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[Krista65]

So, I never had a single hot flash/flush and sailed through the menopause. But I'm interested in taking HRT for any health benefits it mayu give and wanted to know if this is usual and if anyone here takes it post menopause?

I'm interested in getting the estrogel, testogel and Utrogestan.

If you take any of the above for health reasons such as general wellbeing/depression/brittlebones etc can you let me know if it helps?

Thankyou.

[KarineT]

Hi,

So you've never had any symptoms?  Are you thinking about HRT as a preventive measure for some diseases?   When you say wellbeing, is it for your mental or physical health, or both?  I think HRT is designed for those who have menopausal symptoms and I'm not sure if doctors would prescribe it for other reasons.  I have symptoms but I"m not on HRT.

[KarineT]

Hi,

So you've never had any symptoms?  Are you looking to take HRT as a preventive measure for some diseases?  When you mention 'for wellbeing' are you trying to get relief for something that you now have?  I am asking because I'm wondering if there's a possibility that symptoms can appear 10 years after the menopause.  Some doctors, unless you go private, are reluctant to prescribe HRT and you've never had any symptoms they may not  prescribe it. 

[Taz2]

Hi Krista65. I think that you were using this regime last year? Did it help at all? Also I'm a bit confused (doesn't take much  ) as in your first posts a year ago you were five years post meno and now you're ten years post meno. This makes a difference in getting HRT prescribed for the first time with some doctors.

Taz x 

[Krista65]

Ok so I'm 55 and had my last period aged 49 I think. So I'm 6 years post meno? My mistake. Can I ask why it would make a difference then seeing as I've had no sweats etc? What does the timeline have to do with it please?

Yes so I was given oestrogel last year and Utrogestan (sp) tablets. I took briefly but was worried it was making me put on weight so I stopped. My doctor prescribed it to me for depression and anxiety which started for me around 47 years old.

Is it true that low oestrogen levels can cause brittle bones and other health matters? Because that's the reason I'm thinking of giving it another go. I can get Testosterone gel. The reason I'm wanting to take all three are because I thought those hormones promoted optimal health as in less brittle bones and less  muscle waste.

I've been reading Studd's website and he seems to think biodentical hormones (the three I've listed above) are good for women post meno for general health. I need to read more but I'm sure that's the gist.

Thanks.

[CLKD]

Professor Studd do you mean?

You can't have testosterone in the UK without it being prescribed through a GP by a Consultant.  It is not wise to take any hormones without supervision in case of side effects.  There needs to be a balance as close as possible to keep the body on an even keel.

MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart how you are feeling, then decide which symptom you would like to ease. 

Brisk exercise, 10 mins 3 times a week keeps bones healthy.  I don't require HRT other than for VA.  I am trying to walk further each day.  Note the word 'trying'  .

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  The first muscle to weaken is the quadriceps, followed by the belly which are the important muscles to enable movement.  So overall exercise: cycling, swimming, walking - we have threads on these somewhere  - is the place to begin, as well as having a good diet. 

If U feel well then I wouldn't upset my system by adding hormones.

[Hurdity]

Hi Krista

The timeline is important in the sense that it's preferable to start taking HRt within 10 years of menopause or aged under 60 because this is generally accepted as the "window of opportunity" for maximum benefit and least harm. However this also depends on your general health and the type of HRT you take.

Although as CLKD says, brisk exercise is excellent for keeping healthy and including bones - this alone will not prevent bone deterioration (bone loss) which occurs when oestrogen levels drop after menopause. The extent to which this can be harmful will depend also on other factors like genetics, diet, longevity and whether you take HRT etc.

Bone health will always be improved by taking HRT, although not everyone will suffer from osteoporosis (for reasons given above) but if you live to 90 and go through menopause at 50 then that's 40 years without (so much) oestrogen so any additional years you take it are likely to be of benefit.

You are within the right timeframe for starting hRT ( again) ie well under 60 and only 6 years post meno so no worries there. Even after this time many women successfully start HRT and transdermal ( ie gels and patches) are recommended as beinbg associated with lower risk (if there is going to be any) - notably cardio-vascular/stroke.

You can mitigate any risks - as CLKD says - through healthy lifestyle, diet, increased exercise, reducing alcohol, body weight, etc so if you are generally healthy in these respects then also no need to worry so much.

I'm mid 60s and started HRT at just under age 54, always transdermal....I also take testosterone prescribed my GP (though initially through a consultant 6 years ago)

Hurdity x

[Krista65]

Wow, thanks all. I'm going to try it. Hurdity do you also take Utrogestan? I have testo gel. I know I've been naughty but I got a male friend to get it for me (please don't judge). From what I can gather I should take a pea sized amount every day with 2-4 squirts of oestrogel and the tablets for 7 or 14 days (I can't remember right now but will look at what my doctor recommends). Another reason I'm interested in taking testogel is because I've read it can clear brain fogginess which I quite fancy and need lol. I'm always scared of meds but I'm going to take this combo for a month or so and see how I feel. I will update. Thanks.

[Postmeno3]

I'm realising just how very pervasive the influences of HRT are. It seems that, almost regardless of menopause per se, we just need the hormones! I wouldn't have the confidence to mess around with things, but I'm looking forward to hearing the recommendations and suggestions from the Menopause Clinic next month and their thinking behind their plans for me. At 68 and ready to welcome HRT back into my life, I feel I don't want to have to justify myself, but just be received and helped to be the best I can be which oestrogen deficiency especially, but possibly testosterone, too, has compromised. I hope that's not a naïve position!

[CLKD]

Krista: How scared of meds are you in reality, if you are prepared to risk unprescribed drugs  .    MayB a recent bone scan of the pelvis and hips, which is where the densist area is, prior to beginning any HRT regime?  [pity I can't spell ], to give you a base line.

I don't take HRT and my bones are fine.  Mum is 94 and has never taken HRT and her bones are fine [though being in care during the current pandemic has impacted on her total mental and physical health].  If there is a history of osteoporosis then one needs to take advice from a professional - I believe that there is a support group too, 'osteoporosis UK' - too tired to look it up but it's been mentioned here previously.

My Dad was on an osteoporosis trial but I was never told exactly why or what for  but the GP didn't progress any info to me nor my sister so we assume that we aren't in danger though both are aware that his mother had a Dowager's hump.  From the age of 70ish.

Let us know how you get on!

[Moonflower]

Hello,

I was adamant that I was going to go the natural route and avoid all HRT but after doing my research, looking mainly at the Menopaue Doctor's (Louise Newson) website and Liz Earle's wellbeing website, I have started taking Utrogestan and Estrogel less than 2 weeks ago.  I intend to ask my GP for testosterone too to try to give me more energy, improve my cognitive performance, bone strength and cardiovasuclar health. Testosterone is one our hormones and it is terrible that we are not readily prescribed it.  Dr Newson said she would not be able to work as a doctor without it.  My intention is to stay on bioidentical HRT for life as the benefits outweigh the risks.  Both Liz Earle and Dr Newson have both said the same - they want to stay on it for life.  One in two older women will break bones, whereas the figure is one in five in older men.  Oestrogen deficiency causes so much havoc to our bodies.  We need oestrogen to protect our heart (HRT can cut cardiovascular disease by 50%), brain and bones.

I am post menopausal at age 48 and my main symptoms are vaginal atrophy (I take vagifem for that too), ectopic heart beats (which i hope will settle), stiff joints, low mood and energy.  I've not really suffered from hot flushes.  Life is too short and there is no point in trying to put up with these symptoms.  I have already noticed less bone stiffness which is good and I'm am hoping to feel more like my young self soon!

Best of luck with your journey!

[Krista65]

Moonflower, thanks for this. If you remember, can you PM me in the future if you get your hands on some T and let me know how it goes?! There was an article in the Sunday Mail this week if you want to Google it. The title is, Michelle's cure for her low libido and menopausal brain fog? Testosterone.

I've not heard of the websites you mention so will have a read once I've finished my latest serial killer book haha.

Thanks all.

[CLKD]

Morning.  I am wondering whether Michelle sourced her testosterone privately?  It certainly can help some women.  [My GP in the 1990s told me that it would make my voice lower  ]. 

  Moonflower.  Let us know how you get on?    Interesting about the % of women to men who suffer with broken bones. 

[Moonflower]

I will let you know if I can get my hands on some testosterone.  I just hope my body will adjust to the HRT I'm taking right now as today was a bad day for palpitations! Sigh..
T does of course help libido but I'd much rather eat chocolate these days  .  Apparently you can order it online if you present a male name! And of course you can get it privately.  Apparently testosterone is licensed for women in Australia, called AndroFeme.   

[CLKD]

That's really keeping women safe then  .   Also the Laws in Oz are different than here.