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[Jari]

Thanks CLKD. I'll try with my GP. It's maybe a good idea as I have a slightly earlier menopause than the average age 51. I'll see what the GP says and go from there.
As I'm not taking hrt, maybe they recommend other medications for bones.

Walking and good diet I'm doing already, so it may be just fine, but it would be interesting to get checked out of interest, along with a vit d test, again just to know. Not sure if gp will do that though, but worth a try I guess. X

[Foxylady]

Jari, I asked my GP for referral for dexa scan & he was more than happy to do it based on my age (41yr) and family history, also underactive thyroid which increases your risk too. A week later I got a message from the GP surgery that they wanted me to arrange an appointment for a FRAX score. I don't know whether this is to try and reduce the number of scans being done ie if the score is below a certain number then not to have a scan, maybe its my suspicious mind!!

[Jari]

Thanks Foxylady. Good to know! Did you have the Frax score already? If so, how was the result? X

[Sparkler]

Hi there

I started with symptoms around age 42 and only started HRT age 48. I asked for hrt to help with hot flushes, palpitations and disrupted sleep. I was feeling quite virtuous managing without medication (apart from intermittent beta blockers) up to that point.

I think you need to read ALL the symptoms of perimenopause and decide whether any of them are disrupting your life. Personally, I found hrt has not only helped with the symptoms I was aware of, but oh so many other things that I hadn't thought were anything to do with hormones have also improved. I actually feel like me again. After a few years of low energy and aching and actually LOTS of symptoms, which I put down to getting older, I now feel there is life left in me yet!

We are all different, so it has to be a personal choice for you. The website is great for information, as is this forum. Don't rush into anything, but mull it over for a while. I too recommend a mood diary - It really helps to see what's normal life stress and what might be hormone related.

Good luck with everything!
S
Xx

[Sgtvhilts]

Why not give it a try, see what happens.
I started 18months ago, but looking back I probably have had symptoms from 44/45., but they weren't affecting me or noticeable enough to put 2 n2 together.
I am total convert.  Although i've Had some stop/starts with different things.
My GP asked when I would consider stopping- I told him never!! Lol.

[Foxylady]

Jari, to go on the 8th July to GP for FRAX score (soonest appointment ).

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Jari
I must amend my advice to you regarding alternative options: I suggested you try Red Clover but I'm afraid if you have a strong family connection for oestrogen receptive breast cancer it's probably best to avoid anything that might add to  your oestrogen levels.
Getting advice about how to maintain your bone density is important. DG x

[CLKD]

  Sparkler 

How do we know how what we eat might interfere with oestrogen levels  - my Oncologist never warned me about food stuffs!  simply 'no HRT for you my Lady'.  Well, we will see I thought 

How much Red Clover would one have to ingest over how many weeks in order to raise any risk?

[Jari]

Thanks DG. I'll make sure not to take red clover.

It's worth pointing out that only 5-10% of BC is hereditary and all women must be aware to keep a check, particularly those who go through menopause after 55, as they have had more estrogen in their bodies for longer, especially if they are taking estrogen hormones.

X

[starchild76]

Hello ladies,

A massive thank you to you all for replying!  I really appreciate it. It is very interesting and useful to hear such a balance of views, and it will help me to work out what to do.

My GP is great and I did speak to her today about it all. She told me the options, pros and cons of the different options, then said what she would do if it were her. I do think she is a great GP. I am more interested in it from a 'protecting my bones/heart' point of view than anything else as she has explained that it is a bit too early. But having said that, I do sometimes feel that mentally (and sometimes also physically) I am not quite the same as I was 2 years ago.

I am edging towards doing it, but not until after the summer, because I don't want to be trying out new drugs when I am on holiday, just in case. I was quite keen on the combined patch but understand it is not currently available.

In the meantime, I am going to try to look at my diet, which I already think is quite good. But I am going to get some flaxseed in the supermarket next time I go. Even if it makes no difference to hormones it's good for you anyway...

Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me. It is very interesting to hear your experiences as this is very new to me!

x

PS: Jari, I had a bone density scan and it was just like an x-ray of the hips. It was done on the NHS. I did have to do some kind of questionnaire first, which was filled in online and I got to see the results. They were borderline as to whether a bone scan was needed or not but the GP decided to do one anyway, which I am grateful for.

[Sparkler]

Hi again.

I might have said earlier, or not, but I was prescribed hrt about 18 months before I actually did it. I really feel your indecision and dilemma. After lots of research I went with evorel 25 patches (lowest dose possible) and separate utrogestan (fewest side effects). That has worked well as have been able to adjust the evorel up to 50 without changing the utrogestan.

I felt odd for the first couple of weeks, as the estrogen kicked in, but has been fine since. Some ladies struggle with progesterone but I like the amazing sleep I get for 12 nights. I work long long hours 6 days a week So need to be able to cope with lots of energy.

Sparkler
X

[Dancinggirl]

Hi starchild76
I think you are wise to wait awhile as you are clearly quite early in the peri menopause stage and so you do have time.
Don't think of HRT as a ‘drug' - with HRT you are simply replacing the hormones your body should be producing naturally. Also don't expect side effects or problems as the majority of women do extremely well on HRT. This forum is often visited by the women who struggle with HRT.
I personally wouldn't go for the combined patches as they are medium dose and I found them too strong in the peri stage. As you have such a great GP you could ask to try low dose oestrogen patches or Oestrogel (1-2 squirts per day) then have either Utrogestan or Provera for 10-12 days each month for the progesterone phase - this combination can be a good HRT option as it would allow you to start low and then adjust if needed.
Why not print off all the info about various HRT types for peri menopause and also the oestrogen and progesterone sections under TREATMENTS on this site so you can discuss your options with the GP.
DG x

[pants46]

Sparkler and DG. Really good advice for Starchild. I think I should have gone that route myself.

[Jari]

Hi Starchild, it sounds like you have a good GP which is great.

If you try flaxseeds, the dark ones are best ( also called Linseeds) and best ground. I bought a seed/coffee grinder from cuisinart which does a great job.

They are tiny polished seeds so go straight through you if not ground.

Thanks for the info with the scan, I have made a gp appointment for next week so will see what she says.

She told me she would never prescribe me hrt so in a way she should agree to a bone scan in this case. Let's see...

Walking/excercise helps with balancing hormones, as well as lots of healthy foods. Lentils, chickpeas, oats, fruit n veg etc

X

[BeverleyRoss13]

Hi - I am new to this group also...  I started having hot flushes at 43 and irregular periods, I didn't consider HRT at this point.  I am 50 now and for the past 3 years I have had a horrendous time, hot flushes, periods still all over the place, horrendous mood swings, head felt full of cotton wool, couldn't sleep for the night sweats & burning feeling, aching joints (climbing stairs was so painful) and weight gain which is most likely caused by me not exercising as much because I felt exhausted all the time.  3 week ago I gave in and started on HRT, is it working? Well its most likely to early to say.  Ask to be referred to a Menopause Clinic if there is not a GP at you practice that specialises in the menopause, where you will get much better advice.  The longer you can live without HRT the better, I seriously only considered it as I felt sorry for my husband, family and work colleagues as I could not control my mood swings which I  think is all caused by exhaustion due to lack of sleep