HRT alternatives?

[worriedoncemore]

I really don't want to go on HRT as I understand the hormones can encourage the fibroids I've just had operated on for the 3rd time to grow back. I came off the combined pill for the same reason. I'm suffering from bad anxiety, sweaty at night and frequent, erratic periods and am anticipating more symptoms soon! Any suggestions? I'm thinking maybe one of those over the counter remedies such as Menopace(? or something like that). Do they actually work?

Thanks.

Bumping for you

Thank you x

Has anyone suggested the Mirena coil as part of HRT?

I think my advice would be you ask your GP to refer you to a menopause specialist or if it's possible pay for a private appt. There are lots of prescribed drugs to help with severe flushes .

I don't think Menopace etc really cuts it as it's all herbal stuff and a bit smoke and mirrors. If you read the label, you can get most of what is in it from food.

eg isoflavines are soy- so eat soy! (Yoghurt, tofu etc)
Sage- you can buy sage drops that might help flushes.

@worriedoncemore Just to show what I mean :)
Here is the link to menopace ingredients. www.vitabiotics.com/products/menopace-original-tablets

Every single one of them, except perhaps soy, is in a normal healthy diet.

If you want to try isoflavones, buy a pot of soya yoguhrt :)

Nutritional Information Average per tablet % NRV*
Soya Isoflavone Extract

20 mg

--

PABA

25 mg

--

Vitamin A (2500 IU)

750 µg RE

94

Vitamin D (as D3 400 IU)

10 µg

200

Vitamin E (Natural Source)

30 mg α-TE

250

Vitamin C

45 mg

56

Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

10 mg

909

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

5 mg

357

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

20 mg NE

125

Vitamin B6

10 mg

714

Folic Acid

400 µg

200

Vitamin B12

9 µg

360

Biotin

30 µg

60

Pantothenic Acid

30 mg

500

Magnesium

100 mg

27

Iron

6 mg

43

Zinc

15 mg

150

Copper

1000 µg

100

Manganese

0.5 mg

25

Selenium

100 µg

182

Chromium

50 µg

125

Iodine

225 µg

150

@JinglingHellsBells I did have the Merina a few years ago and didn't get on with it at all. Constant spotting and awful acne. I've always been acne prone so think the progesterone in it aggravated it.

Regarding Menopace & the like, I thought that might be the case. My diet is pretty healthy so likely getting those nutrients anyway.

I am seeing in the gynae who did my fibroid surgery in about 6 weeks for a follow up and to see how much of my bleeding issues are caused by the fibroids vs hormones. So far, the bleeding is not as heavy (fingers crossed) but still erratic so I guess hormones playing a big part. Will see what she suggests. It was her who told me to stay away from HRT as not good for fibroids.

I've got a bit of a 'thing' about most supplements, as they are often sold with pseudo science ( ie 'helps hormones') which is meaningless.

The amounts in Menopace are tiny and most people get that with their diet.

Sorry for banging on!

Re HRT, it's a bit extreme to say avoid it altogether without offering an alternative. I'd say try a tiny dose of estrogen gel- you can start with a half a pump which is less than 0.5mcgs- and see how that goes for 1 or 2 cycles.

OR even though you are not post meno, you could try a daily 100mg Utrogestan (the progesterone) as that would help keep the lining thin and maybe stop the fibroids growing.

Worth a try?

@JinglingHellsBells thank you, I will look into those options. I doubt the gynaecologist is a menopause expert so will see what she says & take it on from there.