HRT: do I need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be 49 soon and am very likely beginning an estrogen patch and oral progesterone and I can’t wait: I was so certain that because I don’t have hot flashes, and my periods were largely very regular despite having atypical PCOS (I am slim and not diabetic, I haven’t taken anything for it in years, but my free testosterone, ovaries and hirsutism show the impact), that no gyn would consider my other symptoms (insomnia, joint pain, mood swings, vasomotor issues with dizziness, hair and skin changes) as something I could remedy.

I know I felt that way because basically women ARE still told to suck it up and deal. It’s deep in the culture. It’s the mindset of most men I know, including friends, who definitely see an “age defying” 49 year old as hot but one who struggles as a loser, a grandma, nonexistent. I still know plenty of women around 45 who believe HRT gives everyone cancer, and I know plenty of Cool Girls my age and older who think because they’re slim and can run a race or do goblet squats, that perimenopause is for lazy women who just “let themselves go.” Who attribute physical changes of hormonal fluctuation to the bad women who don’t woman well enough. It’s a shittacular message and it comes from multiple directions in this year of our lord 2023, and it’s smug, misogynistic, deliberate, and maddening. I’m also frustrated by the whole commerce that’s developed around peri and meno because I think there’s a risk that some women will think it’s somehow “better” or “more natural” or certainly sexier and cooler to get supplements from Goop for 1k/yr instead of seeing a good gyn and talking about prescription hormonal meds. But that’s me.

Other things for those interested to reference:

- Susan Dominus’s NYT article from Feb 2023 titled “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause”
- Dr Lauren Streicher’s podcast
- Dr Jen Gunter’s whole body of work

Good luck to us all. We deserve to feel ok, and for this portion of life, which could literally be half of our lives, not be treated as a joke.

Amen, sister. I'm 50 have and been on progestrone capsules and testosterone cream for a few years. No side effects. Feel a lot better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of lower-risk HRT options. I'm on:

1. progesterone capsules
2. estrogen suppository for dryness
3. estrogen patch (much less risky than pill according to my doctor)
4. testosterone cream

To answer your question, OP, yes, in your shoes I'd be banging down the doctor's door. Women are socialized to suffer and the medical profession as a whole has ignored us for far too long, but thankfully that's changing.

Two books you might consider reading are The Menopause Manifesto and Hot and Bothered.

Keep in mind that there's more than one type of HRT and you should find a doctor who's willing to test your hormones, listen to your symptoms, and prescribe as appropriate.

What is the testosterone cream for?

Libido/sex drive, which typically plummets during menopause.

Can it also plummet in peri? I'm only late 30s but I've had no drive for a while. I thought it had to do with nursing- after I weaned my first, it came roaring back in a matter of weeks but I weaned my second in November and nothing happened. Cycles are still regular but I can tell my ovulations are weak and my periods are lighter than they used to be. My mom was 45 at menopause so I wondered if I'm in peri already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I’ve been dealing with perimenopause for almost a decade (I’m 48). Symptoms come and go — dryness, hot flash/night sweats, sleep trouble, mood changes etc. How bad does it have to be to take HRT? Its just occurring to me that, as women, we are conditioned to put up with a lot (PMS, childbirth pain, menopause discomfort) and not complain. Should I ask to try it?

Go to a OBGYN who is a menopause specialist. She should be able to do lab tests and start HRT or in meanwhile put on birth control pill (same hormones). May be some medication or supplements for specific symptoms. There is no need to suffer. Also get your annual PCP visit done as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of lower-risk HRT options. I'm on:

1. progesterone capsules
2. estrogen suppository for dryness
3. estrogen patch (much less risky than pill according to my doctor)
4. testosterone cream

To answer your question, OP, yes, in your shoes I'd be banging down the doctor's door. Women are socialized to suffer and the medical profession as a whole has ignored us for far too long, but thankfully that's changing.

Two books you might consider reading are The Menopause Manifesto and Hot and Bothered.

Keep in mind that there's more than one type of HRT and you should find a doctor who's willing to test your hormones, listen to your symptoms, and prescribe as appropriate.

What is the testosterone cream for?

Libido/sex drive, which typically plummets during menopause.

Can it also plummet in peri? I'm only late 30s but I've had no drive for a while. I thought it had to do with nursing- after I weaned my first, it came roaring back in a matter of weeks but I weaned my second in November and nothing happened. Cycles are still regular but I can tell my ovulations are weak and my periods are lighter than they used to be. My mom was 45 at menopause so I wondered if I'm in peri already.

Yes. It can plummet in late perimenopause. HRT can help. I’m 38. My mom also went through menopause early. I started cyclic progesterone a few months ago and will be adding testosterone next month for libido.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be 49 soon and am very likely beginning an estrogen patch and oral progesterone and I can’t wait: I was so certain that because I don’t have hot flashes, and my periods were largely very regular despite having atypical PCOS (I am slim and not diabetic, I haven’t taken anything for it in years, but my free testosterone, ovaries and hirsutism show the impact), that no gyn would consider my other symptoms (insomnia, joint pain, mood swings, vasomotor issues with dizziness, hair and skin changes) as something I could remedy.

I know I felt that way because basically women ARE still told to suck it up and deal. It’s deep in the culture. It’s the mindset of most men I know, including friends, who definitely see an “age defying” 49 year old as hot but one who struggles as a loser, a grandma, nonexistent. I still know plenty of women around 45 who believe HRT gives everyone cancer, and I know plenty of Cool Girls my age and older who think because they’re slim and can run a race or do goblet squats, that perimenopause is for lazy women who just “let themselves go.” Who attribute physical changes of hormonal fluctuation to the bad women who don’t woman well enough. It’s a shittacular message and it comes from multiple directions in this year of our lord 2023, and it’s smug, misogynistic, deliberate, and maddening. I’m also frustrated by the whole commerce that’s developed around peri and meno because I think there’s a risk that some women will think it’s somehow “better” or “more natural” or certainly sexier and cooler to get supplements from Goop for 1k/yr instead of seeing a good gyn and talking about prescription hormonal meds. But that’s me.

Other things for those interested to reference:

- Susan Dominus’s NYT article from Feb 2023 titled “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause”
- Dr Lauren Streicher’s podcast
- Dr Jen Gunter’s whole body of work

Good luck to us all. We deserve to feel ok, and for this portion of life, which could literally be half of our lives, not be treated as a joke.

I didn't take HRT because my mother with no family history took it and died of breast cancer. Thank goodness I didn't take it because now they've discovered that I have a blood clotting disorder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be 49 soon and am very likely beginning an estrogen patch and oral progesterone and I can’t wait: I was so certain that because I don’t have hot flashes, and my periods were largely very regular despite having atypical PCOS (I am slim and not diabetic, I haven’t taken anything for it in years, but my free testosterone, ovaries and hirsutism show the impact), that no gyn would consider my other symptoms (insomnia, joint pain, mood swings, vasomotor issues with dizziness, hair and skin changes) as something I could remedy.

I know I felt that way because basically women ARE still told to suck it up and deal. It’s deep in the culture. It’s the mindset of most men I know, including friends, who definitely see an “age defying” 49 year old as hot but one who struggles as a loser, a grandma, nonexistent. I still know plenty of women around 45 who believe HRT gives everyone cancer, and I know plenty of Cool Girls my age and older who think because they’re slim and can run a race or do goblet squats, that perimenopause is for lazy women who just “let themselves go.” Who attribute physical changes of hormonal fluctuation to the bad women who don’t woman well enough. It’s a shittacular message and it comes from multiple directions in this year of our lord 2023, and it’s smug, misogynistic, deliberate, and maddening. I’m also frustrated by the whole commerce that’s developed around peri and meno because I think there’s a risk that some women will think it’s somehow “better” or “more natural” or certainly sexier and cooler to get supplements from Goop for 1k/yr instead of seeing a good gyn and talking about prescription hormonal meds. But that’s me.

Other things for those interested to reference:

- Susan Dominus’s NYT article from Feb 2023 titled “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause”
- Dr Lauren Streicher’s podcast
- Dr Jen Gunter’s whole body of work

Good luck to us all. We deserve to feel ok, and for this portion of life, which could literally be half of our lives, not be treated as a joke.

I didn't take HRT because my mother with no family history took it and died of breast cancer. Thank goodness I didn't take it because now they've discovered that I have a blood clotting disorder.

I’m very sorry to hear about your mother. I don’t mean disrespect, but the analysis in the 20 years after the WHI results show that for most, HRT is protective against several cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s when begun within 5 years of menopause. This is now without academic or practical dispute. However, of course hormonal medicine is not appropriate for literally every woman. It is appropriate for enormous numbers of women.

[Anonymous]

can an NP prescribe it or will I need to see a gynocologist?

I was in tears last week when I realized that I needed HRT and that I couldn't get an appoinment with my primary care physician until SEpt. I was thisclose to stomping into an urgent care place and begging for some kind of estrogen replacement. After ugly crying for an hour, I instead I bought a bunch of supplements (five bottles of various potions!) and signed up for One Medical.

One MEdical has me set with a nurse pract. July 25. Is it possible that the NP will be able to prescribe HRT at that first appointment or is there going to be a delay to get my blood tested ?

If they say they need to do a blood test, will they say I first need to stop all the herbal supplements before they can test my blood?

Yes, I'm catastrophezing.

I'm feeling like the world is conspiring from denying me treatment.

I have had recent mammogram that eventually gave me all clear, so at least I know that won't be a stumbling block.

Could the OTC birth control pills be used as HRT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

can an NP prescribe it or will I need to see a gynocologist?

I was in tears last week when I realized that I needed HRT and that I couldn't get an appoinment with my primary care physician until SEpt. I was thisclose to stomping into an urgent care place and begging for some kind of estrogen replacement. After ugly crying for an hour, I instead I bought a bunch of supplements (five bottles of various potions!) and signed up for One Medical.

One MEdical has me set with a nurse pract. July 25. Is it possible that the NP will be able to prescribe HRT at that first appointment or is there going to be a delay to get my blood tested ?

If they say they need to do a blood test, will they say I first need to stop all the herbal supplements before they can test my blood?

Yes, I'm catastrophezing.

I'm feeling like the world is conspiring from denying me treatment.

I have had recent mammogram that eventually gave me all clear, so at least I know that won't be a stumbling block.

Could the OTC birth control pills be used as HRT?

Yes, One Medical should be able to prescribe it for you. Don’t “ask” for it, TELL them that’s what you’re there for. There’s no good reason not to take it if you’re having symptoms.

Yes, the new OTC pills can be used as HRT. They’re a different type of estrogen than the estrogen in a patch and somewhere online is a calculator for converting estrogen dosages but I haven’t looked for it.

I’m sorry you’re suffering. It really sucks. Our GPs should all be up to speed by now - it’s unacceptable that they’re not. This isn’t just a gyn issue. Estrogen is important for all major body systems.

If One Medical won’t provide it (A) shame on them and I’d leave them and (B) there are excellent menopause-specific telehealth services. Alloy, MIDI, Gennev, for starters. They’ll prescribe for you right away with no fight.

[Anonymous]

Does it work for weight loss? I'm 41 and carrying weight around my stomach for the first time ever. My mom claims HRT is the solution as she lost a good amount of weight on it and kept it off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it work for weight loss? I'm 41 and carrying weight around my stomach for the first time ever. My mom claims HRT is the solution as she lost a good amount of weight on it and kept it off.

Well I haven’t heard of it being useful for weight *loss*, but it can prevent menopausal weight gain. Estrogen also helps you maintain muscle mass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of lower-risk HRT options. I'm on:

1. progesterone capsules
2. estrogen suppository for dryness
3. estrogen patch (much less risky than pill according to my doctor)
4. testosterone cream

To answer your question, OP, yes, in your shoes I'd be banging down the doctor's door. Women are socialized to suffer and the medical profession as a whole has ignored us for far too long, but thankfully that's changing.

Two books you might consider reading are The Menopause Manifesto and Hot and Bothered.

Keep in mind that there's more than one type of HRT and you should find a doctor who's willing to test your hormones, listen to your symptoms, and prescribe as appropriate.

What is the testosterone cream for?

Libido/sex drive, which typically plummets during menopause.

Can it also plummet in peri? I'm only late 30s but I've had no drive for a while. I thought it had to do with nursing- after I weaned my first, it came roaring back in a matter of weeks but I weaned my second in November and nothing happened. Cycles are still regular but I can tell my ovulations are weak and my periods are lighter than they used to be. My mom was 45 at menopause so I wondered if I'm in peri already.

Yes. It can plummet in late perimenopause. HRT can help. I’m 38. My mom also went through menopause early. I started cyclic progesterone a few months ago and will be adding testosterone next month for libido.

Thanks. I will have to make an appointment with my provider to see what they can do. Like a prior PP I also have a blood clotting disorder where hormonal BCP are contraindicated so I'm probably out of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

can an NP prescribe it or will I need to see a gynocologist?

I was in tears last week when I realized that I needed HRT and that I couldn't get an appoinment with my primary care physician until SEpt. I was thisclose to stomping into an urgent care place and begging for some kind of estrogen replacement. After ugly crying for an hour, I instead I bought a bunch of supplements (five bottles of various potions!) and signed up for One Medical.

One MEdical has me set with a nurse pract. July 25. Is it possible that the NP will be able to prescribe HRT at that first appointment or is there going to be a delay to get my blood tested ?

If they say they need to do a blood test, will they say I first need to stop all the herbal supplements before they can test my blood?

Yes, I'm catastrophezing.

I'm feeling like the world is conspiring from denying me treatment.

I have had recent mammogram that eventually gave me all clear, so at least I know that won't be a stumbling block.

Could the OTC birth control pills be used as HRT?

Yes, One Medical should be able to prescribe it for you. Don’t “ask” for it, TELL them that’s what you’re there for. There’s no good reason not to take it if you’re having symptoms.

Yes, the new OTC pills can be used as HRT. They’re a different type of estrogen than the estrogen in a patch and somewhere online is a calculator for converting estrogen dosages but I haven’t looked for it.

I’m sorry you’re suffering. It really sucks. Our GPs should all be up to speed by now - it’s unacceptable that they’re not. This isn’t just a gyn issue. Estrogen is important for all major body systems.

If One Medical won’t provide it (A) shame on them and I’d leave them and (B) there are excellent menopause-specific telehealth services. Alloy, MIDI, Gennev, for starters. They’ll prescribe for you right away with no fight.

Thank you so much!!!! This will help me sleep easier tonight. Now I’m feeling like help is on the way.🙂