Anyone on Hormone Replacement Therapy?

[melagras]

When I went for my check-up earlier this year, I asked my ob/gyn when I would go off of Activella. He said I would have to take it until I turn 65 (another 11 years). I did some research and found out it is to be taken no longer than 5 years. I was on birth control pills for years and went straight to HRT.

I am real concerned about the long-term effects (breast cancer).

I'm not real happy with this doctor (male) and will be looking for a female ob/gyn for my next check-up in February.

Has anyone gone off of HRT and if so, how did you feel?

 

[maddiesmum]

What do you understand to be the difference between bc pills and HRT? I had thought they were one and the same. Am I wrong?

I think the decision about whether to take HRT and for how long is entirely personal and individual. You have to do a personal and family health assessment: what do you consider your risks for developing breast cancer vs. your risk for heart disease (which HRT protects us against)? What lifestyle risks do you have or can you counteract in comparison with the general population based on how you live? How comfortable are you taking artificial hormones? How comfortable are you with the aging process? (because the female body ages quite quickly after estrogen stores get depleted). Do you have ample body fat and therefore more residual estrogen (stored in fat cells) or are you thinner? Are you a person for whom the physical symptoms of menopause will be great or will you suffer more the psychological/psychiatric effects? What makes you more uncomfortable: the health risks associated with HRT or the thought of going through menopause without a buffer?

No-one else, and certainly not their fears of cancer or of aging or experience of their body, can tell you what to do. They can only offer you 'their story' because no-one can predict how you will react and how your body will change. Anybody else's experience could end up being completely unrelated to you and useless to you. Or completely pertinent. Who's to say? I like to gather info from a wide range of sources, then ask myself what I think, how I feel and what my instinctive reaction is to a situation/problem.

My mother was on HRT for several decades, longer than the scientific world would have recommended she take it, according to new findings about cancer risks, etc. However, since her family has a particular susceptibility to cardiac problems, it was probably beneficial to her that she had these hormones for so long. She only developed the cardiac problems her 5 siblings experienced at much younger ages (ranging from late 30's to their 60's) after her 70th year. In our family, there is no history of female cancers at all. So, despite what 'doctors' might recommend today, this decision of hers was right for her.

I would love to take HRT. I suffer increased psychological and psychiatric distress in these (peri) menopausal years. But my physical body does not tolerate it well. I blow up like a balloon, I feel terrible in my own skin and I start getting frequent migraines. So, I will be going through it unmedicated. And no, I don't think this is any kind of 'moral high road' or act of superiority. I don't associate 'morality' to this decision in any way.

What do you think currently about HRT for you?

Clare

 

[fitover40]

I'm only 51, started HRT for sleep issues at 47. It was a very low dose of synthetic hormones (much lower than the birth control pills I couldn't take in my youth because of migraine). A few Months ago the sleep got awful again, I felt awful, brain fog, very forgetful, no energy. Went to specialist in HRT, they immediately understood and gave what I was feeling validity. All blood tests show I'm not in meno (FSH normal ) but I had non detectable estrogen. They say my ovaries quit making it and my brain isn't sending the signal for more. They like the bio identical hormones. So I'm on estradiol patch (what your body naturally makes) and progesterone (because I have ovaries). I feel so much better and can finally sleep! It's maddening when you're so tired yet can't stay asleep. I do not have any female cancer history. This is what's right for me. Nurses in this practice are on the same patch, one is 64. It is a personal decision. I feel admonished by my sister as though I'm weak for not getting through meno with nothing. Meno isn't something you get through, it's the rest of your life. You have to do what's right for you. I respect those that don't do HRT and it seems like no one else is, but I bet there are lots of older women out there wearing a patch. They just seem to be less vocal than those screaming cancer. Go into this with knowledge and facts and what you need for you.

 

[sme702]

I too am on HRT, and have been on it for 12 years now and am only 46. I went into peri - menopause very early in life. I have tried going off of them due to how long I have been taking them but my body just isnt ready!
I too have done the patch as mentioned above but now do a estrogen spray (I hated the 'left over' gunk left on the skin after replacing the patches) and take an oral progesterone (aygestin).
I have a female doctor and have discussed the risks involved with taking them and I am taking my chances. I feel that my 'now' health is more important than my 'could be' health in the future.
Best of luck to you and please, listen to your own body for the answers!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[desertambrosia]

My family has a history of breast cancer. (Aunts, and an older sister) I used nothing for menopause. I agree, it's definitely about what works for you. Find a physician you trust. One that can help you make the best decision for you.

 

[CeciFifi]

I have never been on HRT. based on what I've read I would be too stressed to take it. My sister took it for 5 years without issue and my mother in law has been on HRT for decades without a problem.

I've been on bio-identical hormone replacement therapy since 2012. I had many symptoms that my naturopath could no longer help with like inability to stay asleep, irritability, hair falling out, hot flashes etc... so I finally had to make the move to BHRT. When I started taking bio-identical hormones I was prescribed progesterone which cleared up everything, within a year I needed estrogen. I am back having issues but think I now have low estrogen (whereas at the start it was estrogen dominance which was fixed with progesterone). I am now (also) seeing an acupuncturist who is trying to 'balance' my system. I am open to trying it all out. I was in full-blown menopause at 45 so was likely in peri (with sleep issues ) since my late 30's. Maybe get a recommendation to a doctor who prescribes BHRT (if you still need something) so you can explore it.

I've come to understand this - my out of balance hormones were the root cause of many uncomfortable symptoms I was/am experiencing. I now understand that I have to get to the root cause of my out of balance hormones e.g. stress, diet, worrying or negative thoughts etc... It's all so interesting and distressing. I am a curious person and love to learn and I sure have learned a lot about menopause. My husband's 85 year old aunt is still having hot flashes!

 

[nckfitheart2009]

I am just popping to say thanks ladies for sharing your thoughts on this topic.
I have read even though I do not relate as yet.

Ceciffi --- I admire your approach toward the ---- ordeal, as we say it here in Europe.
I could not keep myself from not reading your post. Thanks for sharing
I am hopping to stay open facing this dreaded stage--- Yes just the thought is DREADFUL!

 

[lemoncustard]

I am 63. Never have been on hormone replacement and feel great! My bones are good, probably influenced by a healthy life style, lifting weights, and doing weight bearing activities. My skin is good. My joints are good. I can still complete a Cathe workout. Hot flashes still happen occasionally, but nothing I can't live with. Talk with your doctor. You need to do what is best for your body, but do not be afraid to go natural. There is a lot of freedom not having hormone swings and periods. I feel liberated by Menopause and never have had a higher sense of well being.

 

[sherryc]

I'm suffering through hot flashes, night sweats and now more sleep problems. I'm going to see a naturopath doctor this week, bypassing my family
Doctor. I really hope to get some relief, I'm getting pretty worn down and fed up!! My sister had breast cancer so I will not try HRT. I can't imagine suffering with this crap at 85!! Looks like I'm a little grumpy today.

 

[desertambrosia]

I am 63. Never have been on hormone replacement and feel great! My bones are good, probably influenced by a healthy life style, lifting weights, and doing weight bearing activities. My skin is good. My joints are good. I can still complete a Cathe workout. Hot flashes still happen occasionally, but nothing I can't live with. Talk with your doctor. You need to do what is best for your body, but do not be afraid to go natural. There is a lot of freedom not having hormone swings and periods. I feel liberated by Menopause and never have had a higher sense of well being.

Totally agree, lemoncustard. I am 63 as well. Very glad I did it natural. For me, it wasn't as bad as it seemed to be for my Mother. I feel fabulous, good bones, joints and muscle mass. I'm done, no hot flashes, mood swings. Glad it's behind me.

 

[melagras]

I don't think I could have gone "natural" as some of you have done. I was on birth control pills for years and then starting taking the lowest dose of Activella which caused anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, etc. I went back to the higher dose and everything went back to normal. I don't have any of the typical menopause symptoms. Every now and then I get a little hot but never a full blown hot flash.

Thanks for all of your responses.

 

[Linda1]

melagras,
If you had asked me when I was in my 40's if I would ever take HRT, I would have said "NEVER". Well, it is not for everyone, but I am glad it is available. I am your age. I have been on HRT less than a year.

I think if you know your body and your family history, that is what you have to use to make your decision. Not being able to sleep for any extended period of time is MUCH worse for my health than the HRT. It is a snowball effect. I was in BAD shape. I NEEDED to SLEEP. Now that I am on it, I am back to being myself. I sleep well EVERY night.

I have friends who stepped smoothly right in to menopause - no problem. I am not one of them, unfortunately. I would never do this if I didn't need to. But I need to ! You will have to do what is best for you. You may want to try stopping it to see how you feel. Ask your doctor. I do know when you stop, you should go VERY gradually !! Lower the dose, split pills, take them every other day, then 3 times a week etc. Don't be in a hurry.

 

[Gibbee]

I have been on premarin since 42 (total abdominal hysterectomy) and have been looking at switching to BHRT. I'm officially afraid to do so simply because missing premarin for one day is tolerable. Two days and I feel like I'm under water and it takes days to get things straightened out.. hot flashes, moodiness, sleep issues, you name it. Just haven't found the courage to take the leap but I do have occasional symptoms of menopause despite being on the highest dose of premarin. To go without something is not something I am ready to take on.. and switching scares me because who knows how out of sorts I might get.

 

[CeciFifi]

Hi Gibbee,

HRT/BHRT is such a huge topic. I take progesterone and my doctor prescribed estrogen and testosterone about a year ago when I described new symptoms e.g. minor hot flashes and very dry skin. It seems that without looking at blood work, the doctor guessed what I needed. This was last September. Well, ever since, it seems my hair was slowly falling out - I didn't even notice it - until this summer, when I noticed my hair was falling out a lot. scary stuff. Anyway, I saw the dr again and my naturopath - both said - take the estrogen. in fact, take even more because you are hot flashing so it must be low estrogen. so I did. i increased the estrogen. then my hair was pouring out of my head. - to see three sinks full of hair each morning after showering - talk about stress. and, my hair never really recovered from previous hair fall incidents. I read a lot - a lot. and so this is what I did based on what I've come to understand from books.

I stopped the estrogen. the body can make it on its own in the right environment
I cut out all grains, sugars and I already don't do dairy (just a bit of goat cheese which I haven't fully removed) and now get all carbs from fruit and veg only
I stopped coffee completely
started seeing an acupuncturist
I started taking a twice daily thyroid supplement as my thyroid has always been low normal
started taking a liquid iron supplement daily (18 mg) as my iron has also always been at the very low end of normal
I started putting bach's rescue remedy in my water (10 drops) to calm me - works wonders and it's natural
added in a multivitamin
already take d3 - 5000 units/day
already take vitamin c - up to 2000 units/day

Within 7 days - hair fall reduced by at least 50% (as soon as I took the thyroid supplement this happened)
I no longer have the jitters from caffeine and I don't feel as stressed about the situation - caffeine stressed my body out
I am sleeping through the night - whoa - very deep sleeps and I feel refreshed in the morning. I don't think I've ever experienced this!
I've lost weight
I go to the bathroom now like its nobody's business
my skin is dewy and no longer dry or scaly looking
and I am trying to get in to see a mindfulness based women's health dr (you have to pay out of pocket) for a new take on my situation. still waiting for the call.
hot flashes are almost completely gone and what few I've had are not strong like before at all.

I know this: my low thyroid has always been overlooked. those supplements did wonders for me as low thyroid mimics a lot of hormone issues. getting grains out of my diet was liberating (tough for first week but then you don't notice). in fact, the cravings stop. and caffeine? loooove my coffee but not enough to keep having issues with hormones, hot flashes, stress, etc... I also know that the 80/20 rule for food does not apply to me. I think insulin resistance has been one my troubles all along - that, along with low thyroid and a quiet almost unnoticeable hum of stress running through the years.

I've only been at this for part of September but changes came quickly.

I have also been doing a lot of creative visualization exercises about my health which helps a lot too.

I hope this helps someone/anyone - as I've spent the last 3-4 years reading anything and everything to narrow down why menopause has been so challenging for me. I am trim, I am fit, I have an otherwise comfortable life, career, family, health is good etc... yet I've been challenged by this change in my life.....

 

[maddiesmum]

Hi Gibbee,

I read a lot - a lot. and so this is what I did based on what I've come to understand from books.

I stopped the estrogen. the body can make it on its own in the right environment

I started taking a twice daily thyroid supplement as my thyroid has always been low normal


Within 7 days - hair fall reduced by at least 50% (as soon as I took the thyroid supplement this happened)


I know this: my low thyroid has always been overlooked. those supplements did wonders for me as low thyroid mimics a lot of hormone issues. getting grains out of my diet was liberating (tough for first week but then you don't notice). in fact, the cravings stop. and caffeine? loooove my coffee but not enough to keep having issues with hormones, hot flashes, stress, etc... I also know that the 80/20 rule for food does not apply to me. I think insulin resistance has been one my troubles all along - that, along with low thyroid and a quiet almost unnoticeable hum of stress running through the years.


I hope this helps someone/anyone - as I've spent the last 3-4 years reading anything and everything to narrow down why menopause has been so challenging for me. I am trim, I am fit, I have an otherwise comfortable life, career, family, health is good etc... yet I've been challenged by this change in my life.....

How wonderful that you have been able to research this and find out what works for you, despite what docs say should work for most women. Good for you.

Can I ask you to detail more about your thyroid supplement? What do you take and where do you get it? I have read about this but the recommendations differ according to whom you read. I'd like to know what works for you. I have many symptoms of low thyroid, have had for many years, and yet every time the docs tests it they declare it ti be "within normal limits," without considering whether that might still be too low for me. So, the symptoms continue unabated.

Any info you can pass on and also, what book you may have read on this that helped you diagnose yourself, I'd appreciate the help. Thanks!

CLare

 

[CeciFifi]

Hi Clare,

I take Thyro Support by AOR. Not sure it's the best brand but it's what I was given at the natural health/supplement shop. It's around $40ish dollars a bottle. I am now taking 3 capsules/day which is the recommended dose. My Naturopath agrees I should be taking this. I will see how things continue to progress. I've noticed increased energy, major change in skin too and I just cannot be sure it helped my hair cos I also stopped estrogen hormone the day I started taking this. Who knows!!!!!!

In the past, my hair fall was due to estrogen dominance in my system naturally - with no progesterone to counter it. Once i started taking the progesterone - the hair fall stopped cos my system was balanced. then it all started up again once I started taking estrogen as a supplement. My estrogen/progesterone numbers read my estrogen was low - that's why i was encouraged to increase it but then the hair poured out and my hot flashes increased. tampering with hormones is not good! need a delicate balance.

I've been told my iron and thyroid are low normal for years. But I've always been at the bottom of normal. Always kinda tired, always a bit pudgy despite lifestyle, always a bit yellowish/organge my skin - noticeably (also a sign), always thirsty, always peeing throughout the day - like 10-20 times , several bouts of vertigo over the years, food intolerances, asthma - so many symptoms that were treated in isolation rather that as part of a whole. Acupuncture is uncomfortable but it's doing wonders for my sleep and a scarred lung from years of respiratory infections (which by the way I have not had in two years since taking a tblspoon of apple cider vinegar every morning with water and a second dose in the day if i feel a cold coming?????). Love natural medicine.

Good luck.

 

[melagras]

Hi Clare,

Always kinda tired, always a bit pudgy despite lifestyle, always a bit yellowish/organge my skin - noticeably (also a sign), always thirsty, always peeing throughout the day - like 10-20 times , several bouts of vertigo over the years, food intolerances, asthma - so many symptoms that were treated in isolation rather that as part of a whole.

Good luck.

Except for the yellowish/orange skin, this is exactly what I'm dealing with. My energy level is really low. I have a pudgy mid-section no matter what exercise I do or what I do/don't eat. The vertigo is really starting to piss me off. I'm afraid to do my yoga fearing that it will trigger an episode. I pee like a race horse especially at night. I've had to stop eating any type of grain because it causes me to get acid reflux, excess mucus, etc.

 

[catwoman7631]

Hi everyone, I had to pull this thread back up because I found out today I am in menopause. Last month I went off the pill and this month I got my FSH levels tested. I wanted to come back and read all the great info on this thread. I've been feeling fine since going off the pill, a hot flash here or there, but otherwise good. My doctor told me to monitor how I'm feeling and if things get too crazy, he would prescribe hormones. I would love to just sail right through this and do it naturally. I'm hoping I will be like some of the fortunate ones who posted here about not having any problems.

Also, has anyone lost weight going into menopause? Since coming off the pill I have lost about 5 to 6 pounds. My exercise and diet have not changed at all. Maybe the new ICE workouts are doing it for me! Haha!

 

[Nanbo]

Hi everyone, I had to pull this thread back up because I found out today I am in menopause. Last month I went off the pill and this month I got my FSH levels tested. I wanted to come back and read all the great info on this thread. I've been feeling fine since going off the pill, a hot flash here or there, but otherwise good. My doctor told me to monitor how I'm feeling and if things get too crazy, he would prescribe hormones. I would love to just sail right through this and do it naturally. I'm hoping I will be like some of the fortunate ones who posted here about not having any problems.

Also, has anyone lost weight going into menopause? Since coming off the pill I have lost about 5 to 6 pounds. My exercise and diet have not changed at all. Maybe the new ICE workouts are doing it for me! Haha!

Yes, I lost weight! I dropped 6 pounds almost immediately after coming off the pill (was on it for 35 years!!!) and then another 5 pounds over a few months. My nurse practitioner said it must be the healthy eating and Cathe! The hot flashes were very mild for a few months and then went away for about a year. BUT, they have returned with a vengeance in September, almost one year after they dissipated! They are more intense and really stimulate my adrenals (feels like I'm at the top of a roller coaster on my way down). I am hoping they go away soon! They are the worst at bedtime and make it hard to fall asleep. Trying to ride it out...I want to be as natural as possible!

 

[catwoman7631]

Thanks Nancy, that makes me feel better about the weight coming off! Good luck with the hot flashes...the mild ones I've had so far have not been much fun so I can't imagine anything that intense.