Sex, myths and the menopause - channel 4 tonight

[Theeyeballsinthesky]

Looking forward to this. Clips I’ve seen look good and there’s lots of focus on how women as a class have bern ignored and let down over this issue

So cross I forgot the pictures:

I was thinking that the study about HRT causing breast cancer (which was how it was widely reported in the media) leading to 50% of women binning HRT and a widespread belief that HRT is harmful is akin to the Wakefield MMR study and reporting in the damage it’s caused

One study, poorly defined and reported, has caused millions and millions of women to suffer unnecessarily and convinced thousands of HCP that HRT is dangerous

Yes Jelly I totally agree! How can women properly assess the risks with no information?? It still feels as if there’s something frivolous about taking HRT, almost as if you didn’t women up and just deal with it

Unfortunately I can't process information well at the moment, and feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I'd need to know to be well informed. I have so many questions!

The oestrogen cream for VA, is that classed as HRT?

It is Pickle but vaginal oestrogen is an incredibly low dose of oestrogen. I’d have to use it every day for a year to get the same dose as just one of my daily novofem tablets

I don't want my periods to restart. They were incredibly heavy and hard to manage. When I started patches, you couldn't reliably get hold of them. I'd have gaps between packs, have to ring round pharmacies to find it, have to change patch early because one fell off and I didn't have a replacement for it. It was confusing and complicated and I didn't have the headspace to negotiate it.

This is on the ever closer horizon for me, I watched with interest. I had no idea so few women were on HRT, or that they were fobbed off with anti depressants.

On one hand I couldn't believe how crap women's healthcare is, but then I realised yes actually I did - cause it's women.

That one woman got it right when her daughter said if menopause was a men's thing, it would have been sorted already.

It still feels as if there’s something frivolous about taking HRT, almost as if you didn’t women up and just deal with it

My GP is forever telling me I need to come off it now... 'you've had it long enough, but I know what you ladies are like, wanting to hang onto it to try and keep youthful looks, so vain'.

Yes, he actually said that

bloody hell NightSky! I dont know how you didnt punch him!

men - women are only of value if they are still young and fuckable otherwise we dont care what they have to say

also men - oi ladies stop being vain about looks and put down the HRT, btw we're not listening to you because you're no longer young and fuckable

'Yes, he actually said that angry'

Well what a total dickhead. I would complain to the practice manager, if you have the energy

@thenightsky that is an appalling comment from you GP - please complain to the Pratice Manager.

I didn't see the programme but will definitely watch it on catch up.

I was given antidepressants by a stand-in, older, male Indian Dr - didn't realise that was what I'd been prescribed until I got it home. I was furious and rang to complain. Saw my usual female Dr, she sighed, apologised and sorted me out. That male Dr has never been seen at the practise again - hopefully they got rid.

The oestrogen cream for VA, is that classed as HRT?

Yes, but it's a very low dose and acts locally. Even with HRT gel or patches I developed VA. The locally-applied cream has made a HUGE difference. There is no issue with taking it at the same time as general HRT.

My GP rations Ovestin (that weak vaginal oestrogen cream) as if I were asking to shove asbestos and radon up my bum with a hand-held gamma ray emitter.

I need to tackle it via e-consult, but it's all very silly and wearying and I keep putting it off.

Actually, it's embarrassing and stressful for a patient to have to negotiate and successfully tackle their own doctor's ignorance. I hate it. We're not all Kofi Annan.

'you've had it long enough, but I know what you ladies are like, wanting to hang onto it to try and keep youthful looks, so vain'.

No, I want to 'hang on to' my bone density, my bladder control, my skin integrity, my mental and emotional equilibrium, my sanity.

I want to remain a functioning human being.

Out of interest and not wanting to derail but as a woman who has so far been very lucky with my experience of menopause (a few hot flushes and that's it) is there still a benefit to taking HRT?

I'm wondering if I can preserve bone density through diet and exercise alone?

It's not just osteoporosis; there's growing evidence that in some women, hrt can prevent dementia.

Or rather that dementia is a direct result of how their hormones have been in midlife/ peri menopause.

Yes, he really said that awful thing to me, then slashed my HRT in half and told me I'd be stopping it within the month. I went back 3 weeks later and saw the (female) Nurse Practitioner, who I burst into tears in front of. She was wonderful. Re-instated my HRT at the full dose. I only ever have appointments with her now.

It's not just osteoporosis; there's growing evidence that in some women, hrt can prevent dementia

That's one of my major fears. My mum and dad both died with dementia, as did both grandmothers.

My GP has been really helpful in prescribing HRT but the local chemist NEvER has enough in stock. Says it's rationed and they're only allowed a certain amount per month. I now request my new prescription at least two weeks before I need it as I know it'll take ages to get it. I've also invested in a home blood pressure kit so I can give the Dr my readings over the phone. No readings no repeat prescription! Ridiculous but essential during lockdown when I can't see go face to face. The hurdles are endless!

@Redcrayons

I was also too young at 47 for HRT because of increased breast cancer risk. Anti D for depression. I’ve given up going to GP.

Shocking how bad treatment is.

47 is not too young for HRT, who told you that ? If you have menopause at a younger age it is even more important for bones.

What's the risk of osteoporosis?

More women die of osteoporosis than breast cancer, though they tend to be older.

I must admit that I much prefer taking BP at home when I'm in a more relaxed state of mind: it feels more accurate. I was asked if they could take my BP just before they inserted a Mirena coil (part of my HRT). I said no and gave them the reading I'd taken at home. Why would anyone think that a reading in those circumstances would be anything other than high?

@JamieLeeCurtains

My GP rations Ovestin (that weak vaginal oestrogen cream) as if I were asking to shove asbestos and radon up my bum with a hand-held gamma ray emitter.

I need to tackle it via e-consult, but it's all very silly and wearying and I keep putting it off.

Actually, it's embarrassing and stressful for a patient to have to negotiate and successfully tackle their own doctor's ignorance. I hate it. We're not all Kofi Annan.

This has really made me laugh but also feel the rage on your behalf !!