Why is it considered so bad to use HRT for reasons of "vanity"?

[santalisticle]

Taking off from another thread on here where it seemed one critique of HRT is that people take it for vanities sake and to delay aging and wrinkles. I am wondering would taking it for the sake of preserving the health and appearance of your skin, hair and nails be such a terrible thing?

To be clear I believe most women, myself included who use HRT do so after careful consideration and they take it to relieve the often times debilitating symptoms menopause brings. I just wonder why women are shamed for wanting and enjoying the positive effect supplemental estrogen has on your skin and overall appearance for many women? Yes there are risks with any mediation but there are also risks associated with not using HRT and its up to each of us to decide what is right for us in consultation with our doctors.

I notice a huge benefit to my skin especially when my HRT dose is at the right level for me in that dryness and lines vanish, my skin looks smooth, glowy and youthful again. Am I so wrong for enjoying that benefit or for that benefit being part of the equation as to why I do use it?

I see even women who are very pro HRT play this aspect down probably because they feel it somehow diminishes the validity of arguments for HRT in the eyes of those who seem to see HRT use as frivolous or cheating or as medicalising a natural process. We medicalise many "natural processes" which many illnesses are and save many lives into the bargain so is it really that wrong to take advantage of something that for many women massively improves their quality of life?

I have arthritis and take it for bone density. The other advantage of taking it has been that the constant feeling of impending doom has also gone.

I haven’t honestly noticed an improvement regarding skin/hair/nails, but my arse has got bigger.

Well i get rage and brain fog and have no issues with women taking it to look better....good on them! I'm very chuffed that it could do the same for me tbh as HRT seems to be doing bugger all for my brain atm!

HRT is medication and should only be prescribed for the conditions for which it was tested, approved and licensed. The risks and benefits have been carefully calculated and considered for those health conditions.
Vanity is not something it has been licensed for and the risks would likely outweigh the medical benefits so no GP is likely to prescribe it for that and, personally, I don't think the NHS should cover the costs for vanity either in the same way as it declines many cosmetic procedures

Change your GP.
And write a letter of complaint about the tosser

The only reason I’d frown upon it is because of the current HRT shortages. There are women who truly need HRT for severely debilitating symptoms like joint pain or chronic insomnia, and it’d be a slap in the face to know you’re suffering pain as all the local pharmacies have run out of HRT because there are women taking it for purely cosmetic reasons.

On a personal note, it’s done bugger all for my turkey neck.

Gosh, I thought vanity was ultra accepted & embraced, not least on MN. Jennifer Anniston "I deserve it" and all that. See also: "laws and public policy decision made on basis of whatever the angriest person wants" and "Whatever happened to the stiff upper lip?"

I'd say that being anti-vanity went out of fashion about 50 years ago (not kidding).

JinglingSpringbells my gp has recommend ed it tho I am symptom free. She says the health benefits of heart protection and bones is the thing - she said eastrogen is good for you .

You need a new GP. What an awful misogynistic comment.

I couldn’t imagine taking HRT for vanity reasons when it increase your risk of cancer. I’m on HRT, but only after careful consideration of the risks as explained by my GP. There’s no way I’d take the risk just so my hair & nails look better.

How do you actually get it? Aren’t you tested to see if you need it?

I haven't noticed any improvement in my skin, although my hair has stopped shedding (but that might have been my anaemia). I assume anyone wanting it for their skin etc would just drum up some hot flushes before approaching their GP. Although really it should be a woman's choice, there are risks to many cosmetic procedures, yet they are still the choice of the individual.

I seriously doubt that anyone is doing this! I know I'm not unusual in having had to jump through endless hoops to try and get it for my migraines, joint pain, fatigue...etc, the list goes on. Plus the initial bloating and trial and error of getting the right dose was a nightmare, no way would I have stuck at it for a slightly plumped up face and nice nails (which incidentally I haven't noticed happening!)

It used to be mentioned on the Style and Beauty section as being one of the definite beneficial things you can do for aging, retinol was the other. Haven't frequented S&B lately so no idea if it is still the case.

I look like a wretched old hag despite HRT, and despite spending fortunes on skincare all my life.

I really am just very glad not to be an emotional wreck with a dried up fanny suffering from constant UTI's and pissing myself.

I alluded to this on the other thread but, what are all these beauty benefits everyone is getting. I look rough and wrinkled and am sagging like mad, I can never come off hrt if it means I’ll look worse!

Nope, I described my symptoms; two periods a month and wanting to self harm and was offered the coil or hrt. I pretended to be seriously considering the coil then went back and got hrt.

I have never heard of anyone taking HRT purely for vanity reasons. I need it to keep the awful joint pain, insomnia, low mood and high anxiety at bay. It has made no difference to my skin/hair.

Ah thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was a test I could ask for. Can’t get it for love nor money. Debating going private. For me, night sweats, flushes, RAGE, insomnia, brain fog. G.P said as I still have periods I don’t need it and that I don’t have wrinkles, dry skin or gray hair! (I colour my bloody hair). Gave me citralopram - awful stuff (for me anyway). I can’t afford to feel like that. Haven’t bothered going back, not even for my smear. I’m really done with the surgery in general.

Hope you are feeling better @TorroFerney .

Your doctor is talking out of his arse.

After age 45 NICE guidelines say HRT should be prescribed on your symptoms. Perimenopause happens while you are still having periods. How can a doctor not know that?!

Print out the guidelines from NICE and go back and ask for HRT. Put a complaint in to the practice manager too.

@Movinghouseatlast I’ll try that, thank you. He’s so dismissive.

I'm long past meno but I am still on acne medication and people are quick to call me vain. Interestingly, none of these people are covered in painful pustules.

It’s not unique to hrt though

As women the pressure to appear young is massive but any attempt to do so is sneered at.

it’s just more of the same shit.

I agree. Women cant win- if they enhance their looks with botox and what not they get told to stop being so vain and age "gracefully"- whatever the fck that means??

If they don't make an effort they get told they've "let themselves go".

Women cannot win in these situations as we get criticised no matter what we do so on that basis people should do whatever they want to do and everyone else can swivel.

I am thanks. I went into the gp ready to have a fight about it but she just offered it. It does work, it’s just awful that some of us have such a different experience with gp‘s.

shes also a middle aged woman, does that help, it shouldn’t. I also never ever go the gp which shouldn’t make a difference? I had to be weighed and blood pressure done though, I’m clutching at straws to see if there could be any reasons they said no. I also didn’t ask for her, I described symptoms But in a way that it was obvious.

I can understand your frustration but I’d try and go for your smear, it’s not really sticking it to them by you not going!!

I didnt realiese women took it to look younger. Ive only been on it for a month (for the joint pain and insomnia mostly) but I look forward to the de-aging!!LOL

I can see why women would take it though. Its not like you are adding a foreign chemical or medication...its something your body naturally produces that you are now lacking.
Maybe menopause is natural but then again women didnt used to live as long as they do now so why not try and improve your health for as long as possible?