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[Daniella]

Dear all,
I have spent the last few weeks reading here and elsewhere and going round in circles, I just don't have the intellect to grasp all the nuances of the HRT debate and I can't seem to reach a decision on what to do. I've had an easy time so far, I'm 51, and my last period was 11 months ago, I feel fantastic art from two little things, one I'm up twice a night to go to the loo, my sleeping can be 'off' for a few days but always rights itself and I'm experiencing  vaginal atrophy, my  last smear was very painful and sex is an ordeal - I have never had children and was 'tight' before, it's worse now.
But none of these are debilitating in any way, I can't believe how some people are suffering.
So my question is would anyone take HRT for preventive purposes for  future health, there seems to be evidence building relating to that, in the other corner of course are this who think it's very risky.
So, don't know, need a new brain to help me make up my mind so hope to pick yours!

[dazned]

 

Hi Daniella its all a personal choice really .

IF I was in your position re symptoms you have I would not chose the full hrt route only because there is really a lot of trial and error to it.However I would try and address the VA by starting on vagifem. But thats only my opinion sure others might think differently. Good luck let us know what you decide.

[Daniella]

Thanks for taking the time to answer, I find the whole thing so confusing.

[Taz2]

Welcome Daniella.

I agree with dazned. As you are not suffering a lot of the usual menopausal symptoms I would suggest you ask for Vagifem or a similar product which will just keep your vaginal tissues lubricated and strong. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womens-health/medicines/vagifem.html. VA is not something that will improve on its own, as far as I am aware, and the discomfort will only increase the further you go into meno and the lower your oestrogen level drops so it's better to tackle it sooner rather than later.

It's great to hear from someone who is feeling good despite being menopausal. Only a month to go before you can say you are post meno. I hope that you continue to feel well. Please keep posting as, so often, we just don't hear from women who are having a better time of it and it's good to be reminded that it's not all doom and gloom!

Taz x 

[Daniella]

Thanks Taz,
I didn't realise that the VA will get worse as my oestrogen dropped further, I had better do something about it now then, this site is a godsend and I have so much to learn, the whole thing seems to have crept on me. It will be interesting to see what the next stage brings, I feel so good that I almost feel guilty reading some of the stories here, some women are struggling so much.

[Taz2]

Just enjoy it Daniella! I hope you continue without any other meno problems. Once post-meno your oestrogen levels continue to fall which is why some women don't get many problematic symptoms until after they have become post-meno. Some guidelines say that symptoms, such as hot flushes, worsen for around two years after the last period and then gradually fade away. VA, though, tends to remain. Some women don't get that at all and for others it's the first symptom they experience.

In reply to your question about taking HRT as a preventative measure I don't think you would find a GP who would be willing to prescribe you full HRT just for vaginal symptoms unless you were experiencing a premature or early menopause when you do still need oestrogen up to the normal meno age of around 51.

Taz x