Dr won't give prescription for HRT

Hello Ann

I don't know where you live but I suggest that you find a gynaecologist who specialises in hormones.  Before you make an appointment find out from the practice who is supportive of prescribing HRT to older women.  Doctors like to cover themselves, quite rightly, but they can also be conservative in their approach.  They tend to to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines which were probably devised by conservative doctors based on a few evidence-based research articles.  I worked as an academic myself and I know research outcomes can vary.  My former gynaecologist who was a professor said that the world wide study was flawed in some ways, yet many doctors have made decisions based on that.

Good luck with finding a specialist who will support your choice.  I've got a young gynaecologist who continues to prescribe HRT for me but likes to have a conversation about it every couple of years.  I'm 67 and have taken HRT for 17 years.  I ensure that I keep in with him to continue getting the prescriptions.  I don't favour taking medicine without doctor's knowledge.  Good luck.

Hi Ann. Would it be possible to speak to you? I have been in a very similar situation

😊

Hi Anne oh dear i feel for you , i have been taking HRT for 6/7 years now came off of it as had to have aneasthetic!  Phew after 6 weeks hot sweats anxiety bk not good , now bk on HRT i am 63, my Dr wants to lower my dose in 6 months ? I would talk with your gyneacologist ? I know how you feel x

This is a two year old thread but the topic is still important, so I wanted to reply.

I hope by now you have had some choice in the matter and are doing better. gynecologist about I began to get hot flashes and night sweats that started about 5 years ago (I'm now in my late 50's.) At the same time I was on SSRI's and/or SNRI's for depression and anxiety since age 40. I went to see a gynecologist and was put on Climara Pro patch, which is a combination of estrogen and progesterone as I needed both hormones as I still have my uterus. The sweat outbreaks disappeared within 4 or 5 days. Later I had to switch to pill form of the two hormones as I get very sweaty working outside during our steamy summers and the patch apparently didn't work well under such conditions. Fast forward to my late fifties and I started getting hot flashes again in spite of taking both generic Effexor XR and being on estrodial/norethindrone tablets. I talked to my family doctor about it, as she is the one that prescribed the effexor for the depression and anxiety. I was hoping she could take over both of my prescriptions. She is an older GP and said what she learned in school was that in the first 2 or 3 years of menopause, that the hot flashes are hormone related, namely estrogen, but after 5 years + hormones don't play a role, but it is brain related, specifically the hypothalamus gland. She suggested we switch to a higher dose of effexor or switch to the brand name Effexor and was against prescribing me more HRT tablets.I asked about clonidine for high blood pressure, but my blood pressure is slightly below normal levels so the doctor didn't want to go that route.So now I am waiting for the brand name prescription to come from Canada as my doctor ok'd that. Thought I'd mention that my young female gynecologist doesn't know or wasn't taught about the hypothalamus role in post menopause, but she did warn me that she doesn't prescribe HRT for more than ten years due to the health risks. Right now I am starting to take my HRT tablets every 4 days to see if I can wean off of them. I've also started taking St. John's Wort 300 mg three times a day with meals, and 5-HTP ( precursor to trypophan), and tryptophan amino acid at bed time and so far I've been doing pretty good hot flash-wise as my hot flashes are now on the mild side and only 3 a day and 2 at night. When my hot flashes first started they were severe and about 8 during the day and 4 at night. I was constantly using a cold wash rag to wipe off. I haven't been on antidepressant for two months. Got fed up with each generic type I tried in the past 6 months didn't help my depression or anxiety like they did when I first was put on them 18 years ago. Drug poop out? That's why I'm now going to try the brand name Effexor as the generic version was the one I tolerated the best with the least side effects, and it was what I was taking before it just stopped working last year. If Effexor brand name doesn't help, I'll continue with alternatives, like the St. John's Wort and tryptophan amino acid.

I hope your issues are sorted now. Yes, you can go to a private GP....I did. Newson Health in Stratford upon Avon are wonderful. I was already on HRT but in tablet form - I shouldn't be on oestrogen tablets as I have migraines with aura. The GP at Newson Health has switched me to oestrogen gel and a Utrogestan tablet for the progesterone. I didn't realise that I would actually feel better after the switch but I do...and my libido is returning. It seems that oestrogen tablets reduce your libido.

you should change doctors this isnt right

I sympathise with all of you. I am 67 years old, on HRT since the menopause with no side effects and doing very well on it. I have no family history of cancer and of a slight build which means I'm more at risk of osteoporosis so it is ideal for me. As they are natural hormones I don't think the risks are no greater than in pre-menopausal women. I have worked 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry and have recently completed a PhD in bone health so I feel I am reasonably placed to make my own personal decision regarding this matter. I am appalled to read that women have been put on anti-depressant medication rather than HRT.

I am struggling now as the GPs at my surgery want me to come off it. I am cross-examined every time and threats are made that I cannot continue. The situation is not helped by the current covid situation. I am going to try the Newson Health practice recommended by one of the replies.

Hello Ann

I am in the same situation myself with a GP at the practice refusing to continue to prescribe HRT despite my having no side effects (been taking it for 10 years) and having no risk factors for continuing to do so.

Did you manage to find a private doctor to prescribe or to buy it online?

I have no intention of coming off it!

Thanks

Hi this sounds really familiar - can you let me know if you sorted this out. My friend is going through a similar situation as her gp stopped her HRT a few weeks ago while on a routine visit, without notice or reducing her dosage. They said she has been on HRT too long. She is only 59 - had a hysterectomy about 12 years ago and has been taking HRT for most of the time since. She is really struggling with extremely severe symptoms including flushes, night sweats, anxiety, panic attacks, crying, mood swings etc and she is also becoming very depressed. She has contacted the gp several times but they will not put her back on HRT, and she has asked to be referred to a specialist, but they just laughed at her when she asked. She has today sent an email to complain to them about their treatment of her.

Hi,

please can anybody help.

i am 52 and had a full hysterectomy 3 years ago, i am suffering terrible. Hot flushes all day, night sweats all night i have cooking pillows and out cool pads on my forehead. toilet 3/4 times in the night no sleep.

My doctor still will nit give me HRT i cant cope with it anymore.

pls help Sara