Ladies……can we talk HRT?!

[disneychrista]

You can use estrogen patches for HRT even if you have migraines with aura.

That is not what my doctor has said. I don't feel that I need estrogen replacement, as I am not having a lot of symptoms

 

[beckicnm]

That is not what my doctor has said. I don't feel that I need estrogen replacement, as I am not having a lot of symptoms

Luckily for me, I work with several certified menopause practitioners who keep very up to date on the best, safest recommendations. But people who don't have symptoms wouldn't need to take estrogen.

 

[Christine]

Luckily for me, I work with several certified menopause practitioners who keep very up to date on the best, safest recommendations. But people who don't have symptoms wouldn't need to take estrogen.

It is a personal choice of course, but there are a lot of things that happen to you that are "silent" when lacking estrogen. Accelerated bone lose, the arteries start to become less flexible, and there seems to be protection against later demetia if estrogen is started early enough in the menopause journey. No one notices these things happening so one can't definitively say they aren't having symptoms.
I feel cheated because it was not offered to me 10 years ago. There's been a huge change in the last 5 years at least and now my docs are all on board, but I've probably "lost" a lot of health by not being on them.

 

[gncntry]

Stopped taking PremPro two years ago on advice from Gyn. Had a DEXA scan last year at age 61 as my younger sister has severe osteoporosis. I am borderline osteopenia (which can lead to osteoporosis). The ortho doc suggested going back on PremPro which I did. My next DEXA scan is 2025.

 

[cmlnkb]

Luckily for me, I work with several certified menopause practitioners who keep very up to date on the best, safest recommendations. But people who don't have symptoms wouldn't need to take estrogen.

I went to my PCP and she said she can offer no advice on taking HRT and she herself doesn't take them. I got the feeling from her reaction she is against them. I asked her why she isn't taking it and shae said her symptoms were not bad enough. So I then asked about Osteoporosis protection and she said take vitamin d and calcium and weight bearing exercises to prevent it. I felt torn after seeing her.

 

[cmlnkb]

OP - I am on the same combo, the patch & the pill. It's been life changing in the best way possible. It did take about 2 months or so for me to fully feel the benefits of it. I've been on it about 6 or 7 months now (I'm 52).

Are you still menstruating?

 

[anniemae]

I can't use estrogen due to migraine headaches with auras. But I can say that the progesterone only birth control pills I take help A LOT with controlling hot flashes. I stopped taking them in January and started getting hot flashes. I started taking them again in August and they stopped.

my neurologist also said I should not take HRT due to migraines with aura.

 

[easyas123]

I work with several certified menopause practitioners

I've never heard of anyone being a Certified Menopause Practitioner, or the certification. Thanks for mentioning this.

Are you still menstruating?

Yeah. We call it the 'menopause fairy'. She shows up now and again....kinda on her own schedule. She annoys me

 

[disneychrista]

I've never heard of anyone being a Certified Menopause Practitioner, or the certification. Thanks for mentioning this.

Yeah. We call it the 'menopause fairy'. She shows up now and again....kinda on her own schedule. She annoys me

I hate that fairy. 8 months with nothing and then just as I was reaching the finished line - bam. My mom was in her early 40's when she finished. I am 52. Haven't had any desire for more children in about 20+ years. Can I just be done already.

 

[E&Cmom]

I hate that fairy. 8 months with nothing and then just as I was reaching the finished line - bam. My mom was in her early 40's when she finished. I am 52. Haven't had any desire for more children in about 20+ years. Can I just be done already.

I just turned 55 and have only skipped periods twice ( one month at a time) so since August. Still pretty regular. I feel like it will never end.

 

[disneychrista]

I just turned 55 and have only skipped periods twice ( one month at a time) so since August. Still pretty regular. I feel like it will never end.

That really sucks.

 

[Christine]

I just turned 55 and have only skipped periods twice ( one month at a time) so since August. Still pretty regular. I feel like it will never end.

My mother went through similar issues and her GYN said enough is enough and "gave her something" to stop it. Of course she can't rmember what it was, lol. But some form of HRT I'm guessing.

My cousin had her period until she was about 57.

 

[E&Cmom]

My mother went through similar issues and her GYN said enough is enough and "gave her something" to stop it. Of course she can't rmember what it was, lol. But some form of HRT I'm guessing.

My cousin had her period until she was about 57.

I started HRT in October. I am on estrogen cream twice a week and 100 mg of Prometrium at bedtime. Besides still having a period, my symptoms especially sleep is so much better. Last month my period did last longer and my gynaecologist said it was due to starting progesterone . She said to stop taking it the days of my period.

My mom passed away when I was 26 and I can’t remember when she stopped having periods. Of course I didn’t think of asking back then.

 

[Christine]

I started HRT in October. I am on estrogen cream twice a week and 100 mg of Prometrium at bedtime. Besides still having a period, my symptoms especially sleep is so much better. Last month my period did last longer and my gynaecologist said it was due to starting progesterone . She said to stop taking it the days of my period.

My mom passed away when I was 26 and I can’t remember when she stopped having periods. Of course I didn’t think of asking back then.

I'm working with my doctor on various things but the one issue I'm having is sleep. The progesterone in the patch didn't help. I'm going to start a combo product orally in a week or so. I hope it helps. If not, I'm going to insist on what you are taking or the micronized progesterone.

 

[tasha99]

I'm 58 and missed two non-consecutive periods in the last year, so I was just starting perimenopause. Then I got breast cancer, and my oncologist didn't want to give me tamoxifen because I had some endometrial hyperplasia. So I had a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy on Monday. I won't miss my periods, but I'm still kind of sad about it all. I know tamoxifen can cause memory loss (which I have enough of already! ) so I'll have to look at the others. Now I can take any of the estrogen blockers, I guess. I'm scheduled for a bone density test in a couple months. I really with I could get HRT

 

[cmlnkb]

I'm 58 and missed two non-consecutive periods in the last year, so I was just starting perimenopause. Then I got breast cancer, and my oncologist didn't want to give me tamoxifen because I had some endometrial hyperplasia. So I had a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy on Monday. I won't miss my periods, but I'm still kind of sad about it all. I know tamoxifen can cause memory loss (which I have enough of already! ) so I'll have to look at the others. Now I can take any of the estrogen blockers, I guess. I'm scheduled for a bone density test in a couple months. I really with I could get HRT

I am so sorry sending a hug.