Am I missing out by not taking HRT?

[tumpymummy]

I am 54 and have been through the menopause. I dont take HRT and have never felt the need to ask for it. I had a few hot flushes but seldom get them now, unless I am stressed. A lot of my friends and colleagues take HRT and all think it is amazing. I'm beginning to wonder if I am missing out on something and should start it too?

When you say have been through the menopause when was your last period? Many women are fine for 3 or 4 yrs then as the hormones become completely depleted that is when problems can occur.

However a lot of people who take HRT have problems too with side effects like nausea, dose tweaking etc and breakthrough bleeds.

If you feel fine I'd just carry on tbh. If you start having sleep or mood problems then review.

HRT is prescribed on symptoms and sounds like you wouldn't qualify now if it isn't impacting your life but is beneficial for your friends. It can have benefits in protecting bone health and if started under 60/within 10 years of menopause heart health too.

We're all different in if we need it and it isn't for everyone.

However a lot of people who take HRT have problems too with side effects like nausea, dose tweaking etc and breakthrough bleeds.

Maybe there is some forum bias though on this because it's usually only people with problems who ask here?

All the women who are getting on fine don't bother to come along to say so.

@tumpymummy You can't usually get HRT from a GP without having the need - ie symptoms. It's not prescribed for prevention of disease, unless you are already at risk with for example, osteopenia (pre cursor to osteoporosis.)

If you are not going to use HRT, be aware that various health risks do increase post-menopause (women's risk of heart disease rises as estrogen falls) and your bone loss with speed up (weight bearing exercise and weights counteract these) and you may also experience pelvic floor/bladder/vaginal dryness issues, some years after menopause.

Hopefully not!

I'd say if you're not having any menopause symptoms that bother you, then you're not missing out. I have a 59 year old friend just like you, hasn't had any meno symptoms, flushes, etc. She's never taken HRT. However as she's got older she does have achey joints and a few issues with urge incontinence- but then, that could just be due to ageing and childbirth. She wouldn't know unless she sees the gp and tries HRT.
As someone else said, it can be beneficial for bone strength, but the lowest dose isn't enough for that and it unfortunately isn't generally prescribed on the NHS for that reason.

As someone else said, it can be beneficial for bone strength, but the lowest dose isn't enough for that and it unfortunately isn't generally prescribed on the NHS for that reason.

Out of interest, what are you considering as the lowest dose @ThingInTheAttic
The table of products on Menopause Matters lists the types that can be used.

www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

Anything of 1mg estrogen is helpful, (as shown in the table) and Prof Nick Panay says there is some evidence that even ultra low dose of 0.3mgs can be helpful.

Most women don't use less than 1mg anyway.

Many women are fine for 3 or 4 yrs then as the hormones become completely depleted that is when problems can occur.

@Janiie

Is that right? I didn’t know that - has there been research done?

@Luredbyapomegranate Yes, what @Janiie says is correct.
Estrogen continues to fall from the date of the final period.
Plenty of research!

That's why things like prolapse and vagina atrophy/ bladder issues can happen years later. And bone loss is highest in the first 5 years after the final period- can be 5% a year.

Loads of women don't link their health issues in later life with the menopause, especially if they have 'sailed through' the usual symptoms of hot flushes and sweats.

I wonder this too @tumpymummy
52 and not on hrt.
I don't know what hrt would "alleviate" but I wonder if my bones are going to crumble?

Hrt helped me a lot with insomnia and hot flashes. It also has massively improved my hair quality and skin. I think , it makes you look younger as side effects.

My mum and my best friend’s mother at 50 had similar fitness, weight, looks and health. My mother didn’t take hrt and my friend’s mum did. My mother has a list of health problems, the worst being osteoporosis (she cracked her pelvis at 65 now on a walker), incontinence, slightly overweight but no change in diet, heart problems and has generally aged very quickly. My friend’s mum is still on hrt, is in good health, looks years younger than her age, still swims, very active and lives in her own home. It may also be a result of genetics and their past health and diet, but I went on hrt myself as soon as I could and noticed the benefits after a few days. I really feel for my mum and other women who unnecessarily endure menopause symptoms and now have long term health problems.