HRT or lack of it.

[Catsanddogs30]

I am through the menopause .I am anti medication ,although I have to take iron and Vit D. I am luckily healthy ,although I get tired easily. I have never taken HRT and I have read of the benefits for heart ,brain and bones ,although I do not need it for any of these three at the moment .Will I suffer later on in life for never having taken it?Tia.

The whole point is that you take HRT as a preventative measure. You don't take it as a medication to solve actual heart or bone problems.

I take HRT aged 45 to help with vaginal atrophy, to safeguard all of my organs that might be affected by falling oestrogen and osteoporosis. To help my ligaments stay strong, to keep my libido, to stop hot flushing at night and to improve my skin (I look noticeably healthier).

I don't consider HRT a medication. It is a replacement of hormones. Nothing medical about it other than the GP appointment I needed to have it provided.

There was the very same question posted a few weeks back and the posts just flooded in!

HRT is not licensed for prevention. Having said that, there are very eminent consultants in the UK (Chair of the International Menopause Society- I can link to an interview with one if that helps) who said he is happy to offer HRT to symptom-free women who want to use it for long term health.)

The simple answer is you need to consider your family history and also perhaps invest in some (private) scans to make an informed decision.

Obviously, by the time you discover it may have helped, (with hindsight) that ship will have sailed.

Your bone health is the most relevant. A DEXA scan will show how your bones are now. If you have bone loss, you may want to think about HRT for prevention and further progression to osteoporosis. Unless you have risk factors, the NHS won't provide, but you can pay for one.

Likewise, if there is a strong history of heart disease in your family, AND you had meno symptoms, that would be a reason to consider HRT.

If you are anti medication, do you use antibiotics, everyday pain killers or have vaccinations?

HRT is not a medication as such. It's a REPLACEMENT (as in the name) and replaces normal hormones with identical hormones (unlike the Pill.)

Modern bio identical hrt is made from yams. As already said, replaces the hormones that we have lost. We are living a lot longer after the menopause than past centuries, we are expected to keep working, i want to live with more energy and less aches and pains.

Taking family history into account, I am more at risk or cardiovascular problems than cancer. More research is needed for sure, but reading what Dr Louise Newson and Oestrogen Matters have to say, helps put the risks into context.

No one could say what your risks are for your future health, but think how your mother/ grandmother/ aunties are or were in later life might give you a clue.
HRT by itself isn’t a panacea of all ills, diet, exercise and life style definitely play a role for sure.

Modern bio identical hrt is made from yams.

The term bio is now replaced with body-identical, for the sort most women use.

(bio is an unlicensed kind sold only privately by some clinics and not recommended or endorsed due to safety issues.)

Only saying this as another poster asked about bio a few minutes ago and was confused.

Helpful.Thankyou.