Can't have HRT or plant based alternative after radical surgery for ovarian cancer. Alternative ideas or experience?

[northender]

I had successful surgery 2 years ago for ovarian cancer. Cancer was sensitive to oestrogen & progesterone so no HRT for me. My menopause symptoms have been fairly manageable. Then I heard a menopause specialist on TV this week reeling off how the risk of so many things is lowered by HRT & it got me thinking and upset me a bit to be honest.
Should & could I be doing more? Currently I'm taking menopace supplement daily and doing a lot of weights based gym work. I've got a GP appointment booked in a couple of weeks & am going to ask for a blood screen. There is a menopause specialist GP locally but I think that's a private option.
If you're in a similar situation or have advice/ideas you could share I'd really appreciate it.

I don't know the answer to this BUT you should read this by Prof Nick Panay who is one of the UK's leading menopause specialists and involved in research. He works at a London NHS hospital as well as privately where he advises women with complex meno needs (like yours.)

Briefly, this info here says HRT is not a complete no-no certainly for OC stages 1 and 2, and women need referring to a specialist.

TBH if you can find the fee for a one-off appt with a specialist it will be money well spent.

https://hormonehealth.co.uk/history-of-cancer-can-i-still-get-treatment-for-menopause

Thanks Jingling that's really interesting as I was just told no. It's the testosterone bone health thing that worries me most I think but will see what private would cost

For info, there are costs on the link I left, but bear in mind they are absolutely at the top of the range. Other similar consultants are around £350 for a 1st appt.

I don't take HRT and my bones are still normal, so is my heart, so taking it would have been a complete waste and given me a dose of hormones that I don't need. I am exactly the same as before the menopause which was twenty years ago. I really wouldn't take a risk in your case.

why would you take the risk with HRT? Sounds like you don't even need it. I wouldn't take the risk of medication I didn't need, even without the OC

just continue doing what you are doing, weights and so on

Myself, my sisters and lots of women friends and relatives have not gone down the HRT route and we are all fit and healthy.

I have tried HRT and it really made my lupus go crazy so I can’t take it (was under both Newson health and NHS clinics so I’ve literally tried everything, tweaked doses and types etc etc). Anyway, I came on to say you can have the testosterone aspect without the rest of it - lots of women in my health forums do to help with fatigue etc. It’s not something I’ve tried but it’s definitely a “thing”.

Those posters who say their bones are fine, have you have DEXA scans?

1:2 women will have osteoporosis (figures on the ROS website) and to be honest, unless you have regular scans every 3 years you don't know.

Is the NHS offering you regular assessments so you know this?

I have never taken hrt , I have to take the mini pill to stop periods, but I really don’t fancy hrt , I am currently perfectly healthy, it’s only my opinion. But I wouldn’t risk it in your situation.

@JinglingSpringbells I have had all relevant tests, so yes.

I have hormone driven metastatic breast cancer, so no HRT for me either. I had a TAH last November ( due to a sarcoma which was also hormone fed).

My menopause symptoms are brutal. I take Meno friend by Dr Vegan and a good quality iron supplement ( I'm on targeted therapy and hormone blockers). I've been in touch with a MS and I'm trialling Veoza, the new non hormonal drug for hot flushes. I use vagifem and Ovestin to prevent VA.

If you are struggling with symptoms, definitely seek out a MS via the BMS website. If not, maybe carry on as you are?

I am not an expert, but I've had 2 DEXA scans, 10 years apart, at different facilities. afaiak, results can vary according to the scanner and the HCP interpreting the results - so do bear this in mind.

First scan showed some osteopenia in hips and spine and early signs of osteoporosis in spine. Second scan just showed some mild osteopenia in my spine.

My physician attributes the improvement to my stepping up my exercise regimen, particularly weight-bearing exercises. For the past 8-10 years I've been exercising - mostly with dumbbells - for 50-90 minutes a day, as well as doing lots of planks.

I feel so strong. I can do up to 25 push-ups. I can hold a plank for 5 minutes. People have commented on my posture. My core feels so strong. I found it totally life-changing and would highly recommend it. But obviously check with your doctor.

NB: I've been helped by lots of online trainers, but the ones that were most helpful were...:

• Lucy Wyndham Read when I started out
• Rebecca Louise and Popsugar Fitness when I was finding my feet
• Growingannanas once I felt more confident
• Caroline Girvan once I got serious.

Caroline was truly life-changing. Here I am, 70 years old, but fitter than I was in my 40s. Still working out, walking for miles most days and skiing like a woman half my age.

Sorry about the essay, but do consider it. Yes, Caroline's workouts are tough - but so rewarding. And actually quite addictive. You won't regret it.

Are you in the UK?
That's very unusual as DEXA scans and heart assessments aren't offered on the NHS unless there are a)risks and b) suspicion of disease.

The ROS was very disappointed recently as the government refused to pay for more fracture liaison clinics (one stop shops) where women with fractures are referred for DEXA scans and further assessment

.https://theros.org.uk/latest-news/1-400-lives-set-to-be-needlessly-lost-this-year-following-government-inaction-on-osteoporosis/

The Royal Osteoporosis Society has today (15 March 2024) set out the human, financial and economic impacts of the Treasury’s blocking of Ministers’ proposals for a transformation fund for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).

Half of women over 50 will suffer fractures because of osteoporosis, and a fifth of men. That’s every other mother, every other grandmother.

Fractures are the fourth worst cause of disability and premature death, and the second biggest filler of hospital beds. Fractures are preventable with safe, effective medications that are highly affordable for the NHS. But 90,000 people every year are missing treatment because of the absence of FLS in half of NHS Trusts.

FLS diagnose people after the first fracture, so they can get access to bone-strengthening drugs and prevent life-limiting fractures. These services are the world standard for care, available in 55 countries, but the UK has fallen way behind, resulting in two-thirds of people with osteoporosis missing treatment. The result is a revolving door of fracture patients in Britain’s hospitals.

@northender You need a specialist opinion.

There may be risks for you but there may not be. As the link says, Stage 1 and 2 research was showing good outcomes.

You need a 'whole person' assessment. And to balance your quality of life against any risks. If you have no menopausal symptoms, then it may not be worth trying HRT anyway.

HRT does, according to medical research, protect against CVD including heart disease and stroke (the transdermal type, not tablets) And of course your bones. If there is any family history of either of these, then HRT could be beneficial.

I'm not in the UK, 10 years post Meno (age 63), no HRT and good bone health (per DEXA). It's not impossible, lol.

Agree with previous poster about weight bearing exercise for bone strength. I have been working out with weights for over 30 years and can't stress the benefits enough.