Menopause and HRT Risks

I am unable to take HRT as I had breast cancer. I suffer badly with hot flushes. It is very frustrating as I'm always wet from sweating  and at night I have to sleep with the fan on

@M33ARY I'm sorry you left to work through the symptoms yourself. Did anything in particular help to alleviate them, even just a bit?

No! I tried lots of difference things like Black Cosh, no good. I have survived!!

I had a full hysterectomy in my 30's due to my having epilepsy; a hard decision to make but both a logical and sensible one now when I think of costings for school, books, crayons, school uniforms and so much more! I am now 62 so it would be time for buying for the grandchildren!

I was living in Zimbabwe and immediately put onto HRT. I was told that I would go into an early menopause. This didn't bother me and I was initially put on oestrogen implants, then patches which caused allergies, then Premarin which suited me well. This was a process for many years, and even though experiencing hot flushes and all the other side effects of low oestrogen, irritability, hormonal imbalances etc., I thought HRT was doing me good.

I left South Africa two years' ago and came across to UK when I started to experience lower back pain and neck problems. I put this down to being a diver when I was 14 and hitting a diving board at the age of 16. I also thought this must be due to falling many times from seizures,  i.e. landing up in different positions. I tried physio for a period of 6 weeks but found this made the pain worse. Only then after visiting the Doctor with a report from Physio, was I sent for a DEXA Scan.

Osteoporosis of the spine and Osteopenia of the hip were diagnosed in November 2018, and I was given a full-blown lecture by the Sister in Charge at the time, that HRT was the worst thing for it and one of the major causes. Being told one thing by a Gynaecologist in Zimbabwe and then another by a medical professional here of course made me wonder who was correct? I still wonder today but trust the NHS! We are all different and don't all have the same reactions to a certain medical 'defect' to put it blunt! 

I joined Osteoporosis UK as a Member to find out MORE, and am Hypothyroid at the same time; no wonder all our hormones are up the pole! 

I have pcos & had hot flushes throughout my 20’s & some in my 30’s. Treatments didn’t make much difference. Started menopause with hot flushes again in my early 50’s. I tried supplements that were recommended but not much improvement. Then I tried the Ladycare menopause magnet (Boots) and hot flushes have greatly reduced. I’m reluctant to try medication because I’m on so much for chronic illnesses.  N

@Rosiebee 

I just received an email from you and its quite spooky as tomorrow I launch 

https://www.facebook.com/BedfordMenopause/inbox/?mailbox_id=102781071063058&selected_item_id=569847520

A menopause support group for local ladies.

Sara 

I had a hysterectomy the day before Iwas 49. I have to take HRT for a couple of reasons. I was diagnosed with steroid induced osteoporosis when I was 32 and I have no pituitary gland because of a tumour and treatment. I take unopposed oestrogen. I really need it, and there's no reason to stop.  - although I am aware of the slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This probably doesn't apply in my case because of my absence of natural production ( even post menopause women do produce some oestrogen) but I am diligent about self examination and attending screening even so.

Hi my doctor said that I can’t use HRT patches as it will not be any use to me with all my other medical stuff I have a bad back for the last 32 years and so am in a lot of pain all the time and I also have COPD the worst one you can get so I am in so much pain with that as well and I am going through the menopausal as well so can’t use patches 

I started taking HRT two weeks after having a hysterectomy at the age of 44. Initially I was on patches but when these started irritating my skin I was given Premarin.  I have now been on HRT for 30 years and have never had any problems.  I have a mammogram every 3 years, check my breasts at the end of each month and have regular blood pressure checks.  I recently had a bone density scan, for unrelated reasons, and was told my bones are the same density of someone much younger.  I'm fortunate in that wherever I've lived I've had doctors who firmly believe that the advantages of HRT outweigh the disadvantages.  Having never experienced any of the usual menopausal symptoms I consider myself to be very lucky.

26yrs had hysterectomy bulky tilted uterus , had 3 kids 1 C sec 2 normal births plus burst eptopic, right tube taken out . Went into full force menopause Hrt patches didn't work took a couple of yrs to sort but implants was my thing till they stopped doing them.... 35ish so put me on estradiol but due to other health issues a red flag appeared on med notes due to having ischaemia brain disease & I took notice ! Was having starting weird headaches so stopped using, indoing so they have subsided.... not had any hrt since 50 now 52....