HRT alternatives

[urrrgh46]

Hi lovely, more expert people here! I'm 46, have regular monthly periods and breastfeed my 1yr old. I would say I'm perimenopausal as I'm 46. I've had a few night sweats but other than that I don't have symptoms expect crushing low moods (although I have a tendency to depression). I don't have any anxiety and having suffered anxiety all my life I'd actually say that is at its best right now. Im an not at all against taking HRT but have read that I can't anyway when breastfeeding and it's likely I'll be doing that for another 2/3yrs based on my previous children. So given that what can I take to help with symptoms as they come along? I know I can take red clover whilst breastfeeding so is anyone taking this - does it help? I already take evening primrose oil.

I am pretty sure you can use HRT when feeding.

Have you checked this out?

Just what googling said! I was a little 🙄 as they say that about everything and given that I've been breastfeeding for virtually my entire adult life (9 children) I've learnt that there are some many things they say not to take that are perfectly safe! I was planning on consulting a private menopause clinic in the next couple of years as I'm pretty certain I want HRT and as I have risk tors for blood clots (family history mainly) I can't be bothered with a fight with the NHS. I was just wondering if there were other things I can do in the meantime and as I don't get many symptoms yet. I would love to improve the crushing low mood I get though, which feels hormonal but has no real pattern except it often occurs along with the end of my period. So day 5,6 of my cycle & stays for a few days.

You should contact your gp and ask for a referral to a menopause specialist, I did this as I also have a hereditary clotting disorder, it may take a while to get an appointment but mine was so helpful.

I was planning on consulting a private menopause clinic in the next couple of years as I'm pretty certain I want HRT and as I have risk tors for blood clots (family history mainly)

This is not really relevant.
Unless you have had blood clot yourself, then it's not going to influence any decision on HRT.

Modern HRT - that is transdermal estrogen - does not increase the risk of blood clots.

You would not even be asked about family history.

If it's something like @BelleNoir, that's different, but presumably with 9 children, you'd have had advice on this kind of risk already as pregnancy is far riskier than HRT.

It was my Mum who had DVTs so along with age, parity and varicose veins I take blood thinners during pregnancy. My Mum took HRT (years ago - old type) though so they were obviously happy she'd be ok and she'd actually had 3 DVTs!
It sounds like I will have a convo with a specialist. Our GP is awful - if you can ever get even a telephone conversation you're lucky! I'll look at our private health insurance too.
I have no other risk factors for taking HRT so I hope I'll be a good candidate to get benefits from it, no cancer in the family, low BMI, don't drink or smoke (never have), exercise everyday.