1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Menopause

New doctor pushing HRT

Posted , 2 users are following.

chloefoster
chloefoster

I was told by one doctor I was too young to have perimenopause and another doctor told me on the first visit I could be and kept pushing me to take HRT. I'm totally confused as I also have Chronic Fatigue and the symptoms could be related to that. I'm in my early 40s and the idea of taking HRT never crossed my mind and I'm reluctant to take it so early without further proof I have perimenopause. Has anyone taken HRT so early?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Finkyb
    Finkyb chloefoster

    Posted

    Hi Chloe,

    perimenopause is often diagnosed based on symptoms but it is recommended to have blood tests taken if you are younger than 45. Why do doctors say to women they are too young? They should educate themselves more!

    They would normally test FSH and estrogen. These tests would need to be done more than once. They should be repeated after 4-6 weeks as one raised FSH does not necessarily confirm perimenopause. Hormones change daily so the results can be difficult to interpret and therefore it doesn't always give a clear picture of what is going on. Some ladies have normal results but many symptoms. Bit of a minefield really isn't it! It may also be worth having your thyroid function, iron levels and other vitamins (such as vitamin B12 and folate) tested to check all is as it should be as they can cause similar symptoms to perimenopause.

    HRT is an individual choice but is often recommended to ladies who enter perimenopause/menopause at a younger age to protect the health of the bones and heart. I hope this was helpful,

    Finkyb

    • chloefoster
      chloefoster Finkyb

      Posted

      Hi Finkyb,

      thanks for your reply. The second doctor didn't even do bloods!!! I agree it is a minefield. I'm just so confused as to the complete opposite views these two doctors have. I don't think I will opt for HRT until I know for certain or have a strong indication that it is perimenopause. Even then I would rather be given options.

      Chloe

    • Finkyb
      Finkyb chloefoster

      Posted

      Hi Chloe,

      I would certainly be having a further discussion with my doctor if I was you as you don't seem sure that perimenopause is the sole reason for your symptoms. It is wise to rule out other causes and get as much information as you can so you can make an informed decision. Having a pre existing condition can make it hard to determine what is casing what. For example, perimenopause can cause heavy menstrual bleeding which can lead to anemia which can then cause or worsen fatigue. Perimenopause can last a long time for some women so you may not reach menopause until later in your 40's. Some ladies do opt for HRT and this can be really helpful in controlling the symptoms. In early peri our own hormones can still be fluctuating wildly and adding in more estrogen can have its own issues. Perhaps keep a symptom diary so you can see if your symptoms have any pattern to them as this may be helpful in determining if hormones are causing them. Let us know how you get on,

      Finkyb

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.