Have been through the menopause .. what now ...

[Chewchewaboogie]

Hi, have been through menopause about 5 years ago.
Had very few problems.Did not affect sleep, few hot sweats.
However, I did have , and still have forgetfulness and brain fog, as well.as hair loss.
As the menopause did not seem too bad I didnt go to gp.
I now also have vaginal.
atrophy.
Ive just watched a documentary about
menopause which seemed to be saying that actually hrt is really helpful re dementia and bones.
Should I have taken hrt and should I take it now for these reasons ?

If you don't want to be on full hrt you need at least to get on pessaries and cream for the atrophy. If you don't treat it, it will get worse. It also can take a while to get under control so the sooner you get started the better.

Thanks . My gp has suggested vaginal estrogen ..

Yep, I use both. Estrogen cream is ovestin, pessary is vagifem or the generic equivalent. It has taken me nearly 2 years for my va to get to feeling somewhat normal. Some women feel relief from symptoms in a very short time so start as soon as.

I'm on patches as well and they have no impact on the brain fog, I'm not sure it will ever clear.

No one is ever through the menopause. Menopause is a stage that lasts forever (literal meaning is 'no more periods.)

Post-menopause lasts for life.

It's often during these years that more signs of loss of estrogen occur.

Whether you use HRT for your bones is dependent on what state they are in now. You can get private DEXA scans to check if that's feasible for you.

How old is too old to start HRT? Are there any guidelines? I wasn't offered it when I started going through menopause and now have osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy (and leaky bladder)
Like you, op, I just got through the first bit, too busy working and dealing with other distractions. I wish I had made time to consider my own health. I am much older than 50 now btw.

@fiftyandfat

How old is too old to start HRT? Are there any guidelines? I wasn't offered it when I started going through menopause and now have osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy (and leaky bladder) Like you, op, I just got through the first bit, too busy working and dealing with other distractions. I wish I had made time to consider my own health. I am much older than 50 now btw.

You are never too old. The guidance is that if you begin over 60, you use topical estrogen ( gel or patches not tablets) and start on a low dose and work up if needed.

My meno consultant was asked for it by an 80+ yr old and she was given it.

I wish you'd post on the thread from yesterday about why so many women dismiss HRT. So many women think it's not necessary and regard it as 'taking drugs for a natural life event' only to find they have other issues later on.

What is being done for your osteoporosis ? Are you on drugs for that?

I've taken Vagifem for a couple of years, which sorted out sleeplessness and VA very quickly; go for it. Unfortunately I've had breast cancer surgery (and am waiting for a radiotherapy planning meeting later this month) and my GP has unilaterally decided I can't have it any more. I understood that Vagifem is a very tiny dose of HRT (as in infinitesimal) and the doctor at the Breast Clinic said it was my call. I'm using Replens at the moment which seems ok (but GP can't prescribe, as it's on the grey list...) but am having difficulty sleeping again. I'm annoyed she did it without any consultation, and has not offered any alternatives.

@JinglingHellsBells

After my 3rd fracture I have had zoledronate infusions. I had to beg for referral to a rheumatologist though as my GP told me that I had to fracture my hip first. My fractures were ribs and collar bone. Trauma was minimal in each case.
I did post in chat after I saw the wonderful video by Elaine Miller, but it hasn't had much attention.
I think I was very unlucky tbh. My sister is 3 years younger than me and was given HRT patches. She is running around like somebody half her age and looks very well. I have lots of joint pain and continence problems.
I just missed out.

@Knittedfairies Maybe ask to see a menopause specialist who can help? Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
Vagifem only stays in the vagina and most drs consider it safe. I won't have helped with sleep though as it's not absorbed into your system.

I'm 60 and have been taking HRT for 15 years. I feel great. I'm long past the menopause but yes I'm concerned about brain and bones. I don't intend giving it up until I retire from work at 70. I only take the minimum dose but it really does help. I feel better than I did at 30.
No vaginal atrophy either.

[quote fiftyandfat]@JinglingHellsBells

After my 3rd fracture I have had zoledronate infusions. I had to beg for referral to a rheumatologist though as my GP told me that I had to fracture my hip first. My fractures were ribs and collar bone. Trauma was minimal in each case.
I did post in chat after I saw the wonderful video by Elaine Miller, but it hasn't had much attention.
I think I was very unlucky tbh. My sister is 3 years younger than me and was given HRT patches. She is running around like somebody half her age and looks very well. I have lots of joint pain and continence problems.
I just missed out.[/quote]
You should see a menopause specialist or ask your GP. If you can afford a private appt- around £250-£300 you can then sometimes transfer repeat prescriptions to your GP ( you'd need to be sure) OR take long the guidance from your GP from the British Menopause Society (on their website.) these say that women over 60 can have HRT if given the way I posted. Sorry to hear of your problems, but HRT will help your bones as well and is a licensed treatment in itself for women under 60 with osteoporosis.

@JinglingHellsBells - it probably was coincidence that my sleep problems went away with Vagifem; it could well have been the VA keeping me awake!

I'm menopausal too and have just been diagnosed with gout! I'm miserable.