Has anyone NOT been on HRT? Has the menopause been ok if so?

[ForeverDelayedEpiphany]

I'm 44, and think my body has been in perimenopause since my youngest daughter was born in 2020.

Literally textbook symptoms, itchy ears, hot flushes, weird tingling, itchy skin, horrible palpitations and awful waves of anxiety, much worse migraines, dry eyes, thinner hair... it's not been too good, but it's been bearable.

The thing is, I am extremely sensitive to medication side effects, especially ones that affect the endocrine system. I have a medication induced neurological involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia that is like Tourette's and Parkinson's disease combined (and was caused by an off label antipsychotic). When I had to use some antifungal cream for thrush after breastfeeding once, it made my involuntary movements worse (as I think it is probably something that affects oestrogen and therefore dopamine receptors (.

Anyway, my rambling post is basically a way of saying I'm not sure about HRT but perimenopause symptoms aren't really great and seem to be getting worse.

Has anyone been through the menopause but not taken HRT? If so, how are you doing? Has it been ok?

My symptoms included a breast cyst. Had mammogram and ultrasound to rule out need for biopsy but the mammogram was so hard to do because HRT had made my breasts so bloated and dense. Then short while later I found out family members on maternal side had tested positive for BRCA gene so that was that – I was done.

Interesting replies again, thanks all.

I've still got the business card for the private gynaecologist who i saw a few years ago, but it might be a good idea to go armed with a bit more research on how HRT might affect my movement disorder 🤔 Maybe I need an appointment with a neurologist first lol 😆

I went into surgical menopause overnight in my early 40s and I can’t take HRT. It was pretty overwhelming at the time, but I’ve found that I can manage my symptoms individually as they arise and generally speaking it’s been ok. I eat well, drink lots of water, try to get enough sleep and exercise.

Sounds a good way to manage the symptoms, I think it's great advice. I'm going to see if I can try this if I decide not to use HRT 🤔