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[TNM45689]

Hi

I am 45 and its nearly been a year since I had a period so I am nearly classed as menopausal. I have been holding off going onto HRT hoping I can cope on my own... I have hormonal moods, but no hot flushes - but my biggest problem is lack of sleep - literally zero if I do not take a sleeping tablet...I obviously cannot continue this - the doctor thinks it is menopause related but I have always been a bad sleeper (but not this bad). Is this enough for me to say I should go onto HRT? I am also worried about going down the HRT route because of the increased cancer risks - my mum died aged 58 of cancer of the womb. Any words of wisdom out there? Tx

[Daisydot]

Discuss this with a consultant or gp.there are safer routes of hrt these days like transdermal gel which I use but you'd be better to discuss with someone who specialises in this area.im sleeping better too since going on hrt so good luck hope you get some help soon.xx

[aspie65]

It could be worth trying pregabalin.  it is a good sedative but not as good a sleeping pill but it is safe for long term use and may help reduce how often you need a sleeping pill.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM TNM45689

You are far too young to be oestrogen deficient. Cancer risks are very small at your age.  If your mother or sister had had oestrogen receptive breast cancer, then that would be different. Womb cancer can occur due to the womb lining building up and, when your mother developed the womb cancer, in those days they probably didn't do routine scans as they would now - she probably had erratic or problematic bleeding which would have been an early indicator.  If you are concerned about the womb cancer risk, then having a Mirena fitted, to really protect the uterine lining, and then have oestrogen alongside as Oestrogel or oestrogen patches would give the fewest risks and the least hassle - it'a very good HRT regime.  Combined HRT pills and patches can prove a bit more problematic in terms of side effects and breakthrough bleeding etc.  Have you discussed HRT with your GP? -  they should recommend you have HRT to protect your heart and bones for the long term - at least until you are in your mid 50s.  Quality of Life is terribly important and it can take years for meno to settle and unfortunately for some it never does.
Read up all the factually stuff on this site to get clued up - print off the various TREATMENTS (top of this page) if need be to help when discussing with your GP.  Don't suffer any longer - get some HRT treatment and get your life back.  DG x

[jmj]

Hi

I am 45 and its nearly been a year since I had a period so I am nearly classed as menopausal. I have been holding off going onto HRT hoping I can cope on my own... I have hormonal moods, but no hot flushes - but my biggest problem is lack of sleep - literally zero if I do not take a sleeping tablet...I obviously cannot continue this - the doctor thinks it is menopause related but I have always been a bad sleeper (but not this bad). Is this enough for me to say I should go onto HRT? I am also worried about going down the HRT route because of the increased cancer risks - my mum died aged 58 of cancer of the womb. Any words of wisdom out there? Tx

I was always a bad sleeper, and it gotten worse and worse over time. I tried every "trick" in the book, vitamins, herbs, eating certain things... anything short of actual prescription sleeping pill (was scared of side effects) untill I started HRT (oestrogel and utrogestan). I still have ocassional sleeples night (or part of it) but cannot compare it to how it was before starting hormones.

Good luck to you

[Mary G]

TNM45689, I would have no hesitation in recommending you start HRT immediately at your age.  You are far too young to be oestrogen deficient for years and the overall health benefits far outweigh the very small risks.

Sorry to hear about your mother but things have moved on since then and regular uterine scans mean the risk of this type of cancer is very low.

Sleep deprivation is a massive problem for menopausal women and very often it never goes away.  My mother developed severe insomnia when her periods stopped (aged 51) and she still has it now - she's in her 80s.  It has wreaked havoc on her health and at one point she was getting just one hour's sleep per night.  Why she was left in this state for years on end is beyond me.  She also developed high blood pressure a few years post menopause and has had two hip replacements, a frozen shoulder that took literally years to go away and a prolapsed womb although she has had 4 children which could partially explain that.  In stark contrast, my father is the same age and hasn't had any problems and has always slept extremely well.  We also know that his bones are in far better shape than hers.  My mother may have lived to a good age but her quality of life has been poor for many years.

My advice is don't go there.  A good place to start would be a consultation with a menopause specialist who can put your mind at rest and give you the best possible advice on HRT.  I found the best one to be the Oestrogel/Utrogestan regime.

I hope that helps.

[TNM45689]

Thanks so so much ladies - I have an appointment with GP tomorrow but they seem really reluctant to send me to a specialist clinic to talk it through with and every GP I have had at the surgery as a differing opinion.

[Dancinggirl]

Then you need to go prepared. Write down all your symptoms and questions and be clear that you understand your options. If you do want to give HRT a try then make that clear - you have so much to gain.
Be prepared for them to throw all the risks at you - I find it so strange that they hand out ADs so readily but never tell their patients the risks!!???
If you are clued up, then this can make all the difference.
BTW if you do get a prescription for HRT then I would ask for something like Femoston 1/10 sequential first - it has the kinder progesterone. Femoston 1/10 will give monthly bleeds but it's good to start with a sequi HRT so you can tell if the progesterone suits you or not. You can always try a conti (non bleed) HRT later.
Good luck. DG x

[TNM45689]

Thanks so much.
x