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How dangerous is hrt really?

Posted , 13 users are following.

vicky77852
vicky77852

I'm 42 years old and hrt. It gave my life back and I'd like to use it long term. I'd like yours opinions about its safety and breast cancer risks. Your experience? I read a lot and there are a lot of conflicting views. Nice to hear from you! 🌹

2 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

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  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 vicky77852

    Posted

    Hi Vicky,

    There's more to be concerned about than breast cancer.  There is also uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. HRT is a trade off, in that you experience some side effects mentioned in the accompanying literature (you did read that, didn't you?) and the unknown side effects that your body experiences, too.  Because each woman is different, her body reacts to HRT differently. Heredity is a factor, but there are others to consider. 

    I know someone who conducts studies for various drug companies.  Each time a medication is studied, if a patient experiences a negative reaction, the study is stopped.  Then, another group of experimental subjects is chosen and another study begins.  Often several studies take place before approval by the FDA is obtained.  It's one reason drugs are so expensive. So remember to read all the literature you receive with your prescription and do additional research on your own when you make a decision. xx 

     

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 lynda20916

      Posted

      Hi thank you Lynda, I agree with you! I'm confused with all these different data!

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 vicky77852

      Posted

      It is confusing.  You mentioned suffering with your symptoms.  I would suggest that you see an endocrinologist, also, because your thyroid production could affect your body similarly.  On this site, many cascading symptoms are tied to peri, but not many women or doctors consider how the thyroid gland affects the whole body, including the ovaries.  

      Please consider also that eventually, it will be better for you and your body not to supplement with HRT.  The troubles caused by hormone imbalances are difficult to bear, but nothing compared to having cancer.  xx

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thanks for replying! I saw an endocrinologist too and he confirmed early menopause. My thyroid is ok so my only solution was hrt. I just cannot live without it. Meno is a completely nightmare for me! Nothing natural! Meno means aging, death, depression and meaningless life for me! 
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 vicky77852

      Posted

      Vicky,  Everyone, if they're lucky, gets to age.  HRT will not stop the aging process.  Hopefully, you will have many more years in which to experience life.  As you age you will understand that though life changes, it does not lose its meaning.  In fact, you appreciate it more.  Things that once used to matter so much don't matter at all.  You discard old, worn thoughts, ideas and worries. Most older people are actually happier and have a better outlook than those who are younger.  My best to you. xx    

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 lynda20916

      Posted

      I absolutely agree with you Linda! But the quality of life is very important too! I want to be old but not to feel old! My condition is POF, primary ovarian failure and it cause a lot of health problems later in life. That's why I need hrt and I'm afraid of long term use. 

  • lorraine59875
    lorraine59875 vicky77852

    Posted

    Hi vicky, can i ask what symptoms you were experiencing before you start hrt and what difference the hrt has made?

    I'm 44 and have felt so ill for so long, a couple of month ago my GP told me i was in perimenopause and put me back on a low dose of the combined pill. It has helped but I still have some of the symptoms so i thought hrt might be better for me.

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 lorraine59875

      Posted

      Hi Lorraine! I had dry eyes, body aches, intolerance to insulin, dry mouth, anxiety , depression, headaches, hair loss, dry skin, brain fog. Everything is better now, I have no symptoms at all and I can function again and feel human. I just want it for life! 
  • Vix72
    Vix72 vicky77852

    Posted

    Hi Vicki,

    I know they dont really tell much but how were your bloods and your period? My period is regular but became light a few years ago and now i spot for a good week before i get it. My absolute worst symptom was anxiety/depression...not a little either. enough to check into a hospital for help and to succumb to their horrid drug trials on me. Im seeing a specialist here in Sydney on Tuesday that works closely with Prof Stubbs in Enlgand and im hoping for help.. a little joint ache here and there but nothing too bad..

     

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 Vix72

      Posted

      Hi! My FSH was 34 and I have very very light periods. I want hrt for my whole life, I cannot imagine to live with all these symptoms again! 
    • zoe62821
      zoe62821 vicky77852

      Posted

      Oh vicky. What are you on? How long for?

      If you are under the natural age of menopause then HRT is almost as safe as natural hormones.

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 zoe62821

      Posted

      Hi! I'm on cyclo progynova, 2mg estradiol and 0.5 norgestel, it's a seq type. I'm 42 years old and I diagnosed with POF 2 years ago. A family doc said to stay away from hrt but my gyn and my endo said that is a necessity for me, my health and the quality of life. 

    • jude84900
      jude84900 vicky77852

      Posted

      Hi Vicky,

      ?I've been reading through your thread and couldn't help not chiming in. I agree with you about quality of life 100%. It is very important! I've taken a different route than you and I am on bio identical transdermal creams. 2mg estradiol l 2mg estriol. I started hormone replacement very soon after my periods ended. Women have to read and figure out what the right type is for them. I am planning to take hormones the rest of my life with good monitoring of labs through my holistic doctor. Like you, I believe it is health and happiness. I am also on testosterone which shouldn't be overlooked in hormone replacement too. Good Luck.

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 jude84900

      Posted

      Thank you for replying Jude! I totally agree with you! I try to go on my life and to handle all these new data for me. Take care too! 
    • jude84900
      jude84900 vicky77852

      Posted

      Vicky,

      ?That should have read 2 mg estriol, not 12. I believe there is a lot of health benefits if hormone replacement is done right. It won't stop the aging process like the above poster said but I do believe you age "better". I don't feel I am in menopause at all. In many ways I feel better than I ever did. 

    • Erin_from_Calif
      Erin_from_Calif vicky77852

      Posted

      Hi! I have a friend who has been on the patch for many years and will never go off of it. It helps her too much. There are so many benefits to hrt and we are just discovering that it is so beneficial. You are only replacing what you are losing. I too have have peri depression and anxiety and started up lexapro and hrt for the second time. I stopped everything because I felt fine. Big, big mistake!!! I am suffering again and just want to be happy again.  Hugs! Erin

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 Erin_from_Calif

      Posted

      Hi, Erin,

      I'm glad to learn your friend is doing so well on the patch.  But, as another perspective, I have two friends who were also on the patch for years.  They both developed blood clots in their legs--and nearly died, because their doctors hadn't warned them about the possibility that they'd get them, or the symptoms of them.  They both ended up in the hospital and on blood thinners.  No more HRT for them.  While there are benefits, one should also be aware of the risks. xx

    • kelly55079
      kelly55079 jude84900

      Posted

      Hello,

      I was told to try Bio identical cream but I really don't think my symptoms are that bad..  or if they are I just deal with it.  But can I ask why did you choose the cream or what was the last straw that made you decide to try them.  

    • vicky77852
      vicky77852 Erin_from_Calif

      Posted

      Thanks for replying Erin! I feel you! I just don't want to suffer! I want my life back!

    • Erin_from_Calif
      Erin_from_Calif vicky77852

      Posted

      I am suffering right along with you and many more! We will get better and will have our lives back, as my mil says “patience “...  hugs 

    • jude84900
      jude84900 kelly55079

      Posted

      Hi kelly55079,

      I did quite a bit of reading up on HRT and knew if I was going to get on replacing my hormones it was going to be with bio identical hormone replacement. My GP, a younger female frowned upon HRT and really didn't know much about BHRT, that was pretty clear to me. My holistic doctor was the one that chose the cream for me and what I needed based on my symptoms and blood work that is monitored regularly. The last straw for me was watching the deterioration after almost 10 yrs in peri, thinning hair, changes in my skin, lack of natural lubrication for intimacy, my mental attitude and last but not least, not being able to sleep through the night anymore, constantly being woke up with I'm hot then freezing cold. I've used the transdermal creams for over two years and have been very happy with them. I sleep through the night, my hair is not falling out anymore, my skin looks better, I don't feel like I'm in menopause and its been almost 3 years. 

    • DaisyDaze
      DaisyDaze lynda20916

      Posted

      That makes it very risky in my opinion. I wonder what the chances are. If you know two people, it seems "high" risk.

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 DaisyDaze

      Posted

      In the US, there are regular advertisements on television by law firms asking people to consider contacting them in order to join class action suits for injuries incurred because of the patch, various types of HRT, birth control pills and the Mirena coil, to name only a few.

      None of these drugs are "natural" substances, because in the US natural substances can't be patented.  That means that the drug companies can't make money from them. If I needed to consider something, it would be bio-identical, but I can't use HRT at all.

      It's true that menopause and peri-menopause make life miserable and down right unbearable.  But in my view, these synthetic drugs promise too much, more than symptom alleviation, i.e., eternal youth.  If women would only read the accompanying literature and research possible additional side effects on line they would be more aware of the consequences of using these drugs.  xx 

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