Experiences of those not taking HRT

[JustLaura]

I'm interested to hear from anyone not taking HRT.

What happened to your periods? Did they go shorter before they went longer? Stop abruptly?

What age do you think peri symptoms started and ended?

How do you feel now?

Can you be a bit more specific over what you want info on and why?
What are your own symptoms and how far are you into peri, for instance.

You seem to be asking two different things. HRT doesn't affect periods or their length etc. It's to relieve symptoms.

Are you considering it?

Interesting thread. I'm pretty sure I'd been in perimenopause for almost 5 years now, and it started I think after my youngest daughter was born.

I'm not taking HRT and suffering pretty badly with some symptoms tbat are getting much worse now before my period starts. I had thought of taking HRT but I'm very sensitive to medication side effects (I had a head injury and was then injured permanently by an off label antipsychotic prescribed for severe insomnia and anxiety). I don't want the hrt to potentially make my movement disorder symptoms worse, which it could do.

I'm suffering more from perimenopause symptoms now though so the temptation to try HRT is getting stronger lol 😆

If you do a search @JustLaura there was a very long thread on exactly this a little while ago. Almost the same title as yours.

My worst symptoms are definitely sore feet and horrible sore gums which bleed quite a bit and are so sore - I never had any gingivitis before perimenopause and it's just horrible 😢

Has anyone gone through menopause without hrt

This was it!

Scroll down the page for the whole thread- over 200 replies.

Hi , I’m only taking the mini pill , because I had horrendously frequent periods . I’m not taking full hrt , I have insomnia and I am moody , but I just don’t fancy full hrt .

Hi @JinglingSpringbells

I've not ruled HRT out but I am taking supplements to see how it goes.

I realise everyone's experiences are different but I was specifically asking if the pattern is generally periods that are closer together for 'x' months followed by missed periods for 'x' months timeframe or do they lessen and then just stop? I wondered what people's timeframes generally are.

I have quite a few peri symptoms but insomnia and joint pain are the worst that I'm experiencing so far. Periods are closer together but flow is erratic. I've probably had 4/5 years of peri symptoms. Late 40's.

Thanks @ForeverDelayedEpiphany

Same. I've not ruled it out but trying Menopace currently. My worst symptoms are joint pain and insomnia but periods are now closer together with erratic flow. The peri symptoms the week before my period arrives are severe but I can manage the rest currently.

Oh yes I have gum problems but only recently connected the dots on that!

Ah, okay!

Everyone is very different. Me - well, nothing much till early 50s. Periods- flow got less- about 2 days and light. First hot flush round about 51.Cycles gradually got shorter from a normal 32 day cycle, down to 28, 26 and less in peri. Still regular to 51-ish. Missed a couple, normal pattern for a few months, never had heavier ones, just lighter. Had flushes when I was missing cycles.

Went onto HRT when periods stopped, flushes were hourly and sleep was awful.

I've always had very regular periods every 32days. For the past 5yrs, they have very, very gradually got closer, so my cycle is now ever 27days. Still very regular though.
I'd don't sleep well, but until this thread, never thought it was peri related!
I also have joint pain, but I have arthritis in my knees- so assume it was that.
Hmm, I'm going to do some more reading, because maybe HRT might help.

Edited to say, that some family planning/sexual health clinics also run specialist menopause clinics. Usually you'd see a gynae consultant or specialist nurse. They often had more up to date options- both medicated and not, to help with menopause symptoms. You'd have to ring your local clinic to see if they have menopause clinics too.
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/

I’m 50 and have had some typical peri symptoms, especially brain fog a couple of years ago, but it then went away, no idea why! I’ve also have hormonal headaches sometimes, but not every month.

I still have regular periods, but they’ve got shorter, down to four days now. I currently take a multivitamin and a calcium supplement.

Insomnia - magnesium makes a huge difference. I also take Oto CBD sleep drops. No more 05.00 waking for me now that I do this along with good sleep hygiene.

I had irregular periods from about 48 then one massive period where I could barely leave the house and that was it. That was 5 years ago.

My periods became long and heavy between the age of 50-54, 3 week long periods regularly, big clots occasionally, age 54 to 55 they became more spaced out and stopped just after my 55th birthday. It was tough. Libido was zero. I am 57 now. I get hot flushes but not too bad, if I don’t drink alcohol that stops. Generally I now feel the best I have in decades!

Thanks @Sardines57 that's good to know there is light at the end of it.

Thanks @JC03745 similar to me. Do you mind me asking your age? I'm late 40s.

Only recently started hrt aged 56 and three years post meno.

Only peri symptom was longer between periods for a few years. I went about three years with one every 7 months. They were same length and heaviness.

@JustLaura you are welcome, it’s fab not having periods!

OP- I'm nearly 47, sorry, meant to add that to my message up thread, so I think my periods slowly getting closer started at about 42.

When my cycle started changing, I was still going through IVF and not one consultant suggested that it could be peri! In hindsight, I should have read up more and it maybe it explains why I have no living children. I had a very good egg count though- so who knows?

Periods all over the place for many years (PCOS). Then were regular again from age 48. Finally stopped at 56. Now 59. That was it. No symptoms. Not taken HRT - and never will. No medication of any kind. Haven't seen a doctor for any reason for over 12 years. I do know I am fortunate.

Oh, and never aware of "peri" - not sure what it is supposed to be, or why it's a thing.

Oddly enough I am so looking forward to wearing white linen trousers without concern! 😁

Im 54yo.
Periods still very regular but they got lighter in my 40s.
I still get fertile mucus too, which I’m really surprised about.

I have other health issues that could also be attributed to menopause/peri and at some point, my GP told me to try HRT. It didn’t make any difference to me (but was actually contra indicated due to my weight) so I stopped quickly.

@RuthW Are you taking mainly to prevent bone loss, for example? I’ve wondered whether it might be a good option for me at some point as osteoporosis runs in my family.

My bone density is ok now (had a DEXA scan after a fracture) but who knows what’ll happen post-menopause.