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[KarineT]

How long were you on HRT for?  I am sure there must be some natural alternative out there.  HRT can't be the only thing that will make a change.

[CLKD]

  It's a replacement therapy for what the body has made which is now receding.  Menopause is natural, so if symptoms aren't too bad, then go with it? 

Have you read the 'alternative' room threads?  Some find other products useful until their hormones take over  . 

[Sammiejane]

hi ladies

just been reading as i would also like to add that taking HRT isn't always the answer and can bring about its own side effects as many of us have found on this forum i myself have more side effects now then before i started and wish i had only started with localized hrt for VA as i've had horrible mood swings hairloss increased sweat weight gain fatigue insomnia all caused by hrt !

[KarineT]

So it goes to show that HRT works for some but not for others.  I guess It's down to trial & error.  As I mentioned earlier, I know a few postmenopausal ladies and, luckily for them, they didn't have to go the HRT route.

[Mary G]

It's true that not all women find a tolerable form of HRT.   Most HRT regimes fall over on the dreaded progesterone component.

A lot of women on here have success using antidepressants and/or propranolol I believe.

We had a brilliant member called Elizabethrose who could not tolerate any from of HRT including oestrogen but she had great success with Vagifem and it even stopped her hot flushes which was very surprising.   You could type her name into the search bar and read through her posts.

[Hurdity]

Hi KarineT

Just to say I agree with all that;s been said about the effect of oestrogen deprivation which is for life. It really is not just about symptoms so the women you are referring to may have stopped hot flushes etc and their mood may well be fine but they will still lack oestrogen. Think that many women live for 40 years post-menppause (eg from age 50 to 90). That is a long time to be in an oestrogen deficient state.  If you have any osteoporosis in  the family it would be wise to take it for bone strength alone and especially if you go through menopause before the average age of 51/52.

The other very important point is the argument that you might have to go through menopause when you stop taking HRT and therefore it is not worth taking it in the first place, is not a valid one! What about all those years you took it? Your mood may well have improved, your bones strengthened, your heart and cardiovascular health benefited...You cannot take away those years when you took it and your quality of life was improved.

Anti-depressants have been mentioned (as well as beta-blockers). These are absolutely not indicated as first line of treatment for menopause including low mood and are dished out far too widely. NICE Guidelines for menopause 2015 say that HRT should be offered/prescribed in the first instance if no medical reason why not.

You are lucky not to have started flushes or sweats but as you have not been without periods for very long maybe they will come later or if you are very lucky, not at all. However for me, I am glad I had bad flushes and sweats as otherwise I probably would not have considered HRT and therefore would not have had the benefits for long term health and well-being.

Vagifem is very unlikely to have a significant effect on flushes because the amount is absoutely minutely low and and even in the most severely oestrogen deprived women (several years after menopause when oestrogen is very low), after the first two weeks loading time period for vagifem, systemic absorption is minimal, even from that very small dose. As has been said though, even if you decide against HRT you are advised to take (insert!) something to guard against VA and associated problems ie local oestrogen. All the different types listed here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.php

There are a further two not listed there, a gel Blissell, and Intrarosa a DHEA pessary.

There are no natural remedies that are proven to work for menopausal symptoms although as has been said anti-depressants and some other meds can be prescribed for those who are medically unable to take hRT.

Of course the best natural way to improve your health and mood is through diet, lifestyle and exercise, so any improvements you need to and can make in these areas will only be of benefit and can lift mood. We are in difficult times right now but even small changes will help. There are also mental strategies to encourage positive thinking and alleviate anxiety which some find useful

It still won't replace oestrogen though....

Do ask if you need any more help. All the best and hope you manage to find a range of ways to lift your mood

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Anti-depressants have been mentioned (as well as beta-blockers). These are absolutely not indicated as first line of treatment for menopause including low mood and are dished out far too widely. NICE Guidelines for menopause 2015 say that HRT should be offered/prescribed in the first instance if no medical reason why not.


Wish NICE would shut up  . : written by those who have never had depression and/or anxiety to push HRT?  I would like to meet the person whose bright idea this was  and find out who funded this particular research.   It is well known that many ladies need HRT along side ADs or anti-anxiety medication.  They may not require it for as long as they choose to take HRT but as depression and anxiety can cause suicide, it would be an unwise GP not to listen to their patient.

I have never met anyone who has found that HRT will ease depression and/or anxiety.  The ladies I talk with either have neither and HRT helps menopause symptoms or they require 'as well' treatments. 

Let us know how you get on KarineT.  It really can be Trial and Error which is why keeping notes may be useful ;-)

[KarineT]

Thanks Everyone for your supportive messages.

I am keeping a diary of my feelings (obs when things don't feel right) and I seem to see a pattern emerging. I am looking at every possible avenues to minimise what I'm going through but menopause is a tough one.  I will go and discuss things with a menopause specialist once the Coromavirus situation has improved.

Thanks again

Karine