Hi racjen
Yes I agree totally with what you are saying and with SweetPea about the reproductive depression connection which is explained on the Studd website. This just is not recognised sufficiently by doctors. It was recognised by those who drew up the NICE Guidelines - so that HRT is the primary treatment for all menopausal symptoms that are new onset including low mood, anxiety and derpesssion (provided that the latter is not so extreme so that the woman is in danger - that goes without saying).
As has been said it is a personal decision but one that should be made in full possession of the evidence and the medical profession having given a woman the right support and treatment before rejecting HRT. Too often women are failed by the medical profession in this respect.
So yes I think you're right when you say this
"But I have to wonder if some ladies find HRT doesn't work because they don't get enough support to stick with it until it does". Also I think the fault lies partly in some of the preparations available - which is a frequent mantra on here - there needs to be more variety! Too often women are given one oral preparation in place of another or then a combi patch - but all these products are fixed dose preparations which may not suit everyone and it is not possible to tweak the dose. Any thoughts of increasing oestrogen is often met with horror and stories of cancer etc. The range of progestogens available is very limited (dydorgesterone for example would probably suit many more women and may well result in more women staying on HRT when given along with oestrogen patches or gel - as it is better suited to progesterone sensitive women.).
In your position (having been treated for cancer) it is understandable that those looking after you may feel that you are depressed - but you know your body and your mind and what you feel and the hormone connection!! There have been others here who are extremely sensitive to hormonal changes and whose depression/extreme low mood is governed by their menstrual cycle.(GypsyRoseLee comes to mind - hope that's OK?).
Please hang in there - and fight for the right treatment if you can and if you don't want to take ADs - then don't - at least as you say not after trying to get the right HRT regime and giving it a good trial.
Have you thought of contacting Dr Currie - only costs £25 (home page). Also there is Women's Health Concern (patient arm of british Menopause Society) who do a telephone and e-mail service for varying (low!)prices - so you can print off the results and take to your doctor?
https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/email-advice/https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/telephone-advisory-service/If in the end you do feel you are getting nowhere and want a private consultation - there will be others who are cheaper than John Studd...he may well do an e-mail consultation too?
Hope this helps and you succeed in your quest for the right treatment for you. Do keep us updated along the way and we are here for you
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Hurdity x