Oestrogen - HRT

[smudge]

I have taken Oestrogen only HRT for a few years now, but due to all the health scares associated with it, I have stopped & started taking it several times.

 

I read in the Daily Mail yesterday, that American scientists now believe that women who take HRT live longer! I wish these scaremongers & scientists would make up their minds. I know I'm not alone in thinking this & wondered what you ladies thought about it?

 

Also, I'd better mention that I've never taken the combined Oestrogen/Progesterone! Thanks.

 

 

[mullein]

their does seem to be a lot said about it in the news, and i dont know if you are wise to stop and start it, i myself have not taken it allthough it was offered,i personally dont agree with pumping myself full of drugs to feel good,that is my choice , i am sure if you were to speak to your doctor he may either put your mind at rest or sugest alternative remedys,the nurse at my doctors said a lot of women were now using homeopathy and herbal remedys and felt great,so if your doctor is not very forthcoming speak to the nurse,you will have to find out what will happen if you stop taking it, and is it safe to just stop taking it,,i dont think they have researched it enough and their are to many conflicting opinions, i am sure their are risks and benefits, it is up to the individual to make the choice...mullein

[FP]

Smudge,  I have never used HRT, for reasons of personal choice.  However, I have been advised by my doctor to use Soya products as these are a good, natural alternative to HRT.  I do now use Soya on Breakfast cereal daily and use soya spread. 

 

I know how you feel about all this varying advice.  This is part of the reason I have chosen not to go down the HRT route.

[MrsCheeks]

my mother has been on HRT for a long time and was given very good advice regards the pros and cons just recently.

 

She could stop HRT and try alternatives that may or may not work ... well they have not done anyting for her!  She will live longer according to the research as it was then - a mere 12mths ago lol.

 

However, if she stays on it as it benefits her enormously then she might not live as long BUT her quality of life will be greater and so she will certainly feel as if she has lived longer.

 

I hope that makes sense!

 

Anyway, she decided to stay with HRT as the benefits to her quality of life far outweighed how she would be physically and mentally if she did not take it.

 

It is personal choice at the end of the day and if there is an alternative that benefits you then take it.  The medical profession is now acknowledging that herbal alternatives DO work for many people just as effectively and it is good that we have so many options open to us.

 

xxx

[FP]

Good answer Mrs Cheeks.

[zgma]

Hi smudge.  The news report that I read yesterday was that birth control pills, not HRT, were what is supposed ot be healthy for you.  The article also said that they are starting to think that the estrogen in both BCP and HRT is good for women at certain points in their lives, and bad at others. 

 

Okay, but that aside, I agree with the above posts that it's totally up to personal choice, and if the HRT helps you, I wouldn't worry about the health scares.  I have also heard as mullein said that naturopathic remedies work really well for menopausal/peri-menopausal symptoms, so if you are worried, maybe you want to check out some herbal or homeopathic options for a few months and see if they do it for you.

[smudge]

Thank you for all your helpful replies. Mrs Cheeks, it sounds like your Mum has been experiencing  the same dilemma as me! zgma, the report in the Daily Mail did say that women who take HRT will live longer & this morning I read that the contraceptive pill (which I obviously don't need) has benefits too.

 

However, there have been so many conflicting reports on both, which is why so many women don't know what to do for the best! The last time I saw the nurse at the surgery, I asked if I could take the 'Premarin' tablets every other day just to keep my bones in shape & she said this would be fine.

 

I shall visit my local natural health shop over the w/e to see what they have to offer. I don't really get hot sweats, but there must be something to keep me supple! Thanks again all.