HRT

[daffy654]

I haven't had a period for 17 months and went to my GP today to see if it would be wise to get some HRT, especially as I am only 44 years old. He is insisting I have a blood test first and then have another consultation with him to go through the pros and cons.

My menopause symptoms are: hot flushes (severe), night sweats (severe), weight gain, no libido.

Can anyone give me their experiences of HRT and opinions on whether the benefits outweigh the risks?

[China Doll]

Not direct experience I'm afraid but the nurse I work with becomes evil if she doesn't take her HRT stuff apparently, (I've never noticed but then compared to me she's a fecking carebear ;o) She was having hot flushes, night sweats, no idea bout libido or weight gain, she's a very thin lady naturally so would doubt the latter. She says she feels much better with her HRT and obviosuly notices when she doesn't take it... as does her hubby apparently!

[daffy654]

Thanks China :)

Seems like no other ladies wish to share their experiences with me. :-/

[gness]

After a hysterectomy in my mid thirties I was nasty and unbearable. After I persuaded my GP to prescribe HRT life became fantastic again. I stayed on it for about twenty five years and the only side effect was breathlessness, not wheezing, for the first few months.
For me the benefits far outweighed the risks.

[Bambiagain]

I was on it for about 5 years. Before, I had hot flushes, night sweats, racing heart in the night - very unpleasant - and was very moody (like permanent PMS). I was on oral oestrogen with a Mirena coil for progesterone (I'd had one before for painful periods) and that combination was reckoned by by gynaecologist to be the safest option. I reduced the pills to one evey other day after about four years, then cut them out. The coil was removed after five years. I get the occasional hot flush now but it's not nearly so bad. I was perfectly happy with HRT!

[shaneystar2]

I'll share with you Daffy .
I was put on HRT following early menopuase afer a hysterectomy .
Until I got the HRT I was a wreck .Not only the sweats ,flushes etc but mood swings too.I would fly off the handle at the slightest thing .Throw stuff etc :)
I took it for about ten years .It got me over it all .When you have to run a home ,look after a family and hold down a job you don't need all that aggro on top.It was huge benefit to me .

[Robinia]

I was put on hrt by my gp following chemo in my mid 30's. I'd always had painful periods but the ones with a withdrawal bleed were terrible so I was prescribed livial (tibolone) which was a god-send.
I can't say for me it was the wonder drug that some women swear it is but it certainly gave me a lift and I stayed on it for over 20 years until the doc suggested it was time to come off. I managed to wangle another 3 years, he said it was my risk, and finally kicked the habit a year ago. Oh dear. I have fibromyalgia and since then everything has been 10 times worse. :(

Whatever you choose to do daffy you might need to try a few before you find one that suits you and at the end of it all you'll still have to give them up. Good luck!

[daffy654]

Thanks for sharing ladies.

I think I will ask the doc to let me try HRT, anything has to be better than waking up in the night soaked to the skin with sweat and having to change my clothes and the bed clothes. The hot flushes are awful and quite embarrassing when in company. I can be quite moody too so I'm sure my other half would be grateful for a break from that!

[Robinia]

I hate the hot flushes, I'm very fair skinned and turn 50 shades of pink...I can laugh it off with family and friends but it's a nightmare with strangers. Give it a try but stick with it for a few months. I know someone who gave up at the first withdrawal bleed.