Hi and welcome to MM Alison Craig
Do browse around to get clued up. You haven't mentioned your age?
As a personal coach, I'm sure you discuss using HRT with your clients - pros and cons etc.
It's great to get your lifestyle in order when the meno hits - many of us bang on about this constantly - far too many women believe HRT will solve everything - I describe coping with the meno as a ‘multi strategy' approach. Sadly so many meno symptoms won't respond to just lifestyle changes alone. HRT is still a good way to really get the meno symptoms under control, so provided it suits you, it can and does transform many lives. Do remember that 5 years of HRT in our 50s will protect the heart and bones for the longer term. It's well worth giving HRT a try if you find the changes in lifestyle don't really ‘do the trick'.
We get a lot of ladies posting on this site who feel that using HRT is ‘giving in' and they feel a failure because they can't cope with all that the meno throws at them - this attitude has to change - we all experience the meno differently - some sail through while others have to give up work and a social life.
I personally feel that if you are suffering badly with symptoms that reduce your quality of life and possibly makes life difficult for family and friends around you, then you owe it to yourself and your family to try everything that will give you your life back.
Meno symptoms can last many years, life is short - using HRT is very much a personal choice but it's worth considering all options. DG x
