Ladies……can we talk HRT?!

[cmlnkb]

In perimenopause currently and NP is recommending HRT for symptoms and long term health benefits. I hear so much conflicting information. Breast cancer scares me but osteoporosis scares me too. The one she is recommending is Estradiol patch and micronized progesterone pills. She says they are bio identical to what our bodies produce. Thoughts? Experiences using this during perimenopause while you are still producing hormones?

 

[Christine]

In perimenopause currently and NP is recommending HRT for symptoms and long term health benefits. I hear so much conflicting information. Breast cancer scares me but osteoporosis scares me too. The one she is recommending is Estradiol patch and micronized progesterone pills. She says they are bio identical to what our bodies produce. Thoughts? Experiences using this during perimenopause while you are still producing hormones?

Yes, the WHI study was so wrong. A lot of women, me included, have been cheated out of using these hormones and will pay the price.

Thank God that you have a doctor/NP that is up on things. I would suggest you watch some YouTube videos from Dr. Mary-Claire Haver. Another one I like is Dr. Susan Hardwick Smith. The estradiol patch and micronized progesterone is the standard start for using these things and most women feel tons better with it.

It will prevent bone loss and help reduce cardiovascular diseas and dementia if you intervene early enough.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

From what I've come across the "HRT is dangerous" info is outdated and was basically debunked.

I'm not currently dealing with any symptoms but I'd definitely try it if I had symptoms.
Although personally I'm very sensitive to any adhesive so I would not get a patch. Not sure if they have other options??? But that's just me.

But if your GYN is suggesting it I'd try it.
If its a Primary then I'd seek a GYN's opinion first.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

@cmlnkb I have sent you a PM

I am currently taking HRT, if anyone reading this has questions, you can send me a PM

 

[AussieFan8]

I am taking oral estradiol. (No progesterone since I had a hysterectomy.) I am very grateful my doctor prescribed it. I had started having hot flashes that would throw me into a panic attack, which was something I never experienced before. A very low dose has made all the difference for me.

 

[Christine]

Although personally I'm very sensitive to any adhesive so I would not get a patch. Not sure if they have other options??? But that's just me.

I have the same issues with adhesives. There are very few "bandaids" I can even use anymore. It's awful. So when my doctor prescribed the CombiPatch to me, I was very nervous. This is combo patch that contains both estrogen and progesterone.

It didn't bother my skin one bit--I was shocked. On reddit there is a sub called /menopause and there is lots of HRT discussion. Some women do get irritation from the patch but one trick that seems to work is to spray the skin with nasal Flonase, let it dry, then put the patch on. Seems to have worked for many women.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I also use patches. I find alternating sides and placement works well for my skin. I rarely have issues with the HRT patches but I do sometimes have issues with normal bandaids. It seems to be a different type of adhesive.

 

[easyas123]

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).

 

[E&Cmom]

I just turned 55 and have been having perimenopausal symptoms for over 5 years and still get periods. I finally started on HRT in October. My NP seemed reluctant to start my on it as I still got regular periods ( Since the summer I finally started to skip some) so she sent me to a gynaecologist who specializes in menopause and aging. She immediately prescribed estrogen cream twice a week and progesterone ( prometrium) at bedtime. I have a follow up appointment this week. My symptoms are so much better. I actually sleep now and don’t wake up 4-5 times a night. I was not sleeping and my hot flashes would cause palpitations and anxiety in the middle of the night, Not as much brain fog and less tired now.

I myself am a nurse and had done a lot of reading and discuss with colleagues on it having dealt with these symptoms. That old study that HRT that is dangerous did such a disservice to women. Most of the women in the study were older than 60 and were already more prone to breast cancer and cardiac issues. If started early enough it is known to have more benefits than risks.

 

[Christine]

I just turned 55 and have been having perimenopausal symptoms for over 5 years and still get periods. I finally started on HRT in October. My NP seemed reluctant to start my on it as I still got regular periods ( Since the summer I finally started to skip some) so she sent me to a gynaecologist who specializes in menopause and aging. She immediately prescribed estrogen cream twice a week and progesterone ( prometrium) at bedtime. I have a follow up appointment this week. My symptoms are so much better. I actually sleep now and don’t wake up 4-5 times a night. I was not sleeping and my hot flashes would cause palpitations and anxiety in the middle of the night, Not as much brain fog and less tired now.

I myself am a nurse and had done a lot of reading and discuss with colleagues on it having dealt with these symptoms. That old study that HRT that is dangerous did such a disservice to women. Most of the women in the study were older than 60 and were already more prone to breast cancer and cardiac issues. If started early enough it is known to have more benefits than risks.

They were also using synthetic hormones in that study. The bio identical hormones given transdermal don’t have the same problems.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Do you know your BRCA status? I never took anything because of cancer in the family, now I know I am positive I am glad I was right to avoid it.

To me cancer kills and osteo is painful but not lethal. There was a time the Drs talked me into Biologics for Arthritis and the drugs nearly killed me, I will not make the same mistake again. They gloss ofver the black box warnings like its nothing, ummm it is somethiing when it is you;/ SOMEBODY is that small percent and you never know if it will be you or not. The only time I will risk every again my life is for a disease that is lethal

I would suggest to test for your BRACA status and any other cancer known genes before taking anything that lists cancer as a maybe

 

[cmlnkb]

Do you know your BRCA status? I never took anything because of cancer in the family, now I know I am positive I am glad I was right to avoid it.

To me cancer kills and osteo is painful but not lethal. There was a time the Drs talked me into Biologics for Arthritis and the drugs nearly killed me, I will not make the same mistake again. They gloss ofver the black box warnings like its nothing, ummm it is somethiing when it is you;/ SOMEBODY is that small percent and you never know if it will be you or not. The only time I will risk every again my life is for a disease that is lethal

I would suggest to test for your BRACA status and any other cancer known genes before taking anything that lists cancer as a maybe

No known breast cancer in my family but my grandmother died at age 30 and my mom at age 63

 

[Skippy918]

Does hrt work with birth control? I have a mirena iud. I’m experiencing perimenopause symptoms but I don’t want to get pregnant either. Late 40s here and since I still have a cycle I want to avoid the pregnancy aspect.

 

[Southernmiss]

I started Bijuva in October l. It's a once daily progesterone and estradiol pill.

I was not sleeping and had ridiculous brain fog. The Bijuva was helpful for that, but I was still exhausted.

My thyroid and other blood work was good.

At my follow up appointment, my doctor said all my female hormones were very low, including testosterone.

I started a compounded testosterone, too. That's been great!

I have been following Dr. Marie Claire Haver on Facebook for a few years now. She's written 2 books and is now really taking off in the media and world. She is a gynecologist who realized through her own perimenopause/menopause journey that she didn't know how to properly treat herself or her patients and took a dive into learning all she could.

Look for her on Facebook and get her books and talk to your doctor.

You won't regret it!

 

[Christine]

Does hrt work with birth control? I have a mirena iud. I’m experiencing perimenopause symptoms but I don’t want to get pregnant either. Late 40s here and since I still have a cycle I want to avoid the pregnancy aspect.

Yea. Since you have Mirena to protect the uterus, they could just give you the transdermal estradiol patch.

 

[DeeBee3]

For those on prometrium, have you had a good response with it? I have read some negative reviews about side effects.

 

[E&Cmom]

For those on prometrium, have you had a good response with it? I have read some negative reviews about side effects.

I have been it for 6 weeks and haven’t experienced any side effects with the exception of my period lasting longer this past month which aI read irregular bleeding is possible the first few months. I am only on a 100mg dose. I find though that when I use the estrogen cream I feel a bit nauseous.

Prometrium has helped me sleep better but a friend of mine says it didn’t help her at all so everyone is different.

 

[Frwinkley]

Do you know your BRCA status? I never took anything because of cancer in the family, now I know I am positive I am glad I was right to avoid it.

To me cancer kills and osteo is painful but not lethal. There was a time the Drs talked me into Biologics for Arthritis and the drugs nearly killed me, I will not make the same mistake again. They gloss ofver the black box warnings like its nothing, ummm it is somethiing when it is you;/ SOMEBODY is that small percent and you never know if it will be you or not. The only time I will risk every again my life is for a disease that is lethal

I would suggest to test for your BRACA status and any other cancer known genes before taking anything that lists cancer as a maybe

I feel this way too. I've been diagnosed with osteoporosis, but am refusing to take any medication because of all the side effects. I would much rather go on living my life, remaining active (nothing crazy though) without feeling lousy from some medication that may do very little for my bone density anyway.

 

[Southernmiss]

Here's the transcript of an interview with Dr. Haver touching on a lot of the questions mentioned here

https://www.theflowspace.com/video/dr-mary-claire-haver-new-menopause-book-2944296/

 

[Southernmiss]

Appropriate to this thread

The First-Ever White House Conference on Women’s Health Research took place in DC December 11, 2024 to discuss strides being made in women's health with special emphasis on menopause

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/12/11/Joe-Jill-Biden-womens-health-conference/1921733939445/