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October 2024.
Dr Ben writes a new Blog at the start of every month for our Man Shed section.
Decisions on HRT: Men, it’s time to deploy your supportive listening skills
I’ve taken refuge in my Man Shed today to write this article because things have been a little bit tense.
Perimenopause can spring sleep disturbance, rapid mood changes and joint pains on your relationship like a whirlwind.
So, as a supportive bloke, we have had a chat about the pros and cons of going on HRT and what lifestyle changes we need to make as a couple to mitigate these stormy waters.
If you’re a man visiting my Man Shed, you might not know exactly what HRT is. Essentially Hormone Replacement Therapy involves taking hormones to boost levels as they decline towards the end of a woman’s fertile years.
Lifestyle tips we have adopted include prioritising sleep, reducing alcohol and caffeine, increasing exercise, and boosting nutrition to enhance bone health, stable mood and natural hormone production.
But HRT is a controversial subject and many are struggling to access good advice from their GP with the current squeeze on services.
The news is full of media headlines stating either that HRT for women is the best thing since sliced bread or that it might cause cancer or other unwanted side-effects.
You and your partner may be worried about the potential risks, which include a small increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots in susceptible individuals with certain types of HRT and complications such as thickening of the womb lining, which when severe, might need intervention.
However, recently studies have shown that the benefits of HRT in most cases outweigh the risks, which can be screened out.
HRT protects women from bone thinning and, if started within 10 years of the menopause, reduces risk of heart disease in later life. Many women suffer from joint pains, irregular and heavy bleeding, headaches, anxiety and mood swings, to name a few perimenopause symptoms. These can often be improved by HRT.
As a man, you should be aware that your partner will need additional time for medical consultations, blood tests and investigations and your unwavering support is especially needed at this time when her own stability may temporarily be challenged.
Many people seek private consultations because it can be hard to get the time you need to build a therapeutic relationship with a knowledgeable GP in the current NHS climate.
The British Menopause Society recently released a statement emphasising the importance of following national and international guidelines and making treatment decisions based on solid evidence.
At my own practice, Dr Finlay’s, we always advise addressing lifestyle, diet and nutrition first before recommending medical interventions.
Guys, you can take the lead by offering a helping hand with extra household chores and you might encourage walking after dinner to improve exercise, mental health and time to talk.
Now is also a good time to deploy your supportive listening skills. Keep your mouth shut until you have heard everything before leaping in with ‘Mr Fix-It’ solutions!
If you’ve got a question for Our Man in The Man Shed Dr Ben Sinclair, you can email him on [email protected]
Welcome to The Man Shed and I’m delighted to be your man in it!
My name is Dr Ben Sinclair (please just call me ‘Dr Ben’, everyone does), and I’ve been a GP for nearly 20 years. Bear with me a sec while I shift these spare paint tins and get my laptop set up…
If you’ve got a question for Our Man in The Man Shed, Dr Ben Sinclair, you can email him on:
[email protected].
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