Who decided NOT to take HRT? What is your experience?

[Agree]

Please can menopausal / post-menopausal women share their experience of deciding not to take HRT and how it's worked out for you?

I'm not sure it's for me and am dithering.

My main reason for leaning towards HRT is vanity and not wanting to age quickly

What I don't understand is the number of women who'll descend on a thread that is quite clearly looking for experiences of NOT taking HRT, to talk about how they do take it. And go on to pick apart other womens' reasons for not taking it.

Some posters just can't deal with the fact that lots of women don't take HRT and are happy and healthy. They seem to take it incredibly personally.

Every thread on the Menopause forum is pro HRT - could women just have one space to talk positively about life without it? It's like a bloody cult around here.

Yes you can post whatever you like and no I am not the thread police, but please, HRT cheerleaders, put the pompoms down for a sec and ask yourself why you're trying so desperately to silence other women's points of view. Not to mention regurgitating misinformation and providing unqualified medical advice.

From the top of that link: HRT is an effective treatment for symptoms of menopause. For most people, the benefits of taking HRT outweigh the risks

Nobody is downplaying anything.

No, hormones are not measured (at least by NHS) before HRT is prescribed.

I specifically asked if mine could be shortly before hysterectomy surgery and was told this was not possible. However, it had been established that I was still ovulating and had follicles releasing eggs or somesuch that meant I was not yet into the menopause (and therefore would need some oestrogen treatment).

You make a good point re alcohol.

As a teetotal sober person, I am only able to take my physical and mental health problems seriously and address them with due care and attention after having long since quitting drinking.

I've noticed this too. Weight is also a huge factor but is not mentioned.

I started perimenopause at 43, last period at 47. I was in the verge of trying HRT due to the rage, anxiety and sleepless nights but I decided to give up alcohol and the symptoms went away. I am 2 years from not having a period and feel great. I have a few wrinkles but would probably have more if I still drank alcohol. It is a big thing because I'm not as sociable I suppose but that's the way it is.

If you want to know how you’re likely to go through the menopause, then look at your mother!

Mine was totally opposite to my mother.

My mother had a hysterectomy due to heavy periods, at the time I was having to cope with periods that were just as heavy.

My periods went to 1 every 3 months to stopping and that's it. I feel fine (well apart from my numerous medical issues that have nothing to so with my reproductive system).

@LordyMe yep. A lot of people (on this thread too) get extremely defensive if you mention weight - you only have to Google menopause symptoms and obesity to see there is a huge link.

No, it's not that some women can't deal with the fact that others don't. It's the sneering and judging from those women "if they were just a bit healthier/slowed down/lost weight". "I would never put artificial things in my body" that irritate us, combined with the complete misrepresentation of the risks.

The vast bulk of women on this thread who haven't taken it have not had a single person comment on their decision.

@SavBlancTonight it’s interesting - maybe less so on this thread but on others I feel it’s the other way round - those of us who aren’t taking it / don’t feel the need are made to feel like we will become shrivelled old crones who will never have sex again and will die with spines shattered into a million pieces, riddled with dementia at 65. I feel that in the last few years the narrative has become hugely pro - HRT and anyone who doesn’t want to take it is an idiot and will die young.

It’s funny how we all see different things.

I am a huge advocate of HRT given my personal story, but totally agree that it's an individual choice. I do think though that it's OK to challenge people who post mistruths about HRT like you can only be on it for X years, or don't give the full story about raising certain risks. Women can only make a full decision about whether HRT is right for them if they have all the information. They are not getting all this information from their GPs in general, and although there are some very good private services filling the gap, there seems to be a feeling that these private services are pushing HRT very strongly as they earn money from the private prescriptions.

No issue at all with women saying that they have managed their symptoms with diet, or didn't find them bad enough to seek help with, or even that vitamins and mindfulness works for them - lucky them! And with supply issues still causing problems, every woman who manages their menopause without patches is one fewer women competing with me for a box of Estradot.

What does rankle is the judgement about "meddling" which is a negative term. Or the idea that suffering with symptoms is somehow our fault for being overweight or drinking or not being vegan or whatever.

Interesting. I can see that. I know do many women who aren't taking it in real life and also, no women who are specifically because of reduced risk of other things so perhaps that's why I don't see that. But yes, can agree it would be annoying!! 🤣🤣🤣

Alcohol is a shocker - I think it’s 11 units a week increase your risk of breast cancer by 25%. I think most women would have no idea about this? I prob drink 3-4 units a week now so I guess that increases my risk by I’m guessing 5%?! It does relax me so I’m thinking it has benefits overall.

The OP takes hrt which is one reason the thread has become about those who do take HRT. Those frustrated wanting a no hrt space prob need to read the op posts to see how the conversation has gone

@Newchapterbeckons I suggested that instead of posting out of date information, that you do some proper research by reading the info on the IMS and BMS websites for medical stats. This is clearly something you feel strongly about because you've spent hours arguing with everyone.

You asked if there were any proven benefits of HRT because you thought it was all 'unknown'.

When I list those for you, you don't accept them or even comment on them.
You come back saying I've ignored or downplayed risks.

I've not downplayed or dismissed anything. I answered your question about benefits.

If you asked to the stats on breast or ovarian cancer, I could link to those stats.

You appear not to want to put the effort in and do some reading - all of which is out there.

Other posters have said that the stats in BC do not include the use of micronised progesterone. This is what many women use now and appears to be much safer. The link you have left above does not include trials and research with micronised progesterone.

You might like to read this.

Medical statement on Menopause Mattershttps://www.menopausematters.co.uk/risks.php

Breast Cancer

Current opinion is that HRT taken for less than 5 years does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer but studies have shown that after 5 years of use, there is an association with a small increased risk. Once HRT has been stopped, the risk returns back to baseline. This suggests that the use of HRT may promote the growth of breast cancer cells which are already present if HRT is taken for more than 5 years after the age of 50, in some women; there is no evidence that HRT causes breast cancer.

It seems very likely that different types of HRT are associated with different risk, estrogen appears to increase the risk very little while there appears to be a small increased risk of cancer promotion with long term use of estrogen combined with progestogen (combined HRT).

The NICE guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Menopause concluded that for every 1000 women aged 50 to 59, combined HRT may be associated with an extra 5 cases of breast cancer over 7.5 years, with no extra cases for women taking estrogen only.

5 extra cases, per 1000 women, over a 7 year period. That's a 0.5% increased risk, over 7 years.

[This is using the old type of hrt not used so often now.]

For some women that is too high a risk. For others, it's acceptable if they get other health benefits.

Women make their own choices.

https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/bms-whcs-2020-recommendations-on-hormone-replacement-therapy-in-menopausal-women/
@Newchapterbeckons Reading for you.

https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/12-BMS-TfC-Fast-Facts-HRT-and-Breast-Cancer-Risk-NOV2022-A.pdf

I think though if we learned one thing from the pandemic @JinglingSpringbells , it's that as a nation, we're really really bad at assessing "risk".

Can you explain that a bit more @HaggisPakora ? Do you mean that as individuals we aren't good at putting risks into perspective?

Or do you mean that the data collecting and interpretation isn't always accurate (based on some dodgy data that was produced during the pandemic)?

@Boomboomshakeshaketheroom Thank you! I have taken HRT and am now currently not on HRT (not yet decided whether I will go back on it). What I have seen in this thread and others here on MN is that no one who wants to defend their right - and it is THEIR right - to not take HRT on any of the menopause threads here will get a fair hearing. I am absolutely flabergasted as well that some prolific posters are allowed to hand out unqualified medical advice here without being checked. It's astounding.

@SavBlancTonight I have seen exactly the same here and on the other related menopause threads on MN. Overwhelmingly so.

I think it's brilliant when women don't need HRT. I am delighted for them. I have not responded to any comment where women shared their own experience of not needing HRT and stopped there. It was the ones who then went on to attribute not needing HRT to some virtue on their part, or who shared the reason they don't is for some reason that implies judgement on other women. So the ones like they didn't have a bad menopause because they didn't expect it (ie it's all your head). Or they didn't have a bad menopause because they look after themselves. Or because they slowed down. Or because they are not vain. Or don't want to keep partying hard. Can you not see how awful all those comments are and what they imply? And then there are the ones who are factually incorrect. We have to correct those posts for the other women reading who may need help.

BloodyAdultDC · 09/01/2024 12:11

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/01/2024 10:55

I was advised against because of prior cancer.
Apart from intense night sweats (which I take separate medication for), I don’t feel/look much different than I did 8 years ago.
I forgot my meds when we were away for a week and wasn’t troubled so hopefully the overheating is on the wane now.

Could you please share what you take for night sweats? I have a gp appt this afternoon to discuss peri (still fairly regular periods so I'm worried I'm going to be fobbed off) but the night sweats are utterly debilitating me. TIA.

Certainly, low dose paroxetine.

@JinglingSpringbells the former - that we are really bad at evaluating risk even given all the information.

Menoforce sage supplements really helped my night sweats

These

I take them when needed, and take menopace everyday, does seem to help a lot for me, especially joint pain and tiredness.