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[Ellie2]

I agree 👍.  A disease to me is something that can be avoided.  Unfortunately you can't avoid the menopause.  Also it has such widely different effects on women. What is needed is better knowledge for both women and their doctors.

Absolutely. As women we menstruate, some have pregnancies and give birth, all that live long enough go through menopause. All these natural occurrences can nevertheless be so problematic for some that it diminishes quality of life, can physical damage the body and mental health. We're supposed to just carry on and not complain. We're not sick after all...

[CLKD]

A disease may be cancer .......... everything that we suffer from is natural. 

[Joaniepat]

Menopause or loss of oestrogen is the cause of, or contributor to, several diseases and conditions, eg, osteoporosis, UTIs, candidiasis, BV, heart disease, bowel cancer, dementia, to name a few. It is not a disease in itself but a deficiency leading to avoidable illnesses.
JP x

[Aprilflower]

Menopause or loss of oestrogen is the cause of, or contributor to, several diseases and conditions, eg, osteoporosis, UTIs, candidiasis, BV, heart disease, bowel cancer, dementia, to name a few. It is not a disease in itself but a deficiency leading to avoidable illnesses.
JP x

True, but men suffer from many of those, as they age, as well.

[Joaniepat]

Menopause or loss of oestrogen is the cause of, or contributor to, several diseases and conditions, eg, osteoporosis, UTIs, candidiasis, BV, heart disease, bowel cancer, dementia, to name a few. It is not a disease in itself but a deficiency leading to avoidable illnesses.
JP x

True, but men suffer from many of those, as they age, as well.

Indeed they do! And no doubt some of it is due to hormone decline in them too, both testosterone and oestrogen, as both sexes are dependent on these hormones. But men's decline seems more gradual, less like dropping off a cliff edge 🙂.
JP x

[CLKD]

Also, if they complain issues get sorted !

[KarineT]

Low levels of oestrogen don't necessarily lead to heart disease, osteoroposis or a mental illness.  I know a lot of postmemonepausal ladies who are doing fine and they've never been on HRT.  When some of you mention avoidable diseases, Do you mean osteoporosis and heart disease? Do you think HRT will prevent you from getting them?  Low oestrogen or not, we could get any disease because our body changes as we grow old and that cannot be avoided.  I still don't think that women who are not on HRT have a higher  risk of getting these 'avoidable' diseases.  I believe it's the luck of the draw. Some people, men and women, go on to live a long life and never develop an illness.

[CLKD]

Mum [94] - until the last 11 months - was healthy other than falls.  Until aged 91 she was walking 2-3 miles a week, shopping 4 herself, gardening in a huge plot.  When she went into care she wasn't taking any medication at all.

HRT can protect heart and bones.  Particularly as humans have become more sedentary in the last 20 years.  A good diet, good exercise regime and hobbies can also help. 

Being aware is important.

[Aprilflower]

Must admit that there is no history of osteoporosis or heart disease, in the women in my family.  That is except one who smoked from the age of 17 but still lived until 90.

Diet, alcohol and smoking also play a big part in the illnesses of old age.

[KarineT]

There is no heart disease or osteoporosis in my family either.  Also can I say low levels of oestrogen cannot cause bowel cancer. Any cancer is caused by our cells and it happens when one cell's DNA gets damaged.  It has nothing to do with oestrogen and it's not always an  avoidable disease unless it's linked to lifestyle.

[Hurdity]

Ellie - re your original question, the standard prescrption charge is for whatever the doc puts on your prescription so if you need double the amount then the prescription should state that - it is not charged per packet or not even the actual costs as per this website. It used to be that you got 3 months HRT on one prescription ( which would be approx £9  as stated or free if over 60 or other health issues). Unfortunately this is very variable so some practices only give one month!!  If you use double without consulting your doc then you would run out and questions might be asked as to why you are requesting more. In my online system I can't actually order it before a certain time as the frequency it is issued is set for each item and each patient. You can alwasys make custom requests though and then the doc will phone you (post-covid there are fewer actual consultations!).

Hurdity x

[PeriWhat?!]

Ellie - re your original question, the standard prescrption charge is for whatever the doc puts on your prescription so if you need double the amount then the prescription should state that - it is not charged per packet or not even the actual costs as per this website. It used to be that you got 3 months HRT on one prescription ( which would be approx £9  as stated or free if over 60 or other health issues). Unfortunately this is very variable so some practices only give one month!!  If you use double without consulting your doc then you would run out and questions might be asked as to why you are requesting more. In my online system I can't actually order it before a certain time as the frequency it is issued is set for each item and each patient. You can alwasys make custom requests though and then the doc will phone you (post-covid there are fewer actual consultations!).

Hurdity x

I've also discovered that each element of the NHS prescription can be charged. For eg, I paid two prescription charges for one three-month prescription of Evorel Sequi, even though it came in one box, a charge for the Evorel 50 and a charge for the Evorel Conti. With my next prescription, I switched to a three-month supply of Evorel 50 and Utrogestan (which is clearly two separate prescriptions) and paid the same two prescription charges. I'm very grateful I'm not paying the same amount for a one-month supply, that seems very unfair!