HRT - yes or no?

[ClaudiaRP9]

I am considering going on hormones. I would love to hear opinions (pro and con). I have talked to my doctor and I just want to hear other perspectives so I can make the right decision, for me. Thanks, in advance ☺️

[KarliNewman]

Hi @ClaudiaRP9 - I don’t have personal experience with HRT, but wanted to applaud you for reaching out to gather different perspectives. It’s so good to share with and listen to each other!

[ClaudiaRP9]

thank you, I value input and other’s experiences. 

[nicoleb957]

Hi @ClaudiaRP9, I have been on Bio-Identical HRT for over 3 years. It was recommended due to early onset menopause. It has made a world of difference in my quality of life in regards to energy, mood stability and perspective. I have had no negative side effects. It can be extremely successful but you need to find the “right practitioner”. You will want to look for someone who treats “ the whole system”

[ClaudiaRP9]

I agree. I have been using the same Gyn For many years, but I am not sensing a level of current knowledge on menopause. I hear the basic old stuff. I am trying to find an NMA Gyn. Who is knowledgeable of this stage of life. Thank you, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with bio-identical HRT. 

[Jenn_TL]

Hi. Glad you are getting opinions and weighing all your options.  I currently take a daily medication for panic/anxiety disorder and it keeps my issues under control. But with my recent change in hormones (I'm in my mid 40's) the medication wasn't working and I was getting debilitation anxiety and panic attacks.  I discussed options with my doctor and also a therapist.  I wanted to make sure I was taking the right approach to managing my hormones.  I did decide to go on a birth control pill to regulate my hormones.  I felt like I would rather deal with any potential side effects than experience the debilitating symptoms I was getting.

I'm not sure what type of hormone therapy you're considering but I will say you need to do exactly what you appear to be doing and weigh all the pros and cons.  Sometimes it's worth it to be able to function better on a daily basis.  I would also like to add that I have enhanced my mindfulness routine to make sure I"m not solely relying on medications and have been really happy with the combination of medication and mindfulness and self-care.

[KarliNewman]

Hello, again! I just read your reply to @nicoleb957 and thought I’d share a resource I learned about a few years ago - the North American Menopause Society (menopause.org). It is an AMAZING place to find a practitioner certified by NAMS and learn about menopause and hormone therapy. It may help you on your search for a knowledgeable clinician. Be well!

[kellyg1973]

I just started taking hormones and I can tell you its a game changer. I was tested and had super low testosterone (13)and wasnt making progesterone (0) and low estrogen low dhea and calcium. I decided to get the pellets hormones and pill progesterone. I didn't want to have to smear it on with a cream worrying if my grandkids hugged me, Just ssomething else to remember too.  I can tell that the mental fog has lifted. I felt like I was going kinda crazy,  I was mad and then crying for no reason. I also had no entergy, I didn't want to get out of bed! Now 3.5 weeks into the hormones I feel so much better. I can tell the progesterone makes me tired and hungry  so, they do tell u to take it at night. I have heard that they make a cream for progesterone which is not suppose to make u gain weight, may try that next.  My sex drive has returned and everything is back to normal (dryness and withered gone away) :0 so far so good. Has anyone else experienced this? By the way Im 49 years old.

[JacquelynM]

Hi @ClaudiaRP9. I have a very positive personal experience with HRT, started menopause very late in my mid-50's. I suddenly experienced extreme hot flashes sometimes every 15-30 mins 24/7. These would wake me all night, rarely did I get any sort of continuous, restful sleep. With my physicians help, I explored several over the counter natural remedies, but nothing helped.  After a 5 day bout with very little sleep, I was driving and watched myself cross 4 lanes of oncoming traffic. Thankfully everyone stopped, no one was hurt, but scared me enough to call my doctor immediately.  My doctor equated that to drunk driving, discussed starting HRT. He explained I was a perfect candidate for HRT; I'm very healthy with low cholesterol, low blood pressure, healthy family history. I was able to "right the ship" with a low-moderate dosage of HRT, it really gave me my life back. I remained on HRT till age 65, then able to taper off to nothing by the time I was 67. I never had any adverse effects and would not change a thing. I was fortunate to have a good physician for 35 years who I trusted which helped immensely. Good luck.

[ClaudiaL43]

Dear Claudia, I am 68 years old and have been on HRT for approximately 12 years. I am very fortunate to have a gynecological endocrinologist that is extremely knowledgeable about menopause, HRT and supplements. I see him yearly for labs, pap, bone density and mammogram. I am here to tell you I feel and look great. Find a reputable doctor and go for it. I have no plans to stop my HRT. BTW, my name is Claudia too!!!!

[PattyEllen13]

I’m sorry I didn’t use hrt. I waited too long and was no longer a candidate. Women who take hrt seem to look more youthful and feel better.

[Lamany44]

I am 63 and have been on HRT for about 8 years. A game changer in all ways! Brain fog lifted, hot flashes alleviated, better sleep (not perfect) , skin better. Sexlife amazing.. feel like Im in my 20’s.. I take a compounded hormone cream that is dispensed and I do not touch, and a nightly dose of progesterone and pregnenolone. I have regular bone density and vaginal ultrasounds. Cannot imagine living without HRT. I found an anti aging doctor who prescribes but my obgyn moniters.

[pattiz219]

I was on bio identical hormones for a while and it just brought back my period with all the PMS systems too. She called that balancing my hormones. It did help with hot flashes. Are you experiencing the bringing back of your menstrual cycle? 

[lyndah656]

Claudia,

I am 62 years old and have been on bio-identical HRT (pellet) along with oral progesterone for 5 years. As so many others have stated, it is a game changer for me. I would also say it is very important to eat clean, exercise and get sufficient sleep. Best of luck!

[Cherocks]

I recently completed treatment for breast cancer. It was terrible. Hormones can encourage breast cancer. It's just not worth it. Menopausal symptoms decrease over time. 

[LauraF89]

There is a group on FB called Menopause Chicks that has a lot of really good information, Shirley Weir has loads of resources for perimenopause, menopause, and post menopausal women. You might check it out. https://m.facebook.com/groups/MenopauseChicks/?ref=share&mibextid=SDPelY

[TanyaK84]

I have taken HRT in one form or another through my 50’s. It has helped me with night sweats, poor sleeping, memory issues, vaginal dryness, fatigue, etc. I highly recommend, if you have menopausal symptoms. I take a mix of Rx and over the counter medications under the direction of my GYN. There is an interesting article I read recently about how withholding HRT is a health equity issue based on old data. As a pharmacist, I agree with the assertion that not prescribing needed HRT is a result of misinformation and doctors not keeping up with current data.

[TanyaK84]

 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/magazine/menopause-hot-flashes-hormone-therapy.html Check out this article. Long read but worth it on this topic.

[Yaz]

I am on bio identical hormones prescribed by an integrative medicine physician.  I am also a physician and  listen to women’s health webinars. The consensus seems to be YES to hormone replacement unless you have a contraindication to it. It’s helpful for cardiovascular health, it will slow the rate of bone loss and support the urogenital system - ie help prevent bladder leaks and infections and vaginal dryness. All this helps improve quality of life as we get older.
If you are in need of a doc there are nams certified docs. North American menopause society- you can find someone to see. good luck with your  decisions. There is also a FB group menopause chicks with some good information. 

[Gailf595]

I have suffered with almost every post-menopausal symptom- inability to build muscle, unexplained weight gain, hot flashes, etc. I recently found an excellent source of information- Dr. Stacy T. Sims has studied women and their needs from pre-menopause through post. She provides practical and useful information.