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HRT scares me.........should I be?

Posted , 11 users are following.

Bumpkin
Bumpkin

Hi All, Im a newbie and so glad I have found this forum.

I am at my wits end and so confused. I have been menopausal for 12 mths or maybe longer so the doc thinks. I turned 50 last August and thought I could deal with all the symptoms but its driving me crazy now!! Hot flushes, nights sweats, mood swings, anxiety......but the worse for me is the lack of sleep! This is awful! Its making me like a zombie and my eyes are black!! Such a vicious circle. Today I have had a long talk with my husband and we have talked about HRT! It makes me so scared about taking it but I am feeling so awful that Im now considering it. Any ideas of a good low dose HRT that I can talk over with the doc. How has it been for you taking HRT?

Thanks x

 

0 likes, 62 replies

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  • dorothy64227
    dorothy64227 Bumpkin

    Posted

    Dont worry, hrt will give u ur life back, just stay positive
  • Jan999
    Jan999 Bumpkin

    Posted

    I am HRT's biggest fan and now we have the NICE guidelines telling us it's safe for most women. Why suffer? As dorothy said get your life back!!
  • Rhino2015
    Rhino2015 Bumpkin

    Posted

    Hi there - feel for you - it is an awful time. I tried Kliogest twice (old style HRT) both times resulted in heavy bleeding about 3 months in (despite my symptoms vanishing) the bleeding was heavy and awful. Now on a synthetic hormone Tiberlone which is great - if you search it on these posts you will find a lot of info. I am in Aus but have read it is not available in all countries. So good to be rid of night sweats and hot flushes - especially when the temps are are over 40smile good luck
  • teresa2545
    teresa2545 Bumpkin

    Posted

    I take Estradiol tablets.I take one a night following a hysterectomy I had last April.I tried not to take HRT but it was mainly because of the lack of sleep that I started to take it and it works wonders and it has stopped my night time hot flushes..

    xxx

  • pat11500
    pat11500 Bumpkin

    Posted

    Hi Bumpkin, We are all different, of course, but I have been using Evorel Conti patches.. they come in 3 doses. I found it a godsend 13 years ago. I was going through flushes and mood swings and generally felt pretty bad. I started taking HRT and within a couple of weeks the flushes had stopped and I felt myself again. Go and discuss it with your GP. I can understand your fears but there has been a LOT of bad press and very badly run trials resulting in misinformation and millions of women stopping taking HRT. Like I said on a previous post, please read the new N.I.C.E guidelines.. HRT is safe to take now. I feel the benefits outweigh the small risks as regards quality of life. Good luck smile
    • Jan999
      Jan999 pat11500

      Posted

      HRT hasn't changed so it's always been safe to take (unless a lady has contraindications of course) which is what me and all my colleagues in gynaecology have known all along. It was the GP's who needed convincing. I took it from 1991 until last year when I gradually weaned myself off it. I didn't last long without it and now I'm taking it again and feel brilliant again.
  • Bumpkin
    Bumpkin

    Posted

    Thank you all for taking the time to reply.........I am beginning to feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel after all! Need to see my GP and discuss this all in greater detail!
  • Stickinsect
    Stickinsect Bumpkin

    Posted

    I started natural HRT or bio identical HRT in December last year. I'm only 44 but started the hot flushes and bad sleep at night in July last year. It was driving me mad. So discussed it with my GP and as bio identical HRT is available on NHS went for that. On evoral continue patches and within 5 days hot flushes stopped completely. Would Def recommend it.
  • maria58274
    maria58274 Bumpkin

    Posted

    Please don't be scared!  Google NICE HRT and read the new guidelines for yourself.  Many of the scare headlines in the past were a result of flawed trials - and you know how the press likes a good scare!  Unless you have specific health issues, HRT risks are very small or none at all.  I think the risks to your health caused by lack of sleep are probaly greater!

    I've been on HRT for around 9 years - last year I also tried to wean myself off but like others, have now started again and feel like my old self.  I intend to stay on for as long as I can.  Initially I tried tablets but found they made me a bit queasy (not a problem for everyone).  A friend recommended I try patches and my doctor agreed and I haven't looked back.  They are a convenient way of applying HRT and as the hormones don't have to go through the stomach or liver, generally have even less risk.

    Read the guidelines and go to speak to your GP - hopefully you have a sympathetic one.  Good luck and let us know how you get on.

  • froggy28
    froggy28 Bumpkin

    Posted

    Hi. I have gel so doesn't go through liver and no patches to remember. Rub on like moisturiser once a day and it absorbs through skin like patch. I've not had hot flush since it kicked in. I'm 40 so plan to be taking long term. Advantage is you can play about with doses easily on how many pumps of gel you need. Good luck with finding one that suits you 😊
    • Jan999
      Jan999 froggy28

      Posted

      How long did it take to stop the flushes froggy?
    • froggy28
      froggy28 Jan999

      Posted

      To be fair I was forced into medical menopause as had ovaries removed so not sure if same as natural menopause but took about a week before it kicked in and they stopped 😊
    • maria58274
      maria58274 froggy28

      Posted

      I haven't heard of gel options for HRT 'til recently - I personally think any option that doesn't go through the liver must be better.  How well do they work on holiday, for instance, when it's hot and sweaty - or if you go swimming?  My patches are twice a week (I think some are weekly) - no problem in remembering them, as I always change on the same 2 days and being a little late doesn't seem to matter.  It's good to have a variety of options to find something to suit everyone.
    • froggy28
      froggy28 maria58274

      Posted

      I always put on in evening so I know it goes in overnight. It says you shouldn't shower for an hour but after that it has soaked into bloodstream. I react to plasters so haven't tried patches but it works on same principal. I tried just one pump and then upped it to two and that seems to have done trick. If you still have womb you are meant to take progesterone at some point during month too.
    • kitten64
      kitten64 froggy28

      Posted

      Hi Froggy,

      When you are talking of two pumps are you referring to two pumps per skin area or 2 pumps in total!  Am a 'pump,' novice as you can tell!  Thank you.

    • froggy28
      froggy28 kitten64

      Posted

      I do just one pump on each thigh. You can use arms but I'm weird and think inner thighs closer to where ovaries should have been. I'm sure it doesn't make a difference but it does in my head. Lol 😉
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