Make-up and the Menopause

I'm a lover of full slap at all times, and although I don't have the sweats, my makeup stays on through thick and thin. For me, the vital ingredient is primer, plus matt foundation (loads of those around now). For lips, make sure you pencil around the lipline before applying colour, or the colour will bleed.

If you use eye makeup, use waterproof mascara.

Hi Wilma,
Those of us on HRT have chosen to delay the change. Personally I will be taking it forever as life without oestrogen is unthinkable after my experiences following a hysterectomy.
I have a tiny very low dose pellet implanted every six months, so I only have to think about it twice a year. Been doing this for about 25 years and the benefits are enormous.
It is a bit like the freedom the pill gave us in our youth, completely life changing.

Wilma,
I did respond to your question a couple of days ago but somehow it hasn't appeared. Those of us on HRT have opted to delay the menopause. I have no intention of ever stopping therefore it is a matter of the individual deciding whether or not they wish to suffer the change or not. The ladies I meet in the menopause clinic all say that they are on implants for life. We believe that quality of life is all important and fortunately both NICE and our specialist agree. We pop in twice a year and have a tiny pellet of very low dosage oestrogen implanted under our skin then for the other 363 days of the year we don't have to think of it allowing us to get on with our lives. Other options are mini patches to put on twice a week, gel to be applied daily, an aerosol to be inhaled every day (if still available), and a daily pill. The transdermal option (everything except the pills) is preferable. If you have had a hysterectomy you only need oestrogen, otherwise a combination of oestrogen and progestogen is required.
Hope this answers your question.

Esspee actually I can see your reply from Tuesday, but I must have missed it. Thanks for explaining and taking the time to tell us about your HRT. My Mum stayed on HRT far longer than was recommended at the time and didn't want to come off it because she looked so well on it. Her skin retained its firmness and it was in great condition. She felt it kept her looking a lot younger than her age.

Unfortunately I can't take HRT because I have endometriosis and fibroids. A few years ago I had problems having my usual smear test and after an internal examination, I was sent for an ultrasound by my GP. In addition to identifying a large fibroid, the ultrasound showed a large mass on one of my ovaries. Blood and other tests indicated it was more than likely ovarian cancer. It was decided I should have a hysterectomy and both ovaries removed, but when I went into surgery, it was discovered that had more than one fibroid and extensive endometriosis - the consultant used the phrase 'riddled with it'. It had caused my womb to become attached to my bladder and intestines, so it was decided just to remove the ovary with the mass. She could tell just from looking at it that the mass was also endo, and this was confirmed later once it was tested for cancer cells.

My consultant told me I would not be suitable for HRT and I would go through the menopause in due course and hopefully the endo and fibroids would shrink. I had injections for 3 months of a hormone given to men with prostate cancer and these stopped my periods. Unfortunately I had the same problem with my next smear and so far the fibroids and endometriosis haven't shrunk. Luckily the only menopause symptom I have is these head sweats. I had one this morning, but it must be a week since the last one.

I do envy women who are on HRT and don't know anyone who wants to come off it. I certainly didn't know you could stay on it for life, so thanks for sharing that information.

A slight derail, but when I started having flushes a while back my doc refused me HRT. I'm surprised to discover that its use is widespread, and I'm wondering how other women have managed to get it?

Incidentally, I wasn't refused to due to medical history, it was a straightforward "no".

i've been on hrt since my total hysterectomy in 1995 - i had ovarian cancer so my gynae removed everything [as he put it he took away the nursery but left the playpen - loved that description].

at first i had patches but was allergic to them so then i opted for the implant but, about four years ago, was told by the hospital that the manufacturers weren't making it any more so i've been on pills every since.

i get all my pills and potions from an online pharmacy and they email me every 28 days asking if i need anything. i've never had a problem with getting the hrt [or anything else actually] and would recommend an online pharmacy as it saves all that faff going to your doctor's to leave the repeat prescription and then going back a couple of days later to get the new one and have it made up.

i've decided to stay on hrt for as long as i can at the current dosage - i feel very well on it and don't look my age [or so i've been told]. and don't suffer from any symptoms. hated the hot flushes after my hysterectomy before i got the patches.

as for makeup - i tend not to use it unless i'm going out with the girls and even then i only use eye makeup and lipstick as i find foundation doesn't stay on anyway, especially in the summer.

i've used maybelline's 24-hour lipstick for years and find it DOES actually do what it says.

eye makeup is usually collection 2000 [or whatever they call it these days] and i always go for an eyeliner like a felt tip pen - much easier than liquid. mascara is one which bulks my lashes out.

as i wear glasses i tend to go slightly overboard on the eye makeup - just to make sure it's seen!! and i try to colour-code it with what i'm wearing at the time. i get many compliments thankfully!

Update!

Hi everyone

I have some news! I went on to the Estee Lauder website, and did live chat with one of the assistants, who talked me through the Double Wear product that some of you recommended. She even told me, after asking some questions, what colour foundation I would need. Needless to say, I was a little reluctant to buy a colour based on what she'd told me without seeing me, so got my lovely husband to take me into town briefly to visit Debenhams and the E. Lauder counter. The young lady there gave me a couple of samples, one of which is absolutely perfect, and surprisingly was the exact shade that the assistant on line had recommended. I came home and tried it and it's AMAZING! That afternoon I had 3 hot flushes making my hair drip but the make up stayed put! I was gobsmacked! Needless to say, I shall be investing in the product for longer term wear, and just to share what I've learned, if you want to try Estee Lauder products, you can order online, and if it's the wrong colour, or doesn't suit, you can send it back and they'll even pay the p&p. You can't ask for better than that, so well done all who recommended their product, and to E.L. for their EXCELLENT service.

NJ , excellent news every little helps to make us feel good about ourselves

Lupatria,
The implants did become unavailable about 4 years ago. There was almost a riot at the menopause clinic. You have to be a very brave person to tell a woman with oestrogen levels at rock bottom that she is not going to get her implant. I was told to use patches but went home and contacted everyone I could think of from the minister of health down. I created such a fuss that I was asked to come back to the clinic where "miraculously" they had discovered a small supply. That gave me 6 months to do everything I could to ensure another supplier was found. For a while the clinic imported unlicensed oestrogen from the U.S. and we all had to sign a release saying we understood the product was not licensed. Now supplies are back but many ladies who accepted that they would have to change method are unaware they could come back to the clinic.
Pills would be my last choice, any transdermal method is preferable be it implants, patches or gel. Pills are much stronger because the liver eliminates the oestrogen. Transdermal methods avoid the first pass through the liver. I believe your allergic reaction to the patches was to the adhesive, not the active ingredient. Different patches use different adhesive. Estradot worked for me but I prefer implants. You only have to think about it twice a year.

Gettingonabit,
If your doctor is unwilling to prescribe HRT for you change doctor or ask to be referred to a menopause clinic.
NICE recommendations (national clinical guidelines to ensure consistent high quality, evidence based care for patients) have changed recently. If you wish to remain with your present GP you should print out the NICE recommendations and mail them to your doctor to be read before you see them. A friendly note saying that in light of the new guidelines which you have attached you would like to make an appointment to discuss HRT should do the trick. Best of luck.

Thanks Espee. I very rarely go to the Doc in the normal course of things, so unaware of how I should tackle the situation.

I must admit I was a bit shocked (and I'm pretty unshockable most of the time). The Doc (an elderly male, for the record) basically told me that I should "put up and shut up", just like his wife did.

There's a female Doc at the practice now, but I don't get many symptoms apart from crippling tiredness and I don't know if that's just old age.

Anyhoo, glad the OP has found a cosmetic solution to her problem.

Maybe a trip to your GP may be in order. You are suffering quite a bit.

Apologies to the OP as we seem to have gone off at a tangent. Glad you have solved your problem Jude.

Gettingonabit, doctors are human with prejudices like everyone else, a gentle reminder of what constitutes best practice should work but I would be loathe to entrust my healthcare to someone like your male GP. I have described the feeling of HRT kicking in as being like having your battery replaced. I hope it works for you.

NudeJude I'm really pleased you got something sorted and to get the right shade first time too!

Thanks espee.

And sorry for the derail, OP.