What happens if you can't take HRT?

[jaychops]

I'm late thirties and no issues yet but starting to think ahead. I've never been able to take the combined pill due to family history of breast cancer and parental blood clots. What options will I have should I need to take something?

Following please

i'm sure some of the gals who are familiar with the guidelines will be by to give you more answers regarding medical options, but not everyone takes hrt.
there are long term benefits for heart and bone health but many many chose to go through peri/meno and post meno without medications.

I’m 61, I’ve never taken anything or even thought about it. I’m sure many don’t.

I can't take HRT for similar reasons. It just comes down to treating any symptoms that arise with alternatives to HRT. Lots of people go through menopause without it.

I take fluoxetine, it reduces hot flushes and improves my get up and go. There's also the option of localised oestrogen gel for vaginal/vulval symptoms

I am 55 not had symptoms apart from the flush faced feeling! Not taking anything! You might be like me when your time comes !

The new generation HRT, transdermal gels and bio identical hormones-have no extra risks associated for breast cancer

A large number of women have no or minor symptoms during menopause and don't take HRT, even here in the UK where more women take HRT than in other western countries. You might not feel the need to take HRT.

I’m 67 and have never taken hrt. Living in Scotland, I found hot flushes nice and toasty on winter mornings - I used to wait for one before getting out of bed!
Not every woman suffers horrendous menopause symptoms, OP. You might be fine.

I had to stop taking (wonderful) HRT after I developed breast cancer.

Then I managed Menopause symptoms with diet, evening primrose oil, yoga and relaxation techniques. DH had hot flushes during cancer treatment and swears by sage.

How I wish I'd had a magic ice-cold sports wrap; no ice involved, just wet, shake, and it gets very cold. Must be wonderful for hot flushes!

The risk of dementia and bone density problems are more of an issue if you go through premature menopause either naturally or surgically.
Breast cancer is a difficult one, it doesn’t really matter what type of HRT you use it will still slightly increase the risk. Overall prolonged exposure to oestrogen and progesterone is a known cause of breast cancer risk. But this is usually not attributed to HRT but to exposure to our own hormones by starting periods early or going through the menopause late.
If you have a high risk of breast cancer in the family it is probably worth trying to get more detail, for example asking whether family members who have had breast cancer have been genetically screened. All things GPS will ask.
What is concerning re current trends is the use of gels which are difficult to determine how much is being absorbed. Doses that are prescribed are often way higher than doses previously prescribed and we will not know for some years what affect these bugger doses are having.
A recent study published is suggesting that HRT may actually increase the risk of dementia rather than reduce it. Lots of debate around what type of oestrogen and progesterone is used. I don’t think it really matters, not enough research is actually going on into cellular effect of the different hormones, until we know why breast cancer is caused by HRT arguing that one type of HRT hormone is safer than others is a bit pointless.
From experience I developed breast cancer 3 yrs after taking HRT. I had patches and Mirena coil. Had a clear mammogram at 53 then at 57 ( 4 yr gap thanks to Covid) I was diagnosed with hormone sensitive (extremely high for oestrogen and progesterone) 39mm tumour.
I went cold Turkey and apart from a return of very mild hot flushes, post menopause is actually fine. Unfortunately I take Anastrazole which is an evil drug. But without it the risk of the breast cancer recurring is too high a risk to stop taking the Anastrazole.
With hind site, would I have done things differently? No absolutely not, my risk was low when I sought out HRT so I would still have taken it but maybe have insisted on mammogram earlier.

I tried HRT but had to come off it because it made me put on so.much weight.

Thank you for this thread. I was wondering the same thing - I have a stroke history so can't take HRT and it does worry me. It's good to hear that not everyone needs to take it.

Osteoporosis would be something to think about and read up on. Friend with family history of osteo didn’t take hrt and now wishes she had. How much difference it would have made I don’t know.

some hrt is ok with your history. The vaginal hrt is helpful and could be fine.

That.
iirc, there's a long list of things that seem to help people deal with the disruption that can come with menopause or other aspects of aging, such as
not drinking
not smoking
regular exercise
good sleep habits
keep a healthy weight
keep a high veg + fruit & low junk food diet
adopting resilient attitudes
cultivating good social support
good financial stability & security
seeking health care early for health problems

So you can do all those things.