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[Spangles]

Hi,
I’ve not posted in a while.
I’m 2.5 years since my last period and stopped HRT 2 yrs ago.
I expected all the unwanted sympathy to go as well, but they haven’t!
I’m still getting host flushes, anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbance.
I’m 53, will this ever go away?
Thanks
Spangles
xXx

[Taz2]

Hi Spangles. Nobody knows how long their symptoms will last. Some women have hot sweats/flushes for a few years post meno and others can have them for the rest of their lives. Once oestrogen levels drop then they stay dropped. Why did you stop HRT? At your young age there is no reason not to restart if you find quality of life is affected. I think the guidance now is that women can stay on it for as long as they need if there are no precluding health problems. I'm still on HRT at 67 and feel rubbish without it. 

[Haydo]

Hi Spangles

As Taz has said, everyone is different.  I am 65 and still get symptoms, which come and go, and I manage them with acupuncture and herbal remedies.  I was not able to take HRT, other than topically so for me there was no choice.

[Wrensong]

Hi Spangles, as the other ladies have said, we are all different & no-one knows how things will pan out for us as the postmenopause years go by.  Though some of us find perimenopause the hardest when our hormone production is chaotic, some continue to feel unwell postmenopause due to the consequences of hormone depletion, or may only then begin to find QOL is significantly affected in various ways.   My Mum, who never took HRT, was postmenopause at 46, but I remember her flushing late into her 60s & possibly beyond.

I was 3 years postmenopause before starting HRT, having by then had a horrible decade waiting for symptoms to improve, so I know just how you feel.  It hasn't been a panacea but I'm better with than without & am still on it at nearly 60 (9+ years post), after a long break midway.  There are quite a few of us on here who are a long way postmenopause, some doing well on HRT, some still trying to find what works best.   In fact, there is considerable support among members for a new board to be set up for postmenopause issues if you haven't seen those threads discussing the desirability of a separate section. 

Maybe have a look at Newson Health's website too if you're not already familiar with it.  There is a series of very interesting podcasts & some thought provoking emphasis on the more insidious long term consequences of hormone depletion as well as addressing symptoms that have a more obvious effect on daily life. 

I feel your pain, as will many other members I'm sure, but there is always support here & a wealth of experience to help us decide what changes we can make to improve our lives, with or without HRT. 

[Stella2]

Hi Spangles,
I am 2 years post menopause and although I feel better in myself I still suffer from hot flushes. It has been 5 years of intense flushes and I tried all other remedies apart from acupuncture. I now got prescription for HRT that my GP highly recommended and avaiting to start. I have been so reluctant and wanted for it to get better naturally but I have no quality of life constantly being aware of what I can wear, being drenched at night and all the rest.

[Cazikins]

Hi Spangles,
 have tried too many times in the last 5 years to come off HRT & every time the hot flushes came back.
I have managed to just about keep the flushes at bay by having half a tablet of Femoston low dose combined but tbh it still doesn't stop the vaginal dryness or brain fog.
Cazi x

[catieb]

I'm new to the forum, and really interested to learn about other women's post-meno experiences.  I'm 58 and about 5 years post.  I've not felt like 'me' for a long time....tired, headaches nearly every day, constantly feeling hot and flushed, snappy, anxious, tearful, aches and pains and just generally run down. I have been to various GPs at my surgery over the years, and was diagnosed with diabetes which is managed through medication, but my pleas to try HRT and to look at my other symptoms have been dismissed time after time.  My last visit was in September, when the GP ordered full bloods which came back generally fine, and said he'd repeat them in March.  When I, again, asked about the flushing and fatigue, and whether I might give HRT a go he said the flushed couldn't possibly be down to menopause as I was 'too far past it', I probably had a UTI...which when tested did show a slight infection.  I feel embarrassed to go back again, but I really am struggling every day.  My husband is understanding, but I don't really think he has a clue how awful I feel, I try to put on a brave face, and walk and exercise daily, but sometimes I just can't.  I have a busy and fairly pressured job, but I've been able to keep on top of this due to working from home....I really think that if I'd have had to travel etc... and do face to face meetings over the last 2 years, I would have struggled.    I suppose I just want to know whether anyone else has similar symptoms and how they've dealt with them...I just want the old 'me' back again!!

[sheila99]

Ggrrr  I do hate ignorant GPs. You can ask for a referral to a menopause clinic (expect a long wait). Or try a different gp, some surgeries have a specialist (though mine only knew marginally more than the completely ignorant GPS). Or you could complain to the practice manager. Have a look at the 'advice for husbands' pinned post and see if you have other meno symptoms. Do read the vaginal atrophy threads as symptoms can be very similar to UTIs but it will only get worse without appropriate treatment.