FabSwingers.com forum: Ladies HRT yay or nay?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I'm not quite at that point yet, but I know it's sharp around the corner for me. Joined in a period thread earlier on and it did make me think? I have a few female friends who are older than me and have passed/experiencing the menopause. I have heard if you go on HRT you still have to go through the symptoms when you come off it?... What's the recommendation ladies?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I didn't use HRT. It was and is a relief not to have sore swollen breasts after too many years of PMT

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

I think it depends on the individual woman and her symptoms.

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By *itty HoodooCouple
over a year ago

Stockport

It varies so much from woman to woman

I'm lucky I have mild symptoms which are so far easily managed.

The worst is actually probably my memory, but tbh it was never that great in the first place.

I tried hrt for a few months but didn't really feel any changes, and I'm only supposed to do 5yrs max because of family history of breast cancer, so I came off it. I figure I'd rather save it for if the symptoms get a lot worse & hopefully feel the benefit for the short time I'm allowed

I manage with AD's (long term user) and supplements for twitchy legs & aches etc

Also starting yoga again

It'd bit an easy decision to make, especially if you don't have a well clued up GP

Hope you find the right solution for you xx

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

It depends on your symptoms really. A good Dr should listen to you and advise on the best course of action with you and be willing to tweak your treatment when/if necessary.

For me my worst symptom ( that I didn’t realise was a symptom) was raging anxiety about EVERYTHING and vaginal dryness. My Dr wasn’t happy about putting me on HRT as a first course of action as there has been breast cancer in my immediate family. Instead she suggested AD’s for the anxiety, which I’ve been taking successfully for a few months and they’ve made a miraculous difference. My vaginal dryness has disappeared for now but not sure if that was due to the anxiety being sorted or due to changes I’ve made in my diet and subsequent weightloss.

I get occasional hot flashes but I’ve always been one to run hot so that doesn’t bother me so much right now, depends if they get worse I guess.

The only thing currently is that my periods are now so irregular that you never know when they’ll start so need to be prepared, just in case.

But overall I’d say a good Dr is key, you need one that listens.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

HRT was a miracle drug for me, i doubt i'd be here if i hadn't been able to take HRT.

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By *iamondCougarWoman
over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

HRT merely slows down menopause, it doesn’t stop it so yes, if you stopped using/taking HRT medication the symptoms return pretty quickly.

It’s all about management for each patient to a level they feel suits their needs

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By *aughty Couple ABCCouple
over a year ago

West Bromwich

I've managed without taking any HRT. I've not even felt the need to visit the doctor. My memory isn't the best, I have occasional hot flashes and my joints in my legs seize up if I've sat still for a while. Luckily my periods stopped last year as the irregularness of them was awful

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By *idlandiaMan
over a year ago

Birmingham

Writing on behalf of my fb who isn't on fab.

She stopped meeting me as her sex drive bottomed out. We met for mutual pleasure so it was understandable that it ended.

She went to Dr's for other symptoms a few months ago and was prescribed hrt.

A few weeks ago I got a message out of the blue asking to meet me, which I was very happy to agree to.

My god, did I have to bring my A game to keep up with her, a delightful 24 hours.

She described that it had helped her to get back to her usual self in many ways. So I'm glad it worked for her, but understanding medicine, it will be different for everyone

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By *andyfloss2000Woman
over a year ago

ashford

I was one of the lucky ones! Don't know when I actually went through the menopause? Assuming I must have now I'm 65? Didn't even have the period stopping as indication as after my last baby at 42 I had a marina coil fitted and not another period ever! X

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Fuck yes!

Aside from helping with horrible menopause symptoms, it’s important for bone, heart and brain health.

It’s been proven to prevent osteoporosis, dementia and heart disease.

If you get the dose right (which can take a little adjusting) then it’s great.

I don’t get upset and downs like pre hrt/menopause, I stay pretty much level all the time.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I started HRT about a month ago and it’s been a game changer for me. The hot flushes & night sweats have massively reduced and the brain fog & anxiety have pretty much disappeared.

But it very much is down to the individual, my Mum was on hrt for about 20yrs and she sailed through the menopause.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My GP said HRT addresses: hot flushes, brain fog, reduced sex drive, hairloss & vaginal dryness... But if you don't have these symptoms then it isn't worth taking

She said the best way is through your diet.. I'm working to improve mine

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

I was put on HRT at 41 due to Prostap injections to shut my system down pending a total hysterectomy. They seem to work for me.

J x

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By *ora the explorerWoman
over a year ago

Paradise, Herts

I have patches in the cupboard. Can’t seem to be able to bring myself to stick one on. I really should.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My brain fog was so bad I just wasn't coping with life so my GP suggested HRT. It's eased up enough that I don't feel I'm lost in it anymore so I'm very grateful for it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes, I’ve been on HRT for a few years now. Really helped with the night sweats as I wasn’t sleeping. Still have the brain fog though x

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By *thfloorCouple
over a year ago

Hove

"My GP said HRT addresses: hot flushes, brain fog, reduced sex drive, hairloss & vaginal dryness... But if you don't have these symptoms then it isn't worth taking

She said the best way is through your diet.. I'm working to improve mine "

Wait, what about the psychological impact (excessive mood swings, depression, anxiety, bursts of anger etc etc), hrt helps stabilise those also?! Not sure why you were requesting it but sounds a bit like your doctor was trying to steer you away from it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My GP said HRT addresses: hot flushes, brain fog, reduced sex drive, hairloss & vaginal dryness... But if you don't have these symptoms then it isn't worth taking

She said the best way is through your diet.. I'm working to improve mine

Gp’s aren’t always as well versed as they should be in HRT. It’s underfunded and not truly understood anyway.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The only noticeable effect of HRT for me was that it stopped the night sweats

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By *ustBoWoman
over a year ago

Somewhere in Co. Down

I'm very doubtful I'll use HRT due to family history. At the moment I'm getting the odd hot flush at night especially. But if things get worse I'll have a long chat with my doctor before I decide but at the moment I'm leaning towards not using it if I can.

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By *oson-BlueCouple
over a year ago

North Kent

HRT has been an absolute game changer for me, but everyone is different.

I would recommend it to anyone to ease your menopause symptoms

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Also, it’s not a badge of honour to go without HRT.

It’s bio identical, and you’re just replacing something that was in your body anyway.

There’s still a lot of stigma around HRT, and there really shouldn’t be

Obviously not everyone can take it, but do your own research, even women with histories of breast cancer can mostly take it now

There’s some excellent groups on Facebook, with trained women on there, it’s a very useful resource, feel free to pm me.

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land

Look up Dr Louise Newson, she's an expert in the field and her balance app. Make informed decisions about your health.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Also, it’s not a badge of honour to go without HRT.

It’s bio identical, and you’re just replacing something that was in your body anyway.

There’s still a lot of stigma around HRT, and there really shouldn’t be

Obviously not everyone can take it, but do your own research, even women with histories of breast cancer can mostly take it now

There’s some excellent groups on Facebook, with trained women on there, it’s a very useful resource, feel free to pm me."

This

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My GP said HRT addresses: hot flushes, brain fog, reduced sex drive, hairloss & vaginal dryness... But if you don't have these symptoms then it isn't worth taking

She said the best way is through your diet.. I'm working to improve mine

Oh we were just chatting about whether i should be thinking about it, after the Davina programme had me a bit anxious that i was potentially causing myself damage by not taking it.

She came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be of any benefit to me.. I'd just have the associated health risks - so i can't comment on the psychological impact, as we didn't go into that, she was talking purely about the physical impact

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My GP said HRT addresses: hot flushes, brain fog, reduced sex drive, hairloss & vaginal dryness... But if you don't have these symptoms then it isn't worth taking

She said the best way is through your diet.. I'm working to improve mine

Gp’s aren’t always as well versed as they should be in HRT. It’s underfunded and not truly understood anyway. "

She actually seemed pretty good /informed - i guess it isn't a one size fits all and perhaps if i had any of those symptoms she'd have recommended investigating further (i have a friend who is a GP and she echoed the guidance, which gave me confidence)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Also, it’s not a badge of honour to go without HRT.

It’s bio identical, and you’re just replacing something that was in your body anyway.

There’s still a lot of stigma around HRT, and there really shouldn’t be

Obviously not everyone can take it, but do your own research, even women with histories of breast cancer can mostly take it now

There’s some excellent groups on Facebook, with trained women on there, it’s a very useful resource, feel free to pm me.

This

Without doubt, it's there to help for those who need it

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
over a year ago

Reading

Yay yay and thrice yay for me. Sorted out many of my symptoms so was worth the slight weight gain.

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By *icplshropsCouple
over a year ago

Rock

"I'm not quite at that point yet, but I know it's sharp around the corner for me. Joined in a period thread earlier on and it did make me think? I have a few female friends who are older than me and have passed/experiencing the menopause. I have heard if you go on HRT you still have to go through the symptoms when you come off it?... What's the recommendation ladies? "

I think it’s up to the individual. Although as previous poster have mentioned, there are associated health benefits having HRT. Some of which were pointed out in Davina’s documentary.

I believe I’m now entering into the menopause (no periods since I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago, but kept my ovaries). Symptoms seen to be a bit random and so far, manageable. So I’m waiting to see how I go. Just as well, as it’s very difficult getting a GP or dedicated nurse appointment around here.

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