HRT natural remedies

[Inbetweenie993]

New to Mumsnet so not sure whether this is the right forum, but here goes...

Been on HRT for a long time following early menopause.

All sorts of problems since the shortage, chopping and changing brands, pills patches etc.

Never see the same doctor twice at my surgery, however all seem to discourage it - one even said "depends whether you want breast cancer" (Which I don't believe is true) BTW I am 59 and have been on it since my 40s.

Latest thing is that they want me to jump through hoops and provide a weeks worth of blood pressure readings (3 times a day)

Gave up!!! and have felt shitty since and feel that I look like I've aged 10 years.

Any comments / suggestions???

Back to the docs and insist, or any OTC herbal stuff which might help??

Looking for wisdom / experience....

I suggest you repost this in the Menopause section. You'll get lots of good advice there, including what to say to doctors who won't prescribe HRT.

I've gone through menopause without HRT because I didn't feel the need. However, I've taken supplements throughout, namely Menopace and Boots Red Clover and Isoflavones.

Go to a private menopause clinic. As soon as humanly possible. GP's are fucking useless.

My friend is a retired GP.

She went to her GP about HRT and they gave her the same spiel about increased breast cancer risk. When she looked at the actual numbers, the risk had gone from very, very small to very small and she decided her quality of life was more important.

Have a look at the menopause section here. Take the NICE guidelines in, highlighted. And just insist.

It's important to focus on any personal risk factors when taking HRT, much like any medication. Risks for HRT can be overstated by less knowledgeable Drs.

Your GP mentioned blood pressure monitoring. Now if you have high blood pressure and are taking oral HRT this might be a reason to stop /change it. Transdermal estrogen eg patch, gel or spray with micronised progesterone (Utrogestan) can actually help to lower BP. See here: www.bloodpressureuk.org/news/news/blood-pressure-the-menopause-and-hrt-.html

Perhaps go back and have another chat, asking what specific risk factors might prevent you from restarting HRT (in the safest way as mentioned) using the NICE Guidelines as a guide www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations

A couple of things - if you stopped your HRT suddenly without reducing down slowly this can result in symptoms returning. Also many women find they don't need as much estrogen as they get older so you could discuss trying less. It is important to say how you feel and quality of life is very important.

I can't take HRT so I'm on wild yam cream and sage tablets. I'm not as ragey as I was and I'm sleeping better.

If you want me to PM you details of what I use then feel free to ask.

@handslikecowstits

I can't take HRT so I'm on wild yam cream and sage tablets. I'm not as ragey as I was and I'm sleeping better.

If you want me to PM you details of what I use then feel free to ask.

A colleague mentioned something yam based but she didn't have details. I'd like to know what it was, if you don't mind? And where you got it from.

I'm 47 and I think I need it. Not ragey but constantly fighting urges to completely sabotage my life and catastrophising! Thanks x

I'd be interested in the details please @handslikecowstits

Hi, OP. We're moving your thread to the Menopause board now, as requested.

@handslikecowstits

I can't take HRT so I'm on wild yam cream and sage tablets. I'm not as ragey as I was and I'm sleeping better.

If you want me to PM you details of what I use then feel free to ask.

well, modern HRT is actually derived from yams!

There are very very few women who can't take hrt. Even some women who have had BC are using the safer versions as they can't cope with the meno symptoms.

Obviously everyone needs to do their own risks analysis with a menopause expert.

@Inbetweenie993 Unless there is a medical reason to take you off hrt, they can't. It's withholding treatment.
There is no limit to use now and on many threads here you will see comments about women using it into their 80s and 90s (my consultant has women that age on it.)

You need to stand up for yourself and demand why they are so anti-hrt. Also as PPs say, show them the guidance about no need to stop.

The BP thing is ridiculous,. HRT rarely causes high BP- that's an issue with the Pill, not hrt. I wonder if they get young women t do their BP 3 x a day before they give them the Pill, or is HRT an ageist and sexist issue? Makes you wonder.

If you had high BP they have to treat that as a separate issue.

High BP was a possible issue with the old types of HRT 30+ years ago. Now most women use transdermal, low doses and a more natural type.