Menopause Discussion > Alternative Therapies
Anyone had early menopause and not used HRT?
BrightLight:
--- Quote from: honeybun on February 02, 2015, 10:18:07 PM ---The current information says that you need to replace the hormones that should rightfully be yours.
Osteoporosis is a big threat as is heart problems and vaginal atrophy.
It's very much a personal decision but I would really do my homework before I ruled it out.
If you have a look at the menus on the left you will find lots of information and treatment choices.
Honeyb
X
--- End quote ---
Thanks Honeyb
I am definately doing all sorts of homework - mind boggling trying to make a decision. I just wondered if there were any real life experiences from ladies on this forum.
I have looked at a lot of information and the videos from the Menopause Society are really useful. It seems to me there are 2 uses for HRT - for symptom control, but if women don't have symptoms, I am guessing they are producting enough estrogen for their body (?) who knows. Then there is the protection factor which I think is what I would be prescribed it for - using HRT to protect again bone loss primarily - this is the evidence I can see. Also a bit confused about the age, the guidelines stated under 40 yrs old for preventative prescribing but some gynaes use 45.
BrightLight:
--- Quote from: Briony on February 02, 2015, 11:26:15 PM ---There's no perfect answer. Everybody's menopause is unique, after all. I always assumed I would do as my mum did and 'ride the hormonal wave' through my mid 50s without HRT. However, an endocrinologist made it quite clear to me that having such a low level of estrogen in my early 40s would be compromising my heart and bone health. If it was more superficial things like wrinkles and spots, I may have thought twice, but not when it comes to cardio vascular issues. I am taking it - ' the journey' - a month or so at a time; just because I am on HRT now does not necessarily mean I will stay on it until I am post menopause. But for now, I feel like it's the safest option.
I am fairly sure that the previous research which identified potential risks with HRT did not not consider younger (under 50) women? X
--- End quote ---
Thank you so much for sharing your choices/situation. I think you are right about the potential risks being different, my GP did mention in passing this isn't so relevant when prescribing for early menopause. May I ask if your GP referred you to an endocrinologist? These are the people that are best placed to advise in my opinion taking account your personal circumstances.
At the moment I am waiting for appointment with GP and thinking things through, it has come to mind that I could take the option of HRT for a couple of years. I want to cover heart health and bones, just not convinced there isn't another way right now, though the endocrine doctor information is supportive and helpful to me. Thanks :)
BrightLight:
Briony - the scary thing is that having an early menopause does increase cardiovascular risk and I am aware of that, I wasn't clear whether estrogen loss was directly related or that HRT was preventative and from reading it seems that they don't really know. What they do know is that blood pressure and cholesterol rises after menopause and this is a clear indicator of rising cardiovascular risk. So as you say, it's so different for everyone and reading your post has made me think to make sure the doctor does a proper CVD risk assessment.
It looks to me as if excercise has to go on top of my new 'health plan' list - I don't do nearly enough. :)
peegeetip:
"Then there is the protection factor which I think is what I would be prescribed it for - using HRT to protect again bone loss primarily."
All HRT will go some way to help this. However in terms of the medical side the medium dose HRT options and above are seen as helping your bone health and are certified to do this. Lower and Ultra low HRT are not.
Other non HRT options for bone strength are known to keep bone mass but have issues regarding bone strength still and have knockon effects to the bodies own bone building processes.
Not something thats an issue with HRT sourced bone protection ;)
In terms of CVD!
The longer you put off HRT then there is less chance of the protection people are percieving on this front.
This is why recent views have said that taking the pill into peri and starting HRT sooner is seen as better for us in terms of looking after our cvd , circulation and bones for the longer term.
Your CVD risk can change relatively quickly ie less exercise, diet goes bad and unfortunately menopause too.
So its great to think about these things however keep in mind that the longer we wait and put things off then the longer things take for HRT to help and repair.
However in terms of areas like CVD and circulation, urinary , va and some breast changes these will not be fully fixed or reversed if HRT if it is taken later.
:-*
Rowan:
Don't agree that low dose estrogen does not protect bones
http://www.jabfm.org/content/22/5/563.full
Menostar is one preparation that has been approved as an ultra low dose estrogen for bone health using a 14 patch replaced weekly.
http://www.4bonehealth.org/education/estrogen/
I asked my Doctor about this, she said it was not available in the UK yet, I did read somewhere that it was being considered, but as HRT is not considered the first line prevention of osteoporosis in the UK I doubt it will be.
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