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Menopause

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Original poster

should I take HRT out of vanity?

14 replies

meysey · 05/03/2010 00:14

I've got borderline early menopause - I'm 45 and not had a period for 15 months.

GP is relaxed and says it's my choice if I want HRT. I haven't got too many bad symptoms but feel I've aged very quickly.

Am wondering about taking HRT out of vanity in the hope of getting some collagen back into my skin. Will this work? Is it stupid?

My mate who has slightly earlier menopause got to see a consultant and swears by HRT....

OP posts:
Monty100 · 05/03/2010 00:30

Early menopause and hrt here. It didn't work for me in terms of collagen. I was hoping. lol

In fact went to gp last week for something else and I mentioned to her that I was expecting a rejuvination and asked if she could increase the dosage . She was 'have your symptoms stopped?' me: 'well, yes' gp: 'well, that's ok, you don't want to get breast cancer do you?'.

me: 'erm, no, ok thanks.'

Monty100 · 05/03/2010 00:31

Have been taking it for 18 months now.

at those who 'lose 10 years.'

C'est la vie.

Original poster
meysey · 05/03/2010 11:01

knew I'd get to the truth through Mumsnetters.... thanks..... though any more opinions/miracles welcome!

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 05/03/2010 11:06

I wouldn't because of the breast cancer risk

purplepeony · 14/03/2010 21:02

There is no/tiny risk if you take it before age 51- age of average meno. You need it for your bones,not your face!

Even after 50 the risks only increase after 5 years. Breast cancer risk is very small up to 5 years- practically no more than non-users.

I started taking it at 53 and feel great- my dr wants to review after another year when I will have been on it for 2.5 years.

You should take it for your bones- your GP is right to give you the choice, but if i were you I would.

diddl · 02/04/2010 09:20

What are the advantages of HRT.
I´m mid 40s, no periods since October.
Couple of sweats a night.
Feel fine-don´t feel the need to take anything.

purplepeony · 03/04/2010 14:26

It's not so much a case of "advantages" - it's a case of medicating if you have problems which are affecting your quality of life to such an extent that lifestyle measures alone won't help.
The advantages are really that it releives your symptoms in the short- medium term and can prevent osteoporosis if you are at risk and a menopause before 45 is one of the risks.

diddl you nay continue to fee fine, but my symptoms kicked in at 53 about 6 months after my last period. Idon't want to be negative but you might get symptoms as your oestrogen levels continue to fall.

Shaz10 · 03/04/2010 14:29

My mum took HRT for a long time and got breast cancer - she was told it was the HRT that caused it. We had no family history. Although that was 7 years ago and so far no recurrence.

Earlybird · 03/04/2010 14:32

I've heard of women who take the pill long after they've passed the age where they would naturally stop menstruating (though taking the pill means they continue with periods).

They do it to combat symptoms of menopause and to keep looking/feeling youthful.

I vascillate between being dubious/skeptical about the wisdom of this/health risks, and wondering if it would help me look more youthful if I did it too......

purplepeony · 03/04/2010 20:59

earlybird why would any dr prescribe the pill to women who are past menopause? You can't just keep getting repeat prescriptions in your 50s!

Earlybird · 04/04/2010 02:05

purp - I think some women use the pill as a substitute for HRT, and hope (perhaps erroneously) to simply 'bypass' menopause symptoms completely.

purplepeony · 04/04/2010 09:06

Yes I understood that was what you were saying but who are they getting to prescribe it for them?

It is quite possible now to take the Pill til you are 50 but you can't keeptaking it in your 50s which is when most women have meno symptoms.

And the pill actually has higher lvels of hormones than HRT.

chelseamorning · 05/04/2010 13:33

Don't forget that you're only 'protected' against osteoporosis or vascular problems for as long as you're taking the HRT. As soon as you stop, you're on your own. Most GPs only recommend taking it for a few years.

purplepeony · 05/04/2010 15:56

chelsea- that is not quite 100% accurate.

I had low bone density before I started on HRT_ not quite osteporosis but osteopaenia.

I have been making lots of lifestyle changes including lots of exercise for 2 years , and had been on HRT for 6 months when I had my bone density measured. it had gone up, so much so that my spine was normal.

What this means is that when I stop the HRT I will- I hope- have bones that are roughly "normal" for my age rather than like an 70 year old. so although the benefit of HRT will stop, it means I have better bones than I had before I took it.

The vascular benefits- if you mean protection from heart attacks etc- don't exist anyway- that has been dismissed by latest reearch.

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