Would you take HRT when you have no menopause adverse issues?

[PilatesPeach]

My last period was 8 years ago. I had one bad year with sweats, flushes, aching joints and some anxiety but I feel really well as I am. I am a normal weight, I run, do weights, yoga and pilates. I sleep well. Am happy enough. I take a daily sage tablet which means no flushes and my hair and skin is good. Some vaginal dryness but can use some lubricant for sex. My GP recommends that I start HRT for the preventative benefits - he says it will prevent osteoporosis. reduce stroke and heart disease risk by around a third, eliminate brain fog (I don't actually have this anyway). He says I may have some bleeding on it which would really bother me as I have none currently and don't want to start that again and that I may find my breasts are sore/swollen which again I never had when I had my periods.

I am loathe to start something when I feel fine. Any advice please? thanks so much

Can you just stop using hrt patches?

Best to ask your gp really

Im interested in getting a dexa scan but am in Glasgow and cant see anywhere that does it?

i stopped using my patches, loved the estrogen part but not the progesterone (Utrogestan) it turned me into a wreck with the most awful period pain. I just stopped all of it and nothing awful happened. In fact I felt so much better after about 5 days when the Utrogestan was out of my system, I had suicidal thoughts whilst on it, absolutely awful.

Have you looked into what your local private hospitals offer? Not all of them offer it but some will. You may have to travel, but as it's only once every 3 years to check it, that's not too bad.

@ssd I did a quick google- DEXA scan Glasgow- and Ross Hall hospital came up.

Thank you

Just to clear up something from the OP - I don't think HRT has any impact on osteoarthritis, it's not linked to osteoporosis and it's not systemic.

I have osteoarthritis and the HRT hasn't made any difference to it, I wish it could as it's so painful. The only thing that has made any difference is glucosamine sulfate.

Also, I had sore boobs for probably the first four months, in a cycle, with my HRT and initially increased migraines, but both seem to have gone now. Also, bad skin linked to the fake cycle has also gone. As that has gone I might ask the GP for testosterone at my next review as loss of libido is tedious and she did suggest it but I rejected it due to the potential skin problems.

Re dry vagina - this could be the start of atrophy. I noticed dryness a few years ago and lube helped, but more recently it's been sore inside and achy sore labia. The oestrogen cream has sorted out both pretty quickly. So, I'd get that if nothing else before it gets worse.

I've been through the menopause years ago and saw no need to take HRT. Neither has anyone in my family or from my circle of similar aged friends.

We are all healthy.

This is one of the reasons why I’ve started HRT. I have close relatives who didn’t take HRT because they had ‘no menopausal symptoms’. However they both had prolapses post menopause.

I’d like to avoid this if possible. Doing the pelvic floor exercises but I think there’s a limit to the strength and stamina I’ll have without HRT.

You've had a bone density scan then?

@PilatesPeach FWIW I've recently switched from Mirena (no periods since 1994) to other hormones for my HRT and have not experienced any bleeding (or any other negative effects).

You'll have to prize my Ovestin and my testosterone from my cold dead hands, I'm not giving them up ever.

Im confused about hrt. Should we all just be taking it then?

ssd · Today 16:22
Im confused about hrt. Should we all just be taking it then?“

No. A good diet, rich in calcium and B vitamins and exercise (weight bearing and cardio) will see your bones right as you age.

I can’t take HRt, I do those things and my bones are great at 59: I know because I thought I had a leg fracture, was x-rayed, it wasn’t it was vein related. Doctor commented how good my bones were (not for my age but full stop 😃)