HRT - Should I or shouldn't I for severe hot flushes?

[navelgazer]

Actually I already am, for last 6 months. I went to a different GP for repeat prescription today and she was really negative about it due to increase in breast cancer risk. I am really confused tbh - the menopause clinic say it's a small risk, Gp says she wouldn't take it, this report says the benefits outweigh the risks, that report says they don't - opinions seem to be really split. Has anyone thought through this dilemma and come to any conclusion, if so I'm interested in your thought processes?.

FWIW I am a fairly low risk for breast cancer (touch wood), none in family, never smoked, not overweight, no high blood pressure, exercise regularly.

My periods had stopped for 4 months and I was having severe hot flushes (making worklife v difficult)and some joint pain. I never really investigated the stress aspect and it's effect on flushing, I think that may be a big factor in my case

I have been on it for 3 months. My gynae is a wonderful man, who is one of the best in the UK, who advocates life style changes and complementary things first/as well. he used to be evangelical about HRT, I have read, but now feels it has a place if other things aren't enough, and if it is used at a low dose short term.

I had a check up last week and he assures me that the risk from cancer increases only after 5 years on HRT- I have done my own research and looked at the stats.

I am happy to take it for a while and will then tail off eventually. Everyone is different though. You need to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for you at the moment.

Stress is an big issue- I try to minimise it and I do lots of exercise, and eat very healthily.

If you want to buy a book that gives a holistic approach to the meno, plus all the facts and figures on HRT and the latest research, I would recommend Your Change, Your Choice, by Michael Dooley ( my dr!).

thanks honestfriend, I've just ordered the book from the local library.

One thing the GP mentioned was that she had observed there was a rebound effect when patients came off the HRT ie. their hot flushes got much worse than before, even after short term HRT.

Do you mind me asking what are the benefits for you personally?

I don't mind at all- I was having sleep problems- I usually go to sleep very quickly- 10 seconds flat!- but after I had not had a period for 4 months- at 53- I was feeling wide awake the minute my head hit the pillow, and also very hot.

I was having hot flushes every hour- mild, my face was pink not red and slightly sweaty- not nice with the work I do, often with men.
I found it helped me in about a week.

I also have been having bone density scans as I am small - but have no other risk factors- and was horrified to find out 5 years back that I was on the edge of osteoporosis in my hips. Since then, I have exercised a lot and it has not got worse. The HRT will help that but if i want to take it longer than 4-5 yrs I need to think about the risks.

My gynae says that when you come off it, you do it slowly over 3-4 months. You may still get flushes etc but hopefully not so bad.

I do take the cancer risks seriously, but the risk before 5 years is small and I feel quality of life counts for a lot too.

It also matters how you take HRT- some types carry more risk than others- combined tablets have the highest risk, patches/gel and the Mirena coil to get the lowest level of progesterone is the safest.

I use oestrogen gel- on my arms- and I can alter the dose depending on what suits me- use the smallest application to control my symptoms, then I take progesterone tablets every couple of months, for a few days.

These are the things you need to discuss with your dr or the clinic.

I'm not sure whether I'm menopausal as I am only 42. I haven't had a period for 3 months and for 2 months had hot flushes every hour or so. They were hideous. I started taking Black cohosh and Agnus Castus and have stopped having flushes. Might be worth a try for you.

I've been taking HRT for a year. I had an instant onset menopause following radiotherapy. I was unable to function due to the dramatic drop in oestrogen. I looked into it very thoroughly and there seemed little option for for me. It's been fantastic. I may have to take it for ten years as I am not yet 42. For me the risks of osteoporosis and heart disease from an early menopause were too high.

The breast cancer risk is significant if you have the BRAC1 (I think ) gene. My mum had post menopausal cancer and my own cancer is thought not to be related.

My GP took advice from the gynae consultant at our local hospital before prescribing it. I imagine we will revisit the situation in a few years should I make the complete recovery from cancer I am planning to make.

HRT saved my life, quite frankly.

I hope you get better- do you mind saying where your cancer was?

In my rectum! Very unusual for women and very unusual under fifty. So obviously we all just thought it was post childbirth nonsense to start with. Ooooops ;). I now post religiously saying "go and see your GP" and "go back to you GP " and, most importantly, "go back and see the same GP".

I do hope you make a full recovery- good luck!

I am much older than most of you ladies but have done the whole gamut of different HRT - including the natural path as well. hot flushes and night sweats meant I couldn't function at all - life was a misery and I just couldn't concentrate enought do my job. I was very very late finishing my periods - getting on for 60! Finally, having had some gyne repair - but not a hysterectomy, i had a mirena (?)coil fitted (mainly used for contraception) with eastrogen patches. After two years my GP and I have reduced the patches to 25ml (I then had a few night sweats but they have stopped) and I think the next step is to reduce the number of times i change the patches. I have to say it has been fntastic. I don't look or feel anything like my age and so although I know there is a slighltly increased risk of some nasties, it has been well worth it and I would do the same again. My dad died suddenly of a hear attck aged 42 - we can't gurantee anything in life.

grany- interesting. My regime is similar- I use oestrogen gel, which is topical like a patch, except I can control the amount each day if need be. I take progestrone tablets for a few days every month to have a bleed. I know that my gynae is very keen on the Mirena coil used alongside patches or gel, if HRT is going to be long term.

I took HRT for a year, it was fabulous. Don't know how I would have managed without it tbh.

I had a scan and have osteopenia unfortunately (although it appears I just 'have' that rather than it being a factor of anything to do with the menopause as the scan was done way before I was menopausal).

My periods stopped for a year, I had all the flushes etc etc. I was using herbal products and Flash Fighters were great.

Then periods returned with a vengeance!! last month DP thought I had been murdered as there blood everywhere in the bathroom and I was upstairs moaning to myself ...... obviously DP need not become a PI, as corpses don't usually moan, even in Golden Age detective fiction!! I digress!!

THe worst symptoms apart from crazy loss was the inability to stay on topic in conversation !!

Sorry, really I was interested in gransylvie's comment that she looked good.

I look AWFUL, I've had a dreadful year, both practically and emotionally and it literally put years on me. No-one tells you about that, does anyone have any tips?

I know I need to exercise more and get back into really healthy eating but is there anything short term before I lose all sense of myself!!

I was put in menopause for a year and I was surprised by how it made me feel. I actually think my moods were more even but my goodness, the poor sleeping, hot flushes and the aches were extremely frustrating. I was told, because it was done artifically, I'd get, in one dose, what most women get over years and years but having spoken to some people about it, it does seem like some women get symptoms like that straight away. (Whereas some women get virtually no symptoms and sail through menopause quite happily).

I think, if you're getting symptoms and they are bothering you, it is definitely worth looking into the medication side of it.

i think we short change ourselves (as women) sometimes, I really do. We're made to feel we should put up with a lot. I too have a fabulous gynae and I only wish everyone could see someone like him because it makes SUCH a difference having someone who is genuinely interested in how you feel.

Also, HRT is a bit like the pill. Different ones suit different people so if you feel one isn't working, then go back and try another and don't be afraid to ask.

Blah at being a woman sometimes!

its really a personal thing. I was on it for over 10 years (I menopaused in my 30's). My only reason for taking it though was to protect my bones - I had none of the usual menopausal symptoms!

My friend on the other hand bought all the self help books she could find and shied away from HRT but now regrets that decision.

earthymama- are you looking after yourself?
are you eating well, keeping stress down- which might mean changing jobs etc if necessary!- and pampering yourself a bit?

I too have osteopaenia and although I am not taking HRT primarily for that, I know it gives me a bit of a boost bone-wise and hope that I can stop the rot with exercise and diet- I am walking 3miles a day in the countryside and doing weights at home 3x a week. I got my self a personal trainer to give me the right exercises.

Not many people take HRT as a gel- mainly in France evidently! My gynae thought it would suit me, as you can alter the dose- from the lowest up to the highest, so you control your symptoms. I DO worry about the cancer risks, but he assures me that the real risk is beyond 5 years' use- although I know everyone is different and there are no guarantees. As he pointed out- I am more at risk of dying in my car ( true statistically) than from HRT. Having said that, he is not pushing HRT and he has written a book on all the other ways to cope - I really recommend it:

Your Change, Your Choice by Michael Dooley- it gives all the info on alternative and conventional ways of dealing with meno as well as loads of tips on helping yourself.

honestfriend I've had a really hard year and have not looked after myself lately, but intend to start when I've finished the mince pies

Seriosly, thanks for that, I've had shingles since my mum died, sfter a long illness. we've had a dreadful situation in the family and the past reared up to bite me on the bum.

I'm going through the menopause I guess, but it's so erratic (def not erotic) that I tend to put down to ongoing psoriasis and arthritis.

I love walking and gardening and will get back into it all soon. Hopefully that will help though I think I'll try that book too.

PS I had a hair disaster and have spent the festive period with orange hair, which does not suit me at all. I want a magic lotion or potion to restore my looks...I'm terrified they have disappeared for ever. DP bought me a book called 'Embracing the Hag'...was it a hint

I'm nowhere near the menopause yet (cancer and other nasties allowing) but have a type of migraine which means i can't take oestrogen at all.

I'm sad to hear no good news on this thread for people not taking HRT as it wont be an option for me

Does anybody survive without the HRT???

fluffles don't cross bridges before you come to them- you may not need HT or anything.
If I wasn't working, I don't think I would have used it- but I work closely with men and it is very embarrassing- plus I wasn't sleeping. There are loads of alternative treatments.
earthymama I hope you have a better 2009!

There are some other options you can combine, fluffles but generally not as good. What you need does depend on what bothers you, though. Not everyone gets everything. As I had an insti-menopause mine was particularly hard. My mum's natural menopause at 55+ needed no help. She was fine.

I had to take very high does of HRT a couple of times (for a couple of months each time) last year after two ops. The side affects were awful, and yes - hot flushes and night sweats were part of those problems I encountered, amongst others.

I had to take very high does of HRT a couple of times (for a couple of months each time) last year after two ops. The side affects were awful, and yes - hot flushes and night sweats were part of those problems I encountered, amongst others.

I have taken HRT for the last 13 years and dont want to come off it as I have terrible headaches if I miss a tablet. Like the older woman above, people cant believe I retire next year. I cant believe I am the age I am either I just dont feel it. I also go to the gym 6 times a week so I am quite fit and flexible. My hair is also the same colour as it always was. I just add a few highlights and lowlights to hide the few white hairs that I have. I have tried to reduce the dosage but the hot flushes came back. By the way my mother and sister both had breast cancer but I still swear by it.

any updates on any of the hrt and the mirena coil.. I don't get on with any HRT, and have had an early menopause when I was 41. My last try on HRT was with Sudrena gel patches twice the normal dose, and a mirena coil, which is being removed this week. Couldn't stick the depression, anxiety, had to take time off work. Bleeding and discharge for the 12 weeks that I had it in. Never again, I hope to get back to my old self very soon, as I became suicidal with the HRT, horrible. I am now 56, and feel about 106.

Fitzroy maybe begin a new thread as this one is 4 years old?

But while I am here have been on HRT - oestrogel and progestins once every 3months- for 3 years and feel great on it.

Lots of energy, no more flushes, and no moods.