRT, a breast specialist advised me not to do so, a few years back.

Whether you take HRT or not, get a baseline DEXA scan & insist on getting regular ones as bone density decreases post-menopause.

I always thought it wasnt for me.......until one day it was.
Absolutely a game changer.
I am 57 and only since last summer has noticeable changes towards the menopause. I am still having regular periods.
I never gave HRT a thought at 49!

@PoshPyjamas may I ask, is the testosterone available privately then as I'm pretty sure you can't get it on the NHS?
I was wavering between antidepressants and HRT, but worried about osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy so went the HRT route (well, for the last 6 months).

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

A question about vaginal atrophy (asking for a friend...) Is it reversible if you start HRT or can you sort it topically?

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit I don't use HRT, but do have topical treatment for vaginal atrophy. It's essential that this is treated because it will get worse otherwise.

Tell your friend to ask her GP for Vagifem (pessaries) or Ovestin (cream). The GP won't need to do an examination, just describe it and ask for what you need. It works, but you may need to play around with the dose.

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit
I'm not sure existing damage is reversible, but absolutely topical oestrogen can be used to avoid further damage. That was my original thought, I didn't want full HRT, but wanted to avoid atrophy, so planned on topical oestrogen and supplements for the other symptoms. Unfortunately I couldn't cope with the muscle and joint pain that came with peri, so I'm using patches now.

I'm 59 now and HRT has never been mentioned to me. Admittedly I rarely speak to a doctor so probably something to with it.

Can’ survive without my oestrogen patch stuck to my bum!

Without it, I need to wee every half hour, am murdrous towards my family, can’t communicate to colleagues, can’t drive, anxiety through the roof.. need I go on...

Meant CANT survive without my HRT ..

@JinglingHellsBells thx for taking time to answer the questions. Can you suggest what the best way to access good help is? I mean I could ring my go but will she just put me on a standard course, or will she really tailor it. I just don’t know how much gps know about this. Knowing the nhs it could take lots of experiments and therefore time to get it right. Did you go straight to a private clinic?

For example, my Mum appears fit and well (and she is very fit), she's 73, but she hasn't had a smear test for donkey's years as they are far too painful for her, she never strays that far from a loo, has no sex life and she is so, so anxious. But she claims the menopause was nothing but a few hot flushes, I think things don't always become apparent until later on in life.

And none of this would be true if she had taken HRT? It's a stretch.

Lots of health problems seem to start in your 50s or 60s. It's possible some might be postponed if you take HRT, equally others may arise, it isn't without risk.
I could blame my osteoporosis on not taking HRT but actually it's more likely cause is a combination of the drugs I took for breast cancer and the ones I take for Rheumatoid arthritis. As I posted earlier, if I had known I would get breast cancer anyway I'd have taken the HRT.

@Drunkpanda - I was prescribed testosterone via an NHS menopause clinic. The doctor I spoke to said that GPs are now allowed to prescribe it for women, but this is very new so they tend to be reluctant.

@Catalice And none of this would be true if she had taken HRT? It's a stretch.

It was specifically the atrophy that I think could have been avoided with just topical oestrogen. But actually my point was that a lot of women think they have sailed through the menopause, when perhaps they haven't. I'm not hugely pro HRT, would have preferred not to take it, so wasn't making a case for every woman taking it, but it is good that we're more informed and have that choice.

I think that is one of the difficulties about the decision to take or not take. Nobody has a crystal ball. I would love a definitive answer as to the benefits or not of hrt for me personally. I feel I'm doing ok for my age and apart from achey joints when it's cold and damp I don't seem to have debilitating issues with flushes, anxiety etc.

As a person who has always kept away from doctors unless essential and rarely even takes painkillers, my default is to not add drugs into my life until necessary. May turn out to be wrong but my mum never took hrt either.

I know what you mean about staying away from doctors unless essential. I have to have a limb hanging off before I'll go.

I know what you mean about staying away from doctors unless essential. I have to have a limb hanging off before I'll go
Well your beyond needing a doctor at that point.
What a crazy attitude to have.
If a doctor can prevent it ease ailments they are doing their job. Why suffer? No one is going to thank you and all you be achieved is muddling through.

Can you suggest what the best way to access good help is? I mean I could ring my go but will she just put me on a standard course, or will she really tailor it. I just don’t know how much gps know about this
I know youve asked someone else but I'll jump in here.
I was nervous about talking to my GP surgery about it because it was phone calls only and I didnt know the doctor. I am ashamed to admit this, but I'm going to. I was judgemental when I found out it was a Male Asian doctor. I have to eat humble pie. I made a list of issues and he suggested a few others and I found myself noticing small ailments had creeped up on me and had become normal.
He sent me for a full blood test to check there wasnt anything underlying.
He talked through my understanding and asked if I had a preference. I asked what he thought and he gave me 3 months supply of tablets. He said we could review and change if necessary. He talked through the advantage and disadvantages of different treatments.
I started with making an appointment and saying it was menopausal related. That got the ball rolling.

[quote Drunkpanda]@PoshPyjamas may I ask, is the testosterone available privately then as I'm pretty sure you can't get it on the NHS?
I was wavering between antidepressants and HRT, but worried about osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy so went the HRT route (well, for the last 6 months).[/quote]
@drunkpanda
Testosterone is available on the NHS, at least it was a year and a half ago as I was asked if I wanted a testosterone implant with my oestrogen when seeing a different consultant during COVID shutdown.
I refused as I did try them 30 years ago without any noticeable change.

Can you suggest what the best way to access good help is? I mean I could ring my go but will she just put me on a standard course, or will she really tailor it. I just don’t know how much gps know about this

I expected a battle. I went in to see about my joints, ended up with a trainee doctor supervised by a retired male doctor. I'd had other tests which showed nothing, I raised the issue of hormones causing my problems and said I'd been thinking about HRT. She came back with a questionnaire on my symptoms, I ticked most of the boxes - some I hadn't even thought were relevant, doctor thought I would definitely benefit. I was given an info pack, told about different HRT, but they recommended patches and asked if I wanted a prescription now or did I want to think about it.
I was pretty shocked! This was a few months ago, I've since had a check up with a practice nurse and she's altered my prescriptiion. I have read up on what I want though.
So, don't assume you'll have a battle, but go in well informed.

@RaininSummer
As long as you make the decision about whether or not to take HRT knowing all the facts that is fine. Problem is that most women of menopausal age are unaware of the long term effects of lack of oestrogen. These tend to make themselves felt at least 10 years down the line when osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, prolapse, osteoarthritis, stress incontinence, Alzheimer’s, cardiac problems etc. become common complaints in older women not on HRT.
None of these are reversible unfortunately.