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[Rowan]

No Taz its not strong enough for some to combat symptoms, but to my mind if doctors continue to say that women should come off HRT at sixty, then they should at least be allowed to  use an ultra low dose patch and in theory not have to use progestin- it clearly states that it does not build up endometrial hyperplasia. It will at least protect bones combined with calcium and Vit D3.

Menostar is nor available in UK as far as I know, but I have not asked my GP about it for a few years so don't know for sure. I keep my patch on for a week, or have one week on and  one week off, purely for the benefits. If I had not had a hysterectomy I would probably do the same. No doubt the purist would not agree with this, but it would be my choice.

I use natural ways to keep healthy so that might be contributing to be having no symptoms or it could be that the tiny amount of estrogen I am absorbing is enough for me. Even a minute amount of estrogen is better then none and it takes very little to protect bones etc. and you can take up the slack with supplements and good diet.

[Rowan]

Interesting article on Post Menopause HRT

http://www.glowm.com/section_view/heading/Postmenopausal%20Hormone%20Therapy/item/83

[watergypsy]

Im not a fan , even my doctor doesnt even mention it. The thing is i have known friends take it and after years when they have come off they get there periods again or worse , it just supresses what needs to happen to your body. We all have different symptons and i do suffer believe me but im trying to do it naturally .

[Rowan]

watergypsy you might be interested in our "Tell us how you cope with HRT" forum

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,15181.0.html

HRT does so much more then treat menopause symptoms, it maintains bones, skin etc. and for those ladies who can stay on HRT hopefully indefinitely or until they decide to come off themselves, it will be keeping their bodies strong healthy and in better working order.

I must add that it is a personal choice.

[Dancinggirl]

I want to throw something into the mix - I'm on a roll here
I happen to have a 'Personal liquor License' because of the work I do.  When I went on the course for this license we didn't just learn about the dangers of alcohol but also the benefits!!! Something that is rarely advertised!
Of course drinking alcohol depends on various health issues but after a certain age e.g. 50 a small amount has been shown to help prevent heart disease, stroke, some cancers and dementia - to name but a few.  When you are suffering from hot flushes etc we are advised to avoid alcohol, so HRT can enable us to enjoy just 'a little of what we fancy' which may do us good.
In my workplace so many mature women I speak to tell me that they can't drink alcohol anymore because they get headaches etc. - I'm convinced it's the lack of oestrogen.
I certainly don't drink very much - probably only 1-2 units per week at most - but I do so in the knowledge it will do me more good than harm. 
Now 57, I am coming off HRT soon and am dreading the headaches, flushes etc. but hope that at least I may have delayed the onset of osteoporosis,( my mother has lost 3' in height) and reduced my risk of heart disease and some cancers while I was taking the HRT. The HRT has also enabled me to drink that little bit of alcohol that may also benefit my health in future and I doubt I'll be able to drink when I'm off the HRT.
HRT has helped me to cope with some really tough times over the last 18 years - yes,I've been on it most of this time - and I will certainly go back on if things get bad again.
DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi interesting point of view - but my experience is quite different. I haven't been able to tolerate much alcohol at all probably since being peri-menopausal - and began to develop migraines after alcohol especially wine and if I drank it late at night.  So I would develop what seemed like a horrendous hangover after just 1 glass and sometimes these migraine type headaches would last for 3 days. I have been on HRT for over 6 years and this hasn't changed. The progesterone in the HRT makes it a lot worse but even on the oestrogen only section I have to be very very careful - and I do enjoy a little alcohol.
Just shows we are all different. Latest evidence of course is that too much may well be more of a risk factor than for example HRT in causing certain cancers, but 1-2 units a week is minimal!! I try to limit it to weekends but do consume a bit more than that!

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

I haven't found any difference whether on or off HRT but I have never drunk very much. Is that half a glass of wine then Dancinggirl?    I have around 5 glasses a week which is ten units so under the recommended level. I hadn't considered any benefits as I thought that only applied to red wine and I only drink white.

Taz

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Taz2
5 glasses is probably fine and I think any alcohol works, although red wine is considered particularly good. At one time stout was sold as a tonic - I certainly drank a little stout each evening when I was feeding my babies - this would be really frowned upon now but beer is quite a good source of B vitamins!!!
With all the drink related problems we have in this country the press and medical profession have to stress the negatives - and I wanted to just put the other side to all you responsible ladies.
Cheers ! :

[Taz2]

I was surprised that a small glass is two units - I always thought it was one until the doc put me right. Do you know how it benefits us? It's interesting to see both sides especially as when you are on HRT having any alcohol ups your breast cancer risk. It's good to know there are benefits too!

Taz

[honeybun]

When I was in hospital after having my first baby the drinks trolley would be in the dining room at dinner time. It had the usual stuff like tea coffee water and juice. Also stout and Guinness. Can you imagine what the PC crowd would say today 
I have a small glass of wine three or four times a week and I don't find any difference now to years ago. I have never been a big drinker because it would just make me sick. I hate spirits after a run in with brandy when I was old enough to know better 


Honeyb
X

[Limpy]

Re - Red Wine being better than white.

I had a procedure similar to angioplasty a few years ago .
This, whilst it wasn't on my heart, did go through it.
Spoke to the Surgeon and supporting doctors re alcohol good or bad.
The prevailing point of view?
Red wine in moderation is helpful.
When asked, it turns out white wine isn't that much different.
It must be true, it was a heart surgeon.

[Taz2]

It's swings and roundabouts. Wine good for the heart but bad for some cancers. It's a case of everything in moderation I reckon!

Taz x

[Dancinggirl]

Like all things - moderation is the key word.
Beer used to be sold as a tonic - it is actually a fairly good source of b Vitamins although brewers are not allowed to state this anymore!
I drank stout every evening when I was feeding my babies - very non PC!!!
Red wine has tannins and other elements that are deemed particularly good but I believe any alcohol (in small doses) can be beneficial to improve circulation etc. hence reducing stroke and vascular dementia.  Please don't quote me on this as I am not an expert.
When I lived in Austria 35 years ago I did a blood donation once and i was given a class of red wine and a bar of chocolate afterwards - not the tea and biscuits you got in Britain. I was told it was more beneficial!!!

By the way, I used to teach dance classes to lady beginners about 4 years ago and I had 2 GPs in my class who advised us all to take good doses of Vit D through the winter. I think this is widely accepted now  as beneficial for immune system, energy and prevention of various cancers.  Go for it girls.
DG x

[ducky ducky]

Hi
O my life got an appointment with dr a week on sat to talk about help with meno symptoms, and just watched,"trust me I'm a Dr" on TV with the for sand against hrt, now completely confused , help,
Linda

[Dancinggirl]

ducky,ducky.  There is a thread on this site commenting on this programme and I think the general consensus was that it was too extremes with no real conclusion.
Far better to do research on this site - soak up all the info from the list to the left of this screen and go prepared with questions.
If you suffering with bad meno symptoms and you have no conflicting health issues, then the benefits of HRT outweigh the negatives - at least until 60 and now they are starting to extend this age limit. I think one of the plusses of HRT is that you have to have regular checks at the doctor which you might not otherwise do.
Live for today, if your meno symptoms are getting in the way, HRT may be your answer. Making an informed choice is the way forward.
Good luck  Dg x