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[Ruthiebell]

Thank you both Ayesha and Jaypo, so helpful and supportive (that’s what we all need!) phew, don’t usually do confrontation but will when I feel strongly enough especially when it may effect others. I think that may also be an ever growing super power of being 50 

I will indeed tune into the great comments and advice. Totally agree there does seem to be some degree of shame from some camps when mentioning trying without HRT, I am not against at all either, just going to try without to see how I get on. It just great to have opportunity to muse with others. Luckily the majority camp seem to be muddling through as best we can and finding comfort in being able to ask and vent. Have a lovely afternoon 😊

[jaypo]

You too my lovely and good luck 

[Ms_london76]

I was in the camp of try everything natural first. Every supplement, method, I tried. Nothing was really working.

I had a list of issues that I was trying to solve on my own. Didn’t work. I was told and still am to try this or try that. But what works for one women may not work for another. Those who skate by in menopause with little symptoms are the lucky ones.

I had emotional breakdowns, brain fog, high anxiety, severe depression, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal issues. Sleep issues, insomnia, bladder issues.

I started with progesterone which helped calm my nerves, anxiety.

Vaginal estrogen which is still in the process of healing the downstairs.

Last week I started systemic estrogen divigel. So roughly 11 days into that and I am seeing a difference in a bunch of things including brain fog. I just feel more balanced. More alert, more energy I feel normal. Less anxious, no more night sweats.

Yes it does but it’s a trial and error of what to take, what suits your body etc.

To American drs that I follow on social are Dr Kelly Casperson and Dr Mary Claire Haver. Who are paving the way to revolutionize menopause. Removing box warnings on social media and removing the stigma around menopause. Both have books out on the topic, Dr Kelly Casperson has 300 podcasts called you are not broken.

When I started my journey only 6 months ago I had very little knowledge and a lot of fear around HRT. You will become empowered by educating yourself to pave the way for your own journey.

[SundayGirl]

Ruthiebell

Please don't be disheartened or upset by any replies you may read. The majority of people here are supportive of each other and do their best to help others.

Yes, there is a small number of extremely pro-hrt members with some very strong views but the rest of us have a live and let live attitude where no-one is wrong in their decision.

As for the comment "Night sweats alone are linked to a higher risk of dementia, in later life", the research that I have found includes the words may and possible and some of the research is using retrospective data which relied on an accurate recollection of symptoms by people questioned. (We all know that "recollections may vary".  )

I thought I'd mention this as it's so easy to say that 'research shows this' or 'studies show that' without adding any links to these research papers to back up these claims.

[jaypo]

Well said Sundaygirl    as stated before,more women are NOT on hrt than are on it and most go on to live a long and healthy life,so whether you choose to,or not to try hrt,there really is no right or wrong answer 💓

[CrispyChick]

And only last week the Independent ran a story on HRT actually raising the risk of Alzheimer's!

I thought the forum had been quiet on that one! 

There are pros and cons for absolutely everything, HRT is no different.

I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. X

[Ruthiebell]

Hi lovely ladies! Hope the day is being kind to you. Thank you so much SundayGirl for that information it is so appreciated, I admit I got in a flap about it, really heartening to have such kindness. Was a bit shocked by that reply but will pay no heed now, so many nice folk on here. So true jaypo there are no right or wrongs just journeys seemingly with bumpy roads! My pal said the other day ‘it’s like being on a really rubbish rollercoaster’ which I said sums it up nicely.

On another note (and stop me if I’m being boring/it’s not the right place)  but I have had half fat Greek yogurt with, honey, pumpkin seeds, ground flax, chai seeds and a peanut granola for breakie for the last week or so (it’s actually tasty which was a pleasant surprise and Aldi stock all bits for very reasonable monies) and my guts seems a lot, lot happier than with the toast and jam that was previously consumed, just thought I’d mention. I am now about to prepare sausage and mash and ruin it all 

[Ruthiebell]

P.S loving the names too, CrispyChick!

[jaypo]

Oowww I love a Greek yogurt over fruit, I have that for lunch these days, a decent diet certainly does make you feel better,after saying that,I'm not about to give up my bottle of wine at a weekend 🍷🥴

[Ruthiebell]

😂me neither, red wine is good for us, as is dark chocolate I believe 😁

[SundayGirl]

Standing here holding glass out for refill 🍷

Not sharing my dark choc though 🍫   

BTW we do tend to wander off track a bit so you're fitting in rather well here!!

[Ruthiebell]

Morning Sunday girl! Oh that’s good to hear, wandering off track makes life more interesting I reckon😂 I am greatly possessive of my dark chocolate and to my horror found my 16 year old lad gleefully nibbling at it last night…noooo! Stinky teens are not supposed to like it surely?!
How is everyone this morning? Hope all is well as it can be. Sleep a bit better last night, bit sweaty ( and stinky I’m giving the teens a run for their money)  but mostly unbroken which I’ll take as a win. Lucky to be off today so going to fitsteps with my 82 year old mum, the class are all of a similar wonderful age, feisty, rebellious and totally put me to shame 😂 hope you all have a good day 💐

[Ayesha]

Just don't ask them if they have ever taken HRT, I did that once in a crowded room of women and I practically cleared the room. It was lonely sitting there on my own 

[Ruthiebell]

🤣🤣I am off to it now - excellent advice thank you!

[Violetta808]

Hello Ruthiebell

Have you tried overnight oats? My version is porridge oats, Aldi’s own chia seeds and/or milled flax, semi-skimmed milk, ground cinnamon, pinch of salt, a few frozen blueberries, blob of half-fat Greek yoghurt. It’s low sugar slow-release carbs and makes for a happy digestive system

Since menopause I find I can’t process sugar like I used to, and alcohol is basically poison to me now (which is a real shame) though I can still enjoy very small amounts with food.

I’m 56 and have been on HRT for a year now. I went through menopause at 51 and thought I had sailed through with just a few minor hot flushes but for me the symptoms started after that. It took me a while to decide to give HRT a go as I was quite resistant to it, but I am extremely glad I did. I am very happy on my current regime, though it did take a while to find the right one. I had side effects to start with, which was all quite stressful, and there were times early on when I wondered if I’d made a bad mistake (though everything has worked out very well in the end).

Bone density is definitely a thing to address post-meno so I would advise a daily vitamin D supplement (I take 200 microgrammes a day, when I remember to!) and regular high impact/body-weight bearing exercise, be that yoga, Pilates, dancing, running or gym. Exercise also works on improving mood.

Whatever you decide to do is your personal choice and you can always change your mind. If you do want to try HRT and it doesn’t suit you, everything is completely reversible. But there is no should or shouldn’t.