I really wasn't expecting this, I need some kind words.

[LoveBeingAMum555]

I am 52. Fit and healthy, not overweight. No menopause symptoms until February this year when I started with dry eyes, which quickly led to crippling anxiety, emotions all over the place, joint pain, vaginal dryness and difficulty sleeping. I feel like I have been hit by a bus.

What next? Do I keep going and hope this passes, or see my GP? Is it possible to get through this without HRT? Advice welcome.

Are you willing to say what it is?

I didn't say the list was exhaustive, but there are some conditions that are a 'grey area' where HRT is possible.

There are so many myths around this that a lot of women misunderstand, Things like migraine, high BP, are the main ones. Something like DVT would come under clotting disorders.

I wish it was just my migraines, no I have a brain tumour. Undiagnosed as they aren't willing to operate, I just get regular MRI scans. But as they don't know the cause of it either their is a risk HRT could make it grow.

Granted its not a common reason, but GP'S never have time to look completely at medical histories. I could and have gone to the GP with symptoms and been offered unsuitable treatment in the past. They never join up my other specialist treatment either and have tried to give me unsuitable medication before for something else. Luckily the pharmacy picked the clash up. I just think of you have treatment for anything else you should always check yourself beforehand.

It's not just vaginal dryness as in the moment, it is the health of your vaginal and urinary system. Google vaginal atrophy if you dare. HRT helps against UTIs too.

Is that utrogestan you are using vaginally? Do you use it everyday? What dose?
I did try vaginally briefly but thought it was irritating my skin.

Yes - utrogestan capsules 100mg. My meno specialist advised 100mg every day (I am on continuous hrt not yet post menopausal).
But you insert it as far as you can so shouldn’t irritate skin But in case it does…
i use also yes vag moisturiser which is very soothing in case skin is sensitive

Thanks @TheShiningCarpet
I'm going to have another think/try.
I've spent the week watching myself go bright red with a hit flush on teams. Not constantly but very noticeably!

@ButIsItArt you’ve got this!!

I have got as far as menopause without HRT - I definitely had symptoms but thought they were manageable . Six months ago I felt that I’d got through the anxiety and sleep issues and was congratulating myself on having turned a corner . In the last six months though im not too sure and may reconsider . Go to the GP and talk it through

HRT has been a game-changer for me. I can function again. Honestly, if you are that miserable, OP, then go to the GP.

Are there not risks from taking HRT long term? My MIL sadly passed from peritoneal cancer - one of the possible risk factors, doctors said, was her long term use (about 15yrs) of HRT. Maybe the meds are safer now?

Me to. Went to my first clubbercise session tonight after 6 months struggle and 1 week since starting HRT the pelvic area feels so different. No numbness/no pressure/no dragging down FINALLY. Priceless it deals with a physical symptom no such top medic has ever helped with except guess at. I can’t imagine living with this until I was 50+ but they would have made me no doubt.

No money in the world could have taken away Tuesday I was lucky 5 days on the HRT then and bared removal - all to often the response is let’s ease the peri menopause madness with the coil 🤬 that will do - and some it never will nor is it enough.

You might find this interesting …

https://www.nice.org.uk/consultations/672/10/long-term-benefits-and-risks-of-hormone-replacement-therapy

tldr studies show reduced cancer risk for some cancers due to hrt, including colorectal

Peritoneal cancer-there is a connection with ovarian cancer, but HRT doesn't cause this. The numbers of women with OC and using HRT are minute. Far more women die from OC who are not on HRT. In fact, women on HRT are more likely to be seeing a dr and asking for help for symptoms.

Just to add, all these stats are quite out of date now and do not include the use of Utrogestan which more women are using now.
The stats are based on older forms of HRT including synthetic progestins.

Yes it was just indicative to show that a. They have done studies to show long term impact of hrt use and b that those studies show protective impact against certain cancers

This is all very interesting. I'm 50 and last had a period in March, so suspect I'm almost menopausal. I have no sex drove, have gained a lot of weight, have a sore joints (but I am fat!) and sometimes wake up hot. I was looking at photos of myself from about 15 years ago and of course I look younger and better etc. But there was a spark there that I no longer have. I just feel pretty flat most of the time but hadn't realised it. Maybe HRT would help.

I’m pretty sure hrt hasn’t made me look any different but I looked in the mirror today and for the first time in years I saw me again instead of an exhausted sore old lady, I guess because my body feels better the way I think about myself has changed for the better

@balletdreamer exactly! It's that little spark, that thing that makes me me. I'm so happy for you, I feel exactly the same. I hope your lovely post encourages others to at least look into themselves and take stock. I really do think its incredibly hard for friends and family to see their loved ones lise their spark and joy, forget what they look like although I have to say thank you HRT for my luxurious hair. I said I would get a Diana cut when I was 45 but at 48 I'm loath to chop my long, thick, shiny locks which I only got from HRT. Although, inexplicably it is now quite curly after 40 odd years of being poker straight 🌷