Page 5 | HRT or no HRT

Essieloulou · 2025-02-17T19:33:42+00:00

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

isthismylifenow · 19/02/2025 12:40

JinglingSpringbells · 19/02/2025 12:35

It's not as simple as low-calcium= osteoporosis and more calcium= no osteo.

The action of bone remodelling (old bone and new bone being formed) is very complex and is directly linked to hormones, both estrogen and other hormones.

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May I ask if you are a medical professional?

AnotherMiranda · 19/02/2025 12:45

Apileofballyhoo · 18/02/2025 09:54

@stomachamelon cancer doesn't make you ineligible for hrt, even some types of breast cancer women use hrt afterwards, as it depends on the type of breast cancer. AFAIK, there is evidence that hrt protects against some types of cancer. Not all doctors are equally knowledgeable about hrt and cancer risks.

My breast oncologist is one of the best in Europe and when he told me never to take HRT, I knew I would have to tough it out when the time came. 5 years one month since my last period and hardly any in the two years before that one.

AnotherMiranda · 19/02/2025 12:47

JinglingSpringbells · 19/02/2025 07:53

where symptoms are not enough to warrant HRT or have no symptoms at all, it is hugely annoying to hear from women who seem to think we're doomed to a life of invalidity or be incapacitated with heart problems. This is just not true.

@gemma What is true is the fact is that 50% of women will be 'doomed' - because 50% will get osteoporosis. if you want to bury your had in the sand over the figures, that's your choice.

It's not 'women' who are saying this (although they are using this forum to inform other women) - it's expert medical professionals - read the link I left about osteoporosis.

Until dementia topped the table recently, the biggest killer of women was heart disease.

Osteoporosis is a horrible disease and unless you've seen the impact on family or friends, it's likely not to appreciate its impact.

As I said before, you can't get HRT for prevention without medical proof of loss of bone density or a high risk of it- ie family history.

But the fact is most women don't have a clue about their bone density unless they take the initiative and get a private scan. It's a shocking area of neglect by the NHS.

So - if women want to use HRT for symptoms AND it's also helping their bones, why not?

Edited

I’ve had three bone scans in the last ten years and my T-scores have improved slightly. It’s a bit sad knowing I’m doomed.

FancyRedRobin · 19/02/2025 12:49

I found it life saving. Had crippling night sweats and brain fog, genuinely felt like I was going mad. Joints hurt, skin esp vaginal was so dry.
Went on HRT, it took time to get the combo right but I'm great now. All those symptoms settled.
On a mirena coil and estramon 75, am in my mid forties in peri.

FancyRedRobin · 19/02/2025 12:54

The decision to take HRT is obviously one of risk benefit, I was genuinely suffering so badly that taking it was an easy choice for me.
Some people I know get through it swimmingly, which is great for them.
Also just read the comment about anxiety, despite being a well respected professional of many years experience I got the worst case of imposter syndrome anxiety ever! I genuinely woke up every morning feeling like a fraud, for no good reason. I'm fine now again and working well.

Apileofballyhoo · 19/02/2025 13:16

AnotherMiranda · 19/02/2025 12:45

My breast oncologist is one of the best in Europe and when he told me never to take HRT, I knew I would have to tough it out when the time came. 5 years one month since my last period and hardly any in the two years before that one.

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You probably had a hormone type of cancer. I hope you are doing well now.

Spittykityy · 19/02/2025 13:24

I went through the menopause naturally..last period when I was 52. Wouldn't even consider HRT even though I was having horrible sweats and flushes; I don't believe it's safe and I have also decided against mammograms, and HRT is a risk. I got through using black cohosh

bournevilleismyfavourite · 19/02/2025 13:36

Spittykityy · 19/02/2025 13:24

I went through the menopause naturally..last period when I was 52. Wouldn't even consider HRT even though I was having horrible sweats and flushes; I don't believe it's safe and I have also decided against mammograms, and HRT is a risk. I got through using black cohosh

Eh what? No mammograms?

wherearemypastnames · 19/02/2025 13:57

I prefer to go on best established fact rather than belief myself

HRT is safe for most people ; for people at risk of conditions like osteoporosis ( and that includes anyone with a family member affected , anyone who goes through earlsih menopause and anyone with a less than ideal lifestyle) it will improve their life expectancy and healthy years

It's almost certainly safer than the black cohosh

If you have symptoms and it's not medically advised against I can't imagine why someone wouldn't take it

If you have high risk factors for things like osteoporosis I can't imagine why someone wouldn't take it

If you don't have symptoms and are not at specific risk for the other age related problems then it's less clear what is best for you / but you shouldn't be treated like you are stupid or evil or accused of bragging if you decide not to

AnotherMiranda · 19/02/2025 14:45

Apileofballyhoo · 19/02/2025 13:16

You probably had a hormone type of cancer. I hope you are doing well now.

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I did - 75 % oestrogen and 75% progesterone, early 30s, size 10, vegetarian and no family history. Fingers crossed no evidence of disease.

cardibach · 19/02/2025 14:52

Spittykityy · 19/02/2025 13:24

I went through the menopause naturally..last period when I was 52. Wouldn't even consider HRT even though I was having horrible sweats and flushes; I don't believe it's safe and I have also decided against mammograms, and HRT is a risk. I got through using black cohosh

It’s safe. Yes, there are some risks, but they are very small - and there are risks to not taking it too. Refusing mammograms if breast cancer is a concern for you seems odd though.
Black cohosh is not ‘safe’ either - as indicated by a PP it’s implicated in liver damage. Also since it’s a supplement not a medicine you can never be sure of dosage, which increases the risk.
HRT is every woman’s choice, but choice is more empowering if you find out all the facts first.

cardibach · 19/02/2025 14:54

wherearemypastnames · 19/02/2025 13:57

I prefer to go on best established fact rather than belief myself

HRT is safe for most people ; for people at risk of conditions like osteoporosis ( and that includes anyone with a family member affected , anyone who goes through earlsih menopause and anyone with a less than ideal lifestyle) it will improve their life expectancy and healthy years

It's almost certainly safer than the black cohosh

If you have symptoms and it's not medically advised against I can't imagine why someone wouldn't take it

If you have high risk factors for things like osteoporosis I can't imagine why someone wouldn't take it

If you don't have symptoms and are not at specific risk for the other age related problems then it's less clear what is best for you / but you shouldn't be treated like you are stupid or evil or accused of bragging if you decide not to

Nobody has said ‘stupid’ or ‘evil’. And the only people accused of bragging are people who bragged about, for eg, how they didn’t need HRT because they exercised a lot and were ’a healthy weight’.

cramptramp · 19/02/2025 14:55

I didn't have HRT. I didn't see any need for it because I had no symptoms of being in the menopause.

stomachamelon · 19/02/2025 14:59

I know I am all about the questions but if you have osteopenia due to prolonged use of steroids would they still see it was beneficial? Sorry for keep asking questions but I have tried to speak to Macmillan nurse (not available) and GP (overbooked) and oncologist appointment is not another six weeks and I am just curious?

wherearemypastnames · 19/02/2025 15:13

Sorry but I have frequently been accused of bragging and having a superior attitude because I don't feel I need HRT - that's just my experience in here

As soon s you say you don't take it someone is along to accuse you of something - it's sad ; and did rather put me off taking seriously posts of some who o suspect are very knowledgeable - they were so dismissive of my choices

cardibach · 19/02/2025 15:20

wherearemypastnames · 19/02/2025 15:13

Sorry but I have frequently been accused of bragging and having a superior attitude because I don't feel I need HRT - that's just my experience in here

As soon s you say you don't take it someone is along to accuse you of something - it's sad ; and did rather put me off taking seriously posts of some who o suspect are very knowledgeable - they were so dismissive of my choices

Because you don’t feel you need it? Or because of the way you express that? Because a lot of the time I see women who don’t feel they need it and express it in a way that suggests they think they are tougher/healthier/stronger/morally better than the poor weak souls who do need it. If that’s not you, then people shouldn’t accuse you of it - but I suspect you may get tarred with their brush sometimes.

Fifthtimelucky · 19/02/2025 15:34

@JinglingSpringbells

I'm not suggesting that it's that simple. Just that - for a number of reasons - I think I am fairly low risk for osteoporosis, whereas I am high risk for breast cancer.

In any event, my menopause symptoms were not so severe that I needed anything to relieve them. If they had been, I might have made a different decision about HRT.

BreatheAndFocus · 19/02/2025 15:37

Yalta · 19/02/2025 08:21

It’s nothing to do with being slim and exercising. Menopause affects some women more than others - not because they’re overweight or unfit, but just the luck of the draw, in the same way that some women get awful period pain but some don’t

Not luck of the draw. A soy based diet is the way to go to help with a lot of issues
especially hot flashes at the very least

No, it is the luck of the draw! I’ve had soya milk for ages and am a total tofu fiend. And I didn’t have a single hot flush - just the horrible other symptoms.

Once again, getting symptoms of the menopause badly is not a moral failing, a dietary failing, being a wuss, etc etc. I ate well, I exercised lots, I was slim, I’m very much not a wuss in any way whatsoever - but, these bloody awful symptoms came out of nowhere!

All these women who sailed through the menopause, and then imply that other women must be a bit lacking to need HRT are EXACTLY like the old GPS who used to think that every symptom a woman had was all in her head.

loveawineloveacrisp · 19/02/2025 15:56

God the judgement on some of these replies is just staggering.

Apileofballyhoo · 19/02/2025 16:29

AnotherMiranda · 19/02/2025 14:45

I did - 75 % oestrogen and 75% progesterone, early 30s, size 10, vegetarian and no family history. Fingers crossed no evidence of disease.

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I'm sorry you went through that and glad you caught it in time and you're ok now. It must have been very frightening.

Gemma5678 · 19/02/2025 16:49

wherearemypastnames · 19/02/2025 15:13

Sorry but I have frequently been accused of bragging and having a superior attitude because I don't feel I need HRT - that's just my experience in here

As soon s you say you don't take it someone is along to accuse you of something - it's sad ; and did rather put me off taking seriously posts of some who o suspect are very knowledgeable - they were so dismissive of my choices

I totally agree with you.

JinglingSpringbells · 19/02/2025 17:34

Fifthtimelucky · 19/02/2025 15:34

@JinglingSpringbells

I'm not suggesting that it's that simple. Just that - for a number of reasons - I think I am fairly low risk for osteoporosis, whereas I am high risk for breast cancer.

In any event, my menopause symptoms were not so severe that I needed anything to relieve them. If they had been, I might have made a different decision about HRT.

Being serious, and not judgemental, no woman knows she is low risk for osteoporosis. The only way to find out is a dexa scan once you're over 50.

Some women will know they are 'high risk' because of family history but it doesn't really work the other way.

Speaking from personal experience- no risk factors at all but diagnosed with low bone density even before menopause.

LonelyFooleightyfour · 19/02/2025 18:13

Not into HRT and symptoms are moderate but still manageable with the help of non-hormonal treatment and a self-imposed healthy lifestyle (because it's a must).

SancerreSunsets · 19/02/2025 18:40

I'm not on HRT and likely will be advised not to take it and would really like to hear from women who have navigated menopause without HRT, but most posts asking about this get derailed by people suggesting every menopausal woman should go on it and that modern forms mean that no one should be medically precluded from it. I'm not interested in judging people for their decisions re HRT ... I know for many people it's been amazing, but I'm not sure why those people need to post on threads asking about experiences of a non-HRT menopause.

Bignanna · 19/02/2025 18:55

HRT did help with some symptoms, but it causes my breasts to enlarge ( which wasn’t welcome) and a weight gain. If I had my time over again I would probably start on the patches,instead of the implant, followed by oral, then patches.