Herbal vs Hrt

I decided not to do the HRT as I've never managed artificial hormones well (couldn't take the pill ... ) so I tried Dong Quoi - which I found to be fantastic. Sailed through the menopause with minimum disruption - no hot flushes - but I did get a bit of brain fog from time to time ... Can recommend a good quality capsule as useful.

Ovestin is the correct name for the cream if you want to ask your doctor for it. It was the predictive text again .

I didn't want HRT as I was concerned about all the health risks associated with it and I had a 'good' menopause, not too many hot flushes, but did/do tire more easily and have a few memory lapses, but all in all not bad at all. However repeated waterworks infections and dryness/itching have driven me to use the vaginal cream Overton, which certainly helps, but is not good for the asthma I have so have to keep a look out for asthmatic symptoms worsening, if they do I ease off the cream for a bit.

There is nothing in this world that will ever separate me from my HRT again not even the risk of a second DVT.

I've been using Oestogel since my hysterectomy at 49 in 2005, on the advice of my gynaecologist. I don't think it's widely prescribed but no idea why; you rub it into your inner thighs every day or every other day and, as I understand it, because it's absorbed directly into the bloodstream, you need less active ingredient that in tablet form. It's been great at keeping menopausal symptoms under control and I shall continue as long as I can. Most HRT treatment is not extracted from mares' urine but is extracted from plant sources or synthetically produced, so do check before dismissing the idea as it makes such a difference to your life.

paddyann Glad I am not the only one who has been on it and will be for a very very very long time. It makes such a difference. Insomnia gone, anxiety and fears... no more. I will take my chances with HRT vs antidepressants!

Could not live without HRT. Quality of life is TOO IMPORTANT!

I used to take two pills... need the progesterone as I have a womb. But recently I was changed to the estrogen gel (not a patch-too inconvenient for me) which is excellent. Just pump a small blob of the estrogen gel on my forearms at night after bath, rub arms together for a few secs, and it's disappeared into my skin in 20 secs or less. Still take the other progesterone companion pill.

Happy as Larry now...

Hi ladies, thank you all for your personal comments. I didn't know about the mares whatthehellhappened, that was an eye opener. the doctor did tell me that one of the herbal ones can cause liver/kidney failure,(carn't remember which one), which can be very frightening. think I might try the red clover 1st. what also was an eye opener was you have periods for many years, you then think ow great there over with, only to have the menopause inflicted on us for god knows how long. ( doctor lead me to believe you only suffer a few years, noooo! lol.

Do not trust herbal remedies; what you need is targeted HRT which you can choose when given all the available info. Clearly your GP did not want to come down on a specific remedy because there are so many variables in a person's symptoms. The NHS can provide specific advice from a nurse who has experience. Ask at your surgery reception.

Have you considered bio-identical hormones? I take them & I'm very pleased with the results. I tried the herbal remedies first, but there was no benefit, next was hrt, but saw a recommendation for bio-identical & a year later I'm happy to say all the hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, etc., are gone.

Black cohosh can have some nasty side effects.

Tissue salts, not herbal medicines,were my relief waiting for a hip replacement as paracetamol was giving me side effects and nsaids are not recommended long term .

gillybob, the patches I have are just oestrogen. This is possible because I had a total hysterectomy on my forties.

Perhaps I am unusual (and lucky) as I have never had , or needed, HRT. I was put off it by health risks but my symptoms were mild or non existent once Id got over the embarrassing flooding stage.

30yrs ago when I hit my 40's I suffered badly with all the usual symptoms - night sweats, heavy bleeds, etc. Definitely didn't want to go on HRT and went to a herbalist. It took a wee while for her to adjust the different herbs (valerian, black cohosh and others) but it was very effective. Menopause over I have kept in good health and have had no reason to use herbalist again but it definitely worked for me.

Anti depressants work for me. Minimal side effects which went after a couple of weeks. Mum died of breast cancer at 54 so I'm not willing to take the risk of hrt.

i had a total hysterectomy in 1994 because of ovarian cancer - i was 47 - and went into total menopause the day after the operation.
they gave me patches to stick on my waistline - replacing every two days in a different place .............. i ended up with a ring of rings right around my middle!!
as i didn't want to take pills every day for ever i opted then for an implant every six months which was great until they [whoever they were] decided that they weren't going to make implants again.
so it was back to the dreaded pills. as i take several pills daily for various things i was more okay with them.
so at the age of very nearly 70, i've been on hrt for years and intend being on them for ever [if i'm allowed].
i weighed up the pros and cons and am aware that i could get breast cancer if i continued with them.
i am also aware that i could get osteoporosis if i don't take them. my mother and a friend had this and struggled with broken bones [my friend broke both wrists at separate times and my mother broke her arm] so i decided that i'd rather leave my bones intact!
hrt for me all the time.

Grannyhug I'm on Evorel Conti patches,I had sweats so bad I had to change the sheet sometimes three times in one night ,my husband couldn't sleep in the same bed .My mood swings were horrible and I was very depressed maybe due to the lack of sleep.I was sent to a menopause clinic and I 've been told I can stay on HRT for life IF I want to .My sister who is 68 has just gone back on HRT after 18 months off it for those same reasons .Hope you get it sorted,its hellish.Theres absolutely no shame in taking help when you need it.

I tried all the herbal remedies and could not say they worked eventually went on to a low dose HRT for 3 years. The doctor did not tell me that I would get all the symptoms again when I came off HRT gradually so experienced the hot flushes, mood swings etc. again.
But saying that the Hrt really did help

Hi, I would say homeopathic (different to herbal) -you'd need to see a homeopath. I am biased as I am a homeopath but then I'm unable to take any hormonal preparations so I had to look for an alternative going through the menopause and I think I did OK without any additional hormones.. I have people come to me who regret HRT because when you come off it, you often just have to deal with the symptoms you went on it for.,. You could try herbal as well. I'd get advice from shop staff or do a bit of research before choosing anything. It does help some people. And some people find that if they alter what they eat-so to a healthier diet-it improves hot sweats and flushes-as does reducing stress-I know...easier said than done.

I have been on HRT for eight years and it is wonderful. There are tiny risks of a few more breast cancer cases per thousand but it also protects against other, less visible, cancers and also heart problems. The benefits include feeling more lively, energetic and 'yourself', better ability to control your figure and waistline and better conditioned hair and skin.

Prescribed drug have been tested, the doses are regulated and come with medical advice and clear instructions and notes about side effects and other concerns. Herbal remedies have none of these protections.

Also, if you are taking herbal remedies you need to inform your doctor as some can interfere with the efficacy of prescribed drugs.

I'm with Hm999. I didn't want to add another medication to the daily routine and fortunately, the Red Clover recommended by the hairdresser worked for me. I took it for 3 weeks and never looked back.

I was on HRT for about 35 years. This was stopped when I was hospitalised two years ago. During the last few months I have started getting very severe hot flushes. My doctor has put me back on HRT but on a lower dose. The flushes are ongoing and very bad. I should add that I am now 85 and find these symptoms very disturbing. Perhaps I should ask about the patches that have been discussed . Could you say what name you found so successful paddyann ?

RAF that's good to know that there's an alternative

The thought of HRT scared me with all the possible side effects/health risks. I took Red Clover which helped with my hot flushes and I didn't have any other symptoms - I have no idea whether that was the Red Clover or I wouldn't have done anyway!