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[Junie]

Hi
My periods stopped 7 years ago.
I have struggled with the menopause.
I always said I would not take hrt.
After seeing a program on TV about the menopause, I am wondering if maybe I made the wrong decision, also would there be any point taking hrt now.

Any advice please.

Many thanks
Junie

[edelweiss]

Hi Junie, welcome and I hope I can help.

Why not trial it? It's absolutely fantastic when it works, and you would likely feel a lot better, sleep better, and it helps with protecting bones too, among other things.

You could ask your GP and see if they can prescribe a patch (like estrodot) or gel (like estrogel) for you, with progesterone (utrogestan, for example).

You can see how you feel and then decide if it's for you. If for any reason you decide you don't want to be on it, you can come off very easily. But I would think you won't look back!

I hope this helps xxx

[Junie]

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
I will talk again to my doctor.

I was not sure if i had left it to late to try hrt. But I need help and advice.

Thanks again

Junie

[edelweiss]

Hi again Junie, no definitely not.
Do you have hot flushes and night sweats?
Any other symptoms that trouble you? xxx

[Hurdity]

Hi Junie

It also depends to some extent how old you are - I looked back at your posts from 3 years ago when you first joined but you haven't mentioned it! Also how old were you when you had your last period. If you were less than the average age of menopause - around 51 then it would have been beneficial for you to take it at least until this age to help protect your heart and bones. Even so it is not too late. Now gynaes suggest that if you are within 10 years of menopause and under 60, then HRT can be started. Even if you are over 60 (but within 10 years of menopause) gynaes do not rule out starting a low dose if symptoms suggest this - ideally it would be transdermal as edelweiss suggests. You might have to put up with some bleeding until it settles ( or if you decide to take it cyclically). Depending on your age your GP might be resistant - but hopefully not.

Oestrogen in the form of estradiol - is not really considered as a drug (depending on how you view this!), rather what it says - hormone replacement because it is deficient- not like taking aspirin for a pain or something, but more like eg taking thyroxine for thyroid hormone deficiency.

Do some research - look at the different types on the Treatments menu and come back to us if you have any more questions .

Hurdity x

[Junie]

Hi
I am 59, my last period was 7 years ago, hot flushes night sweats, dryness.

Tried so hard to cope, as I was always worried about HRT.

Can not cope with it, I read somewhere that starting hrt at 60 is not a good idea.

Seeing my doctor tomorrow.

Thanks all for your help
Junie

[samweller161]

I think you can take it (although patches rather than tablets as per the other advice).  Maybe see one of the menopause specialists mentioned on this site?  They are all over the country so you should find one not too far from you. They are much more knowledgeable than the doctors.

Please dont be scared, its much safer than the scare stories tell you!

Good luck
SP x

[Junie]

Thanks so much
Will look for a specialist

Junie

[KatyB]

Junie
I was at a specialist recently (Dr Woyka at Harrow Health Centre - specialist GP) and she advised that she and others are generally willing to consider up to age 70 if there aren't specific risks to take into account, due to lower doses than historically, although I think you are still within the "window of opportunity"  of within 10 years of menopause in any case. This was just a by the way comment by her in context of the Kirsty Wark programme, not a promise by the way....and yes patches. It wasn't as expensive as I feared either if you are within reach of NW London? See http://www.harrowhealthcare.co.uk/our-services/womens-health/

[Hurdity]

Hi Junie

Here are the updated recommendations on HRT from the British Menopause Society:

https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/hormone-replacement-therapy/

I might as well paste them in full!

Summary points

All women should have access to advice so that they can make informed decisions about diet and lifestyle and treatment options to optimise their menopause transition and postmenopausal health.
HRT dosage, regimen and duration should be individualised, with annual evaluation of advantages and disadvantages.
Transdermal estradiol is unlikely to increase the risk of venous thrombosis or stroke above that of non-users and is associated with lower risk compared with oral estradiol.
Limited evidence suggests that micronised progesterone and dydrogesterone may be associated with lower risk of breast cancer and venous thrombosis compared to other progestogens.
Arbitrary limits should not be placed on the duration of use of HRT; if symptoms persist, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.
HRT prescribed before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the menopause has a favourable benefit /risk profile and is likely to be associated with a reduction in coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality.
If HRT is used in women over 60 years of age, low doses should be started, preferably with a transdermal estradiol preparation.
Women with POI should be encouraged to use hormonal therapy at least until the average age of the menopause. HRT or the combined contraceptive pill would be suitable. However, HRT may confer a more favourable improvement in bone density and cardiovascular markers compared with the combined contraceptive pill.

Also info on this site re risks and benefits at different ages:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Junie]

Thanks so much
Very helpful

Junie