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[DottyD68]

Hi Ruthiebell,

I finally tried HRT after trying to manage my symptoms for 7 years with various different approaches. I was hoping that HRT would be the life-changer that everyone (friends) who was on it told me it would be. Sadly, after 3.5 years of trialling and tweaking, it wasn't.

I am currently 7+ weeks into another trial without HRT. Although some of my symptoms have returned (on and off), I am tolerating them as I immediately felt much more "normal" than when I was on it. At least now I know what my own body is doing and not stressing whether it is the HRT clashing with wildly fluctuating hormones and causing a raft of symptoms I never had before HRT. The anxiety, palpitations, huge sore boobs and weight gain that started when I went on HRT have gone. As has stressing about my prescriptions and doseages. I feel free of all that.

I really think HRT is great for those women who get on with it and am quite envious, but (in my opinion) it is promoted as a wonder drug that will change your life for the better. In my experience it isn't as simple as that. It is not a one size fits all.

There is nothing to lose, and hopefully something to gain, if you to try it. And give a few months for it to settle if you do. But if you don't feel the benefits then you can easily stop taking it.

Good luck in whatever you choose x

[Ruthiebell]

Hi DottyD68 - I’m so sorry to hear of your difficult journey but so appreciate your reply, thank you that is really helpful and kind. I hope you continue to feel better xx

[DottyD68]

Thanks Ruthiebell.

Some of the more holistic therapies I use are acupuncture (which I have monthly and always feel better for) and a meditation app called Headspace. I have always exercised on a pretty much daily basis and continue to do that.

I also take supplements such as magnesium and sea buckthorn on top of a healthy diet.

[Ruthiebell]

Hi DottyD68 - ooh I’ve not tried acupuncture, thank you. I’m doing dabbling with tai chi which is lovely, really calming and gentle. I take magnesium but not heard of the sea buckthorn I will give it a try and Headspace sounds good. Totally agree diet is a good thing to keep an eye on, eat fairly healthily as enjoy cooking but I’m upping my oily fish and nibbling at seeds! I think you mentioned anxiety, just in case I thought I would mention I’ve been using Kalms day (valerian root version) and they have taken the edge of jittery days really well, thank you again x

[DottyD68]

I went to a Tai Chi class years ago - yes very calming. My acupuncturist recommends qigong. Check out Youtube for some 10 minute breathing exercises.

Sea Buckthorn is from Holland & Barratt. It is not cheap but helps with dryness in various parts of the body including eyes which I suffer from. I get them on subscribe and save.

Magnesium oil is also in my toolkit when I get achey muscles.

Thanks for the tip on Kalms. I have also taken them at times in the past.

[Ruthiebell]

Morning Dotty, hope you’re well, thank you that is great advice, not heard of magnesium oil either so defo checking it out. My main issue seems to be health anxiety which on some days seems to take over my life - getting husband (who is thankfully very patient) to look at weird veins/ bumps all that seem to be in my head as I’ve had everything checked. I’ve realised that is why I’m so nervous about starting anything as I think I would be hyper vigilant to every ache and pain. Feel if I try without I will feel in more control as it is my body adjusting (albeit with the continuous mini pill for now that I’ve been on for yonks which I understand is contributing but I’ve never had issue with it) but at least I know it’s mainly just me if that makes sense. Sorry, I’m going on! Thanks again though.

[DottyD68]

Morning. I completely understand. I have been the same with health anxiety, though I don't think it is surprising as there are so many changes going on with our bodies at this time in our lives. Hence why it's called "The Change" 

My husband (who is also very patient) frequently says "What am I looking at now?"  when I ask him to check another thing which is magnified in my eyes but in reality either very small or non-existent.

I have now learnt to wait at least 2 weeks before seeking medical attention on discovery of yet another "thing". Invariably it has disappeared by then, and I am focussing on something different. I used to keep a daily log of how I felt etc but have stopped this as it just made me obsess about how I was feeling every day. I now jot down the odd thing which is useful as it shows a general pattern/cycle of any symptoms.

Some people say that those women who resist/decline going on HRT don't go on it because they think it will be perceived as some sort of weakness or lack of strength. I think the opposite. Now HRT has become more popular I think there is a lot of pressure for women to go on it. Those who don't go on it (or don't persevere with it when it makes them feel worse) are made to feel stupid or foolish for not doing so. I certainly felt pressure from my peers which is why I decided to try it having been convinced it would make me feel much better. Sadly for me it didn't, despite changing regimes and doses. We all know our own bodies and only we can decide what we feel is best for us. Like I said in a previous post, HRT is definitely worth a try if you want to and if it helps that is a great result.

Have a great day x

[Ruthiebell]

Hi again, so glad to know it’s not just me getting husband to check things!    that is a really good idea about leaving for 2 weeks, I’ve tried the diary too, somewhat helpful but agree very easily tips into over obsessing again. Totally agree there is pressure, almost a sense of being ungrateful or ridiculous in some way-if I don’t take it (?) I feel thankful it’s an option and certainly won’t rule it out forever, but think it’s about being honest with myself about what I could cope with, same for everyone, it is totally individual. I know at this point my over obsessing health stuff would spiral so I’m going to give a good go without for now. Is there a section on the website in regards to not using HRT with any advice? I’m new to it so just wondered. Really appreciate your wise words, thank you and have a great day too x

[DottyD68]

There's a section on this forum called Alternative Therapies which may have some useful information. X

[Ruthiebell]

Brill thank you x

[jaypo]

Jaypo - I wonder if you could give us more details to your story???

You say you're through the worst of it now - so I'm assuming you found peri toughest and are now stabilising a bit post meno???

I do think we could all benefit from hearing some non HRT stories and how they pan out.

If you feel like sharing. 

I don't mind sharing,just never want people to think MY WAY is the best as I'm definitely not anti HRT. The only reason I was against it was because back then,having breast cancer rife on my mother's side,it was still deemed unsafe for me but of course we now know this is outdated.
Sweats started at 52, then anxiety but looking back,the anxiety stemmed from not knowing what was wrong with me, nausea was bad but now know this was due to reflux,dizziness led to panic attacks,low mood was another, I definitely wasn't in a good place for quite a few years,now I'm NOT saying,I got through it,you can too because I know of women on here who would've been broken without it. I have a very understanding husband too,which helps. I tried every herbal "remedy " known to man and in my opinion (not saying it's right) these companies prey on women who are desperate,they just don't work,maybe for a short while but it's a placebo effect. Now ,at 61, I feel human again,still get anxiety every now and then but usually HA which is normal as we age. I'm now glad I didn't use Hrt as it seems you have to be on it for good, the minute you stop it,all the symptoms return for many and as I hate taking any sort of meds it just wasn't for me. It was a battle to get out of bed some days but joining this forum probably saved me,just knowing I wasn't alone  Sorry,that was long winded folks x

[CrispyChick]

Thanks jaypo.
.
That's really helpful. Unfortunately people feeling like they're somehow boasting if gone through naturally means stories are not shared. Yet still more people go through naturally than on HRT. And id love to hear how it pans out for folks.

What age did you have your last period then?

[Ruthiebell]

Ruthiebell, whilst I'm all for women making their own decisions about whether to take HRT, that should be an *informed* decision - and there are a few errors or common misunderstandings behind a few things you say....

Firstly, women on a forum like this do not represent the average woman on HRT. Women on a forum like this are self-selecting as complex cases frequently needing more help, advice and guidance than the average. The average woman goes on HRT, feels dramatically better, has her menopause symptoms fixed and experiences a reduced risk of many diseases associated with aging. She does not need to seek out help on an online forum like this. So what you are reading, here, and the people whose experiences and accounts you are coming across, are not representative of most women on HRT and should not really be used to help you decide whether to take it or not.

Secondly, like bombshell says, anxiety is an extremely extremely common symptom of low sex hormones. You can google or ChatGPT that for yourself.

Thirdly, you say on the one hand you've had an MOT and have a full bill or health, then on the other hand say that you're experiencing night sweats and palpitations and frozen shoulder - and more besides. I'm not sure how those 2 statements tally. Because those are not negligible issues. Night sweats alone are linked to a higher risk of dementia, in later life. Palpitations are happening because your heart needs estrogen and without it, you are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. These are communications from your body which you can heed... They are not things to weather and get through, because they are the first warning signs of risk factors.

Fourthly, you make assumptions which are incorrect when you say that you take the mini pill " but the progesterone in this is only 75 micrograms as opposed to 100mg in the pill as part of the treatment". I'm not sure what you mean by 'the pill, as part of the treatment' but am guessing you mean the 100mg utrogestan progesterone for HRT...? You do realise you can't compare the synthetic progestin of 75mcg with 100mg of body identical natural progesterone?? I mean, I could say to you 'I only took 1mg of cyanide as compared to 500mg of sodium' and I think you'd get the point.

A progestin is a synthetic hormone which your body has never produced and which increases your risk of breast cancer, stops your own ovarian function and suppresses your own progesterone and testosterone and estradiol as a result - and may well be responsible for the low mood you are currently feeling, since research shows that progestins cause low mood and depression - and the other is a hormone your body has produced naturally every time you've ovulated and which strengthens your bones and improves your own immune function... and which your own body has naturally produced the equivalent of probably 1000mgs of during each menstrual cycle. (I currently take 600mg of utrogestan/day for example.) Arguably more progesterone is better for many women - not worse.

Fifthly, when women can't take HRT, they tend to make it A Very Good Thing or Just As Well, that they can't. Cognitive dissonance is a bummer. Not many people can hack it, so they resolve it by I Don't Care Anyway, It's Better Like This - or any other number of psychological approaches to resolution. That doesn't mean you should base your decision on their accounts. Think of where they are coming from...

As for my own experience, without HRT I had severe joint pain, migraines, zero libido, vaginal atrophy, incontinence, inner tremors through the night, palpitations, hypnic jerks as I began to fall asleep, insomnia, night sweats - I could go on. Almost all of this has totally gone and I've got my life back. You are not going to come to a forum like this and read multiple accounts of people saying how lovely everything is, because people tend to join when they have a problem...

You might want to read the website Balance-Menopause.com or listen to Dr Louise Newson's podcast to learn more so you can make an informed decision about whether to increase your risk of many diseases by not taking HRT. This is not just about symptom resolution.

PS Sorry, one more point... Many women have not been on the right type and dose of HRT for them and due to the ignorance of their doctors, they just give up... They don't realise that if they persevered and got the right balance of hormones and dose and type, things could have been great.

This reply felt rather like a passive aggressive lecture. Especially given its “firstly, secondly…” nature- It was also upsetting to be honest in terms of handing out threats of potential life threatening issues if I choose to go without HRT for now. My mot was in regard to my general overall health, not menopausal symptoms which are part of a process of change, although not pleasant, are not a disease. I’m not claiming to be any form of expert, or indeed know everything, hence why I joined looking for advice. I thought the forum is a platform  to explore all aspects of menopause, including exploration of other methods, not to be lectured as to why I should take HRT and made to feel ‘told off’ in the process of merely asking others opinions.

I am new to the group and have also had some lovely replies (thank you) and advice so don’t understand why your tone is so unpleasant. I wasn’t going to bother responding but I feel if you reply to others in that way too it’s detrimental to the whole point of a forum that should be a safe friendly space for women to share experiences and although not necessarily always agree, respect each others views.

[Ayesha]

That was exactly my thoughts, a lecture, the type of post that SundayGirl warned about in her reply to you. Please take no notice of it and concentrate on the replies that you are more in tuned with. Your thread is a fabulous one and will help so many others.

[jaypo]

I've no time for scaremongering on here.....just saying
I've had palpitations for years,had my heart checked many times and all ok, they now hardly happen,very occasionally if I'm anxious but they are VERY common and rarely life threatening.
Our bodies adapt to lowering oestrogen,it can be a rough ride but I do get a bit fed up of hearing you MUST take hrt if you dont want any of these horrific illnesses,it's simply not true. More women don't take hrt than do and we're not all suffering these illnesses that hrt pushers claim. Again I am NOT against hrt in any way shape or form.
You are so right crispychick, I feel I almost have to apologise for NOT being on it.
I had a hysterectomy at 45 ,ovaries left,so still had all they symptoms of have a monthly period until about 50 ish