Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: donnarob on June 04, 2025, 05:08:40 PM
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Hi There.
I am nearly 66 years old and have never been on HRT due to health issues. However, although I think I am going mad, I definitely suffer from cyclical symptoms at the start, middle and end of the month. I can get very bloated, swollen breasts, urine leakage and dry cracked feet. I woke up this morning drenched in sweat and had an upset stomach.
Anyone out there relate to these symptoms as it´s almost like having a phantom period
My GP is lovely but she´s only 46 and doesn´t really know much about the menopause. It´s a real shame that GP´s aren´t more clued up.
Thank you.
Donna x
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I haven't needed HRT but have required treatment for vaginal atrophy.
Which health issues have stopped U using replacements? What have your periods been up to in recent years. Peri can creep up with various uncomfortable symptoms .
What has your GP/Nurse Practitioner suggested with regards the urine leakage? Has vaginal atrophy been discussed? Many medics are totally unaware of this.
10 mins B4 my bleed began I would have to dash to the loo even when a period wasn't due. Every month for years.
I don't think that the age of GPs makes much difference, they either know or don't.
Which symptom would you l ike to ease first?
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Hi CLKD
With me, everything seemed to go pear shaped when I turned 60. My periods stopped when I was 52 and peri menopause turned me into a bit of a wreck with horrible mood swings.
I had a stroke in December 2020 and thankfully, had no adverse effects although they discovered I had Afib and I was put on Eliquis a blood thinner. It turned out that I also had gallstones and suffered Cholecystitis (inflammation of the bile duct) in January 2021 and was hospitalised for 5 days. I was really ill and they prepped me for an operation to remove the gallbladder. Unfortunately after an MRI scan, they discovered that the gallbladder had adhered to the duodenum and the operation was deemed too risky. Roll on through the year and I had three cardioversions. Inbetween time in August of 21, I had a Takotsubo due to far too much stress and was hospitalised again for 5 days. It´s called Broken Heart Syndrome and I recovered from that. I got a call from a hospital in Shien Norway to come in for a gallbladder operation, I had keyhole surgery but they halted the operation as it was deemed far too risky. Imagine my disappointment waking up in pain and still having my gallbladder. I was then referred to a top consultant in Olso who told me he could do the operaton but it involved many risks. After following a low fat diet for a year with no major flare ups, I eventually got the operation in May of 2023. It was a partial removal of the gallbladder but touch wood, I seem fine now. A few years ago I did suffere from atrophy but discovered a great organic vaginal moisturiser called Yes. I. haven´t suffered since I apply the moisturiser every 3 days.
Just to add to my woes, I was just getting over the operaton in 2023 but had an accident at home which resulted in me fracturing my lower vertibrae. It did heal okay but after a Dexa scan, they found that I had Osteopenia and am now on prescription strength vitamin D.
Sorry about the long winded post but I thought it best to clear the air so to speak.
Donna
So many women of my age swear my HRT but because of all my medical history I think it best not to go on it.
I try and drink a lot of water to combat the bloating which makes me feel
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Hi Donna, the ovaries do continue to do 'something' after meno and before they die completely so cyclical symptoms in meno are possible. I would have though you'd be getting towards the end of it though. Bladder leakage is likely to be VA that should be cured with topical oestrogen. The amount absorbed into the blood is so tiny it's considered safe even for those with oestrogen receptive cancer. You might also consider low dose transdermal hrt as transdermal doesn't increase the risk of stroke. I don't know about your other health issues (I suspect it's OK) but if you want hrt it might be worth seeing a specialist who's able to advise you better than your gp
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That explanation is so helpful :thankyou:
I think that U R our first Member from Sweden ......... we have a holiday thread where you tell us. more about your country ;-)
Do U have support at home? Adhesions can cause problems during surgical intervention, it seems that your low fat diet is working well. At peri-menopause: those years B4 the final period = menopause: often we become sensitive to food stuffs, alcohol - I've had to alter my diet considerably due to an intolerance of croissants, scones, anything tiwh hidden sugar i.e. chocolate :( to stop that awful clearing of throat cough. The bloating has improved mostly though DH and I still don't know what the trigger might be.
Whoops! Did U land on your coccyx? At least you have a scan result so can take steps to improve bone health, which must include chewing ;-) as the jaw needs activity as do our long bones, in order to stop teeth falling out :o
Let us know how you get on. Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary may be of use too.
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You're definitely not alone. I'm not on HRT either, and I still get those weird monthly patterns too - mood swings, bloating, and crazy night sweats out of nowhere. It really does feel like some kind of ghost period.
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Hello ladies.
I have been taking a break from HRT and I have now been without Utrogestan and Sandrena gel for seven weeks.
So far I feel okay physically although I am very tired. Unfortunately my main problem of mood swings has continued.
I would love to be on an even keel emotionally and I hope that will be possible without HRT.
I am very post meno so there shouldn't be any fluctuations to deal with.
Needless to say I am keeping everything crossed!
Wishing you all well ladies and take care.
K.
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Hi,
I haven’t been on HRT for seven years now.
I’d been on it for 6 years.
I came off it very gradually, over a period of 6 months, no withdrawal or sudden onset of symptoms.
However, as time has gone on I have lots of sweats, poor sleep, aches and pains, you name it.
I have osteoarthritis, the anxiety has never got any better.
I still get the cyclical highs and lows with my mood.
People ask, well why did I stop taking it?
I stopped taking it because I wanted to see how I would be without it, and I just didn’t want to be dependent on it.
For the most time I’m ok, but when I’m not, I’m really not. That’s mentally and physically.
I take an AD for depression and anxiety, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t take any other drugs.
My only downfall is that I’m a carb addict, and really should look at a healthier diet, but we all need something don’t we.
💕
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Hi There.
I am nearly 66 years old and have never been on HRT due to health issues. However, although I think I am going mad, I definitely suffer from cyclical symptoms at the start, middle and end of the month. I can get very bloated, swollen breasts, urine leakage and dry cracked feet. I woke up this morning drenched in sweat and had an upset stomach.
Anyone out there relate to these symptoms as it´s almost like having a phantom period
My GP is lovely but she´s only 46 and doesn´t really know much about the menopause. It´s a real shame that GP´s aren´t more clued up.
Thank you.
Donna x
Oh! it's horrible you have been suffering like this so long and been told you can't have HRT.
Only in the rarest of circumstances can the modern HRT not be prescribed.
There are no risks with progesterone and oestradiol and a bit of testosterone.
It's like medicine needs to catch up with science with menopause and it's so heartbreaking to see all the casualties suffering and lives being wrecked. :'(
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Spangles: "dependent upon it" :-\. HRT is replacing what the body was making, once oestrogen in particular drops off we may notice symptoms: laxity of muscles which can cause aches and pains as well as the body may become dry: inside and out = vaginal atrophy.
Also HRT gives some protection to bone and heart health.
Oestoarthritis is common for most humans because we evolved to walk upright. It's normal wear and tear on the joints which can impact on muscles.
'carb addict' - how is your diet overall? I was advised to spread my daily diet into eating every 3 hours to ease any anxiety surges = panic attacks. Even in the night, having biscuits by the bed. Slow release foods: oats, bananas, dried fruits and nuts. and of course, chocolate ;-). Often we need to review our diets as we age adjusting to what our bodies require.
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Hi CLKD
With me, everything seemed to go pear shaped when I turned 60. My periods stopped when I was 52 and peri menopause turned me into a bit of a wreck with horrible mood swings.
I had a stroke in December 2020 and thankfully, had no adverse effects although they discovered I had Afib and I was put on Eliquis a blood thinner. It turned out that I also had gallstones and suffered Cholecystitis (inflammation of the bile duct) in January 2021 and was hospitalised for 5 days. I was really ill and they prepped me for an operation to remove the gallbladder. Unfortunately after an MRI scan, they discovered that the gallbladder had adhered to the duodenum and the operation was deemed too risky. Roll on through the year and I had three cardioversions. Inbetween time in August of 21, I had a Takotsubo due to far too much stress and was hospitalised again for 5 days. It´s called Broken Heart Syndrome and I recovered from that. I got a call from a hospital in Shien Norway to come in for a gallbladder operation, I had keyhole surgery but they halted the operation as it was deemed far too risky. Imagine my disappointment waking up in pain and still having my gallbladder. I was then referred to a top consultant in Olso who told me he could do the operaton but it involved many risks. After following a low fat diet for a year with no major flare ups, I eventually got the operation in May of 2023. It was a partial removal of the gallbladder but touch wood, I seem fine now. A few years ago I did suffere from atrophy but discovered a great organic vaginal moisturiser called Yes. I. haven´t suffered since I apply the moisturiser every 3 days.
Just to add to my woes, I was just getting over the operaton in 2023 but had an accident at home which resulted in me fracturing my lower vertibrae. It did heal okay but after a Dexa scan, they found that I had Osteopenia and am now on prescription strength vitamin D.
Sorry about the long winded post but I thought it best to clear the air so to speak.
Donna
So many women of my age swear my HRT but because of all my medical history I think it best not to go on it.
I try and drink a lot of water to combat the bloating which makes me feel
This is heartbreaking to read.
HRT could have prevented all of that.
Please reconsider, it's only getting our own hormones back.
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Hi Dandelion,
I'm interested to understand how HRT could have prevented gallstones and gallbladder issues. Please can you explain.
Thanks
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I think gall bladder disease can be made worse by HRT. A lot of studies have concluded this and that's probably why she couldn't take it. I think HRT can help to stop the development of some arrythmias. My cardiologist said oestrogen reduces the risk but the progesterone part is not so good.
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Donna I'm sorry you have had such a rough ride but glad you are feeling a bit better. Could you do some gentle resistance training with bands to help strengthen your bones? Also a bit of sunlight helps my Vitamin D levels go up. I think if you feel worried to start HRT after a stroke then you should trust your instinct and not take it. I do believe it is possible to be relatively healthy without it but we have to be very careful with diet and exercise.
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Hi Dandelion,
I'm interested to understand how HRT could have prevented gallstones and gallbladder issues. Please can you explain.
Thanks
I'm sure dandelion will be along to speak for herself but I think she is referring to donna's rather extensive list of menopause symptoms that could have been avoided had she used HRT for example osteopenia and cardiovascular issues.
HRT can cause gallstones but obviously not in this particular case. The hormone fluctuations of the menopause affect bile production and the gallbladder with or without HRT so it's not straightforward but either way, it's best to have the gallbladder removed if it's playing up. I doubt donna resisted HRT because of the gallstones because it happened quite recently (2021?) and she's had been struggling with symptoms for considerably longer than that.
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Hi Donnarob,
You had a stroke, except you say it didn't damage you, so perhaps you'd still be allowed my medication? It's called Tibolone.
I have high blood pressure I take ramipril for, I was told by the GP that tibolone was the safest menopause treatment they could give me. She told me oestrogel and utrogestan were too risky to be given to just anyone. I know that her view is contradicted on this forum, without proper studies it all seems to be based on opinions.
Tibolone's banned in America for doping atheletes, as if the drug itself is at fault there. It's a mild anabolic steroid which our bodies can use to make the three main hormones from. However, in the US it can't be allowed out of the factory for a few million women to get relief with, because it might make an escape and be into an athlete before you know it. Imagine how awful that would be? Clearly women cannot be trusted to use it for their own relief (sarcasm).
I believe the American ban has influenced GP's here in Europe. They don't tend to know much about menopause, since it's apparantly not a compulsory module for trainee GPs in the UK :o So they half remember it's banned in America and think there must be a good reason for it. There isn't. It is banned for doping athletes, not for adverse effects in postmenopausal women. However this still seems to inhibit prescribing in the UK.
At first I wanted oestrogel and utrogestan, I asked for them and was refused, I'm glad now that my GP's unusual opinion got me the unusual drug, the one that works far better. I got to try my requested drugs after a year on tibolone, oh no, that was bad, awful in fact, mood swings came back that I thought were history, fatigue as well and I believe the best protection for bones is from tibolone rather than O+P types of HRT.
As well as the high BP, I've been on recall to have my heart scanned every two years since my early forties, for enlargement. That is also medically irrelevant for taking tibolone. A GP can refuse tibolone on the basis the woman might be peri (that was why they switched me to O+P after a year, another doctor commented I was peri when I was post) but they won't say that to you at 66!
It doesn't even require checks the way I think O+P type combinations do. I have to get a BP and blood test once a year for taking ramipril but there no checks at all for tibolone, I've asked thinking they'd been missed.
All in all, tibolone seems like a pretty safe alternative to HRT to me. Perhaps worth a try?
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Tibolone is contra indicated in women over 60 because of the increased risk of stroke
https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/tibolone-benefit-risk-balance
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"For women older than about 60 years, the risks associated with tibolone start to outweigh the benefits because of the increased risk of stroke."
This is not an absolute contraindication, and whilst most clinicians can rhyme off the risks (although many have an inaccurate perception of their magnitude), only the user can quantify the benefits to them as an individual.
How many times have we heard the same arbitrary cut off applied to standard HRT?
This particular study showed an additional 3 strokes per 1000 women on tibolone. This amounts to an increased risk of 0.3%.
I'm not sure I would stop a beneficial treatment because of a 0.3% risk of anything.
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Hello Again from Norway :)
Just a quick update as I am turned 66 last July and officially an OAP but in denial :)
For the past couple of years, I could swear that I have monthly cyclical symptoms and have kept a diary of my symptoms. They include waking up drenched in sweat, low down period like cramps, bloating, painful gas, burping, feelings of anxiety, brain fog. I usually get these symptoms beginning, middle and end of the month. My GP is generally sympathetic but thinks I should be well over it by now. I have an appointment with my GP in two weeks time and going to ask to be referred to an endocrinologist who specialises in hormones. Sometimes I feel sick and it´s almost like morning sickness which goes away when I eat something.
When I googled the symptoms, it transpires that lowering levels of oestregen and progesterone slow down the digestive tract and causes bloating and gas and sometimes with IBS type symptoms. Honestly, I feel like I´m going mad as most of my girfriends are either 6 years younger or 3 years older and they had forgotten how they felt as my age.
I do use a Yes vaginal moisturiser but I´ve been getting discomfort probably due to athropy. I need to get motivated and rejoin the gym with my physio. Do you believe in mind over matter?
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Yes I do personally believe in mind over matter! Not that my symptoms don't exist. They certainly do but I need to keep focussed away from my bodily sensations. I was an artist and I've been looking over and sorting out all my old illustrations and have found I am less focussed on my body. I became quite obsessed with it all during and for the years following menopause. Great you are seeing an endocrinologist. They could be very helpful with the hormones. I think we still ebb and flow after menopause for many years it's just they are smaller than they were.
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Hi Donna,
Sorry to hear that you are struggling. I definitely think an exercise regime would help you, both mentally and physically. If you can get a weekly plan of what you want to achieve, with realistic goals, that would be a good start. And for extra motivation maybe try and work out with a friend or a PT (at least on some occasions). You mentioned your physio too. It doesn't all have to be gym-based, getting out in the fresh air is equally beneficial. Good luck X
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Hi Dotty,
Since I had the accident with my back and previous many issues with my health, my confidence is at an all time low and I really need to address the situation. I did go to the gym a few months ago but then we went on holiday and various other things stood in the way. Tomorrow I am going to call Tuva my physio with an aim to go for two 30 minute sessions a week as my back has been getting worse due to stiffness and the muscles need to be worked.
i never used to be like this and I seem to have lost my va va voom and need to get more energy. When I went to the gym, I was supervised by the physio and I did feel as if the machines were helping strengthen my back. I used to be so creative but it´s like a veil has been put in front of me and I do wonder whether it´s all to do with rising levels of Cortisol.
Thanks for the advice x
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It is a vicious circle. The less you do/feel like doing, the harder it is to do it, so you don't. Baby steps. Just start gently. Even when I don't feel like doing my yogalates (as I call it) I start off with some gentle warm up stretches and before I know it I've done a whole session. I used to work as a PT and it was amazing how a client would be really reluctant to get going but an hour later they would be absolutely buzzing and invigorated. It doesn't have to be anything strenuous, just something to get the blood flowing. Once you get back into the swing you will feel much better. But also expect to have days when you really can't face it - and that's ok too.
It's good you are going with a physio. They will make sure you are doing the exercises correctly and that will increase your confidence. Then it becomes a positive circle. X
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Could you ask your physio to give you a 15 minute program to do at home? Then on the days you don't go to the gym you could do that and that would be a good foundation to build up your routine x
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Hi Dandelion,
I'm interested to understand how HRT could have prevented gallstones and gallbladder issues. Please can you explain.
Thanks
Hello
I'll try but I am no doctor.
I do know that not having our hormone causes us to be vulnerable to inflammation everywhere in the body.
I know women get the gallstones more than men.
I know some women gain weight in menopause - I did. This might not be you though.
I know lack of oestrogen accelerates aging as well all over the body, inside and out, including the brain.
I hope that helps.