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Menopause

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Original poster

Are some women just against HRT full stop?

125 replies

Ladywing · 03/08/2023 12:26

I can totally understand a healthy dose of scepticism around HRT it isn't going to keep you from aging and while newer forms are safer no treatment is totally risk free. I can also understand anyone choosing not to take it as it is a personal choice of course but there does seem to be an attitude in some women that HRT just isn't needed, that diet, exercise and supplements are all that is needed and that women who use HRT are some how weak and looking for easy answers.

Why is it so difficult for some people to accept that menopause doesn't effect all women in the same way and that for some women HRT is life changing and necessary?

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 03/08/2023 12:44

Why is it so difficult for some people to accept that menopause doesn't effect all women in the same way

Slightly ironic there, OP. Some women don't want HRT because yes, menopause doesn't affect all women in the same way. I have a friend who thinks she might be peri and I've told her I didn't have a difficult meno, I didn't need or want HRT but everyone's different and she has to decide by her experience, not mine.

If those women find that the natural route works for them, why can't people accept that and not lecture about the benefits of HRT? the lack of acceptance about other people's decisions works both ways. I've seen posts on here with HRT enthusiasts saying those of us who don't take HRT are really going to wish we had in our 60s and 70s - isn't that not accepting that some of us have made different decisions and just as bad as what you're complaining about?

Anotherchristianmama · 03/08/2023 12:45

Ladywing · 03/08/2023 12:26

I can totally understand a healthy dose of scepticism around HRT it isn't going to keep you from aging and while newer forms are safer no treatment is totally risk free. I can also understand anyone choosing not to take it as it is a personal choice of course but there does seem to be an attitude in some women that HRT just isn't needed, that diet, exercise and supplements are all that is needed and that women who use HRT are some how weak and looking for easy answers.

Why is it so difficult for some people to accept that menopause doesn't effect all women in the same way and that for some women HRT is life changing and necessary?

Because judging women is a global pastime.

Original poster
Ladywing · 03/08/2023 12:49

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain My OP says I think its fine if you don't want to take it yourself but what I don't think is fine the when those same women judge those of use that do or see it like a cop out. No judgement from me not to take it and nothing ironic about my OP either.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ladywing · 03/08/2023 12:49

Anotherchristianmama · 03/08/2023 12:45

Because judging women is a global pastime.

Show quote history

Absolutely!

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 03/08/2023 12:57

Ladywing · 03/08/2023 12:49

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain My OP says I think its fine if you don't want to take it yourself but what I don't think is fine the when those same women judge those of use that do or see it like a cop out. No judgement from me not to take it and nothing ironic about my OP either.

You're on a site where women are currently being judged for not wanting to use self service machines in supermarkets, wanting to keep the right to pay by cash and not giving things up for climate change (among other things). Some people just aren't happy unless everyone thinks and lives the same as them.

WandaWonder · 03/08/2023 13:02

No idea, I will take it if I have too but not till then but I don't feel the need to talk about it enough to judge or be judged by it

If I am on it and it works why would I care what people say about it? If it's working it's working I dont need permission

Runaround50 · 03/08/2023 19:23

Take hrt if you
a. Need it to function and
b. can get the stuff.

Otherwise don't take it and don't judge those who do want to to take it.

The old chestnut of keeping symptoms at bay with diet, exercise and supplements is a load of old cack. If you are going to get hot sweats, anxiety, joint aches, loss of libido etc etc, you are going to get them. It's what you do about managing them.

Gone off topic, soz 🙂

OhcantthInkofaname · 03/08/2023 19:41

Just like terminating a pregnancy if you don't like don't get one. If you don't like HRT don't use HRT.

TheCornflakeHotline · 03/08/2023 20:06

Why can't we as women just accept each others' choices?

Mariella, Davina etc al act as though any woman who doesn't take HRT is foolhardy. Whereas I sympathise with those who have suffered through menopause and would have taken HRT in those circumstances but I don't see it as a panacea for ageing. So I'll put my faith in diet and exercise.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 03/08/2023 20:18

I have a good diet and exercise every day - I still take HRT.

It's been a god send since cancer treatment put me straight into early menopause.

I might have not needed it if I gradually ramped down naturally, but hey ho.

Ladyofthelake53 · 03/08/2023 20:44

I have a problem with the animal welfare issues related to HRT i.e. where it comes from and whats involved to produce it. Id only use plant based HRT .l im 55 snd nit on it

OhcantthInkofaname · 03/08/2023 20:59

I wish I had the option to use it. I had my first fracture (wrist) in 2004. Then the spinal fractures started.

Original poster
Ladywing · 03/08/2023 21:07

Ladyofthelake53 · 03/08/2023 20:44

I have a problem with the animal welfare issues related to HRT i.e. where it comes from and whats involved to produce it. Id only use plant based HRT .l im 55 snd nit on it

Most HRT now is from plants.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ladywing · 03/08/2023 21:07

OhcantthInkofaname · 03/08/2023 20:59

I wish I had the option to use it. I had my first fracture (wrist) in 2004. Then the spinal fractures started.

Sorry to hear that.

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 03/08/2023 21:12

I don't take HRT, my menopause transition was very smooth. I am now 67. The health problems I have (autoimmune thyroid disease) would have happened whether I had taken HRT or not.

Some women clearly need and benefit from HRT, others do not.

LadyVictoriaSponge · 03/08/2023 21:14

TheCornflakeHotline · 03/08/2023 20:06

Why can't we as women just accept each others' choices?

Mariella, Davina etc al act as though any woman who doesn't take HRT is foolhardy. Whereas I sympathise with those who have suffered through menopause and would have taken HRT in those circumstances but I don't see it as a panacea for ageing. So I'll put my faith in diet and exercise.

Totally agree, I get fed up with the inference that woman are idiots who don’t take HRT.

Furtivefig · 03/08/2023 21:22

Totally agree, I get fed up with the inference that woman are idiots who don’t take HRT.

This! And I always get that message loud and clear on this board.

I know for me, a healthy, unprocessed diet, exercising throughout the whole of my life has been very helpful in coping with the menopause (53). My bone health is good, I have no mood or anxiety issues, no problems with weight gain or exhaustion. Why would I take HRT? But there are plenty that would still argue that I am missing out on the health benefits and that I’m not protecting myself in old age.

I of course have great sympathy for women who experience a really hard time through the menopause and of course HRT should be a choice for everyone.

ssd · 03/08/2023 21:23

I dont know anyone who judges women in the way you describe. Or rather maybe i do but i wouldn't have that conversation with them.

PerspiringElizabeth · 03/08/2023 21:26

Take one look at mumsnet and you’ll see that there is a massive wodge of women who hate women. Epidurals/c sections/formula feeding/sleep training is cheating too to some people.

LittleMonks11 · 03/08/2023 21:26

OhcantthInkofaname · 03/08/2023 19:41

Just like terminating a pregnancy if you don't like don't get one. If you don't like HRT don't use HRT.

Wait, what?

PerspiringElizabeth · 03/08/2023 21:27

LittleMonks11 · 03/08/2023 21:26

Wait, what?

Show quote history

She means if you don’t like abortions, don’t get one but don’t stop other people doing it. Same with HRT.

Abra1t · 03/08/2023 21:32

Ladyofthelake53 · 03/08/2023 20:44

I have a problem with the animal welfare issues related to HRT i.e. where it comes from and whats involved to produce it. Id only use plant based HRT .l im 55 snd nit on it

You’d be unlikely to be prescribed anything other than plant-based, body-identical HRT in England on the NHS.

LadyBird1973 · 03/08/2023 21:38

I think it's possible for some women to control symptoms through diet/exercise and to support their bodies through the right nutrition, but this isn't going to top up oestrogen levels and guard against osteoporosis, for example. I think women should be made aware there's a difference between aiding symptoms and heading off potential future problems by topping up hormones. Even though both might have the same effect on how a woman feels in herself.

Furtivefig · 03/08/2023 21:44

LadyBird1973 · 03/08/2023 21:38

I think it's possible for some women to control symptoms through diet/exercise and to support their bodies through the right nutrition, but this isn't going to top up oestrogen levels and guard against osteoporosis, for example. I think women should be made aware there's a difference between aiding symptoms and heading off potential future problems by topping up hormones. Even though both might have the same effect on how a woman feels in herself.

My point exactly…

Clarabe1 · 03/08/2023 21:56

I think some people just judge anyone who takes any kind of tablet unless it’s a vitamin or labelled natural. Every woman needs to decide for herself, the menopause is different for every woman. For me HRT has been a Godsend, I was on my knees through lack of sleep (night sweats).

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