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[SIDL02]

Hi Ladies,
Well firstly I'd like to say how lovely it is to join this forum and share my feelings and reach out to others who understand.
I'm 42 and have been going through an early menopause since I was 40.  Where do I start? It's been a difficult 18 months to be honest. Not just dealing with this but trying to deal with it after what can only be described as a rather tumultuous time to put it mildly. These past 18 months would have been challenging enough without having to deal with it whilst being menopausal. But to make the challenge that even bit harder I can't have HRT. Mainly due to the breast cancer history in my family which has effected my mum, Aunty and grandmother and has therefore left me with unfortunate odds that I too am highly likely to get breast cancer aswell. I guess I'm here to reach out to those who are or have been through an early menopause and not been able to have hrt. How have you been able to deal with the symptoms? Can you recommend alternative treatment that's helped? I honestly don't know how I've got through all the trauma of the past 18 months. As someone who is not adverse to trauma I have to admit that trying to get through it  whilst feeling the anxiety and depression that I've experienced as a result of the menopause has taken a lot out of me. It's hard enough to try and get my head round being so young and the infertility journey that I've been trying to come to terms without this aswell. Due to my age my friends and those around me just don't understand. It's so isolating and I think they look at me like I'm a different person. Someone who has always been so strong and someone they have always been able to turn too. I now feel like a shadow of my former self. But right now I'll take any support I can, hence my reaching out to you. Thank you for reading xxxx

[Cassie]

I am honestly no expert on HRT but I do seem to think that even with a history there are some of the bio identical HRTs that one can use but am sure that someone with more  knowledge will be along soon to advise. It is so important to replace hormones at your young age but lets  hear what is advised keep strong. I went through early meno just before 40 and have been using the rub on gel for over 10 yrs it works really well for me but I do understand your concerns.

[babyjane]

Hello and welcome, I cannot advise you but there are ladies here who will.  I have read in some posts about something called the Daisy Network, I think it is for ladies with premature menopause.

I feel a little for what you are going through as our beloved daughter and her husband are having problems conceiving and are going through tests at the moment.

Welcome to the forum 

[Hurdity]

Hi SIDL02

  from me too.

Sorry to hear you are suffering.

There is quite specific advice as to HRT use with familiar risk of breast cancer which I don't have to hand but it relates to the age at which your first degree relatives developed the disease with younger being more risky ( that you are at greater risk from developing it).

This is what the NICE Guidelines on Menopause say:

"Women with, or at high risk of, breast cancer

1.4.25For advice on the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer or at high risk of breast cancer, see section 1.13 of the NICE guideline on early and locally advanced breast cancer and section 1.7 of the NICE guideline on familial breast cancer.

1.4.26Offer menopausal women with, or at high risk of, breast cancer:

•   information on all available treatment options
•   information that the SSRIs paroxetine and fluoxetine should not be offered to women with breast cancer who are taking tamoxifen
•   referral to a healthcare professional with expertise in menopause."

This is from the NICE Guideline on breast cancer for those with familial risk:

"A woman having an early (natural or artificial) menopause should be informed of the risks and benefits of HRT, but generally HRT usage should be confined to women younger than age 50 years if at moderate or high risk (see also recommendations 1.7.53 and 1.7.54)."

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg164/chapter/Recommendations#clinical-significance-of-a-family-history-of-breast-cancer

It may well be that you are able to take some form of HRT until the age of 50 but you will need to consult a specialist about this.

There has been a recent paper on recommended (approved) alternatives to HRT for those who are unable to take it:
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2053369117711646?hootPostID=6690d93930a10b86869c48433ab506e7

Hope this helps and do let us know what you decide.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Welcome.  Browse round.  Make notes. You may find info and support over at the Daisy web-site, I think there is a Link from here to there.

Personally if I was suffering I would have the blood test to see if I am likely to be affected?  I am really surprised that women are not advised to have their breasts removed in order to avoid potential risks should they require HRT.  Quality of Life is really important.  Particularly as many women are juggling child care, marriage, jobs, possibly ageing parents .........

[Butterfly22]

Hi,
Not much advice but I no what your going through as I had a early menopause, that in its self is devastating enough.
There is a lot of help on here though so don't feel your alone xxx

[CLKD]

Menopause Matters forum -

Daisy network: www.daisynetwork.org.uk

Infertility Network UK: www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

Turner Syndrome Support Society: www.tss.org.uk

[Dancinggirl]

Hi SIDLO2 and welcome to MM

I had an early meno but I was able to have HRT - I really feel for you.  Do keep posting - we are here to help.

I tried all sorts of alternate remedies and nothing worked.  I am now in my early 60s and stopped HRT over a year ago.  I'm still getting meno symptoms but I find eating small amounts often, plenty of brisk walking and Mindful Meditation really helps.
If you have had a stressful time, that will make things worse. If you can reduce stress in any way that should help - I know this is not always possible.

Do look at the TREATMENT options - there are non HRT options that may be worth trying. I know some women control meno symptoms with SRRIs like Citalopram, so this could be worth considering.

Do keep posting. DG x

[SIDL02]

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to reply. I honestly can't tell you how nice it feels to discuss this with women who understand and offer support.
I will continue to post throughout my early menopause HRT'less journey!
I think I'm going to need you ladies if I'm going to make it through!
Thanks again,
Andrea

[Butterfly22]

This site has helped me loads on my journey, sometimes it's just good to talk too, to others who no how you feel. Xxx

[CLKD]

I may have suggested that keeping a mood/symptom/food diary may be useful to you.  Browse round the various sites and make notes 

[Taz2]

Hi SIDL02 - lots of advice given already but I just wondered whether you have been checked for the BRCA 1 and 2 genes?

Also, do you know which type of cancer your three relatives had? This makes a difference as to whether you are allowed HRT or not I believe.

Taz x 

[SIDL02]

Thank you everyone for all your advice.  This forum has been a godsend and all you replies have really helped.

Taz, my mum, aunty and grandmother have all had breast cancer.  My mum and aunty had the BRCA test which showed my mums was hormonal but my aunties wasn't.  My grandmother had it too long ago for us to know how hers was triggered.  On a positive note they all survived breast cancer.  So I am monitored by a breast cancer family history clinic and they have told me I have a one in two chance of getting breast cancer.  I have been offered double mastectomy surgery but at 42 and single this is a big decision. With regards to HRT I am reluctant to increase the risk, what with the already likeliness of developing BC.  Having said that the thought of years with the symptoms I'm experiencing is quite daunting.

I've been back to my doctors today and they are referring me to a menopause clinic so I can discuss my options in more detail.  I am also being referred for counselling which I think is a really positive step and one I feel could be of benefit to me right now.

Thanks again for your message,
Andrea x

[CLKD]

So maybe have the blood test?