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[Dr. Heather Currie]

There's so much conflicting information these days about HRT. Tell us what you think--is it good or bad? My feeling is that for most people it's good when used appropriately and reviewed but here you can have your say!

[marymouse]

I have only been taking hrt for a week and its had a dramatic effect on hot flushes and night sweats as well as perking up my sex drive!  I am taking Nuvelle so I will get a monthly bleed - this may well be when I will feel some side effects.
As to whether hrt is a good thing or not - I did some research and came to the conclusion that its a question of balancing out what I know I feel like now against what any future risks are. 

[Libby Babe]

I have been taking Elleste Duet 1 mg for about 5 weeks now.  I had very good results initially as my hot flushes disappeared and I started sleeping better within a couple of weeks as well as feeling generally better in myself.  However, my problems started when I had my period which started on about day 3 of the second pack (which is what it said it should do).  I felt very low prior to this starting and am struggling to get back up again like I was.  I suppose because I hadn't had a period since last summer I had forgotten what it was like but I am disappointed that my feeling of general 'well being' has gone for the time being.

I also think that it is a matter of balancing what you feel now along with the possible risks in the future.  I had got to the point that I couldn't go on as I was, feeling so low, all of the time, that I thought it was worth a try.

I know I need to give it a few more months before making a fair decision but up to now I think generally it has been a good thing for me.
 

[juju]

Great for me tho its taken 3 different types and quite a while to get it right.My problem was it was causing bleeds when I shouldnt have had them as my periods had been stopped for a couple of years when I started it.Has improved my life 1000%!Hot flushes gone,night sweats all but gone,mood swings vastly improved...normal life resumed!

[Hot2Trot]

Well, what a day for starting this thread.

I am right now in the midst of weighing up what to do.  My gynaecologist has prescribed Oestradol valerate but I just cannot decide whether to take it.  He did a blood test and then rang me to say he had done a prescription for me.  We have had no discussion on the pros and cons and I have many doubts.

Reading the posts here, makes me more inclined to try.  My only problems are heat intolerance, poor sleeping and missing libido and I have been post menopausal for nearly four years.

Frankly I would do almost anything now to get my sex drive back so I am pretty much at a thinking point of nothing ventured nothing gained.

Like marymouse, I have tried to take a balanced picture of it all but as soon as I decide I should give it a try, I find a reason why I shouldn't.

[suzieQ]

I think GOOD! - I went back on HRT after stopping it at Christmas ( only because I felt I should try without it - my GP wanted me to stay on it abit longer) and I have tried both patches ( Evorel Conti) and now pills - Climesse. The patches helped with most of the symptoms - hot flushes, mood swings, palpitations and mostly the night sweats ( still had some) but did not have any effect on the terrrible insomnia I started to have once I came off it at Christmas. I suffered for 4 months and tried everything. I felt so ill and my life was very difficult to maintain when I was so sleep deprived  - I could not travel or drive very far, everything was a struggle. Then I switched to Climesse on the advice of a consultant gynaecologist who specialises in the menopause. Exactly 2 weeks later I slept through the night for the first time - now all my symptoms have gone completely and I can live life to the full again. My libido has returned to normal and I am really enjoying sex again and feeling much more sensation than I have for ages . I have regular mammos - pay to have one every year and also smear tests and recently had a pelvic scan - all clear. My GP is wonderfully supportive and monitors me well. I have weighed up the risk / benefit equation and I think HRT is great. Sue

[Libby Babe]

Hi Hot2Trot
It is a very difficult decision to make I agree with you there and I always vowed I would NEVER take HRT, mainly because of all the bad press it seems to get.  However, there came a time (about 2 months ago) that enough was enough and I couldn't stand it any longer.  I am afraid I shut my ears a bit to all the bad press and just decided to go for it and give it a try.  It has helped and I hope it will continue to do so and I am trying not to worry about what happens too far in the future.  Initially I am only on a 3 month trial but if the benefits continue then I will be reluctant to come off it.

No one can decide for you but all I would say is that there is a certain element of risk in so many things that we do in our lives and maybe we need to think of HRT as just another one of those things and maybe it is worth a try!  I hope you don't think I am being too naive about this but quality of life NOW is so important to us all, don't you agree?

I hope you can decide what to do and make the best decision for yourself.

Take care
Love Libby

[Hot2Trot]

My main issue really is that I feel very well at the moment and don't want to upset that.  I could certainly live with getting rid of the heat intolerance and would dearly love a better sleeping pattern. I also want my libido back.  This is why I am veering towards going and getting the prescription filled.

If you are naive about this then so am I.  I haven't actually looked at what the potential dangers are, I have been more concerned with not wanting to put weight back on and not wanting to start feeling side effects from a medication that I could actually live without. 

[Libby Babe]

Yes that makes a lot of sense as we know that medication often has side-effects that we have to deal with - I can fully understand you being wary of that and also about putting weight on, that is a constant worry for me too.  Let us know what you decide.
Libby

[panthers]

Hi

I have been on HRT for 5/6 years and find it wonderful.  No hotsweats, nightsweats, palpitations, very little anxiety and a return to normal sex drive.

I read everything in the papers concerning risks but have decided quality of life is more important.  I made the decision to take it and then just got on with it and didn't give it any more thought.

[elfie]

when i was on HRT i had no sweats, a normal love life. i havnt slept good for years, so no difference there. my moods where stable. and i didnt cry for no reson. but my periods where terrible. every couple of weeks a heavy bleed, and they lasted for 12/14 days.
since i came off the HRT ive had very few periods, but the sweats/flushes/moods/crying bouts.
id love to go back on HRT but untill they come up wuth one that suits a heart patient im stuffed. trying so many herbal remedys.

[Soupdragon]

Hi,
Having had TAH/BSO at 42 years old I never considered not using HRT.
My first choice, Estradot, ( Oestradiol B17) proved suitable though it took just over a year to find the dose that met my needs.
However, I still didn't feel "well" - neither mentally or physically. After finding a menopause clinic (through this site - I'll be eternally grateful to you  - my gps were not interested at all  ) who were prepared to allow me to add testosterone to my hrt I now feel back to my normal, pre-op, self. It's taken 18 months and hours and hours of research learning about hrt but I'm finally happy again. 

[Tricia]

Hi Soupdragon

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! that sure is good news, I am sure lots menochicks will be pleased to hear your news, as one who doesn't want to go down the road of HRT I myself have found that a product recommended by my homeopath called Soy Isoflavines were great for the hot flushes, I shall be back onto them quicksmart I have to say that I think of this place as my menopause clinic as I tend to find that there is always someone here who can help with most things

Please excuse my ignorance but what is TAH/BSO, I have no idea

Love,

Triciaxxx

[Soupdragon]

Hi Tricia,
Thanks for the welcome 

TAH/BSO stands for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy/Bilateral-Salpingo Oopherectomy - it is the removal of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. 
It causes immediate surgical menopause. Although this is a huge shock to the body I guess it makes finding the hrt balance a bit easier than with natural menopause; usually, the hrt will be oestrogen only (no uterus so progesterone is not normally included) and also, because you have no ovaries, the amount of hormones produced by your body remains (relatively) constant.

[sive]

I am thinking of taking hrt but know nothing about it.Is there one that you would recommend.I finished reading a book called the boy in the striped pyjames tonight and i cried and cried after it.I have become so weepy its unreal.