HRT with minimal symptoms, do benefits outweigh risks?

[PJRules]

I'm 47, my period is still spot on 28 days but much shorter and heavier.

Otherwise I don't know whether I really have any symptoms. I have very occasional hot flashes, like 2 a month but otherwise nothing I could complain about (low mood, aches and pains, searching for words, etc) are definitely menopause related.

Until I started reading up on it I believed HRT was really risky and you'd only take it if your symptoms were unmanageable. Now I see that it has many protective benefits as well as risks.

My GP has minimal ideas about the non symptom benefits of HRT so no point in speaking to him about it.

I am in a similar position to you and am starting HRT this week after visiting my gp yesterday.

My periods have always been regular but a couple of months ago I was 7 days late and then this week it has arrived 12 days early. Along with other mild symptoms (brain fog, tender breasts, etc) I spoke to gp about it and she was happy for me to try HRT. I am not suffering badly at the moment but I also don't want to get to that point if I can help it.

TBH I'd wait and see how you go.

You're only 47 so 4 years off the average age of menopause.

Many women find their symptoms get worse after their final period.

Unless you have an early menopause (which you aren't), then you are not yet at risk from osteoporosis or heart disease.

HRT is not actually licensed as a preventative treatment, except in women with existing osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis) or when menopause is premature or early.

So, ideally someone would take HRT for symptoms that really affected their quality of life and the 'bonus' of bone and heart protection is just that- a bonus.

Thank you both. Feels like I should wait and see 👍

I don't have any views either way (not sure why I'm even commenting on this thread), when I went through the menopause it genuinely didn't occur to me to go the GP or seek any form of mediation... I had no discomfort or adverse symptoms. In fact I just don't talk about the menopause with any of my friends (we are all in our 60s) so I have no idea if they take HRT or not. It's only on Mumsnet that I see constant referrals to the menopause or peri.

Interested to see replies here. I am 43 and after going to GP with concerns over my appalling memory, lack of executive function and total inability to deal with setbacks or stress at certain times of the month, she referred me to a gynae as apparently if you’re under a certain age, GPs can’t approve HRT.

I don’t really want to take anything tbh. And things feel fine 70% of the time. But on the bad days, where I can’t remember the most basic of things, cry continually and consider literally walking out on my family, I thought it had to be worth considering?