Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Correct me if I’m wrong but HRT still increases cancer and stroke risk, even if not as much as previously thought.

Everyone makes their own choices. But every time I feel like it would be great to make the hot flashes go away, I remember that a stroke would be MUCH worse, and I decide again not to take HRT.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.038659

Have you also avoided oral contraception, as the risk factors seem even higher for oral contraception? Also, none of the doctors who prescribed my birth control have ever mentioned this risk, which is concerning to me.

I took the pill for a while and I also think people are cavalier about the stroke risk for the pill. Also lots of other unpleasant side effects of the pill. As a young woman I switched to the ring (less hormones) then to a copper IUD.

30+ years ago, I had a colleague who experiences the blood clot risk of being on BC. She was only 28 and is lucky to be alive. Was hospitalize for a few weeks and out of work for 6+ weeks. The risk is real. And she was not overweight, did not smoke, did not have a family history, or any other risk factors to indicate problems. I have to think HRT is typically given at much lower doses and for many the benefits outweigh the risks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i asked this question from my friend who is an OBGYN. She said doctors are slow to change and many operate on antiquated outdated debunked information. She said women’s health suffers as a result.

Ask her what doctors will treat the women who have a stroke shortly after starting HRT … HRT significantly increases the risk of stroke in the first year taking it. I have a 12 year old - I don’t like hotflashes but I need to stay healthy for him. A stroke would be a disagree.

But there is also research that says HRT in women <60 years of age and/or at or near menopause "significantly reduces all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD)," and I would take an increased reduction of all-cause mortality at an increased risk of a stroke. The article also says, "Magnitude and type of HRT-associated risks, including breast cancer, stroke, and venous thromboembolism are rare (<10 events/10,000 women), not unique to HRT and comparable with other medications.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9178928/#:~:text=Initiated%20in%20women%20%3C60%20years,lowering%20fail%20to%20do%20so.

My cholesterol shot up from 140/150 to 230+ 6 months before I hit full menopause and has remained there. I expect to start HRT soon and all of my doctors expect it will be lowered within a few months. It's a well known fact that the lack of hormones almost triples our risks for Heart attacks/CVD related issues---we are protected by the hormones until then and they it skyrockets. So you have to use family history and get educated about what is best for your situation. Also, transdermal estrogen is very different than pill form---it's highly recommended you do transdermal to minimize risks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The person who says everyone needs to just deal and only mentioned hot flashes needs to STFU.

People are in pain. Go away.

Look I know some women suffer more severe symptoms, but menopause is not actually a disease that has to be treated. It’s not a medical conspiracy to say that the medications should be used conservatively or not at all it the symptoms are mild. Risks, benefits.

How to be technically correct while also spreading one's own severe ignorance all over the internet ^^

Are you trying to claim HRT has no side effects or risks?

Hrt is heart protective and reduces dementia risks, I’ll gladly take those side effects while living a vastly improved life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has bad experience on low dose BCPs for peri. Got a new doc. Young. And she prescribed estrogen patches and progesterone. I’m 48. Still having regular but kinda wonky cycles. Omg. The progesterone. I sleep again!!! I thought good sleep was just over for me. And I’ve been having terrible sleep for at least 5+ years.

Same. I had no idea the sleep was a peri/menopause thing until I went on HRT for other reasons and suddenly slept through the night.

I'm in fully menopause (2+ years without a cycle). Went on Progesterone 1 year ago and OMG---now when I forget to take it, I wake up at 3am. When I take it consistently , I sleep much better. HRT can be life changing. You don't have to suffer. You do have to talk with your doctor, be aware of the risks of both taking HRT and NOT taking HRT (like higher Cholesterol, feeling like crap and not sleeping, increased risk of injury due to low bone density that increases as Hormones decrease). Get educated and find your options. But any doctor who immediately says "dont' do HRT" is not highly educated on the topic. Because it's beneficial for many people. Ideally you start at lower levels, use transdermal estrogen (less risk) and stay at the lowest level that gives you the best results. But you don't have to suffer. Unless you have a major family risk for breast cancer, most of the time, the benefits of HRT will outweigh any risks. Also, know if you do HRT, get your mammogram every 12 months---don't wait 15-18 months. Get a transvaginal ultrasound every 12 months ( to ensure it's not causing issues). Insurance will pay for it, get tested and stay on top of the testing. But if you don't have family risk, the benefits may outweigh the risks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The person who says everyone needs to just deal and only mentioned hot flashes needs to STFU.

People are in pain. Go away.

Look I know some women suffer more severe symptoms, but menopause is not actually a disease that has to be treated. It’s not a medical conspiracy to say that the medications should be used conservatively or not at all it the symptoms are mild. Risks, benefits.

How to be technically correct while also spreading one's own severe ignorance all over the internet ^^

Are you trying to claim HRT has no side effects or risks?

Ummm, no. Your reading comprehension is extremely poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i asked this question from my friend who is an OBGYN. She said doctors are slow to change and many operate on antiquated outdated debunked information. She said women’s health suffers as a result.

Another lovely thing we get to deal with in peri/menopause (Sarcasm for anyone impaired) is developing sleep apnea. My Sleep specialist doctor (didn't snore/be tired after a good nights sleep until I was in menopause) told me almost 50% of his new patients are females in late peri/early menopause. The change in hormones drives the sleep apnea--almost all are thin/not your typical candidates for sleep issues--and never had issues until they entered menopause.
He was on a study a decade ago and it was working extremely well---HRT "cured" the sleep apnea, but then all the issues with "it will cause cancer " hit as well and the project was shut down. But he saw the initial results and fully believes it is our messed up hormones that causes it. Sleep apnea can lead to strokes and heart attacks if not treated. For me, I only have mild sleep apnea if I sleep supine (on back). If I'm on either side I have none at all. So now I sleep with a huge ass pregnancy pillow to help keep me on my sides. But if that doesn't continue to work, I will happily get a CPAP machine.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 3 years into peri, and about 6 months before I had my last period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has bad experience on low dose BCPs for peri. Got a new doc. Young. And she prescribed estrogen patches and progesterone. I’m 48. Still having regular but kinda wonky cycles. Omg. The progesterone. I sleep again!!! I thought good sleep was just over for me. And I’ve been having terrible sleep for at least 5+ years.

Same. I had no idea the sleep was a peri/menopause thing until I went on HRT for other reasons and suddenly slept through the night.

I'm in fully menopause (2+ years without a cycle). Went on Progesterone 1 year ago and OMG---now when I forget to take it, I wake up at 3am. When I take it consistently , I sleep much better. HRT can be life changing. You don't have to suffer. You do have to talk with your doctor, be aware of the risks of both taking HRT and NOT taking HRT (like higher Cholesterol, feeling like crap and not sleeping, increased risk of injury due to low bone density that increases as Hormones decrease). Get educated and find your options. But any doctor who immediately says "dont' do HRT" is not highly educated on the topic. Because it's beneficial for many people. Ideally you start at lower levels, use transdermal estrogen (less risk) and stay at the lowest level that gives you the best results. But you don't have to suffer. Unless you have a major family risk for breast cancer, most of the time, the benefits of HRT will outweigh any risks. Also, know if you do HRT, get your mammogram every 12 months---don't wait 15-18 months. Get a transvaginal ultrasound every 12 months ( to ensure it's not causing issues). Insurance will pay for it, get tested and stay on top of the testing. But if you don't have family risk, the benefits may outweigh the risks

Progesterone restored my sleep. I will never go back to only 3 hours of sleep a night. Even if I believed the risks of HRT were as hyped as someone here claims, which I don't, a sleep-deprived life is not worth it.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]it is SO FRUSTRATING.
I dont want to be an old twisted hag when i could have had magical youth potion. But my dr says evidence still strongly points to cancer risk. who is right? what to believe? halp.[/quote]

Your doctor is ignorant and not current. Had one try to tell me the same. Find a new one! Take care of yourself and get what you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he is worried about stroke. A lot of the population has unknown Factor V.

No this is just ignorance

[Anonymous]

I am 48, no period for 9 months, and cannot sleep to save my life, have gained 6 lbs, and just don’t feel like myself. Family history of osteoporosis. Sounds like a transdermal patch might be a good option for me? How does this affect weight? My mom went on estrogen in the 90s and gained a lot of weight. I hate to be this gal, but I know I won’t stay in anything if it causes weight gain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The person who says everyone needs to just deal and only mentioned hot flashes needs to STFU.

People are in pain. Go away.

Look I know some women suffer more severe symptoms, but menopause is not actually a disease that has to be treated. It’s not a medical conspiracy to say that the medications should be used conservatively or not at all it the symptoms are mild. Risks, benefits.

How to be technically correct while also spreading one's own severe ignorance all over the internet ^^

Are you trying to claim HRT has no side effects or risks?

Hrt is heart protective and reduces dementia risks, I’ll gladly take those side effects while living a vastly improved life

The research on HRT and dementia is conflicting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think HRT is awful. Just start doing yoga, stop eating processed junk foods and MEAT, and drink lots of water. I'm older than all my neighbors/most friends and I look better than all of them so far. Some are on HRT, some not. It really comes down to diet, stress levels, and exercise. I don't work so I am able to focus more on these things.

This is my plan too. I will eat meat despite not wanting too given all the recommendations for protein, but I won't be eating processed meat. I am skeptical about HRT and would like to go naturally if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think HRT is awful. Just start doing yoga, stop eating processed junk foods and MEAT, and drink lots of water. I'm older than all my neighbors/most friends and I look better than all of them so far. Some are on HRT, some not. It really comes down to diet, stress levels, and exercise. I don't work so I am able to focus more on these things.

This is my plan too. I will eat meat despite not wanting too given all the recommendations for protein, but I won't be eating processed meat. I am skeptical about HRT and would like to go naturally if possible.

Good for you, but please try to remember that genes also play a role in how our bodies respond to lower hormone levels, aging, etc. It's really frustrating when people come on here with suggestions like "just do XYZ" because while I'm happy you found success with that plan, it might not be for everyone. HRT is a very valid option for many.

[Anonymous]

Why did someone resurrect a nasty thread from months ago? Anyway just another vote for hrt estrogen with progesterone to sleep again! I cycle my progesterone 2 weeks on 2 off and I always look forward to the extra great sleep while on the progesterone! Night night