Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

media

Author Topic: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT  (Read 2216 times)

Floodlights

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« on: September 09, 2021, 08:26:36 AM »

Hello

I am 45 and on a regime of oestrogel, utrogestan and androfemme for peri menopause symptoms. I think I a quite low dose - two pumps, 200mg and 0.5ml respectively.

Although I feel an improvement over the four months I’ve been taking the oestrogel and utrogestan, I cannot shift the anxiety about cancer risks. I feel like there’s a voice somewhere in my head telling me to stop.

My anxiety got set off again after the terrible news this weekend about Sarah Harding. And this morning, one of my moles has changed - looking angry, unsymmetrical and raised. It’s on my leg where I put my gel. Dr Google has kindly informed me of an increasing link between skin cancer and estrogen. I have skin cancer in my family so it’s something I’m always looking out for. I have an appointment with a doc later today.

I honestly just feel like quitting HRT. I have two young children and I’m petrified I could be putting myself at risk, just to avoid the awful mood swings I’ve experienced in these peri years.

I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else has quit HRT because they can’t handle the fear of health risks rightly or wrongly associated with the medications.

Thank you xx
Logged

Dotty

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4194
Re: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2021, 10:28:07 AM »



https://www.templeclinic.co.uk/insights/the-risks-of-hrt/

Hi have a look at this link. The risks of breast cancer from HRT are actually very low. Drinking alcohol, being overweight and being sedentary are more risky.

HRT also had health benefits .

If HRT makes you feel better then the quality of life is important . x
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 78907
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2021, 06:46:13 PM »

Being overweight, eating rubbish, smoking and lack of exercise are more dangerous than HRT.  Hormone 'replacement' therapy - replacing oestrogen that causes many problems. 

Stepping out of bed, slipping in the shower, choking with food - all have risks. 


Think about why you began treatment?


What's the worst that could happen Floodlights?  MayB keeping a mood/food/symptom diary would ease any worries. 
Logged

VictoryV

  • Guest
Re: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2021, 07:57:29 AM »

My NHS GP said this: “when you were in the womb you were surrounded in Estrogen, it has been in every cell of your body for your entire life. Why be scared of it now?
Replacing Estrogen will reduce your chances of heart disease, protect your bones from osteoporosis, reduce your chances of dementia/ altziemers (sp?) and possibly reduce chances of bowel cancer. Why V are you scared of Estrogen?”

I answered: “breast cancer.”

She said:” 1 in 2 women will die of heart disease/attack, a lot, lot less of breast cancer. You are not overweight, don’t drink or smoke, you exercise, protect as much as you can for the rest of your life, give your body the best chance to serve you well into your 90’s.”

I’ve read a lot of info on this wonderful website and global studies, I’m not scared anymore because educating myself has removed the dreadful fear. I feel extremely lucky that I’m able to take HRT as not everybody is.

Please read as much as you can so that you can make an informed decision and kick the fear out.

Victoria.x
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 78907
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2021, 08:03:43 AM »

Also breast cancer is no longer a killer.  The headlines recently throw women into the fear bracket but in reality?  There are other diseases that R more dangerous than breast cancer i.e. heart disease.  4 charities to get monies in order to continue with research, they all 'want to have the highest death rate' it seems  :-\

That bus might hit U from behind long B4 breast disease is diagnosed!
Logged

Floodlights

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Re: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2021, 03:57:24 AM »

Thank you for your reassurance everyone. Very much appreciated xx
Logged

Mars62

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
Re: Ongoing Fear and anxiety about HRT
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2021, 12:27:50 PM »

At the end of the day it’s your body and if you are going to worry about the cancer risk maybe you shouldn’t take it. If you can manage without that’s great, lots of women do.
I intend to take it for as long as possible because I could not face the awful anxiety and depression I suffered beforehand. I could cope with the physical symptoms but not the mental ones.
I don’t worry about the cancer risk, which is quite low, quality of life is far more important to me.
If I stop my HRT it’s quite likely all the symptoms could return and I’m not prepared to put up with that.
Do what you feel is right for you, we can only give our own personal opinions and experiences and we are all so different.
Good luck for whatever you decide 😁
Logged