To HRT or not to HRT that is the question

[onehitwonder]

So I am 47 and recent tests have confirmed that I have pretty much had my menopause. My periods all but stopped at least 2 years ago bar perhaps 1 per year. I had about 6 months of hot flushes but they seem to have calmed down. Brain isn't feeling as sharp as usual perhaps, I don't feel very focused at work. GP is happy to prescribe HRT due to my age for the preventative benefits. So whaddaya think Ladies? As an aside, can HRT help libido as mine has been on the missing list for longer than I want to admit even to myself. Also, and purely for vanity's sake, does it have any effect on the tyre I now seem to be sporting round my middle?

[MrsDavidBowie]

Been the making of me.
Elleste duet here.
And I weigh less than I did twenty Years ago

[ForTheBants]

Early meno here (42).

Elleste brought me back to my old self almost overnight. I feel it is the elixir of youth, as I look much less wrinkly than my non menopausal friends.

[fidelma]

I have the coil and hope to add an estrogen patch very soon. I so hope it helps me?

[lazysummerdays]

Being really blunt- you NEED HRT!

From what you say, you went through the menopause at 45. (Menopause is actually a permanent state- we are all 'in menopause' for the rest of our lives once periods stop.)

Anyway- menopause before the age of 45 - and some drs now say 47- is considered early or premature. The average age is 52.

You need HRT to protect your bones and need to take it to age 52 at least.
I am evangelical over this having ( through my work) seen and heard of so many women in their 50s with osteoporosis.

Please see your GP and discuss and if they don't agree, ask to see someone else.

[onehitwonder]

Thanks all and Lazysummerdays that sounds pretty compelling! Have had a few migraines lately so doc wanted to see if they persisted before putting me on it but really sounds like I should go back and push to go on it asap.
Any advice on best options, I am really not bothered about having periods again if there is an option which avoids this (remembers the dim distant past and taking the pill right through the months when on holiday having this effect). I have youngish kids too, so want to make sure I am healthy and active for them for as long as possible.

[lazysummerdays]

Best options are Oestrogel or a patch for oestrogen. With the gel you can adjust the dose yourself from 1 pump per day to 4 to see which amount you need- though you need to stick with whatever for a week or more - don't mess around daily. Then you need to add in a progestogen to make sure the uterine lining doesn't overgrow- and you will have a period. You could ask for the Mirena coil which avoids a bleed.

The other option is a bio identical progesterone- Utrogestan- which is possibly safer long term than synthetic progesterone. Not all drs are clued up on this so you might need to help them out!

You cannot take a bleed free HRT yet- that means both hormones every day- unless you have been post-meno for at least 1 year ( or some drs insist on being over 54.)

Also, gel or patches are safer re. blood clots- migraine is not a reason why you can't have HRT and TBH your migraines are more likely to be because of erratic hormone levels.

[fidelma]

Lazysummerdays (great name!)
So can I add the oestrogel to my mirena coil? I am 40 my FHS are normal but I have almost every symptom then a few others. (All other tests clear)

[lazysummerdays]

Yes absolutely you can add Oestrogel to the Mirena. That's what my gynae ( who is a meno expert) wanted me to have (Mirena) but I have other issues which mean I may be sensitive to progestins when used like that.

[MarianneSolong]

I've come off HRT after taking it for a few years. Although the hot flushes are back, one irritating side effect - which I didn't even was caused by the pills - was acid reflux, that was particularly bad/uncomfortable/irritating at night. HRT didn't give me improved libido or a slender waist/flat tummy.

I really hated the combined HRT which I had to take till 52 - I think - because of the bleeds.