Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[weathergirl]

I've been a member of this forum for a while and posted a while back about stopping HRT. I've been off it for quite a few months and feel better. Progesterone and I do not agree. Oral is like self poisoning (for me) and vaginal is too unpredictable  in terms of what's being absorbed. My GYN measured my levels both ways and the vaginal route was not delivering consistent levels.  Anyway...the short story is HRT is just one way of getting through meno and I can report that I'm doing well off of it.  For me, there's a freedom in letting the body do what it does naturally. I am fortunate to not have severe meno symptoms. Who knows if those may yet come, but I wanted to post to offer encouragement to others who may be off HRT or considering what they want to do. 

[Conolly]

Hello weathergirl,


Fantastic news! Long may it continue. Thank you for sharing, this is encouraging for women like me who cannot take HRT without high risk of side effects.


Conolly X

[weathergirl]

Conolly  i'm hoping this continues, as I just do not feel that I tolerate it well. There are certainly a number of women who cannot- or choose not - to take HRT. And I think it's important that those not using it let others know how they're doing. Good luck to you as well! 

[Conolly]

Thank you, weathergirl, you're very kind! 🤗


Conolly X

[CLKD]

  4 the update   


Do you keep a mood/food/symptom diary?

[weathergirl]

I keep track of info regarding my daily habits (workouts, etc) but it varies what I document each day. I do document obvious things when they occur - such as having a cold, a period I got back in October, etc.  I haven't been meticulous in documenting as I'm already usually hyper aware of how I feel most days....part and parcel of having lifelong anxiety. Good to ‘see' you CKLD! 

[Kathleen]

Hello weathergirl.

It's good to read a success story and I hope you keep us updated with your progress.

Take care.

K.

[Spangles]

Hi Weathergirl,
It's fantastic that you are doing well, keep it up!
Can I ask how long you were on HRT for and how long you have been off it?
Did you just stop or did you taper your dose?
Thanks
Shellb
xXx

[Salad]

Good to hear Weathergirl - glad things are going well for you 

[Dorothy]

Great news- I hope things continue to go well for you

[weathergirl]

Shelb, I was on it for almost 2 1/2 - 3 years.  I'd say I've been off it about 4 months maybe?  I was on a very low dose so just stopped altogether.  Noticed no difference after stopping (other than relief from not having to do the progesterone part). 

I have been lucky to have had very minor symptoms. I will keep updated as time goes by.  Have always preferred a more natural (not adding exogenous hormones in) way of handling things.  I tried HRT in the hopes of avoiding a severe menopause, when in reality I wished I had never gone on it and just waited to see when my natural menopause occurred.  Since I've been on it for that time, i am still not sure if I'm through to the other side, so to speak.  For me peri was the worst when I was having severe fluctuations in estrogen (late 40's - I'm early 50's now).  I believe my progesterone was nil back then (it drops first before estrogen levels decline), and I had flooding, heavy periods.  Once that passed, things improved a great deal.   But only time will tell.  I know as you get deeper into menopause things can change so I never say never!

I hope everyone finds what works best for them!  xxxx

[Taz2]

Thanks for the update weathergirl. It's so helpful to others to know that not everyone gets unmanageable symptoms if they are not using HRT. As we've said before on here there are so many women who do have a trouble-free menopause and wouldn't even think to consult or join a forum such as this one. This can sometimes give the impression that everyone will have bad symptoms.

As for whether you are through it or not I suppose that lack of periods will be the answer to how far you are into menopause? Have you had any since stopping HRT - which I think is about six months ago?

Taz x 

[weathergirl]

Hi Taz!  No, I had a little spotting last week but mostly just pink/brown for a few days. 

I did have a very real period - heavy and lasted about 5 days back in October.  I know my body was having a little go-around/hormone surge of some sort. I had all the usual PMS type symptoms as well.  Then, in December my breasts got very sore for a couple of weeks, and I again had a period but very, very light.   So I think my body is still working things out!

I agree completely with what you've said.  Most women have a manageable menopause and don't think to post on boards or forums.  The women I encounter in my everyday life - whether they be friends or family, etc - who are well into menopause, don't seem to have any troubles or anything.  I made the mistake a long while back (when I first started HRT) of reading horror stories online and it prompted me to pre-emptively start HRT while I was sill in peri. This is something I regret.    I wish I had just let it run its course and then decided later if I needed/wanted to use it.   A lesson well learned.

I hope you are well and doing okay.  I cannot remember if you are using HRT or off of it (or switching what you're using?).  Whatever you are doing, I hope you're well and happy!  xxxx 

[Taz2]

Thanks weathergirl. I'm ok. Still on HRT although it becomes a battle each time I have a review! I've been on it for eleven years now and it's less risky since I've had a hysterectomy but my GP is still not convinced that a woman of 64 should actually need it. I was taken off it a few years ago due to reaching 60 but that caused the sudden worsening of uterine prolapse which had been happily "contained" while on HRT. After the hysterectomy it was only the intervention of the gynae and the specialist pelvic floor specialist nurse which enabled me to have it prescribed again.

It sounds as if you are coping well and are still in the peri stage. I hope you are one of the lucky ladies who do just have a few symptoms for a short time. You have the advantage of the knowledge picked up from this site in that you will know if things are becoming more difficult and you will be able to make informed decisions at that time.

Taz x