Taking HRT purely for bone and heart health without symptoms?

[harderthanIexpected]

I'm 50 and I'm very fortunate not to be experiencing any menopause symptoms at all, other than creeping weight gain which I've managed to get on top of by cutting out carbs. In fact in many ways I've never felt better - sleeping well, mentally sharp and surprisingly chilled despite some really difficult and worrying family problems over recent years.

I have very heavy periods and had the mirena fitted a while back (it's helped a bit but disappointingly I still have regular periods). At the clinic the nurse was absolutely adamant I should be taking HRT for bone and cardiac health and basically wouldn't let me leave without a prescription for Lezzetto (?) and strict instructions to use two sprays a day, building up to three "if I needed to".

I do understand that there is good evidence for this, so I dutifully started using it, but after a week or two I felt generally "off" and so I stopped, and immediately felt better.

I had a half hearted follow up call with the nurse who said to persevere until it "started working" but she didn't seem to grasp the fact that that is impossible for me to judge because I have no symptoms that need fixing, and that actually I felt worse on it.

So my question - is anyone else taking HRT purely for the "invisible" benefits? If so, what regime are you on and how did you judge it was right for you?

(Obviously this could change in the coming years as no doubt I will experience symptoms at some point, in which case I wouldn't hesitate to try HRT again).

Gosh, lots of really interesting insight and experiences, thank you. I'm actually out today but I'll come back later and respond properly.

Just to address this - it's a fair question. I've become increasingly disillusioned with accessing health care in the UK, both through the NHS and privately, based on both my and family's experiences. As this thread shows, quality of care varies hugely, and even (especially?) specialists have their own blind spots and prejudice. I'm frequently shocked at how ill informed many clinicians are about recent research.

Personally, I find the wide ranging, first-hand accounts from intelligent, well informed women to be invaluable in navigating female health.

Is that an oral estrogen? Perhaps a patch or gel would be better. And if no symptoms the only way to “know if working” is via a blood test?

I have nothing beyond anecdotal evidence, but I have a lot of older female relatives. The few who went on HRT are significantly fitter and more sprightly in their 70s than their non HRT taking sister's who also now all have osteoporosis (just like their mothers). If I can fend off crumbling bones and an old age of pain and immobility, I'll do it.
Edit to add no known heart issues or BC in the family. The generation above my aunts all died of smoking related lung issues, so who know what lurking in the genes for the non smokers.

I believe the research on prunes is that 50g a day was shown to be beneficial

I am taking HRT when I don’t need it as I’ve had a total hysterectomy. My consultant told me I still
need it for my heart and bones, and progesterone has a positive effect on the brain. Both my mum and grandma has osteoporosis, and due to my HRT at 59 I still have normal bone density. It’s good for me.. why would I stop?

Bone health (Mother had osteopenia) and vascular protection (father had vascular dementia) for me. I also lift weights and do plyometrics for my bones.

It's good , considering your family history. Sounds like a good consultant.

That's different to the OP though.
Without your ovaries, your own estrogen levels will be lower, even when compared to other women who are post menopausal.
And it depends when you had surgery. If it was before 50 that is 'early' for loss of estrogen and considered surgical menopause.

The older you are at menopause the better if you don’t want HRT.

i am like you OP, the “symptoms” are that I feel better , more like myself , than I had in decades. No way was I going to add those hormones back!

so I make sure I have a good diet with calcium, and weight bearing exercises and generally look after my health as best I can

none of my older close family seem to have used HRT and none of them have any particular problems. Although grandma died on her early 80s so perhaps there was time for her to develop problems ( smoking related )

edit - oh I like
prunes !

The Royal Osteoporosis Society recommends dietary calcium, only supplementing if you can't get enough through diet, so I think GPs are out of date. That said there are some medications where I believe supplemental calcium is needed to get the full benefits.
Yes I'm on bisphosphonates which is why I am prescribed calcium supplements but my earlier post was about others who are osteopaenia (almost osteoporosis) and just told to take calcium. It won't rebuild bones.

If you can stomach them, dried prunes are shown to improve bone density - lots of research on that - but you need 5 a day and ideally 10.
I'm eating prunes for constipation so will increase that. My dairy is limited due to as yet undiagnosed digestive problems. I've had to switch from proper greek yoghurt every day to fat free yoghurt which at least still contains calcium.

Those who have exercised life long shouldn't consider themselves immune.
Massive history of osteoporosis in my female line. My sister who is mid 60s and super fit thought she was fine after a lifetime of exercise. Not the case, she broke a leg and a dexa scan revealed osteoporosis.

Thank you I'll have a look. I must admit I have never heard of them. I've also found a women's health clinic near me which is highly recommended, so I'll give them a try.

I am osteopenic, but I wouldn't even have known until my DM had had a fall in her care home. She was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis but no one had realised as she had dementia and very limited mobility. After this my cousin, a nurse, said you must ask to be checked.

Its really poor, isn't when you think how much money and resources have been poured into other, more rarefied areas of healthcare.

Sorry if I've missed it' but are you on HRT & if not why not? HRT is licensed for osteoporosis. There was a brilliant Balance podcast recently which talked about this - and how short term and / or limited the other treatments can be.