The Truth About The Menopause...Mariella Frostrup

Oh yes I did Lollin and was told that the GP hadn’t read my notes properly . Mind you that’s nothing new for our surgery .

Poly I only took the pill for 3 years ,I got pregnant TWICE while on it so was fitted with a coil I have had the most horrendous menopause until I saw a fab gyneacologist a few years ago .I'm on Evorel Conti patches and although I have intermittent bleeding my awful symptoms are gone.I see the Gynae guy regularly for checks ,had a visit last month ,for scans as I have ovarian cysts and I had a biopsy last time because I was bleeding a lot.Nothing to worry about he said ,no reason to come off HRT if you want to stay on it .In fact I too am staying on it for life .I feel great .I need to be healthy ,my daughter has multiple health issues that confine her to bed so I have to be aroundto help.
Best thing anyone suffering should do is see a gynaecologist and make sure you give him all the grisly details thats the only way you'll get help.

gillybob, is it possible for you to change to a different doctor? I am extremely satisfied with the ones that I have been registered with from birth but had I been subjected to the experiences you have suffered I wouldn't hesitate to move.

paddyann We could start an "HRT for ever" club. [Grin]

I hardly ever come on here but yes I will join that club!

Although the programme had its faults at least it aired menopause on BBC 1 primetime! I agree most women can't afford private specialists but I get so frustrated when I hear women bemoaning their hot flushes and low mood etc due to menopause. If there is no medical reason not to take hRT then it will improve your quality of life for all the years you are taking it and as EssPee said improve your bone and cardio-vascular health too. NOONE needs to suffer these days. OK it might take a few goes to find the right one - but it's worth it.

By the way ref one poster upthread - the "natural" hormones - estradiol and progesterone are available on NHS and in fact most of the oestrogen prescribed these days is estradiol - the one that becomes deficient at menopause. You just need to educate yourself and then find the doc in your practice that will prescribe the combo you choose. Plenty of info out there - My Menopause Dr, Menopause Matters etc.

I am mid 50's and have been on HRT for over 10 years and hope to stay on it for a good while yet.

To minimise any risks you just have to attend to any lifestyle factors eg the blood clot risk - lose weight, improve your diet, take more exercise, stop smoking, limit alcohol etc so that your cholesterol and BP will reduce - unless of course you have genetic factors that mean you are generally at risk - but most of us are not! Then your risks from HRT such that there are - will be minimised. Also trandermal oestrogens are better for you as they don't have to be processed by the liver.

Do I sound fanatical?!! I just wish for everyone not to have to suffer if they can avoid it!

Good to know that more women are getting treatment.

I was denied treatment - quite recently too- miserable old quack told me to "put up with it" ...just like his wife had to..

I wish I'd got a second opinion.