Anyone else in full Menopause and not on HRT?

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Im 51, was being monitored as was peri this time last year when I saw my gynaecologist, back this week and blood test show im now in full Menopause.
Main symptoms are hot flushes, wooly brain at times and headache/ migraines.
On the appointment my Merina coil was removed ( had been in 9 years)
I dont live in the UK and they are not going to offer HRT because of my history of migraines. Instead Ive been out on a supplement with melatonin.
Anyone else not taking/ able to take HRT ?

I have a history of migraines and was offered HRT immediately for peri symptoms.

Me. Had breast cancer, not hormone receptive but they won’t let me have HRT anyway and treatment put me in full menopause. I take sertraline.

I'm not on HRT. It pushed up my BP and didn't help me anyway when I tried it. I keep considering giving it another go for the sake of my bone density. I am nervous to try through because I have another health condition which is a lot to manage.

I am curious about being in full menopause. I've not had a blood test for years when they initially checked if I was peri.

I'm fifty now. I have a very occasional period.

@bringonyourwreckingball what benefit does an anit depressant have for meno? Is it just the mood?

@peppermintteadrinker it helps manage the anxiety. Doesn’t do much for the hot flushes though

I was offered everol soqui. Apologies for the misspelling, but it's the hrt that's suitable for purple with a history of migraines apparently.

I don't take it as my symptoms haven't felt bad enough to try, though I've been tempted. I only really get occasional facial hot flushes - and a couple of yrs back would get a really sweaty face randomly (delightful!) but actually I take another medication which coincidentally can reduce hot flushes anyway. My memory can be a bit rubbish and I don't know if that's hormone related. I do wonder if it would be good to take for bone density / heart health.

Migraine is not a contra-indication to HRT.
The Migraine Trust has a fact-sheet on this.

Wherever you live they seem out of touch.

Do you ever come to the UK where you can stock up?

You can also buy HRT over the counter in some counties, like Spain.

I live in Southern Spain, @DropOfffArtiste . Gynecologist said that its not offered as a first treatment anyway , definitely not advised with my history 🤷‍♀️

I never had HRT and came through ok though I can’t say it was fun.

Not on anything either. Had breast cancer several years ago and it was highly oestrogen receptive. So not a chance of HRT. I feel very out of the loop when it comes to conversations about menopause. I had a couple of periods over the last eight years but I’m now likely firmly post menopausal at the age of 49. I was getting awful hot flushes earlier this year and last but they seem to have eased now. I’m mainly just a bit achey and stiff but try and get through it with exercise. I do sometimes wonder though if I’d feel - and look - a lot better if I was on HRT.

Im going to give the suppliment -
CIMINOCTA forte- a go for 3 months and see how I get on.
@JinglingSpringbells Im in the Region of Murcia , yes the advice on some things is very different than in the UK.

I started menopause 3 years ago. I have never seen a doctor about it. I have never taken HRT (or anything else). Everyone is different, OP - there are no rules and no "must haves".

I have never taken it or even looked into taking it. I am 62.

Just started being peri. I was speaking to my GP on the phone about an unrelated matter and I mentioned I had itching skin, feeling hot and cold & have sleep problems & he immediately suggested HRT. I really don't want to go down that road (am suspicious of medication generally, because of mistakes made in my past) so am trying the natural way with diet, supplements and exercise. Of course if it gets worse I might consider HRT but my GP seems to hand out pills like sweets and I'd rather manage things differently.

My Dmum was on HRT 30 ish years ago and had to come off it. I know things have changed since then though.

I'm a couple of years post menopause and not taking any HRT. I had very unpleasant side effects from it, eventually requiring surgery.

Feel great TBH. I'm a weightlifter so bone density should be good but I'll get a scan soon to be sure. I get a hot flush a couple of times a day but they're not debilitating. I'm taking soy isoflavones supplements, it's early days but I think that's helping with the frequency.

I don't know what to advise, really.
The advice in the UK (and many other countries internationally) is completely different.

migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/self-management/migraine-and-hormones/

Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment to relieve symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes and night sweats.
There are risks associated with HRT, but for some women the benefits outweigh the risks.
Having migraine does not mean you can’t take HRT. Some women find it helps their migraine as well as their menopause. However, other women find HRT makes their migraine worse. If you decide to take HRT, it is important to try it for three months to give your body time to adjust.
If you find that HRT makes your migraine worse, speak to your doctor, as a different type of HRT or a different dose may be better for you. It may also help to try different ways of taking HRT, for example using patches or gels rather than taking tablets.
It is usually recommended that you take HRT for a few years. It can have an additional benefit of helping to prevent weakening of the bones (osteoporosis), which is common following the menopause.

In the UK it is the first line treatment for menopause symptoms.

I suppose you either argue your case and take evidence that proves migraine isn't an issue or take a trip to the UK and see a specialist here .

There are posters here who aren't using HRT but presumably some of them didn't feel the need or have your symptoms.

Same here, I'm 54 and post menopause and not considered HRT. I feel pretty much the the same really without periods, just get a bit more tired and everything is a bit drier.

The OP says she has symptoms.

If you have vaginal dryness are you getting treatment for that?

Don't feel the need for treatment, some lubricant does the trick when required. My skin/hair are also drier so adjusted products accordingly.

Keep an eye on it!
You're still quite young and some meno issues take a few years to appear. It's harder to reverse if it's not treated early on.

I take Venlafaxine which I started for anxiety and mental health issues in early fifties, and it is sometimes used off-label for hot flushes and insomnia, and I have to say it does seem to work.

I didn't get on with HRT, made my stomach bloated and just felt awful, despite trying several different combinations.

I intend to come off the anti-depressant once I've gone a year without periods (which is nearly up).

Thanks. My mum has osteoporosis and it has been something I'm concerned about.

I got some small weights recently and started doing workouts with them and also make sure I have a lot of calcium and vitamin d.

I also have a blood pressure / chloresterol / hb1ac check with the GP annually as I had gestational diabetes in both my pregnancies. A year ago the results: Blood pressure (hovering around high normal), hb1ac (41) and chloresterol (5.7) worried me.

This year I've been exercising more and eating really well and managed to get by BMI down from 23 to 19, losing weight slowly over the year. I have another check due in the new year, and I'm really hoping it will have made a difference.

Full menopause here. Secondary hormone driven breast cancer, full hysterectomy, on hormone blockers. Hell!