Print

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

[Amanita]

I have been taking Femoston sequential 2/10 for a few years now. It suits me fine - periods a nuisance but not bad. Now I am 53 the GPs at my practice have insisted I start working towards coming off HRT because it is dangerous to take for more than 5 years apparently. They (the two I saw) want me to try the conti and start 'weaning off it' (as if it is an antidepressant or something). I have major issues with this. Firstly I feel very well and the symptoms I had in my late forties that led to HRT were severe. Secondly the progesterone in Femoston suits me,  and last but by no means least the only Conti Femoston do is 1mg oestrogen which would effectively cut my dose in half overnight. There is no direct alternative. I am really worried about this. At the moment I can't afford to be indisposed (or crazy, or both) yet I am on my last packet of 2/10 and am reluctant to go into battle with the doctors again. Has anyone any advice? I have tried the Mirena but ended up with less hair and an infection so reluctant to return to it.

[Katejo]

I have been taking Femoston sequential 2/10 for a few years now. It suits me fine - periods a nuisance but not bad. Now I am 53 the GPs at my practice have insisted I start working towards coming off HRT because it is dangerous to take for more than 5 years apparently. They (the two I saw) want me to try the conti and start 'weaning off it' (as if it is an antidepressant or something). I have major issues with this. Firstly I feel very well and the symptoms I had in my late forties that led to HRT were severe. Secondly the progesterone in Femoston suits me,  and last but by no means least the only Conti Femoston do is 1mg oestrogen which would effectively cut my dose in half overnight. There is no direct alternative. I am really worried about this. At the moment I can't afford to be indisposed (or crazy, or both) yet I am on my last packet of 2/10 and am reluctant to go into battle with the doctors again. Has anyone any advice? I have tried the Mirena but ended up with less hair and an infection so reluctant to return to it.

  Your doctor has out of date views on HRT.  Google the book title  Oestrogen Matters. The author argues that the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks provided that we  start taking it within 10 years of stopping periods/before the age of 60. I I didn't start it until 56 and will probably continue post 60 to help prevent VA, osteoporosis and some other potential benefits (all covered in the book).

[Amanita]

Thank you for that, Katejo. I have tried to explain to the two (female) GPs I saw at my practice but they seem to be determined. Even on the mirena I needed 2mg oestrogen despite being initially assured that 1mg should be enough - beats me where they get the idea that it would have been seeing as I had been taking 2mg successfully for years.
Have you or anyone any advice on how to approach doctors that have this kind of attitude?

[Hurdity]

Hi Amanita

 

I love your name! I hope you're not the deadly variety!!! 

As Katejo says - your docs are completely out of date and out of order. Heavens above you're only 53!! I didn't start HRT until I was almost 54 and still on it in mid 60's!!

Is there a menopause specialist at your practice who is up to date with the current guidance? Do look at the NICE Guidelines (I think there is a link on the front page of this website?). Also the recommendations from the british Menpause Society here: https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/hormone-replacement-therapy/

Here are points 5 and 6:

5 Arbitrary limits should not be placed on the duration of use of HRT; if symptoms persist, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.

6 HRT prescribed before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the menopause has a favourable benefit /risk profile and is likely to be associated with a reduction in coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality.

It should be your decision and if you feel able and can find someone else and the Femoston 2/10 suits you then you should insist on continuing. It's so frustrating that these docs are not going by guidelines and really don;t know emough about it, and more to the point are not including your wishes in the decision.

The other thing is you could write to Dr Currie (who founded and manages this website) which only costs ?30 if you have the spare funds) giving the information about yourself that you gave below, and ask her advice, or rather tell her what you want to do so that she can endorse this and you can print off the e-mail for your doctors?

Alternatively can you take it higher in the practice? I know this is difficult as you don't want to risk a bad reputation but it's your body FFS!

Also here is an example letter Dr Louise Newson has put on her website to doctors who won't prescribe HRT but this could be adapted to your situation if you get nowhere finding another GP in the practice?
https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/example-letter-gp-requesting-hrt

Hope this helps and good luck! Let us know how you get on?

Hurdity x