Alternatives to HRT?

[thearchers]

For a couple of very annoying reasons, I cannot continue with HRT. So I am looking for suggestions of alternatives - supplements, diet, anything that might help. Particularly with anxiety but also general mood, brain fog, energy levels. Any suggestions very gratefully received, thank you.

I take starflower oil which I’m sure helps with ‘rages’. I’ve bought some lion’s mane which is supposed to help with mental clarity, but have held off taking it as I had a migraine recently.

Thanks so much I will have a look into both of those

Oh, I’ve also started taking a liquid probiotic as I’m sure my gut biome isn’t very healthy… This apparently can affect your brain…

I sadly was allergic to HRT but I had an amazing GP who recommended 10mg of Citralopram (sorry if spelt wrong) as this helped with hot flushes but was not strong enough to be an anti-depressant. It definitely helped and I had tried natural remedies before to no avail. Good luck!

That interesting @kymb21I didn’t realise that could help! Thank you for sharing that.

I came off HRT a couple of months ago and started taking a probiotic supplement and generally trying to up my intake (keffir drink daily and eat kombucha, kimchi, miso, sourdough etc ) and a mushroom gummy - Ankhway. No idea which is helping but I am nowhere near as fuzzy, anxious or have wild mood swings as I was before and feel fine without my HRT which I never expected to (I went on a 2 week holiday without them so slightly enforced stopping)

Neither are cheap so once my 3 month supply of each runs out in a few weeks I will keep up the probiotic but drop the gummy and see if it makes any difference.

@lechatnoirthank you for all the information, I will definitely look at all your suggestions

@thearchers Are you willing to say why you can't use HRT now?
It's relevant.

I'm sorry if it's because of cancer, but if so, many of the alternatives are not suitable.

The British Menopause Society has a guide on alternatives to HRT, many of which are prescription drugs from a GP or menopause specialist (who would know more about them.)

There was also a report by the RCOG some years ago (but it's still relevant) on herbs and supplements. The vast majority don't work and any 'improvement' is usually a placebo effect.

If you could say why you can't use HRT now maybe it will help with suggestions?

I can’t take it anymore, boring reasons, I’m basically through now and symptoms aren’t too bad, now. What I found helped was prioritising sleep (including naps if needed) exercise, avoiding alcohol, being honest at work about it, wool duvet for night sweats (game changer). Echo advice above that check supplements are safe for you.

The thing is though @BadActingParsley many women (around 15%) have symptoms for life. My consultant has told me this- women in their 80s and 90s on HRT because of flushes, sweats etc. It's not about being 'through' because loss of estrogen is permanent. Some women get no symptoms from that but others do, for decades. Everyone is different.

I know, I was just sharing my experience that my symptoms have hugely reduced.

@JinglingSpringbellsthankfully not cancer, I am obviously truly sorry for anyone going through that.
I have become allergic to the adhesive in the patches. Also they do not stay on, tried all the tips and tricks. But even if they did stay on they leave horrible welts so I can’t use them. I don’t know if they changed the adhesive because they were OK to start with, although I have always had problems with them coming off.
I tried the gel and progesterone tablets but unfortunate ly I had an extreme reaction of fatigue and feeling very spaced out. I do a lot of driving and work with babies and toddlers so I absolutely cannot risk taking some time adjusting to it, even if it were to settle down I do not feel safe to drive or do my job. So that’s out too.
GP was sympathetic but unsure of anything else to help really. We do have an HRT specialist at the practice so I will ask to see her but of course it’s never easy getting an appointment. So that’s where I am at right now.

Thanks for clarifying.

There are LOADS of other options . Your GP sounds like they aren't up to speed.

Did you use Utrogestan last thing at night?
Did you try using it vaginally? That avoids the sedation.

You can use gel + a separate progestogen = Norethisterone (used on a cycle for 12 days.) It comes as a tablet. Your GP may not know of this. I used it for around 6 years. It's the same progestogen that is in most patches.

There is also the Mirena coil- use with gel.
There are tablets which are fine for most women under 60 who do not have clotting risks.
Femoston is a near-body identical sort and many women like it.

Here is a list- this is for peri but on the menu system at the top of the page there are options for post meno- not sure which you are!

www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php

I'm allergic to the glue in the patches except for Estradot brand. BUT there are lots of different options here- there are alternatives to Utrogestan if that's the progesterone you were taking. Lots of GPS are rubbish at this- it's really worth a one off consult with a menopause specialist