Terrified of starting HRT

[Anani]

I've started having irregular periods after I had my second COVID jab in July 2022 (don't know if it's a coincidence or not but I have a strong feeling it is not). After around 6 months they've stopped, so since April 2023 I've had no periods whatsoever.
Went to the GP told her that a couple of times, have had one blood test done - she said it looks like menopause but she will refer me to a gynecologists.
Finally got referred, after another 6 months 😑. The gynecologist diagnosed me with POI and sent me for another blood test.
I had to wait another 3 months for them to call me (the Modality people) and advise on what's going on with me...When they finally called they told me my FSH was 61 when I took the test and that it definitely looks like I've started menopause.
I've decided I will go with the patches for the HRT (still have a womb, have 2 kids) as they seemed less "dangerous".
I got my prescription yesterday (Evorel Sequin) and after reading the leaflet, all I can say is that I'm terrified of using them - the possible side effects terrify me to the core (cancer, stroke, heart attack😳).
I don't know what to do...I don't have really bad symptoms - hot flushes just now and then, my moods do seem to fluctuate quite a bit but otherwise I'm fine (I think). But if I don't start the HRT ... osteoporosis, heart disease etc...😰

Listen to what the doctors says

You can come off i

Panic is a side effect of the menopause

I’m the same…a bit older than OP obviously, but given that my mum was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in her 50s, I’m very much about quality of life NOW…if anything comes of risks of my HRT, I’ll deal with it if/when it happens.

My HRT patches will be prised off my cold dead ass when I’m in my coffin, such has been the positive effect on my life!

@Lifebeganat50 I feel the same. I'd ne rabbid if anyone tried to take those patches off me now.

@tigertummy Hi! Apologies for the late reply 🫣Yes, I got my patches and I have started the HRT. They are not too bad, a bit fiddly and I do have to use first aid tape to keep them in place (most of the time)🫤. I do feel better as well - especially my mood has improved quite a bit... Reading all the stuff that @JinglingSpringbells sent me gave me clarity and confidence to start using them😏

@Anani thanks for your reply. I started my patches too. I'm on week 4 now and the brain fog has improved massively!

@tigertummy I'm glad to hear you started too☺️. My palms were super itchy before this and now they're so much better (apparently itchiness is a menopause symptom).They did wonders for me in such short time (I'm on week 5 now), it's incredible.

Hi
I am 53 . IN 2021 I had to have the mirena coil fitted because my womb was thick and after bleeding for 4 months having a hystroscopy it was hormonal and I had too much estrogen and not enough progesterone so that was my option as my body wasn’t kicking into perimenopause. Three months to settle and doing great until I had really awful low mood like I wanted to drive off and never come bk . I went to my GP who did my FSH said I was in menopause and low eastrogen 🙄 To help with my low mood put me on everol 50 patch . I went on it for 3 months had Gp review told her I feel low mood nothing changed that way but I was now irritated mole hills were mountains and I was snappy. Her answer was up the patch to 75 . Worst thing ever I got a water infection something HRT can cause and felt terrible so after being in so much pain with the water infection two lots antibiotics I took the patch off and I feel so much better . I still have low mood but I deal with that my way . Black cohosh herbal tablets help with hot flushes , low mood etc . I would never go on HRT again . You have to way up your symptoms and what’s best for you but the little old lady’s of today never had HRT and they are still here x

What's the link between HRT and a water infection? Assume that's a uti? I know low oestrogen causing vaginal atrophy etc can cause lots of UTIs along with the urgency but didn't realise a stable dose of oestrogen could affect this

I’d just like to add a positive experience here.

I started to go through menopause very early, about 43. I did go to the GP but was told it was too early and essentially I was imagining it. I battled on for a couple of years but then during Covid, a new female GP prescribed HRT. It has changed my life.

Right but the OP is 38 and POI. So whilst it's amazing you've found the solution for you. Probably a bit different for her

Hi OP yes I totally agree and that’s why I said in my post she has to do just that what’s best for her I was just trying to support her a little and she also says her Gp said she was menopause .

The thing is, yesshe is in menopause, as she has Premature Ovarian Insufficiency she will be without her hormones for longer than most woman so even more of an effect on bones, heart, brain than someone having it happen 10+ years later. Theres a different or added set of risks to be balanced for those of us in that position, on top of whatever symptoms we have

Glad to hear the OP has got on well with it....lets face it, there is a minimal risk to just trying HRT and it may make a massive difference to your life!
I wasnt too worried about side effects TBH (lots of Googling and Im a nurse so used to medical jargon!). My main symptoms were sleep related which were on there way to ruining my life.
However I figured the miniscule increased risk of breast cancer from HRT was cancelled out by the miniscule risk of breast cancer from lack of sleep! (plus I work nights twice a week so already in a weekly sleep deficit).

Best decision ever! It worked immeadiatley and Ive been getting an uninterrupted 7 hrs sleep every night since then.😀