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Menopause

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Original poster

attitudes to hrt - people desperate to avoid it?

237 replies

CharityShopChic · 31/03/2022 08:08

I am 50 this year and so many of my friends are on HRT. I started using patches in January and have seen a huge improvement in my anxiety, sleeping and furious temper.

I am in another online group with people of all ages, although tending to the 40+. Comment made in the Facebook group yesterday about hot flushes and how if the national grid could harness menopausal flushes the energy prices would half. Lots of chat about how awful flushes and other symptoms are. I commented that they should give HRT a try and the patches for me have been life changing.

Nearly everyone in the menopausal age bracket was oooooh no, that's not for me, I'm trying to manage without it, i'm hoping to avoid it etc etc.

What is going on here? I haven't come across this attitude in real life, that succumbing to HRT is some sort of failure? And that it's best to power through without , even if you feel crap? Or are they all just menopause-bonkers?

OP posts:
LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 31/03/2022 08:23

About 15-20 years ago there was a big fear that HRT increased the risk of breast cancer, and GPs became wary of prescribing it.

I also think there is a view that the menopause is natural, for lots of people it’s not that bad, it’s temporary and you’ll get over it. (Ie not aware of the long-term change without hormones).

I also have a completely unfounded suspicion that the quality of your sex life at the time of menopause also plays a part.

So yes I have friends who are astonished that I’m on a full package, have been for over 10 years, and plan to keep going until I die.

Original poster
CharityShopChic · 31/03/2022 08:27

The breast cancer risk was certainly big news. I mentioned it to my GP and he said it's no risk at all for me - but I am on oestrogen only as I have had a hysterectomy.

It's just really odd to know that there is this thing out there which can help you feel better, and not use it. It's like those people who bang on about having a blinding headache but won't take a couple of paracetamol.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 31/03/2022 08:30

@CharityShopChic

The breast cancer risk was certainly big news. I mentioned it to my GP and he said it's no risk at all for me - but I am on oestrogen only as I have had a hysterectomy.

It's just really odd to know that there is this thing out there which can help you feel better, and not use it. It's like those people who bang on about having a blinding headache but won't take a couple of paracetamol.

Same for me - it was great stuff. No social media then but one or two people did pull a face and try and tell me about their natural remedies (that didn't work by all appearances). No thanks.
Waterfordaston · 31/03/2022 08:33

@LadyGardenersQuestionTime re sec life, do you think the avoiders are people with a good sex life who are frightened to ruin it? Or people for whom sex is a non-thing and therefore keeping things on track in that department isn’t a priority?

Gettingthereithink · 31/03/2022 08:34

I was in the 'I'll avoid hrt if possible, my symptoms aren't unmanageable' camp until chatting with a friend recently who said that women used to die not long after their fertile years. Now we're expected to live for 30 odd years with these symptoms. The symptom currently upsetting me most is my ears! So itchy and dry, doing my nut in!

Nelliephant1 · 31/03/2022 08:34

I know several people who died from breast cancer and were all on hrt so it's a no from me I'm afraid.

Waterfordaston · 31/03/2022 08:37

But Nellie that’s been debunked.

Bagelsandbrie · 31/03/2022 08:41

I think - apart from what’s already been mentioned above- there are people out there who struggle with even taking a paracetamol for a headache (my in laws are like this) so the idea of HRT or any sort of medication you have to choose to take seems completely alien to them especially as they view the menopause as a normal part of life.

People like me on the other hand- several chronic disabilities and 24 daily medications- bring it on….!

Chesneyhawkes1 · 31/03/2022 08:46

I've been on it since I was 41 and intend to stay on it as long as possible!

Made such a difference to me

Smoothsoul · 31/03/2022 08:48

F

DrDetriment · 31/03/2022 08:49

I tried HRT and it wasn't for me. I had the bioidentical hormones and all that happened was my breasts grew just like when I was on the pill, and I felt fat and middle aged. I feel much more myself now I'm not on it. Hormonal intervention just doesn't seem to work for me. So yes, I'm powering through naturally. HRT isn't for everyone.

hihellohihello · 31/03/2022 08:51

People make their own choices which are right for them. I really don't like this type of attitude that one type of medicine is right and appropriate for everyone. It puts pressure on women. I have had breast cancer and am not pursuing HRT. Am very nearly fully menopausal. My symptoms have been manageable. They started during chemo. Menopause on chemo is quite sharp. So comparatively after finishing chemo and with a comprehensive fitness regime I am doing ok thank you very much. My health is my business. I don't need to defend my choices to anyone and especially not on social media. I would say though if you complain you open yourself up to people offering solutions...

hihellohihello · 31/03/2022 08:53

And I am keen although not desperate to not be dependent on any medicine if I can help it. Especially when there are shortages.

Kennykenkencat · 31/03/2022 08:55

I wish I could have had HRT but my GPs surgery said it wasn’t something they did

OTOH I sailed through the menopause, (vegetarian/vegan) a couple of hot flushes that just felt like I was a bit hot for a couple of minutes.
The problems I am having are more long term insomnia. (GP don’t prescribe sleeping pills). My friend (a little younger) and I both felt really creaky and it physically was agony standing up from a seated position, getting out of bed in the morning. I read that HRT could help. She had in the meantime gone to her GP who had prescribed HRT to her and she was no longer in pain. I am sure there are a lot of other little niggles that would be better if I had been put on HRT like the skin on my face sliding off my skull and ending up in sags around my chin and neck. My ADHD, which despite being on huge amounts of medication my brain still struggles to focus. and many many more things that I don’t really notice as I have learned to live with them. I think my life would have been more better if I had been prescribed HRT and not been sent away with the recommendation that I try lavender oil which

A. Did nothing and
B. It turns out I am allergic to

Newgirls · 31/03/2022 08:55

I think the word ‘pause’ has confused the issue. I think people think it’s a year or two of symptoms and then done. In fact the lack of oestrogen is an issue for health for the rest of your life - brain, bones etc

Also - for those worried about cancer drinking alcohol is a far bigger risk but somehow we ignore that. I think it’s 7 units a week can increase your risk of breast cancer by 25%. Yet hrt gets the blame?

Newgirls · 31/03/2022 08:57

@Kennykenkencat

I wish I could have had HRT but my GPs surgery said it wasn’t something they did

OTOH I sailed through the menopause, (vegetarian/vegan) a couple of hot flushes that just felt like I was a bit hot for a couple of minutes.
The problems I am having are more long term insomnia. (GP don’t prescribe sleeping pills). My friend (a little younger) and I both felt really creaky and it physically was agony standing up from a seated position, getting out of bed in the morning. I read that HRT could help. She had in the meantime gone to her GP who had prescribed HRT to her and she was no longer in pain. I am sure there are a lot of other little niggles that would be better if I had been put on HRT like the skin on my face sliding off my skull and ending up in sags around my chin and neck. My ADHD, which despite being on huge amounts of medication my brain still struggles to focus. and many many more things that I don’t really notice as I have learned to live with them. I think my life would have been more better if I had been prescribed HRT and not been sent away with the recommendation that I try lavender oil which

A. Did nothing and
B. It turns out I am allergic to

You need a new GP and to read the NICE guidelines - in fact print them out and give them a copy!
SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 31/03/2022 09:06

My GP still pushes the 'HRT causes breast cancer' line. She's in her (maybe) early 30s, so can't be that long out of her GP training. When I asked to discuss the NICE guidelines on HRT she claimed to not know what they were.

Very strange.

But anyway, I do think the over-exaggeration of breast cancer risks remains a factor, as pp said.

Kennykenkencat · 31/03/2022 09:06

Newgirls

I think it is too late for me to start HRT.

I don’t think the surgery think NICE guidelines apply to them.
Problem is it is a large practice that have bought out over the years I think every other surgery around. I looked at doing chord surgeries in my area and everyone was under the same management company.
At the time I really didn’t associate my symptoms with needing HRT. I think even if they did prescribe HRT, like all the doctors I have ever had. They tackle one symptom at a time rather than looking at all the symptoms and then realising they are all indications of one issue.

Kennykenkencat · 31/03/2022 09:07

Chord surgeries😀 changing surgeries

Kennykenkencat · 31/03/2022 09:10

@Newgirls

I think the word ‘pause’ has confused the issue. I think people think it’s a year or two of symptoms and then done. In fact the lack of oestrogen is an issue for health for the rest of your life - brain, bones etc

Also - for those worried about cancer drinking alcohol is a far bigger risk but somehow we ignore that. I think it’s 7 units a week can increase your risk of breast cancer by 25%. Yet hrt gets the blame?

Definitely has had an impact on my life.
GingerFigs · 31/03/2022 09:12

@Newgirls I think you make a very good point around the "pause" aspect. Until a few years ago this was probably my expectation - a few years of change as my periods stopped etc and then almost back to normal (minus the periods and a bit less oestrogen). But like you say it's much more than that, the hormonal changes impact your body forever and are more far than just having no periods.

Northernsoullover · 31/03/2022 09:12

Some of my friends are very anti hrt. They seem determined to go 'natural' as if taking HRT is some kind of moral failing. Its done nothing for my libido as I don't have one (am single though so who knows if it's there lurking) but I feel happy that my bones are being protected.
To the poster who mentioned the alcohol and breast cancer risk, you are so right! I've given up booze too. I know we can't live forever but whatever I have left I want to live well.

LoganberryJam · 31/03/2022 09:13

I am not menopausal yet (late 40s), so I may change my mind about this in future if I am suffering. But I am hoping to avoid HRT if I can. I dislike taking hormones in general (eg the contraceptive pill). I don't mind taking paracetamol for a headache, because that's a quick fix rather than an ongoing medication.

@Waterfordaston has it really been debunked? Because it says on the NHS website that there is a link? (for combined HRT not oestrogen only)

LargeProsecco · 31/03/2022 09:19

I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something..... 50 next month 😲and haven't had a period for 9 months now (and prior to this they were scanty/light).

No hot flushes. Sleeping isn't brilliant but have recently separated & moved home, work is stressful.

I'm also overweight & I believe that in combination with HRT increases risk.

And I can't face the thought of monthly periods again.

Newgirls · 31/03/2022 09:20

@SpinningTheSeedsOfLove

My GP still pushes the 'HRT causes breast cancer' line. She's in her (maybe) early 30s, so can't be that long out of her GP training. When I asked to discuss the NICE guidelines on HRT she claimed to not know what they were.

Very strange.

But anyway, I do think the over-exaggeration of breast cancer risks remains a factor, as pp said.

Apparently GPs get one day training on meno. Guidelines from NICE changed about 5 years ago and GPs are meant to read them and follow them. But as we know from here that isn’t always the case