Is *everyone* on HRT now?

[Kangaroobrain]

I'm 56, last period 3 years ago. TBH I think my menopause symptoms haven't been too awful compared to some people (although with my terrible brain fog I might have forgotten them already 😂) but I'm still getting some. I still have night sweats and occasional flushes, I've noticed my skin is starting to feel very thin and itchy, and I have completely lost the ability to multi task - I'm getting really forgetful.

When my sister asked her GP about HRT she was advised not to as we have a strong family history of breast cancer, so I didn't really even consider it myself. But speaking to friends and coming on here makes me wonder if it's now the norm to be on it?

Although I am on HRT I do feel that a little self help is part of it too. I dropped weight and made lifestyle changes and a lot of symptoms got better .

Intermittent fasting can be good for menopausal women too. I’m talking about 16/8 . Lack of oestrogen can affect our insulin sensitivity and that can add to weight struggles. Not eating a thing after the evening meal so and then delay breakfast so you have a 16 hour fast incl sleep. See Dr Chatterjee/Mindy Pelz for more.

https://spotify.link/ZozGmiR9aEb
I found this podcast really interesting. Particularly for women ages 35 to menopause.It’s a long one so o listened over a few days.

@Kangaroobrain You've not said what the family history of BC is. Your Gp has no right to withhold HRT as it's your choice, once you know the actual risk.

I'll leave this video here from Prof Michael Baum- a leading breast cancer researcher and breast consultant in the world. He's speaking about HRT, BC and family links. It's halfway down on the right.

In his opinion, he says that although women with a strong family history of BC need genetic testing, he also believes that all other women should be on HRT till their 90s because of the benefits.

https://thebms.org.uk/publications/bms-tv/

My mum and grandma (her mum) both had BC.

I haven't actually asked my GP about HRT as my symptoms didn't feel bad enough, but when my sister asked hers she was told no, because of family BC risk.

We've also never been advised re genetic testing - maybe that's something we should ask about.

Does anyone else worry that a lot of the pro-HRT research may be funded by Big Pharma.

There are no vested interests behind the non-HRT approach (beyond NHS cost saving, which I suppose is considerable).

I'll leave this video here from Prof Michael Baum- a leading breast cancer researcher and breast consultant in the world. He's speaking about HRT, BC and family links. It's halfway down on the right.

Jingling, that's really interesting. Isn't he the doctor who was involved in setting up the breast screening programme but who now thinks it should be abolished and the money put to better use? I'd like to try HRT because I'm struggling with hot flushes (and then the subsequent chills) at night and I feel so sleep deprived but having read reports about mammograms I really think that the risks outweigh any positives and I can't imagine that a GP will prescribe HRT without me agreeing to mammograms. I do try to reduce my risk of BC (regular exercise/healthy weight/don't drink or smoke/breastfed my DD) but I'm not sure that would be enough to convince a GP.

There are no vested interests behind the non-HRT approach (beyond NHS cost saving, which I suppose is considerable).

I would guess that the costs of treating the consequences of osteoporosis (how many elderly women are in hospital because of broken bones caused by falls?) or cardiovascular issues (strokes, dementia etc) are far greater than the costs to the NHS of HRT.

I see you are also very patronising.

I'm challenging you because you are wrong. I'm not suffering as I am on HRT. HRT removes the symptoms for most people.

@Movinghouseatlast quite.

I'd been monitoring my symptoms, I wasn't sure if it was worth asking for HRT or not. And then I went to my GP about my prolapse and she joined all the dots, strongly suggested HRT, referred me to a urogyanae who also VERY strongly suggested HRT.

Took 8 months to get it right. And now I don't need to wee 3 times a night and I sleep for 6 hrs straight most nights.

I'm fatter because I'm still constantly exhausted, and when I'm tired I eat endlessly. But that's down to the mirena coil, which is hands down the best progesterone option for me.

Most of the school mums I know are on HRT. But my best friend isn't on HRT. Mum didn't take it and urged me not to bother. (except I just remember her shouting for years she was so cross about everything after her hysterectomy).

Btw I echo the poster above - I don't take HRT, I use it.

Coil, oestrogen patches, vaginal oestrogen, testosterone gel. I use it all and I'm very grateful for my GP who saw I needed it.

I highly recommend the podcast linked above. It puts some important context on when to get HRT and what for and also really explains the news headline about HRT causing a 25% increase in cancer risk.
On this, just for those who won't listen to a long podcast, here is the short version.
In women who did not take HRT, 4 in 1000 developed breast cancer. In women who did take HRT 5 in 1000 developed breast cancer. From 4 to 5 there is a 25 % statistical increase. It is not a personal risk increase.

I hate when science is misused.

If it's actually true ,The benefits of decreasing heart disease, uterine cancer , osteoporosis and every other increase of dangerous conditions for women with low estrogen in menopause and getting my sanity back I'll take the chance . I have regular appointments with my GP and I have the Balance app on my phone which I keep up to date with . I also don't have any oral HRT which hugely reduces the risk. I've never felt better.

( posted too early) My GP explained that there is a much bigger risk to women taking the pill than there is using HRT .

I want to know more about dementia and HRT, there doesn't seem to be a conclusion whether it helps or not
My mum, Nan, uncle all had dementia/early onset Alzheimer's so if being on HRT is shown as a possible preventative help, I'll be on it as soon as needed
My dad seems to remember my mum being on it briefly but not getting on with it and she developed early onset Alzheimer's

tbh there's a risk to taking any medication.
Even standard paracetamol has a pretty eye opening leaflet .

I don't use it - but I have endometriosis and take a medication to stop my periods by simulating a menopausal state. I could probably stop the medication now as I've likely passed the menopause but I've never used HRT with it because supplementary oestrogen with encourage the endometriosis to grow again. I do use a vaginal oestrogen cream to stop dryness. I can't help wondering whether my own hormones will work as well as the medication at keeping things in check!

Yes, this for me too. My mum developed dementia in her early 60's later diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She's also been a wheelchair user since her late 50's with polyneuropathy and osteoporosis. My genes terrify me!

I am most definitely peri menopausal at age 47, have been having missing periods, then every 3 weekly periods, then back to missing months again for a few years now. Currently at 4 months with no periods. Been feeling hot and bothered at times but nothing to troublesome. IF this is going to be my only symptoms, then so far it's manageable.

I am so worried about the dementia and osteoporosis risk though. Bar a brief spell of the pill in my 20's (that did not agree with me!) I have never taken any hormone medication and am wary to do so, but should I given what my mum has went through? I currently feel fine and am loathed to to mess with my mood and general well-being but I need to look at the long picture.

Anyone any advise?

GP suggesting I try HRT due to heavy night sweats. HRT and Mirena Coil…any experiences? Weight gain or difficult adjustment period? I’m also on anti-depressants….

@Blossom4538 thats my current prescription. Took a while to get used to the coil (spotting) but it works a treat for me now.

Highly recommend.

I’m 46 and not on it yet. Some of my friends are on it.

My Mum had a hysterectomy aged 42 and went into HRT. She’s 76 now and will never come off it,she loves it and still has an active working life (as a nurse). I think it has helped keep her young.

I will definitely be going on it for the health benefits,I’m not sure if I’m Peri yet.

Pretty much same here the sweats and anxiety were terrible. After not coping for 2 years and suicidal thoughts it had to stop. so now I use everol 50 patches twice a week and have mirena coil. Feel really good now and nearly 2 years in and I never felt this good even 10 years ago 😄

My mum had a late menopause, she was in her mid 50s when it started. She never took any type of HRT as she doesn't believe in it. She took natural supplements and seemingly the transition went fine.

I've had no menopause symptoms yet but have complex issues - am due a huge gynae, bladder, and colon, surgery that will put me into instant surgical menopause. I'm pretty terrified about this as although am looking forwards to being pain free and checked for cancer etc, I don't want to be suddenly 'old' overnight.

At the present time, I'm 53 and look easily 20 years younger - dunno why - bone structure, good genetics, factor 50 sunscreen - but my hair hasn't gone grey and I don't have barely any wrinkles, my skin is great. So I'm terrified of sudden consequences of menopause!

I would like HRT to slow it down a bit for psychological reasons and vanity reasons really -but- yesterday the gynae I saw said they wouldn't prescribe me HRT after surgery unless I'm 'suffering badly' with hot flushes or feel 'not myself' - she said if I was 10 yrs younger then they would give it. I'm shocked to hear this as I thought everyone was entitled to HRT if they'd like it whether it's for vanity or psychological reasons or physical symptoms. Am I getting it all wrong???

100% I always wonder and worry about the influence of big pharma promoting drug treatments no matter what the subject or issue. How can we ever truly know?

I don't know if this is true and correct but I was told there are literally zero independent drug trial and drug treatment scrutiny bodies left in the UK and it was in the era of Margaret Thatcher when the last ones closed down.

@Carriemac

I'm super oblivious to all issues HRT - please could you tell me, for post-menopausal women, is there one sort of HRT that is generally the most common almost like a 'one size fits all' sort of thing?

I'll be put into surgical menopause soon and I would like to know what I should be thinking about.

What sort of HRT do you and your friends generally take?

Is it prescribed by the NHS or do you buy it privately?

Did you have to get your hormone levels tested first or any such tests?

How long will you keep taking it for do you think? ie into old age or is there a sort of 'end point' where you come off it?

My HRT is prescribed by the nurse practitioner at my GP's who is the "menopause expert". The preferred type is transdermal now, so oestrogel or patches and Utrogestan capsules.