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 am on HRT and wouldn't have an issue with people discussing going through menopause without HRT.

I think the problem though is that often people post blatant mistruths (HRT gives you cancer, HRT is made from horse urine) and those things really do need corrected. It also often attracts posters who are very judgey about women who are using HRT - they are just wanting to recapture their youth, all they need is a vegan diet, they're just jumping on the celeb bandwagon. Also this general feeling that it's "better" to not use HRT in some weird way.

So I'd support a HRT free thread as long as it's factually accurate and not judgey. I'd must rather not be slapping a patch on my backside every 4 days but we are where we are and it helps me a lot.

Surgical menopause 10 years ago and I have been on HRT (variously patches, gel and eventually estrogen implants) and most recently off but started again fairly recently.

What I found off HRT over time was the following: awful persistent joint and muscle pain, a very pronounced shift of fat to my abdominal area and inability to lose weight despite careful diet, exercise intolerance, stress intolerance, I don't sleep well and wake very early, loss of word finding ability, depressed/low mood, pronounced fatigue, dry skin and hair and flaking nails, dry vagina, dry mouth. (Thyroid tested and absolutely fine, so not that).

It's not flushes or 'getting thtough' initial estrogen withdrawal thats the problem for me personally. It's the accumulative effects of estrogen deprivation over time.

I agree totally.

@monkfruitmartini If you want to discuss alternatives to HRT you might like to read/ join Menopause Matters forum where there is a section devoted to Alternatives.

For anyone wanting science-based evidence on alternatives (herbs and supplements) the BMS and the RCOG have both published findings on this. You can find them by googling and doing your own research.

Also, the medical information on Menopause Matters is written by an NHS consultant is very balanced. There is a whole section there on HRT/risks/ benefits and also a section on alternatives.

The general 'menopause' discussions on that forum are very HRT-based/ evidence based and women tend to be asking for support with types/doses and not discussing whether HRT is good or bad.

Agree that fact-based information is paramount, but it would be useful to be able to discuss navigating this time of life when HRT isn't an option. That kind of thread would be of no use or interest to people who are using and benefitting from HRT. However, it does seem that whenever threads appear asking about menopause without HRT, many people join to talk about why they are on HRT or why the OP should be able to use HRT and this derails the discussion.

Hi @Rainyblue Do you do this every day? I did the 5:2 a few years ago which was ok, but looking to try again and improve. Someone said its better if you mix up the days. What's your experience? do you do the same routine everyday? I'm trying to improve symptoms without HRT if I can.

Hi @chicalina it was actually @greengreyblue who is doing the IF!

I haven’t managed it successfully myself (get too hungry in the mornings…)

So sorry - I did read that but mis tagged!

That was not my intention when I started the thread @DrZaraCarmichael , Im very much of the opinion that its each to their own.
I never thought the issue was so devisive .

Thank you @SancerreSunsets .
Again, to reiterate , As it stands in the healthcare system in which Im under I am not able to access HRT atm.
I make no judgement AT ALL about other women who are on HRT .

Thank you for the helpful information, but my "alternative to HRT" is to not have used it, apart from the ongoing use of Ovestin.

You are probably more up on the latest stats than me, but isn't it something like 80% or more of women don't use HRT?

I can't see why we can't discuss our experiences here.

15% of women in the UK aged 45-64 are prescribed HRT according to government figures from 2023:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-women-experiencing-menopause-symptoms-to-get-cheaper-hormone-replacement-therapy

So yes approx 85% are not on HRT (maybe a bit less as those figures are from last year) and I think it’s reasonable we should be able to discuss it on MN.

I am not making comment on others, I know some of my friends have benefited hugely from HRT both mentally and physically. I have other friends who cannot take HRT for medical reasons. Everyone needs to be supported without feeling judged.

@monkfruitmartini I thought from the posts here that some women were asking for a thread devoted entirely to options that weren't HRT. Maybe that isn't the case but it is why I signposted the MM forum (where I know women asked for a section just for that.)

If women have none or very few symptoms, they don't need HRT unless their family history or risk factors show they should use it for prevention of osteoporosis.

Sadly, despite 1:2 women over 50 having a fracture = osteoporosis, the NHS doesn't offer preventative screening. It's something the ROS has campaigned for recently as the cost of broken bones/disability/long term care/death exceeds the cost of a scan.

15% of women have no symptoms. In my own small circle of friends, the two with no symptoms ever have had fractures in their early 60s and have osteo.

Around 75% of women do have symptoms. There is a disparity between the number on HRT and yet putting up with symptoms.

There are a group of women who can't take HRT for medical reasons There are very few reasons and they need to talk to a specialist not a forum.

Many others who 'think' they can't often because of misinformation are denying themselves treatment with HRT because of that. This is what @DrZaraCarmichael said in her post. Women need correct information (eg on this thread there are women who think HRT=more periods etc).

It's not 'pushing' HRT to share factual information (links and quotes from medical sources aren't personal opinions) which may help them then they can make up their own minds.

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to explain 😀