HRT yes or no?

[GougeAway]

I’m nearly 48 and starting to experience peri menopause symptoms. Many of them could also due to anxiety and burn out. I’ve had anxiety forever so not sure how much of a factor that is in how I feel right now.

I’ve managed to see a GP, had bloods, BP etc no issues. GP seems reluctant to consider HRT and has sent me lots of links to the risks. I’ve read NICE guidelines and I’m not sure why she is reluctant. GP has suggested CBT but no idea where I can access this. She knows I’m NHS and has suggest I access via occ health. Our occ health is overwhelmed.

So do I push for HRT or work on my anxiety? Maybe I’m just looking for a quick fix as coping with work and family with current levels of exhaustion and brain fog is challenging.

Friends and colleagues have been singing the praises of HRT but I really don’t know how I feel about it. I’m not feeling myself with exhaustion and low energy 😟

HRT all the way

HRT was pretty life changing for me.

I have suffered anxiety for a long time but, during peri, it was totally out of control and far worse than I’ve ever experienced before. It went back to manageable levels with HRT.

HRT 100%.
Your gp is a dinosaur and massively out of order to send you links about the risks.
I have been on it since October and the synthetic type did not suit me at all.
My gp is similarly hopeless and I had to go in with a notebook and a big essay about how I insisted she follow NICE guidelines and that I needed bio identical HRT. Was almost in tears.
Had some brilliant advice on here and finally getting somewhere.
Good luck

HRT. As you have discovered, that’s just what the NICE guidance suggests.

You can always stop again if it doesn’t suit or resolve your concerns but I say give it a try.

For me I’m peri and menopausal. I haven’t taken HRT only because I’ve heard a few horror stories from women who’ve been on it then want to come off it eventually. I take menopause supplements.

CBT is good don’t you just get refereed? The few women I do speak to re menopause one is on HRT but has kids whereas I don’t.

My mum went on it and initially was so happy. Fast forward 2 months and she’s had the most horrific bleeding. She’s also higher risk for cancer. It’s individual choice. You could try and see if it works for you.

A big thumbs up for HRT here. Join the FB page HRT Truth Collective, it's a wealth of information.

Its been an entirely positive experience for me. A couple of months after I started taking it I looked in the mirror and it was as if I actually recognised myself again.

I really don’t “get” HRT/menopause I never go to the Dr and am clueless as to what triggers “needing HRT” and what indicates you’ll be better without. Why don’t I know this stuff?

If you're only just starting to experience symptoms, I'd leave it a while and see how it goes.

HRT is brilliant for many people but it's not the 'miracle cure' some people expect it to be.

Push for HRT if you feel you need it. It's worth trying to see if you feel better.

Personally I didn't feel I needed it and managed with supplements, but if I'd felt the need I'd have asked for HRT.

HRT has dramatically improved life for me. It's better to start sooner rather than later.

It's not a one-way street @GougeAway.

You can try it and see how you go.

Estrogen and Utrogestan are safe for at least 5 years (recent research) re breast cancer (available online from lots of research papers.)

You've nothing to lose. All I would say is that for some women they might need to fiddle around with the dosage and the type to get a good fit but others are fine on whatever they start off with.

Bear in mind the long term (invisible) benefits of denser bones and better heart health as well as relief from other symptoms.

Your gp is a dinosaur So was mine. I dropped lucky with a fabulous Nurse Practitioner though.

I feel loads better with HRT even though it giving me 'periods' again. No hot flushes, no night sweats, increased libido, no wanting to kill dh! I spoke to 3 GPs at my surgery, my last one was a middle aged woman and that was a game changer in terms of being heard and getting a prescription.

HRT is marvellous. I had to go private. My GP was terrible for it. Best money i spend.

I started HRT at 47, I was still having periods but I had PMT and mood swings and on reflection awful anxiety and loss of confidence. 18 months later, I feel much better.

I had a phone appt last week re HRT and was recommended to book to have a coil instead.
I was a bit taken aback and didn’t argue. Got off the phone and was really annoyed with myself.
Have another appt Monday shall
I just insist?

Dr Newson's website is a great place to read up on menopause and HRT. I've found having HRT patches is working for me though I think I need a higher dose now.
I went to my GP having done the research and saying I would like to try HRT.
www.balance-menopause.com/

I’m a similar age and was given the combined pill. It’s doing the job. But I can’t stay on it forever as the risks increase. I will ask to move to HRT as the pill has at least evidenced how much better I feel with hormones.

I'm the same age as you and started HRT today. Woohoo! Couldn't face trying to argue my case with my GP so went private. Feeling weirdly hopeful to have taken the plunge, the thought of carrying on as I was before is just too bleak to contemplate.

I went with this clinic, had a 45min phone consultation with a doctor. It felt good to say it all out loud and have someone listen and understand. Have a read about 'body identical' hormones, they're much safer than what was on offer years ago.

www.newsonhealth.co.uk/

It’s a big yes from me.

Sleep is better, anxiety is controllable, brain fog not so bad.

Another one who has had huge benefits with HRT - lost the brain fog, no aching joints, weight returned to normal, no horrendous mood swings. Then there is the unseen benefits of maintaining bone density and protecting the heart.