Ladies who decided not to take HRT...how has it been?

We just got on with it, like the very heavy periods and pains when young, we talked between each other but got on with it, you would never take time off work or visit a doctor,

One of my DDiL suffers greatly from menopausal symptoms which is sad.
I don't think there's a lot of sympathy in the workplace.

It's not called the change or the change of life for nothing.

You are entering a new stage which is not all bad Lia. Embrace it if you can!

I should add I didn’t decide to NOT use HRT it just didn’t enter my life as I had no problems

I never even knew I’d had the menopause apart from my periods stopped mid 40s I never had any problems at all I don’t know what a hot flush is Neither of my daughters had any trouble either like me they just stopped None of us took HRT

I refused HRT as I had rejected contraceptive pills I did have 4 babies
I wanted to be as natural as possible.
My periods were always heavy and the best thing ever was when they stopped when aged about 52.

However I developed a prolapse and had a hysterectomy to cure that. I had never been told the advantages of HRT. Later when prolapse symptoms returned I was prescribed oestrogen cream which I still use.

So as a wrinkly at 76, yr old, I have a form of HRT.

Annoyingly, my friend aged 80, had the HRT, is superfit and looks about 60.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I was told there was a link between that and cancer so I never took it. I had an early menopause in my early 40 s and just coped with hot flushes etc. The worst thing for me was a tendency to overthink things and worry about trivia.

I simply was not offered them but was aware of the frequent headline reports of heightened cancer risks.
My periods had long ceased when I had the Mirena contraceptive coil removed for the final time because it is common for menstruation to dwindle or all but end very soon after it is first inserted, I hadn’t noticed, but I was quite happy with that outcome anyway - a win-win really.

However it would have been nice to have had the option because it has become common knowledge that hot flushes etc are not the end at all but just the start of life without those hormones and the positive benefits HRT could have provided into my 60s and beyond.
all the talk is still about hot flushes and not wanting sex anymore more at 40 something as though that is the “be all and end all” of a womans health.

I didn’t take HRT. Never had a hot flush. Instead feel very cold all the time. My problem with the menopause has been severe panic attacks which I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Apparently doctors suffer from them too.

My periods faded away with minimal symptoms apart from vaginal dryness. I'm on long term pessaries with a tiny dose of hrt which I use once a week, although they'represcribedfortwice a week. There is some evidence that they reduce the risk of UTIs as you get older. I'm mid 60s and will continue to use indefinitely. Prior to being prescribed the hrt pessaries I did try non medicated cream to reduce vaginal dryness, which helped but not enough.

Skydancer

There are lots of natural things you can take to help with menopause. A good herbalist would advise you. Why fill your body with chemicals. The menopause is a natural phase of life.

Good advice, thanks.

Romola

I'll be 80 this summer. I do seem to be more wrinkly than friends who did take HRT, but otherwise if anything more able physically.
My daughter, almost 52, much more like her father, brainy, more emotional, more of a worrier, she's glad of her patches and so is her husband. Horses for courses!

Think I'd prefer to stay physically active than have less wrinkles myself but I have read a lot of women believe it keeps them looking youthful, which is always good. I joined a skincare group and some ladies even use the eostrogen cream that is meant for dryness in other areas on their faces. Not sure that should be done but they swear by it!

There are lots of natural things you can take to help with menopause. A good herbalist would advise you. Why fill your body with chemicals. The menopause is a natural phase of life.

I'll be 80 this summer. I do seem to be more wrinkly than friends who did take HRT, but otherwise if anything more able physically.
My daughter, almost 52, much more like her father, brainy, more emotional, more of a worrier, she's glad of her patches and so is her husband. Horses for courses!

My GP talked me in to having HRT - I insisted I felt fine, but he said that as a close relative had died from heart disease it would help prevent that. I got the prescription, and read the leaflet. It stated quite clearly that any one with the hearing problem that I had - otosclerosis - should not take HRT as it might well worsen the condition, which had probably been triggered by pregnancy. I didn't take it, clearly, and felt somewhat miffed as I had seen the GP to discuss my worsening hearing.

I was offered it but didn't take it.

I was lucky. Never had any problems with periods and had a calm menopause.

Possibly worth trying it and see how you find it.

Lia173

Thanks again for all the replies. It's good to see so many people feeling good and being active in the waters but I do appreciate health can be a lottery. I'm definitely more relaxed about not going on it now, though it's good to know it's an option should it be needed and I know some women really would suffer without. It's good to know it isn't horrendous for everyone and as someone mentioned, I think I'm almost post menopausal now with the lack of periods. Wishing you all the best 🤗

Should have reviewed my last post before I posted it. "It's good to see people being active in their later years", not "the waters" . I'll have to blame that one on brain fog 😁.

Thanks again for all the replies. It's good to see so many people feeling good and being active in the waters but I do appreciate health can be a lottery. I'm definitely more relaxed about not going on it now, though it's good to know it's an option should it be needed and I know some women really would suffer without. It's good to know it isn't horrendous for everyone and as someone mentioned, I think I'm almost post menopausal now with the lack of periods. Wishing you all the best 🤗

Shinamae

I had a hysterectomy in my late 30s
Never took HRT,never got hot flushes and I’ve always been a moody cow so doubt that would have made a difference anyway 😜

😁😁

Tiley

I took HRT for 2 weeks then decided to stop it. Yes I had awful hot flushes and felt spaced out and grumpy at times but nothing I couldn't handle. When I look back it was no big deal for me, I got through it and am still here over 20 years later. I now have cancer which is not curable for me so in hindsight the menopause was a walk in the park considering what I am going through now.

Thanks for your reply. Wish the best for you 💕

Tiley

I took HRT for 2 weeks then decided to stop it. Yes I had awful hot flushes and felt spaced out and grumpy at times but nothing I couldn't handle. When I look back it was no big deal for me, I got through it and am still here over 20 years later. I now have cancer which is not curable for me so in hindsight the menopause was a walk in the park considering what I am going through now.

💕💕 💐💐

Doodledog

It's difficult to say, as I didn't take it, so can't compare with how things would have been if I had.

I always had awful periods, and was put on a form of contraceptive pill at the age of 12 (!!), so felt I'd had enough by way of artificial hormones by the time I reached middle age. I had hot flushes, but not night sweats or any of the other horrors you read about. My sister did take HRT, and whilst she is only 2 years younger than me she looks a lot younger, so there's that, but on the whole I don't regret not taking it.

Snap!

Tiley

I took HRT for 2 weeks then decided to stop it. Yes I had awful hot flushes and felt spaced out and grumpy at times but nothing I couldn't handle. When I look back it was no big deal for me, I got through it and am still here over 20 years later. I now have cancer which is not curable for me so in hindsight the menopause was a walk in the park considering what I am going through now.

💐💐💐

I took HRT for 2 weeks then decided to stop it. Yes I had awful hot flushes and felt spaced out and grumpy at times but nothing I couldn't handle. When I look back it was no big deal for me, I got through it and am still here over 20 years later. I now have cancer which is not curable for me so in hindsight the menopause was a walk in the park considering what I am going through now.

Sarnia I agree!

I had a hysterectomy in my late 30s
Never took HRT,never got hot flushes and I’ve always been a moody cow so doubt that would have made a difference anyway 😜