HRT

So it could be about 2 weeks then. Thanks redundantgran i had a horrible night again last night (no dreams this time though) maybe I am just too impatient. The doctor didn't say how long before is should see an effect. He just said that he had given me the lowest strength to try first. I think you have to weigh up the risk against the quality of life now don't you Iam64? I just know I can't go on feeling like this for much longer.

As I said, I suspect if many of us had known the negative impact (in that department) of coming of HRT, we'd have stayed on it

It's me that can't keep up (if that's what you were hinting at) jings DH is 11 years older than me (in years) but 20 years younger in XXX

That bloody HRT needs to work miracles !

I took it for about 7 years on the advice of my (male) GP, starting in my late 40's when blood tests suggested hormones down. The GP had a real interest in RA and said I should take it to help with bone density. 7 years later my (female) GP said I needed to stop taking it. A recent bone density scan confirms the HRT has helped with that. It also helps with so many other issues, aches n pains, vaginal comfort etc. Good luck gillybob, I suspect many of us would take the risks associated with HRT because of the quality of life benefits

I've been on HRT for over 20 years Gillybob and found the few times i have been off it, usually for a month before surgery a couple of times in the last few years and it's taken about 2 weeks to take effect afterwards.
Also i have always had patches and for me they take some getting off,i try not to put body cream on before i put a new one on.
I did come of it for 18 months about 10 years ago and had no quality of life at all with hot flushes moods swings etc! so ended up back on it and dread the day i can't take it.

I should think two or three weeks. Never had it though. (Hrt that is)

Enjoy your dreams Gillybob. Just hope your DH can kee No! I'm not gonna say that! I'm not!

I remember wearing those patches. They made my skin pink and itchy!

Does anyone know how long it normally takes before you see a difference? Gp just said that he had given me the lowest dose to see how I go with it. Not sure how long I should give it?

Not sure if we have wires crossed Luckygirl My GP said they were always falling off.

I never had a problem with getting the patches off - quite the opposite actually!

Yes they did fall off a bit and occasionally ended up stuck on OH in the morning, which he didn't appreciate!

Thank you Mamie He did offer me patches Mamie but then said that many people reported them falling off so advised against. 2nd tablet tonight so I am hoping a few more days and I should see a difference (unless anyone can tell me otherwise) The leaflet inside only really talks about the nasty side effects and tells you how to take the tablets, it gives no indication as to how/when you will see a difference. If I could only have a good nights sleep I would be happy. I'm sick of being a day time zombie.

Hurrah! I am so pleased for you. Presumably he has read the new NICE guidlines.
I have to say my patches worked pretty much straight away. I remember driving out onto the fast, busy road that was my daily 30 mile commute at the time (not good after nights without sleep because of hot flushes) and feeling a flush start and then give up and die away with a sigh.

After another horrendous week of sleeplessness, hot flushes, night sweats and feeling generally awful I made yet another appointment at my GP's surgery yesterday. I was told that the only GP available was a young man and I reluctantly accepted the appointment. I went in quite prepared to be told that NO I couldn't have HRT (as has happened so many times in the past) but he chatted for a while, looked through my notes and history and asked me a few questions. Then he said that he could see no reason why I could not have HRT (in a low dose to start with) as long as I have regular reviews (as I am sure is normal). I am not under any illusion that HRT is some kind of magical cure for all ills but I do hope that I am able to have my life back. I am after all only 53 and am sick of feeling like an old lady. I took the first tablet last night, still had horrible night sweats (I know it wasn't going to work after only one tablet) and had a very sexy unsettling dream.
probably no connection just pinning my hopes on this wonder drug

onluthelonly Glad things worked out for you. Hope your overall health improves.

Magpie123. I posted about breast cancer when on hrt and the length of time I had to attend for 10 years and this was on the 1 million woman trials. Testing type of cancer what drugs to be used this was checked every 6 months. ... I am a survivor , and glad I was on that trial.

From the Cancerresearchuk.org website

HRT and cancer

The evidence that HRT can cause some types of cancer (breast, womb and ovarian) is strong. It includes a study of one million women, run by Cancer Research UK scientists, which has shown that different types of HRT can increase the risk of different cancers.

Breast cancer

The risk of developing breast cancer is increased for women who are using combined HRT, and may also be increased for users of oestrogen-only HRT. The Million Women Study results suggested that women who are using combined HRT have double the risk of breast cancer compared to non-users. And if they use HRT for over 10 years, their risks are even higher.

Once a woman stops using HRT, her risk of breast cancer will start to drop back down again. It takes about 5 years to go back to the same risk as if she hadn't used HRT.

Breast cancer is much more common than either ovarian or womb cancer. This means that, if you look at the total effect of HRT on these types of cancer, combined HRT is linked to more cases than oestrogen-only HRT, because of its effect on the risk of breast cancer.

Womb (endometrial) cancer

HRT which uses oestrogen-only increases the risk of womb cancer. But the picture for combined HRT is a bit more complicated. There is evidence that the progestogen part of combined HRT can counteract the cancer-causing effects of the oestrogen part. Studies have shown that the more days per month a woman uses progestogen, as part of combined HRT, the less the increase in risk of womb cancer. At the moment there isn't enough research to say whether, above a certain dose, the progestogen can outweigh the oestrogen and actually reduce the risk of womb cancer overall.

Ovarian cancer

Using either oestrogen-only or combined (oestrogen and progestogen) HRT increases a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. In 2015 new research found that there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer even for women who are taking HRT for under 5 years.

When a woman stops taking HRT the risk starts to go back down over time.

In the UK, for every 1000 women using any type of HRT for 5 years from age 50 there is thought to be 1 extra case of ovarian cancer.
Other cancers

Merci Mamie. I am truly concerned about the 'all bad for all, or 'all brilliant for all' advice on drugs on the internet- as said, all drugs have possible side-effects, and all have to be taken with care and with as much info as possible - with each individual case being different and all risks taken into account. Just like in the statins discussion- pros and cons to be carefully balanced for each individual. Bonne soirée (have a nice evening).

Completely d'ac with all of that GJ.

Of course Mamie, no-one is suggesting that alternative to HRT should be taken without discussion with the medical staff for interactions, etc.

Even the NICE document, which I have re-read now- mentions the efficacy of St John's Wort, for instance, for some people- but also warns of contraindication (does not mention sensitization to sunlight though- which is another side-effect). I truly do not think that taking soya products could have any serious side effects. The NICE document does mention short term use, up to 5 years- so perhaps not a foever until very old age treatment.

All I am saying, is that risk assessment has to be re-assessed regularly in relations to due research- and that HRT is NOT a risk-less treatment- perhaps more for some than others. It may well be, on balance, the better of other evils- but certainly should not ever become a 'casual' treatment for eternal youth, unless there are very good reasons for continued treatment. Same as for most drugs- it is a matter of balance. But surely, if, for some- safe alternatives and life changes can avoid treatment with strong drugs- that has to be good no? For some, this may indeed not be possible.

That should, of course, have read "topical oestrogen".
To be honest I am a bit surprised that we have the original thread requesting feedback on the guidelines and then this thread where lots of people have talked about their own experiences, but very few people have actually commented on what NICE are saying. Why is that?
The draft guidelines seem to me to paint a different picture of risks / benefits from some of the comment on here.

Some "alternatives to HRT" found on the internet will be of some use to some people; some will have side effects, others should be treated with extreme caution. If you suffer significant symptoms from loss of oestrogen then you need informed medical help.
When I first suffered from urogenital atrophy, I needed months of thrush medicines and antibiotics for urinary infections. I was unable to exercise because of extreme discomfort. I think that oestrogen is a much better alternative and my doctor agrees.
When you suffer the symptoms from menopause that Gillybob describes then you need proper medical help.
The NICE guidelines are very clear and informative; I wish they had been there ten years ago.

If you Google 'alternatives to HRT' there are pages of advice about suitable foods, supplements, herbs and lifestyle changes - which might be of interest to some of you.

Have you tried the obvious things - soya milk drinks for example?
Just a thought.