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

I'm about 2 years post-menopause and haven't taken any HRT so far. I'm 55. For me peri-menopause was a struggle but menopause itself is ok. From age 47 onward, I started having symptoms of irregular periods, very heavy periods, hot flushes, bloating, PMT, mood swings etc. Each time that I'd think it was getting bad enough to go to the GP, the symptoms would change. So I didn't get them all at once, I sort of made my way through each one separately.

I hated the hot flushes the most. I am not sweaty, so I wasn't drenched in sweat, but it felt like I was combusting from the inside out. I've never known a sensation like it. I used to think to myself that whoever conceived of the notion of hell, must have been a menopausal woman! I did use bio-identical progesterone cream which I purchased myself and I found it very helpful for the hot flushes. I'm not a doctor and have absolutely no medical training, so couldn't recommend it for anyone else, but I found it helpful.

My periods slowly tailed away and I had my last period just over 2 years ago, but I was down to about two very light periods a year by then.

I am definitely aware that I am older and have less resilience and energy than I used to. I find really stressful situations at work harder to cope with and they seem to use up lots more of my energy. I have lots of creaky bone issues, but I had those before peri-menopause, so I'm used to dealing with them. My sex drive is definitely lower, but it is still there. Other than that I am fit, active and healthy. My BMI wobbles at the top end of healthy and just into overweight and I have a real struggle shifting any weight now. I definitely have to watch what I eat very carefully. On the plus side, I have no hormone related mood swings at all and I feel very even-tempered and calmer than I used to. I find having no periods and having sex without the slightest concern about pregnancy liberating too.

I take collagen, magnesium, B-Vits, Vit-D and K and red clover supplements and I also aim to get at least 70g of protein each day. I have milk in my endless cups of tea and eat yoghurt for calcium.

I didn't take it and neither did my mother. I am aging pretty well at 61 now and, I know MN hates this, do get taken for a fair bit younger than I am. I have achy joints but am overweight and also rheumatism is very much a family trait. I do get a bit hot some nights but nothing requiring medical help. I am glad I didn't start hrt.

The only soreness ive had is the soreness caused by heavy bleeding on HRT Vagina was fine before that. So ive stopped taking it. Got everything else back alongside the period including period pain , period shits There was nothing wrong with my libido beforehand Now im bloody sore where i wasnt before Been on mini pill for three years and fine No periods. Three months and one week into HRT..........heavy period which started over a week ago and is still going. Stopped HRT today

I haven't had it , last period 18months plus ,only symptom the odd achy joint .
If that's it for me then i have had a pretty easy menopause and i just don't feel comfortable taking these type of meds.
I am told i haven't aged ,luckily i follow my mom and nan and have no wrinkles at all in my mid 50's but to be honest i can't say i think about that much really , just grateful to be alive and doing ok.

Does anyone know how long it will take the HRT to wear off now ive stopped it. Its Elleste Duet Conti and its one you take every day

My symptoms were never bad enough and GP wasn't keen (ten years ago, much less support for HRT) It's been fine. I don't look older or feel crapper than peers on hrt, i keep fairly fit and have lucky genes. Do feel quite wrinkly but don't mind. I do think mentally I was a bit crazed in the meno years and wish I'd stepped back and had therapy.

The best part of the menopause for me was not getting periods any more. I don't intend to start anything to bring them back.

I feel fine and I'm a few years post my last period.

@sashh, I agree , I had very unpleasant periods , I have no desire to have them back .

Am 58 and still having periods- went 9 months then 3 in a bloody row and on holiday 😡 should have had one this week but haven't. So maybe the August one was the last. I only take extra bits - magnesium, zinc and vitamin D. I have some flushes but mostly an ok. This is why I haven't taken any HRT.

Wow, I’m amazed you’re still having periods, mine stopped at 51. Best thing about menopause is not having periods. I am on HRT and I have no issues apart from being very progesterone intolerant, so I take Tridestra HRT, I only have a bleed once every three months. If I could cope without HRT I would but due to having M.S, having lower estrogen has an impact on it and causes me more pain, so it’s a necessity.

Im on Day Eleven of my bleed. The pain is fucking horrendous My HRT is being taken into Boots tomorrow to be destroyed. I am NEVER taking this shit again

My periods stopped at 56. I'm on compounded BHRT, which I guess is different from sequential, and don't bleed at all.

Snippet - so am I! I hope it is the last one!