What is post menopause like?

[DustyLee123]

For those of you who are post menopause and not on HRT, what is it like? Do you still get some symptoms or have they gone now?

I take HRT pessaries, and yes can take them for ever. I do not have utis, I have vaginal atrophy.
It is not true that there are no risks from HRT.

@MyCosyRaven Are you in the UK ? Just wondering - your post was 3am here.
The guidance does vary across the world and especially in the US.

The part of your post that's incorrect is the idea that symptoms will come back once you stop HRT (as if HRT is just managing them and you have to 'go through the menopause' again.)

There's a lot of medical info on this online.

What happens is that HRT controls symptoms as long as you have them.
If they return if you stop HRT, they'd have been there anyway all those years.
No one 'goes through the menopause twice.'

Some women do have symptoms for many years and some for life.
But this isn't a rebound after stopping hrt. They would be the same if they'd never used HRT.

@JinglingSpringbells I know many women who had bad menopause symptoms, took HRT, then when they stopped it had those symptoms all over again. Those I know who had no symptoms when they stopped HRT tended to have milder menopause symptoms.
I know what Drs say, but I also know what my friends say.
I am happy to have HRT pessaries forever as the risk is far lower, but HRT does carry risks - all medication does.

It's not me saying this-I'm just the messenger.
Read the medical info on sites like Balance. This is from the website.

Does taking HRT just delay the menopause?
Many women think that taking HRT just delays the natural duration of the menopause in your body. This is not the case. If your symptoms return when you stop taking HRT it is not because you have been taking hormones, this is because you would still be having symptoms of the menopause at that time even if you had never taken HRT. An untreated menopause can cause symptoms for many years; the average length of time is around seven years but for many women, symptoms can last for decades.

Anecdotal accounts don't replace science.

HRT may have very small risks but not taking HRT also has risks, for many women.

You have to make up your own mind based on your own genes/family history and medical history, which you clearly have.

its common NOW. Evolution is a long process. Its also interesting that external factors have lengthened our lives. It all started with learning to cook stuff to be able to soften food so that people who lose their teeth could still eat. Same with grinding grain. People who can no longer do their share of the hard physical labour need to be valued by the group for other reasons. They become the retainers of knowledge, the teachers of children and so on. Extelligence and its effect on evolution is a very interesting subject. So far as evolution is concerned, if there is no evolutionary value in people living for long after they can't reproduce then there is no benefit to the species in their evolving to live longer.

Yeah this. But no hot flushes or sweats etc and I'm about 4 years in now.

[hug]

@Objectrelations 😊
I sound a right grumpy arse.
Meno and cancer is so tough.

As a 51-year-old woman who has been through post-menopause, I can say that it's a unique experience for everyone, but it does come with its share of ups and downs. The initial phase can be challenging with symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings gradually diminishing, but I found that maintaining a positive mindset and looking after my health made a big difference.

One thing that really helped me (and I highly recommend) was incorporating probiotic supplements into my routine . I noticed improvements in my digestion and overall gut health, which seemed to reduce some of the bloating and discomfort that often accompanies menopause. I also felt that probiotics contributed to a more balanced mood and energy levels.

I didn’t feel the need to resort to HRT or other medications. For me, managing diet, staying active, and adding those probiotic supplements did the trick. I now feel like I’ve come out stronger and more in tune with my body post-menopause. It’s not something to dread—just another chapter where you might discover new aspects of yourself.

For anyone navigating this stage, I’d recommend exploring what works best for you, be it diet changes, supplements, or simply making time for
self-care.

If you can't/ won't take HRT to resolve these, then at least take vaginal oestrogen (I take both) - it will resolve your UT, vagina & bladder issues in 3 to 6 months 👍

I already am using vaginal oestrogen, my bladder issues have improved, my GP is stuck on trying to get me off HRT patches because I have been on them since I was 45, I'm 58 now & every year when I have my med review they are trying to persuade me to come off it altogether, they already have insisted I cut my dose from the 100 patches to 50 size ones.

.

So heartening to read this. 4 years post menopause and wondering whether the anxiety and low moods will ever improve.

What a load of rubbish. My mum didn't have HRT and lived a full and active life well into her late 80s.

Well, I'm on HRT and look and feel amazing. I don't want a dry fanny, aching joints and no sex drive thanks. I'm also doing a Masters, so no brain fog here. It's a yes from me.

Rubbish. Menopause is the transition phase which is pretty miserable. Post menopause is when the hormones settle down at a lower level, but are constant rather than wildly going up and down as the ovaries play their last hurrah.
i have been post meno for 5ish yrs, the last 3 yrs are HRT free and I feel so much better.
Less energy, occasional hot flush but I can sleep again. I truly believe that I’m catching up on the sleepless 10yrs of perimenopause and menopause.
I can enjoy life, no mood swings or anxiety. I am currently on a train home from the West Country having spent the last few days with my terminally ill sister. It has been incredibly emotional and distressing but I have been able to cope. There is a calmness about my other DSis and I as we have fulfilled the duties of big sisters. I can’t imagine us being as calm 10yrs ago.
Hormones are seriously over rated. I was concerned about lack of libido, but when you don’t have the urge you really don’t miss it and I had a high libido and a very active sex life. It has been the saving grace for our marriage since DH has had severe ED since having a stroke. I think our marriage would not have survived if my libido had remained in tact.

@Angrymum22 Great that you have no symptoms now.

But your experience is yours.

There are women who have symptoms for life. My consultant gynaecologist has women in their 80s and 90s on HRT because their symptoms have never stopped.

My mum had flushes into her 80s but was refused HRT at 60-ish as it wasn't 'allowed' back then for older women but she was sleeping badly and still had night sweats.

How we all respond to loss of estrogen is individual.

How we all respond to loss of estrogen is individual
I agree with this @JinglingSpringbells but I can certainly relate to your relief @Angrymum22 at the reduction in libido!

Feeling and looking dry. It literally and figuratively tells you that all your youth is gone.

The op asked for personal experience not anecdotes or second hand experience. I was being honest. People don’t tend to complain about positive experiences, the general view of post menopause is very skewed as a result.

58 .....8 years since last period .
3 years since absolute peak of symptoms .
Worst symptom now is joint pain.
Every joint in my feet and knees ache .
Bit of brain fog .
Shit load of weight gain and total apathy about dealing with it.
Never had HRT . Just got in with it.

Not a brilliant advert for not doing HRT then.

I agree but then again I'm exactly the same age and also haven't used HRT.
I don't have any joint pain, my feet and knees are fine (went for a 5 mile run today) no weight gain, I don't have brain fog, feeling pretty good generally 🤷🏻‍♀️

Why are people on HRT so aggressive and militant towards women who don’t opt to take it.? Why do they care. It’s a personal choice. Is it that they are secretly worried about the risks and so want everyone to take it to reassure themselves?

Who has been aggressive?