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 60 never took HRT I had vaginal dryness which I got treatment for, all good no hot flushes or anything like that. I had not had periods for years due to using the coil so wasn’t keen to get periods again after they stopped with the menopause. 2 years later I started having post menopausal bleeding checks and scans etc led to me needing a hysterectomy. A friend who did take HRT kept having periods and her similar gynae problems were not identified til much further down the line as a result. I was glad I hadn’t taken HRT.

61 now and didn't take hrt. I know everyone will be along in a moment to say I am deluding myself but I don't look my age at all. I don't get achy joints but have had this if it's cold and damp since I was a young woman. Passed through foggy brain and restless nights on the whole now and still work 40 to 50 hours a week. Anecdotal but we don't all fall apart without hrt.

I'm 53 and still have regular periods and only minor symptoms of peri so far that I probably wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't looking for them. My Mum had a late menopause with minimal symptoms (main one was she stopped acting in amdram because she couldn't remember her lines any more, but e.g. it had no impact on her ability to work). Mum is 77 and is still fit and active, doesn't seem old at all and looks much younger than her age. So for me it doesn't seem worthwhile at the moment. I realise if I follow her experience (which I have with everything else gynaecological) then I'll be very lucky. If I'd gone through the menopause in my mid 40s I'd probably feel differently.

I used it for a year after an induced menopause, put on so much weight and the brain fog was awful. There was a shortage of the HRT i took so had to give them up, for a week i was ready to murder everyone but then i calmed down. Other than brain fog and tiredness i am fine. Wish i had never taken them at all.

For those worrying about weight gain on HRT, I'd say it's had the opposite effect on me; I'm the fittest and slimmest I've been in years after 18 months in Utrogestan & Oestrogel.

This is not all down to the HRT, my GP advised me to work out with weights which I've been doing.

But the main thing is I've had the energy levels to do this (weight training) as well as walks, due to better sleep and this has led to not grabbing sugary snacks to keep me going.

My teen described me as having had a "glow up" 😂

All in all, a much happier, healthier me.

I started the menopause 2 years (almost to the day) after my hysterectomy. Didn't consider HRT as it's not routinely prescribed here in Portugal. Sweats were a nuisance, as was the joint pain and, looking back, I posted on FB about brain fog towards the end but there was nothing particularly debilitating. By the age of 52/3 it was all over and at 60 I'm fit and healthy.

I haven't taken HRT. Late fifties, am coming out the other side of menopause. It wasn't too bad, some night sweats, some anxiety, skin is quite dry now, other than that no other symptoms really. Nether regions all working fine. Hair is better than ever. Never felt a need to consider HRT.

I had pretty mild menopause symptoms but my doctor recommended I try HRT last year at 54. Within about a week, all the mild symptoms had become extreme, to the point that I felt suicidal, didn't want to leave my house and if I had, I would have drunk (in AA and sober many years).

It didn't click at first that it was actually caused by HRT, and as soon as I realised I stopped taking it and the symptoms went again.

I react badly to a lot of medication and couldn't ever take the Pill, so appreciate that this might be an unusual reaction.

Somebody once said to me ‘there is no other side’. The ‘withdrawal’ if you like wears off, but you are still in a hormone deficient state and, as has been pointed out, that can affect your bones, brain and heart even if you don’t feel unwell.

You're 100% correct.
I take HRT because at 29 years old my ovaries failed. I have premature ovarian failure.
My gp says I must take HRT for bones, brain & heart health until at the very least the age of 51 which is the average age of menopause in the UK.

Body identical HRT has been shown to help prevent diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, cancers and early mortality.

People choosing not to take HRT need to know that they are exposing themselves to potential future ill health.

If this is correct I’m surprised the NHS don’t strongly advise all menopausal women to take HRT if they possibly can, it would save billions upon billions of pounds if all these diseases can be prevented, far cheaper to hand out HRT than treat the above.

I didn't so much decide whether to have it or not, as just not do anything about it. I think my menopause symptoms were relatively mild, maybe because I am in excellent health (normal BMI, vegetarian, don't smoke/drink) and my periods were irregular for two years before they stopped altogether at 50. Now approaching 56 and have never been tempted to take HRT. If I had seen a GP 6 years ago and they had recommended it, I would have considered it but I suspect decided against it.

I took it briefly-about nine months-before being diagnosed with breast cancer and stopped immediately and now take medication that make menopause symptoms worse. It’s manageable for me. I do weight training to try to protect my bones. I’m otherwise very slim and fit.

HRT is helpful for all these things but not a miracle cure.
The NHS website is fairly clear about the benefits but women still need to approach their GPs armed with this information rather than expecting to be told it.
Hopefully things will keep changing and HRT more commonly offered.
It should always be a choice though, women should not be expected to take it if they don't want to.

It's not correct to say that only unhealthy people need HRT which is what you are implying.

I was very healthy and menopause hit me like a bus. Another example is Davina McCall, the ultimate health/ exercise person who also had terrible symptoms.

I think you need to reframe your view of women who need HRT. Some women have extreme and debilitating symptoms, some don't.

The only reason to take HRT is if you have symptoms that are impacting how you live your life and you may benefit from of the positives but the potential negative side affects outweigh just taking it for the sake of it.

Can anyone expand on the contraindication of HRT and endometriosis?

I didn't take it - just didn't want to. I think I was very lucky in that I was relatively symptom free (always hot so didn't notice anything different). Yes I gained weight but I'm losing it again now that I'm not working 50 hours a week so can eat properly. As for aging - I'm told I look 10 years younger than I am, my skin is great and I'm only just starting to go grey. I don't take any supplements but make sure I get plenty of calcium etc in my diet.

I can't take HRT due to havjng had hormone led breast cancer. It's not been too bad overall. I'm 54 now. I haven't had a period since I had chemo so that was 3 years ago. I get the odd hot flush and have suffered with periods of anxiety and insomnia but it's really hard to tell what is attributed to what. As things stands, I don't think I would have taken HRT if my symptoms had been minimal. Also very many people I have come across gave been diagnosed with BC within a year of taking HRT.

My MIL recently cracked a vertebrae while coughing. She then cracked a rib when her DH hugged her a bit too hard. (She also STILL has hot flushes in her 70s and struggles with sleep). Never been offered HRT which I think is bloody criminal tbh.

Thank god we have the option. Just 100% cemented that my decision to take it was the right one.

HRT makes you age more slowly? I have never heard that before.

My skin DOES look better now, 7 months into HRT, but I am 90% certain that's because for the first time in a LONG time, I'm getting mostly decent sleep. I am no longer permanently exhausted and overwhelmed, and my skin is thanking me for it. It certainly hasn't reduced any lines or anything.

I think a woman for whom HRT is indicated due to symptoms and medical history, should take it. And if you don't have symptoms or have a reason not to take it, you should not. I know a number of women who have had breast cancer or are considered high risk who can't take HRT and every one of them agrees that given the opportunity, they'd take it like a shot.

Also, PS - the impact of peril menopause has F+++ all to do with how healthy or slim or perfect you are.

To add, I don't think HRT has anything to do with ageing as such. That is more attributed to lifestyle and genetics. I look good for my age, I'm told, without HRT. However, I do have a strict skincare routine, I do a lot of exercise and try and eat as healthily as possible. I also do weight bearing exercise to try and keep my bones strong.

I’m mid 60s. I had no menopause symptoms at all, my periods just stopped. I never bothered with HRT. I probably look my age, but I don’t have a problem with that. I take daily vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis, eat well, and have a busy, active lifestyle.

Almost 50 here. Think I've had a menopause! No symptoms so nothing needed. I avoid all hormonal medication where possible. Have never taken the pill, coil etc, and I think the more hormones you throw at your body, the worse a menopause will be. I don't even drink milk.

@LSTMS30555 why would you stop at 51? I'm 50 and have not long started it!

The issues with heart, bones etc will all still apply after the age of 50. Something like 80% of post-menopausal women have osteoporosis due to depleted oestrogen. It's worth it for the vast majority of women for that reason alone imo.