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Menopause

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Do nothing at Menopause?

108 replies

maclen · 09/10/2024 07:49

I believe I'm perimenopausal and I just wondered what happens if you literally do nothing about the menopause? Is it safe? You see some horror stories and it's giving me anxiety (which is probably peri anyway lol)...

OP posts:
AChickenPooAndABiscuit · 09/10/2024 08:45

FlipFlops4Me · 09/10/2024 08:00

I didn't do anything at all other than eat well and take plenty of exercise. I was absolutely fine. The grumpies were nothing to write home about and I just decided to let my body get on with it. Many years later I'm still fit, happy and healthy. I was very lucky but because of my epilepsy and a meds clash I was told I couldn't (then) have HRT anyway so I had little choice.

Same here! Since I don't get any warning about my seizures, and the estrogen could make them worse or trigger more, it's not worth the risk. Funnily enough, people bang on about HRT and the risks of breast cancer and so on, but almost nothing is said about other health conditions it can potentially affect.

BigDeepBreaths · 09/10/2024 09:09

I chose HRT to relieve my symptoms in part because i still have a young family and parenting small kids and balancing work with brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, mood swings was miserable. HRT has massively helped.

Added to that, my Dmum did not have any HRT and her bones are knackered- two shoulder replacements and two ankle fractures in last 3 yrs. Keen to avoid that. I also eat well and exercise.

dontcryformeargentina · 09/10/2024 09:38

Without HRT - risk of osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, brain fog, insomnia.
With HRT - everything above is minimised, plus, better skin, hair and mental health

PyreneanAubrie · 09/10/2024 09:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

BeyondMyWits · 09/10/2024 09:43

dontcryformeargentina · 09/10/2024 09:38

Without HRT - risk of osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, brain fog, insomnia.
With HRT - everything above is minimised, plus, better skin, hair and mental health

But for some people (those who already have established heart disease - not unusual at later menopausal ages) risk of death can be higher with than without.

Enigma52 · 09/10/2024 09:56

dontcryformeargentina · 09/10/2024 09:38

Without HRT - risk of osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy, brain fog, insomnia.
With HRT - everything above is minimised, plus, better skin, hair and mental health

Don't worry, I have incurable but treatable cancer and I already have those shite symptoms you've listed from my drugs and menopause. No HRT allowed.

JinglingSpringbells · 09/10/2024 10:14

@BeyondMyWits I've picked up your posts about not having HRT because you already have heart disease. Is this from a specialist and not a GP?
Sometimes, transdermal HRT is okay but obviously it depends on what's wrong.

Toomanysquishmallows · 09/10/2024 10:20

I’m currently in the throes of menopause at 51 , I’m on the mini pill to stop my horrendous periods. I have dreadful insomnia, but im
not keen on the thought of taking hrt , im not sure for me personally the benefits outweigh the risks .

JinglingSpringbells · 09/10/2024 10:21

@PyreneanAubrie I'm a bit reluctant to contradict you but some of the points you make are incorrect.

Vit D and calcium do not prevent or treat osteoporosis, unfortunately. There is now also a lot of research coming out to show that calcium supplements can be dangerous and cause arterial damage. This is because we can't absorb calcium in large amounts from a tablet and it's laid down in the arteries.

Blood tests won't diagnose osteoporosis. You can have normal Vit D and calcium levels but they aren't going to be of any use. Unless you've had a DEXA scan you won't know your bones are okay.

I've had DEXA scans for almost 20 years to prevent osteopenia becoming osteoporosis.)

The only people who should take these are the very elderly who don't eat a proper diet and the same goes for large doses of Vit D.

Prof Tim Spector who was an osteoporosis specialist before becoming an epidemiologist has written about this recently and quoted research.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/nutrition-expert-professor-tim-spector-131901520.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSo%20unless%20you%20have%20some,sources%20of%20calcium%20exist%2C%20particularly

“I used to advise my patients to drink milk and dairy, and the research has changed over the years. Now very clear that having large amounts of calcium-rich dairy does not protect your bones against osteoporosis. It doesn’t have any major benefits for the body. And there’s increasing evidence that extra calcium, particularly in the form of calcium supplements, increases your risk of heart disease.

“So unless you have some really important medical disorder or some in inability to absorb calcium naturally you don’t need supplements.” Prof Spector said that taking calcium supplements could in fact be harmful to health and explained: “Most people don’t realise that many other sources of calcium exist, particularly things like leafy greens or nuts and seeds. And we’ve evolved fantastic systems to absorb all the calcium we need.”

Enigma52 · 09/10/2024 10:26

Toomanysquishmallows · 09/10/2024 10:20

I’m currently in the throes of menopause at 51 , I’m on the mini pill to stop my horrendous periods. I have dreadful insomnia, but im
not keen on the thought of taking hrt , im not sure for me personally the benefits outweigh the risks .

How do you cope with the lack of sleep? I'm really struggling with this.

Sedgwick · 09/10/2024 10:31

I am 57, a year since my last period and I feel the best I have since before having children. Not on Hrt. I did have a tough 5 years with heavy periods, zero libido and hot flushes. Lost weight, improved my fitness and am giving up alcohol now. Not having periods is fantastic. My libido has returned. Not taking medical advice from Davina, Mariella and the other media celebs who seem to be making a career out of the menopause. My sister is on Hrt (it’s really helped her a lot) as her symptoms were worse than mine, we are all different. See how it goes for you and get help if you need it. But some of us actually feel better post menopause, I love this time of my life.

Toomanysquishmallows · 09/10/2024 10:32

Hi , @Enigma52 , it’s really tough , at the moment I think I’m getting through with caffeine and having a walk around when I feel tired out . You have my empathy.

Firenzeflower · 09/10/2024 10:35

I haven't had a period in four years. My symptoms are mild - I just get a bit hot sometimes. Not a flush but hot. So I wear fewer clothes.
I seem to be quite lucky so far.

dontcryformeargentina · 09/10/2024 10:37

@BeyondMyWits and @Enigma52
HRT isn't for everyone. Medical advice should be thought on side effects/ risks. I've listed my experience. Surprised by the vitriol.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/10/2024 10:38

gingercat02 · 09/10/2024 08:19

I love Davina, but I'm not sure she should be your go-to for medical advice. She's a paid celebrity face for lots of nonsense, including Zoë

I can't really take anything she says seriously after watching her on a baking slot on morning telly raving about sugar free baking while pouring gallons of maple syrup over everything.

See how you get on OP ,it's always there if you want to try it.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/10/2024 10:45

Magnesium spray really improved my sleep.

Enigma52 · 09/10/2024 10:51

Toomanysquishmallows · 09/10/2024 10:32

Hi , @Enigma52 , it’s really tough , at the moment I think I’m getting through with caffeine and having a walk around when I feel tired out . You have my empathy.

Yes it's hideous. Im on amitriptyline but even that is not working for me now. The feeling on running on empty before the day has started, is brutal.

caramac04 · 09/10/2024 10:52

It’s entirely individual. Some women suffer whilst others sail through it.
I genuinely didn’t notice any negative effects and didn’t need hrt.
I used to think that running and exercising made a difference and possibly that I’d had mirena coils and no periods for 15 years but it’s probably just luck.

Enigma52 · 09/10/2024 10:53

dontcryformeargentina · 09/10/2024 10:37

@BeyondMyWits and @Enigma52
HRT isn't for everyone. Medical advice should be thought on side effects/ risks. I've listed my experience. Surprised by the vitriol.

Apologies. It's just that when you have your HRT snatched away from you because of a disease, it's tough to deal with. HRT was working well for me and I need it ( still do) but I can't have it now. I

I will find a way through the storm
no doubt 🙂

PyreneanAubrie · 09/10/2024 10:54

JinglingSpringbells · 09/10/2024 10:21

@PyreneanAubrie I'm a bit reluctant to contradict you but some of the points you make are incorrect.

Vit D and calcium do not prevent or treat osteoporosis, unfortunately. There is now also a lot of research coming out to show that calcium supplements can be dangerous and cause arterial damage. This is because we can't absorb calcium in large amounts from a tablet and it's laid down in the arteries.

Blood tests won't diagnose osteoporosis. You can have normal Vit D and calcium levels but they aren't going to be of any use. Unless you've had a DEXA scan you won't know your bones are okay.

I've had DEXA scans for almost 20 years to prevent osteopenia becoming osteoporosis.)

The only people who should take these are the very elderly who don't eat a proper diet and the same goes for large doses of Vit D.

Prof Tim Spector who was an osteoporosis specialist before becoming an epidemiologist has written about this recently and quoted research.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/nutrition-expert-professor-tim-spector-131901520.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSo%20unless%20you%20have%20some,sources%20of%20calcium%20exist%2C%20particularly

“I used to advise my patients to drink milk and dairy, and the research has changed over the years. Now very clear that having large amounts of calcium-rich dairy does not protect your bones against osteoporosis. It doesn’t have any major benefits for the body. And there’s increasing evidence that extra calcium, particularly in the form of calcium supplements, increases your risk of heart disease.

“So unless you have some really important medical disorder or some in inability to absorb calcium naturally you don’t need supplements.” Prof Spector said that taking calcium supplements could in fact be harmful to health and explained: “Most people don’t realise that many other sources of calcium exist, particularly things like leafy greens or nuts and seeds. And we’ve evolved fantastic systems to absorb all the calcium we need.”

Edited

I've told them to remove my post since I clearly talk bollocks.

PyreneanAubrie · 09/10/2024 11:01

I am not allowed to have HRT for medical reasons and I am miraculously still alive post menopause. Nothing else to add.

YummySpins · 09/10/2024 11:05

I chose HRT because I felt it was better then the alternative which was insomnia, sweats (day and night) and anxiety. My symptoms weren't awful but given there's something to relieve them, why not? Thankfully I had a sympathetic doctor. I was 46 when I started.

I appreciate the additional risk regarding breast cancer but that's minimal and obesity and alcohol play a greater part in increasing this risk.

Basically, why suffer if you don't have to.

mondaytosunday · 09/10/2024 11:13

Why would you need to do anything? Unless your symptoms are debilitating? Of my circle of friends three of us had minimal to no symptoms so did nothing, a couple did but were manageable, a couple went on a low dose of HRT, one suffered quite badly and found HRT very helpful.
I wouldn't reach for it unless you need it.

OllyBJolly · 09/10/2024 11:17

That's interesting @JinglingSpringbells . I've recently been diagnosed with coeliac disease and have read that I'm more at risk of osteoporosis because of absorption issues and should have dexa scan. I raised this at my last check in and I was asked a few questions about diet and family history and the result was I don't need one. Now, several of the questions were around my family history and whether they required hip replacements, had osteoporosis etc. Neither of my parents lived past their 60s and both died of smoking related cancers. I do have a good diet although obviously have had a lifetime of absorption issues (symptoms were diagnosed as IBS prior to the coeliac diagnosis).

Having read your post I'm thinking I should perhaps pay for a private Dexa scan.

LoserWinner · 09/10/2024 11:19

I did absolutely nothing about menopause. I’m fine. Not everyone is as fortunate.