Hi Liz196017
from me too.
How frustrating for you for symptoms to develop mainly once you are post-menopause.
The thing is we all experience the drop in oestrogen in different ways and at different stages. Some women unfortunately begin to get flushes and sweats even while thier periods are still regular. In these cases it can make it more difficult to get the balance right when using HRT because the hormonal cycle is likely to be very strong.
What happens once you've reach your last period, is that oestrogen levels continue to fall until they bottom out approx 2 years later ( I presume the exact time is variable between women). It is at this point that symptoms can worsen, or, if you have come off lightly during peri-menopause they may become apparent for the first time. At this time women on HRT sometimes find they need to increase their dose to get the same effect, and some start for the first time.
The fact that you have had a mini-stroke may make things a bit difficult though and I would definitely ask to be referred to a menopause clinic if possible so that you can see a specialist gynae (not a nurse) as recommended below, and they can advise on whether this will be possible knowing your medical history.
This is what it says on this site about stroke:
The incidence of stroke increases in women after the menopause and an association between a protective effect of ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone has been suggested. Similarly, it was thought that the use of HRT reduced the risk of stroke. Although some studies have shown a protective effect, others, including the Women's Health Initiative trial, have shown a small increase in risk of stroke in those women taking HRT. It has been concluded that HRT should not be used for either primary or secondary prevention of stroke. If a woman has had a stroke and is considering treatment for menopausal symptoms, non-hormonal options should be tried first and HRT should only be considered after full discussion with a specialist.http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossSThere is also some info on thrombosis:
Since HRT is associated with a small increased risk of venous thrombosis, care must be taken when considering HRT use in women with a past or family history of thrombosis. Depending on the indication for HRT and on the cause of the thrombosis, risks and benefits should be assessed. If HRT is to be used, preference would usually be given to the transdermal route (patch or gel) [ref 22]. Specialist advice should be requested. Vaginal estrogen may be used for treatment of vaginal and bladder symptoms. There is no doubt that the right HRT will eliminate most of the sweats and flushes and should improve your mood.
The disadvantage is that you will need a progestogen to protect your womb along with the oestrogen. As you are post-meno this would normally be given continuously to avoid a bleed (there can be spotting and some irregular bleeding to start with but this should settle evntually). The downside is that progestogens can cause undesirable side effects in some susceptible women -so instead of improving mood - headaches and anxiety begin or continue. To avoid this some women ( like myself) continue to have a cycle so I have a bleed every 6-8 weeks even though I am 61 - but I have no sweats, nor flushes, and rarely suffer low mood.
Here is the page to see if there is a menopause clinic near you
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/clinicfinder.phpI hope this has given you some food for thought and do continue to ask questions and we can try to help!
Hurdity x
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Topic: 54 ! Sailing through the menopause and then BANG!! (Read 5911 times)