HRT or no HRT

[Essieloulou]

Hi, has anyone gone through the menopause naturally , wothout HRT and did you use any supplements, im trying tp weigh up pros and cons

Tha.k you

Me, my sisters, my sister in law, my mother and other relatives have not gone down the HRT route.

We are all fit and healthy.

What may have a bearing on it is that none of us are overweight or ever have been and we all do a lot of exercise ever y day.

The main problem im having is brain fog, and not sure if HRT is worth it for this

It's definitely worth it.

And for protecting against things like osteoporosis and heart disease later in life. No amount of healthy lifestyle can replace your vanishing hormones.

when I went on HRT I had a BMI of 21 and went to the gym at least three times a week. I don’t drink much and I eat well.

I still had horrible drenching night sweats and a very flat mood. Plus a sense of dread.

HRT was a godsend.

I am not overweight, eat very healthily and run half marathons.

Despite never having really suffered with my periods or PMT, peri menopause has hit me like a train and within 6 months I'm up to the max dose of Oestrogen just to get through the day and I still feel like a shadow of my former self.

I tried supplements / cutting out all sugar / better sleep hygiene which helped for about 6 months but then only the drugs helped.

It really comes down to your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. I had early menopause with a family history of heart disease and was starting to show early signs of osteoporosis after a few years so it made sense for me to go on HRT. Only wish I had done it straight away.

I'm still alive! Not bring flippant but hrt saved me from suicidal thoughts. I think if you are in a position to consider pros and cons then you may not see a massive difference for taking it as your symptoms are clearly not that bad.
Those of us who found it life-changing would have been in a very bad place without it.

Note I am and always have been a healthy weight, exercise hard and often, don't really drink. None of that made menopause easier for me as i was already doing it.

I am on hrt and my brainfog is still an issue. However, I am calmer generally and fewer aches and pains. I was also getting a very dry mouth which has gone and palpitations. I am on oral Femoston 1/10.

To add, my brain fog was mainly helped by adding testosterone (i get androfeme on private prescription).

No HRT or anything

But I didn't have any noticeable symptoms other than gradually feeling better

Thats another thing in thinking tbh, i think im in the early stages , and i have been on anti depressants for years and worry that if im in early stages and i wait symptoms could get worse and my mental health will decline again, where as if i go on HRT now i could fet control of symptoms before it starts

Does anyone know where you stand if you have had cancer? I know breast makes you ineligible but what about others? I am considering HRT for hormonal reason but am having treatment at the moment.

No hrt here. 54 feel fine. Try lions mane, menopace, magnesium.
I've no sex drive but no night sweats either.
Am resisting as long as possible....

@Doubledded123 does it bother you having no drive if you don!) mind me asking? I seem to think hrt is a miracle cure but others have said it has no effect.

@Doubledded123 resisting? Why?

Slightly different situation OP, but I am no longer on hrt due to hyperplasia.

I am taking black cohosh now as an alternative (prescribed by gynae).

After stopping hrt I started to get some symptoms and although it's early days, I am feeling better on the supplement.

I am not in the UK and alternate options are used a lot here. Not everyone can or wants to be on hrt and this is okay.

One thing I have found is that advice and opinions depend on the forum/group/board you visit. Many are so pro hrt that no matter what you post, the replies will all be the same.

You need to do what you feel is right for you.

Some of the more natural options are lions mane, ashwaganda, black cohosh etc.

The down side to this option is that they will be an out the pocket expense as I assume nhs don't cover these. I have medical insurance where am I, so fortunately mine is part funded, whereas hrt patches/gels/pills are fully funded.

My mother sailed through with just a few hot flashes, no supplements or exercise.
I started taking it for joint pain and insomnia as it was affecting my life and my job. Best decision ever, got my life back.

It's not like it's mandatory though if you are having no symptoms/manageable ones

Me. I really had no issues, felt a bit warm a few times, that was it. All over and done with, no HRT, no supplements.

I'm 50 and perimenopausal, still having periods, so not yet through the menopause.
I've had intermittent symptoms for years such as heavy periods, brain fog, anxiety, feeling flat, and poor sleep. It's not constant for any of these symptoms. They come and go.
About a year ago, I was having quite bad brain fog, to the extent that my boss asked if everything was OK.
Last Spring/Summer, I started taking the supplement Menopace. My symptoms have massively reduced. I wouldn't say I get brain fog anymore. My anxiety is so much better. Sleep's still a bit hit and miss but I get several good nights a week so feel OK.
At the moment, I can't see any reason to take HRT as my symptoms are minimal. Obviously this might change as I become menopausal. I'm not averse to taking HRT if needed.
My mum didn't take HRT, nor did MIL or several other older women I know and they're all fine. My colleague is 60. She's the fittest person I know. She runs marathons, she walks about 25,000 steps a day. She's never taken HRT.

Just to say that the earlier your menopause the more likely HRT will give you long term benefits especially in terms of warding off osteoporosis

If I had been under 50 or had a family history with osteoporosis I would have taken HRT

You're missing out on the benefits of HRT though. Nothing can replace the depleted oestrogen and the negative effect that has on bone health, heart health and cognition.

I started hrt at 55 (still having periods then but insomnia and anxiety at unbearable levels). Now 58. Due a review but want to continue. May discuss transdermal though tablets suiting me at present. Brainfog still my concern. May try a supplement like Lion's mane...

I saw a comment from an endocrinologist on this - menopause is the only hormone deficiency we don't treat automatically with hormones. This is true and a bit silly. It's a hormone deficiency condition - why do so many women see it as a badge of honour not to medicate? Would you do that for thyroid deficiency? Diabetes?

If you have symptoms that are bad enough you will reach for HRT. As long as it's not medically contraindicated.

The women I know who are using HRT were at the point where they couldn't carry on with any quality of life without it.

You will tend to find some of the 'not on HRT' posters here because they are one of the lucky 15% of women who never notice the menopause - in terms of symptoms. However, I have two close friends who never had any symptoms and now they have osteoporosis diagnosed in their 50s. One is in constant pain.

Ideally, all women should have a bone density scan at 50-55 to help them make the HRT decision even if they have no symptoms like flushes etc. HRT is licensed for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

i think im in the early stages , and i have been on anti depressants for years and worry that if im in early stages

How old are you now?

Your symptoms that warrant use of ADs may be down to peri meno and loss of estrogen. ADs are often still (incorrectly) prescribed for this.

No one now is supposed to take ADs for years without a proper review and talking therapy offered as well.

Why were you started on ADs?