Is it the norm to be on HRT ?

[sweatyannie]

Managed to get through the menopause without too many issues. Exception being very heavy periods but got that sorted.

I never sought HRT or was offered it by GP but I am now struggling with weight issues especially around the tummy etc. that may be for a number of issues (calories in - calories out)

I seem to be surrounded by women friends , colleagues who are on HRT.

Am I the only one ?

Only one NOT to be on HRT ?

Hi OP. I am also not on HRT. I am only 51 but determined not to start it. All my colleagues who are a similar age seem to be on it. There is a history of breast cancer in my family, plus I don't react well mentally to any kind of hormones. I am on sertraline to stabilise my moods though which is working well.

Thanks @Strawberrypudding.

I was determined not to start it at 51, different story 6 months on, I am desperate to start it.

My group of 10 friends has 2 women on it OP so not everyone by any means.

I went into surgical menopause when I was 42 and I can't take HRT due to a strong family history of breast cancer. So I'm the only one out of my friends who has gone through menopause, and I'm now post menopausal. I don't know if any of them will take HRT, I guess there is a strong likelihood they will, I certainly would have liked to have had the option!

It’s the norm on here I think to be on HRT but did a straw poll of my family and friends who are menopausal and none are on it including myself

I am not on it, started with symptoms at 43, I am now 56 and they seem to be largely over. The symptoms weren't particularly pleasant, but for me, I preferred them to taking medication.

Not all of my post posted for some weird reason.

I barely had any symptoms and now I’m past the 12 month mark will see how I get on and reassess if need be.

I was discussing this with friend/work colleague (64 & 58)neither of us even considered it and are of the opinion that they are over medicallizing a perfectly normal occurrence with all the news items about it recently. (not to say that some people obviously have more severe symptoms than others and may need it but people seem to be automatically going on it without waiting to see if Needed) All the younger colleagues are questioning us and it's making them fear the menopause.
To us it was best thing ever to no longer have to put up with periods😊

Very few eligible women in UK are on HRT (only something like 15%). I’ll have a look for a link.

No you arent the only one, lots of women feel they can manage without or feel theres too much of risk too start it.
I was 6 yrs post menopause when I started HRT, peri menopause had been fine though the sleeping difficulties and physical exhaustion started then it wasnt til much later that they became unmanagable in daily life especially when combined with joint pain and the inability to think/remember clearly. I wouldnt have started it if my symptoms hadnt meant I needed it, the fact that it helps my osteoporosis too is an added bonus.

I started HRT when i was a year post meno because i couldn't lead a normal comfortable life with the symptoms i was getting. I recently tried coming off as Mirena was out of date, but after 4 weeks i went back on it.
I have several friends and cousins who are at same stage/age as me and i am only one on HRT.

Depends what you mean by 'normal'.

The number of women on HRT is around 15%. So that's just over 1 in 10 (you can't count half a woman!)

I think with all the meno publicity over the last year or so (not talking about HRT but menopause generally) more women are perhaps looking at HRT as an option.

Some women get no symptoms but they are only 25%.
Some women- read a recent quote from expert meno gynae - 10% - have symptoms for life.
Some women get no typical symptoms like flushes etc but do have pelvic and vaginal issues, anxiety, bone loss = early fractures after minor falls, but don't relate these to menopause.

Do what you think is best for you and don't worry about what others do.

we are hearing a lot about HRT in the news lately, but I think not as many people are on it as you might think.

Im on it. Im 46 but have been on it for a few years now and I never want to come off it

I'm 63, my periods didn't finish until I was 59 1/2! I'd had about 5 years of horrendous flooding, periods lasting 3 weeks, all of that. I've never taken HRT and won't bother now

Thanks all.

Yes a lot of talk about it which made me wonder whether it was 'the norm '

I’m on it but debating attempting to come off it. I feel a bit mixed about it, yes it helps me with symptoms but no I don’t like artificially going against what nature intended to happen.

It’s a good idea to be on it, don’t know if it’s the norm but I think it will become so. The health and mental benifet is enormous.

That’s a strange argument - so by your reasoning, you wouldn’t have treatment for a serious potentially fatal illness because it’s what “nature intended to happen “?

Vast majority of peri / post menopausal women I know take HRT. They say they benefit hugely from it.

Tbh nature intended most of us to be dead long before menopause so wasn't an issue before.

I find it hugely beneficial. Colleague at work just starting it as had a scan for osteoporosis and her bon3 density was poor and the oestrogen will help.

I think the vaginal pressaries can be very useful. It helps with protecting against lots of things.

I watched the Davina McCall programme and I had the slightly uncomfortable feeling it was being sold as the elixir of youth. In the modern world it seems that “ageing shaming” is rife, and that anyone who “gives in” to the perfectly natural process of greying hair, wrinkles, waist spreading etc and - heaven forfend! - the end of fertility is a sad case .

if one has debilitating symptoms, then of course seek treatment, but menopause is not in itself a condition that must be staved off and I’d like to see the 75-year-old woman on HRT who looks 45…

Also, nature originally meant that many women would not live to reach menopause or at least not have to live for years with the symptoms. Not to mention trying to continue in a professional job with debilitating anxiety and brain fog.

I’m not on HRT and don’t really want to go down that route. However the advice has now changed and breast cancer/ history of breast cancer is not a reason not to have HRT. Particularly if you have transdermal patches and separate progesterone. I’d advise a private menopause nurse or clinic - most GPS are - sadly - clueless and not v helpful.

Yes, I know. I have benefited from it but no medicine is without potential side effects. I’m just not sure how I feel taking it long term tbh. It’s a personal thing and I’m only putting my point of view across for context.