attitudes to hrt - people desperate to avoid it?

[CharityShopChic]

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?

A fanny physio on vaginal atrophy, incontinence and utis.

Hrt is a part of helping this, along with other strategies and topical oestrogen.

She mentions that she discussed including all the wider issues around vaginal atrophy, such as increased risk of falls with urinary urgency (and breaks, with osteoporosis) with the Davina meno documentary team but they weren't keen for some reason.

This is the stuff no one is talking about.

It's also occurred to me that observational studies are likely to be more common in a situation where if women know that hrt could help brain, joints etc, and are really suffering, they won't want the placebo arm.

It may also be easier to tell which was the placebo - I noticed positive impacts within one day of my patches. I thought it was in my head but the half life is short. So does impact some things quickly. Completely anecdotal, but given I can tell what part of my cycle I'm at based on my joint pain, I'm not surprised for me, personally.

Brain fog, flushes, mood, executive function, crazy tingling and sleep took a little longer but was within weeks.

It's occurred to me that verbal memory for me is being badly affected. I feel v thick when talking to people. My professional vocabulary has shrunk.

they weren't keen for some reason.

As she describes with the best humour I've ever seen, no one's interested in old women smelling of pee.

She acknowledges that Davina has done loads and really well.

Last point, a friend who's now 50 was automatically offered / given hrt at 45. In London, possibly private healthcare as her husband has MS and I wouldn't be surprised if they chose that route, but I don't know. Already had mirena. Just slapped a patch on. My own nhs Gp has been amazing.

Sorry but not sorry -

Bones

@TackyTriceratops Bluming was interviewed on BBC Woman's Hour but it was around 2 years ago (maybe more) so not sure if it's available on iPlayer.

In the UK the consensus from experts is that estrogen does not cause cancer, (but may accelerate a cancer already there that would have shown up in time) but it's the progestins that are the greater risk (based on the stats showing women on estrogen-only HRT have a lower risk of BC than the general population.) That's why there has been a move away from using synthetic progestins, where possible, and cyclical regimes have a slightly lower risk than continuous. Clearly, it's not simple, but women reach a point where they make a choice , Yes or no to HRT, on existing data.

Oh and your friend who got HRT possibly privately. In general, insurance won't cover menopause as it's seen as a 'natural' life stage and chronic, not acute. I've had insurance for over 30 years. It will cover gynae issues but not directly HRT. I pay for my meno consultations.

Thanks jingling. I'll look it up.

Proper informed consent is key.

@JinglingHellsBells

Oh and your friend who got HRT possibly privately. In general, insurance won't cover menopause as it's seen as a 'natural' life stage and chronic, not acute. I've had insurance for over 30 years. It will cover gynae issues but not directly HRT. I pay for my meno consultations.

I'm so sorry you had to do this.

My Gp is in an area where lots of gps live (and themselves use that gp practise) and therefore seems to be very up on it. My Gp had all the current books, dr Newson, oestrogen matters etc on the bookshelf. It shouldn't be like that though.

(Post code lottery that is)

Don't feel sorry for me @TackyTriceratops! I initially I saw my consultant for a non-meno related issue and stayed with him. It's worth every penny, to be honest as he's a leading meno/women's health expert.

@nightfairy

I say vaginal dryness but its more my vulva/labia area that seems to have lack of moisture rather than inside my vagina - that will do what it's meant to when aroused.

I often feel I have a UTI but nothing shows up in samples (except blood) but no actual UTI

I don't pee as much or with as much of a jet haha even when I'm bursting - it kind of runs out slower.

You need to get a prescription for Ovestin cream.

Thank you Nightfairy I've an appointment with my GP on Monday night. I'm not leaving without some help. I've tried some OTC stuff - Replens cream IIRC and a suppository type thing but only tried that twice as it itched ! but neither really done much so yeah I need something better to try.

@TackyTriceratops
‘It's also occurred to me that observational studies are likely to be more common in a situation where if women know that hrt could help brain, joints etc, and are really suffering, they won't want the placebo arm‘

I really don’t know what you mean here .
In a blind trial neither researchers nor volunteers know who has the placebo. That’s the point !