Painful hot flushes

That is very interesting and informative Esspee. I wonder if it helps those like you who started HRT at the beginning of the menopause rather than very much later on. In my case this would be a gap of 27 years. Would this be too much too late? Isn’t it about time there was a full comprehensive study on this life changing event, so that we can be well informed. Does anybody know of such a study? I would be very interested to know.

I have been taking HRT for over 30 years now. I feel terrific as do those of my friends who are still on HRT. Compared to our peers who have chosen to go through the menopause we are all fitter, happier and full of life.
I am unconcerned about the initial menopause symptoms many women experience, indeed I still get hot flushes on occasion. Why I am on HRT is because I wish to avoid the long term effect of oestrogen deprivation.
Firstly osteoporosis, my mother suffered from this, I should say SUFFERED. There is no way I would consider allowing that to happen to me when medical advances mean you have the choice. Then there is vaginal atrophy, several of my peers are now suffering from this, together with stress incontinence up to full incontinence. Some have spoken about lack of libido, some have osteoarthritis, urinary tract problems, prolapse and very sadly a few seem to be heading down the road to Alzheimer’s.
HRT protects me from all of these and more. The protective effects e.g. on my heart are a huge bonus.
I realise this post is of no help to you OP but if just one woman approaching menopause benefits from reading this and does their own research leading to an improved quality of life in their later years then it has been worthwhile.

I did stop straight away this time. When I took HRT from age 48-51 it didn’t seem to cause problems apart from weight gain which I lost after I’d stopped taking it then. Maybe I had problems this time because I was taking the Utrogestan continuously rather than having a break as this is what the prescription said to do.

Sounds awful and frightening Glammagran and glad you are feeling better. Did you stop the HRT? I have resisted that option because it doesn’t seem a natural way although it is right and helpful for some.
Thank you for helpful advice from you all. I am really trying to help myself with natural resources but so far nothing helps. Also resisted seeking help from GP because unfortunately had no positive help from them. Just fobbed off most of the time.

After a 16 year gap I started on HRT (Oestrogel and Utrogestan) in the Spring. I wasn’t suffering from menopausal symptoms any longer but with osteoporosis in 2 members of my immediate family I thought it was worth trying again. GP agreed.

My experience for the 2.5 months I took it was horrendous. The only benefit was I slept a lot better. I had headaches, breast tenderness and weight gain. But I became very congested in the pelvic area and one evening out of the blue I had a haemorrhage while eating dinner. It was awful. I got an emergency appt for the following day and was advised to be put on the 2 week cancer pathway. Since menopause I’d never had any even slight spotting. I declined and the pelvic congestion took about 3 weeks to recede entirely along with the weight gain. I’m feeling a lot better now.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hello Granniec. I'm approaching 71 and have been having hot flushes and night sweats for 17 years. Not as frequently these days, but I still have them.
I've had blood work done and everything is normal. I didn't go for HRT, I just get on with it.
The flushes aren't painful, just annoying.

Granniec, sorry to hear you are still suffering. I’m 60 and have been having hot flushes for 15+ years, I don’t know that I could go through another 16 years of them. I’ve had thyroid tests but they have been negative.
Please come back and let us know how you get on.

Granniec, sorry to know how your hot flushes are so painful and still with you !! Please see your GP asap and don't pull any punches , don't put on a brave face . Tell him/ her exactly how bad you feel . Thinking of you and good luck!

I'm so sorry that you are still suffering - at age 76 you'd expect it to have long passed .

You need a full medical check up to see if there isn't another underlying cause .

I'm 73 and on HRT. Even so, I still get hot flushes at times though thankfully not painful.
I agree with Notspaghetti you should have this checked out by your GP.

Firstly, welcome!
By 76 I would have expected this to be "behind me" and would investigate other reasons with my GP.
Sorry you are so uncomfortable.