I have been on HRT under a meno specialist doctor for 5 years. I suffered an early menopause with debilitating symptoms for years before I begged to try hRT aged 45.
My dose has been titrated and adjusted according to my symptoms and monitored by blood tests at least annually too.
Before I became stable on my HRT I had been investigated for palpitations, given anti depressants, diagnosed with panic disorder, Anxiety, arthritis, migraines, vertigo.., the list goes on!!
I feel so much better, stronger physically and mentally (not on AD's now either) - no headaches, no palpitations, no joint pain, no vertigo - incredible!!
BUT why is it I was hauled into my GP surgery yesterday to see a pharmacist to try and scare me absolutely sh*tless about cancer and a list of other things.
Ever since the new BMS guidelines have come out it seems that they are all terrified of prescribing anything off license - even if my meno specialist writes them regular detailed letters including my symptoms, blood tests etc etc??!
Every time I log into the facebook group Menopause matters they give their standard, "doctors are under no obligation to prescribe outside of licensed doses" etc etc - it's like they have forgotten who they are advocating for??
They come across as scary and un- feeling and scare women.
I come from a medical background myself which is why I feel so aggrieved by this...
If a consultant wrote to a GP and asked them to prescribe an unlicensed dose of a drug and wrote a long spiel about why along with the fact that as GPs , they are not specialists, BUT the Consultants are!! I would expect them to generally prescribe it or if not, contact them to discuss it??
Why is it that it's okay for GPs to just tell me they might not continue to prescribe some thing that's been helping me hugely?
Do Menopause Specialists not hold the same kudos or importance as other Specialists Doctors?
And as for menopause matters, I'm sick of their shaming and scaring of people who are genuinely suffering dreadfully, it's like MM is an offshoot of the BMS!
The reason there is insufficient research to discover whether these doses are safe is because no one has bothered to do any. Maybe I can wait 10 years to discover while I'm suffering....!!!
In my case I'm a poor absorber - if my surgery bothered to read my letters etc they would see that!
I have a thyroid issue and my doses are adjusted annually. Because it's a hormone!
My mother in law has recently been prescribed a drug off licence by a hospital consultant - and her GP prescribed it!
Last rant -do men who have low testosterone require this amount of absolute shaming and gaslighting??? Or are their symptoms, blood tests and levels adjusted accordingly with zero fuss and questions!?
I rest my case!!