Poppi - the herbal remedies don't actually do that much - it's mostly placebo. If you choose to use it again the flushes etc will probably return after you come off but it sounds as though you are going through a rough time emotionally and this is not a good time to be trying to cope without HRT. It is best to come off HRT when you have a calm time in your life when you can concentrate on maintaining a good lifestyle and get plenty of relaxation. There is no way of knowing how long the flushes etc will last and you could be in for another 5 or more years of feeling terrible anyway.
I am now 60 and using a very low dose of oestrogen as gel each day with Utrogestan(micronised progesterone) taken for 12 days each month and I find this keeps most of my meno symptoms away.
I have taken 3 breaks from HRT over the last 25 years (been on HRT due to premature meno): the first time in my early 50s was awful and went through 3 years of hell and life was really stressful at the time as well. The second time in my late 50s was not so bad but as I need to work the lack of sleep was a problem. I took a 2 month break in January & Feb this year and the flushes were really not that bad but poor sleep was still an issue so I will be keeping to the current low dose regime for as long as possible - hopefully until I no longer need to work at 66 and possibly beyond if allowed. As, when and if I have to come of HRT, I know what to expect and I'm sure it will be easier.
For us more mature ladies, transdermal HRT is the best option and in fact oestrogen as either gel or patch is the best. Alongside the oestrogen one needs to protect the womb lining with a progesterone and Utrogeston is also preferable as it is described as 'breast friendly' - you can use this either for 12 days each month which usually brings a withdrawal bleed (i am still doing this) or if you want to be bleed free you can use the progesterone continuously.
Many of us still use local oestrogen (Vagifem) to help maintain a healthier vaginal area and support good bladder function.
To restore your vaginal area, so you can have sex, you may need advice and possibly a dilator to help with this.
Please, please ask this gynae about all this - if need be write it all down in a clear and concise way to hand to him if you feel embarrassed - tell him you are shy and a bit frightened because of past experiences ( the smear tests) and he should understand.
Make sure you ask about the Oestrogel + Utrogestan HRT regime as well - I have found that this has really helped my libido!!!!
You tell us about the stressful family issues and I can really relate to this. I'm afraid I have had to learn to distance myself from all the politics within my family - I have hardened myself in a way that now enables me to see things more objectively. It is terribly sad that you can't see your brother with MS but keep him in your thoughts and prayers. You have tried to make contact and perhaps you just need to let things go, however hard this may be - you really need to look after yourself, concentrate on your husband and friends as I'm sure your brother would want this.
Take care and good luck with the Gynae. Dg x
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Topic: 14 months period free, light period, told GP, wish I hadn't (Read 4157 times)