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[dulciana]

Hi Folks
Can anyone else out there not take HRT, for health reasons?  Breast cancer's in my family so I can't take HRT, but reading about how it's helped so many people beat the symptoms of the menopause makes me really wish it was safe for me to take.   Natural remedies go some way to help but not to the extent that HRT seems to.   

[CLKD]

You need to have a deep discussion with a Consultant who deals with breast cancer and is au fait with menopause symptoms.  Quality of Life is important.  If you have a close relative: maternal grandmother, mother or sister: then the likelihood is that you will require close observation anyway.  If your relative has been affected the cancer may not have been the one which is hormonally linked.

[vickypk]

Hello,  I have been using Oestrogel for the past week.  It is the 8th day on it and I feel better today.  I was suffering from so many symptoms for so long, vaginal atrophy, blood in the urine, lack of libido, depression, moods, irritable, only sleeping for a couple of hours.   I was always exercising every day, running and swimming.  To be honest that never helped me to feel better.  Also I have tried so many vitamins.  My mother had breast cancer.  The doctor did offer antidepressants, but they wouldn't have helped the physical problems.  Just have to see how it goes. 

[CLKD]

It does depend on the type of cancer that family members are treated for!  whether there is a hormonal link ........ I had oestrogen dominant cells in a lump removed but I am having very low dose pessaries (can't remember which right now  )

[Gypsy]

Dulciana, I've posted this on a couple of other threads - but it doesn't hurt to repeat it.
Like you, I don't think I'm a candidate for HRT so when I started getting hot flushes and night sweats I looked on this forum for help. After reading about Starflower Oil I bought some. I've already been taking Evening Primrose for many years, so I upped my EP dose to 2000mg and added 1000mg of Starflower Oil to the mix.
 I started this new regime a month ago, and I haven't had any flushes or sweats for nearly a week. Obviously it's too early to know if this is a permanent result, but it's worth a try. Good luck.

[dulciana]

Thanks Gypsy.  I'll try adding Starflower oil to the mix.  I have had considerable success with the Boots' Ladycare magnet that I keep banging on about, as I don't get night sweats at all, with it.  But............it's all the other symptoms, like anxiety, low self-esteem, irritability, apathy, daytime hot flushes, forgetfulness (nearly forgot that one........!), difficulty concentrating etc. that I wish didn't dominate my life just now.   Apart from when I'm at the organ...............!

[Gypsy]

It's worth a try, Dulciana. I can't speak for whether it will help with the other symptoms as I haven't experienced any of them, and hoping that I won't! (Although my husband says I'm more crochety these days I can't honestly say I've noticed. )

[andius]

 Dulciana and Gypsy:


I agree with the posters above^^^^.

You should get another opinion about this.  about you not being  able to take HRT for history of family members with breast cancer.  This is widely spouted on the internet and is not necessarily so.
If you are interested in exploring possibility of taking HRT for your symptoms, please do not be put off.  Get more information for yourself...you are worth it.

HRT can really improve quality of life for some!