What happens if I don't do hormone replacement?

[Anonymous]

I've taken HRT from 40 to 52 and I really don't think I look any younger than my friends who have not. It's a mistake to think it's some sort of fountain of youth in terms of collagen, skin, etc. I had the same jump in facial aging that most women have in their late 40s.

Once you're 50+ you're just not going to look 35/40 unless you have a deep plane face lift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've taken HRT from 40 to 52 and I really don't think I look any younger than my friends who have not. It's a mistake to think it's some sort of fountain of youth in terms of collagen, skin, etc. I had the same jump in facial aging that most women have in their late 40s.

Once you're 50+ you're just not going to look 35/40 unless you have a deep plane face lift.

You will never look 35 or 40 again. You will look 50 with smoother skin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing will happen. You will age like we all do. You will exercise, lift some weights, eat healthy, use moisturizer, etc.
HRT is not a fountain of youth drug and the marketing to the Gen X crowd is just spectacular to watch. If you are not having big issues, and most of us do not, just live your life. Hot flashes are common, but not life threatening.

This. Resist being influenced. Menopause is a normal, physiological phase of life. Use HRT if it’s a really hard phase for you, otherwise carry on as you are doing.

See, I think this is super condescending. "If it's a really hard phase.' just because menopause is normal doesn't mean we have to suffer through it.

If you choose no HRy, then good for you...that is such a super valid and personal choice.

But don't reduce people who use it on being able to not "resist...." Resist what, exactly? Seeking medical care?

In the 16 weeks I have been on estradiol, here is what has changed for me:

I no longer wake up absolutely soaked in so much sweat I have to change the sheets every night.

My brain fog has lifted.

My near crushing and life affecting fatigue has lifted.

My sex life...drive and vaginal dryness..are so much better.

Then there are the cosmetic, superficial benefits: I've lost a little weight, my skin is way less dry and crepey.

It is such a personal choice to take it or not . But don't call it a phase (it is years!) and treat us like dumb lemmings who can't make independent and informed decisions.

Agreed. Would you tell a 14 year old "menstrual cramps are normal, no need to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen?" Did you have an epidural during labor? Because labor pains are also normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I prescribed MHT as part of my work and I am also not a good candidate for it based on medical history so I have 1 foot in each world of this decision-making. I think it’s great that the research has evolved and we understand that it can be prescribed safely and can really help women with some side effects. Unfortunately, like all things that get picked up by social media, I think it has become wildly oversold and also has become a source of confusion for women over the age of about 30 who now want to subscribe every thing they experience in their body as “being in peri.” Symptoms of concern should always be fully evaluated, if your doctor wants to do that it doesn’t mean they are ignoring them. And MHT has pretty good data supporting its value for managing hot flashes but much more limited for other things. I can’t tell you how many women get started on it expecting it to solve all their problems and then it doesn’t and they want to keep tweaking their dosages and come back frustrated over and over again because they had expectations of these medications that aren’t being met. So you need to be smart about it, consider one of many tools in the toolbox available to you for aging in a healthy way. It may not work, it may not be able to be prescribed, or it may be really helpful. All scenarios possible.

Ascribe.

[Anonymous]

I'm 70 and never did hormone replacement, mainly because I never really felt bad. No hot flashes.

My mom had such an easy menopause that she couldn't remember exactly when it was when I questioned her in her early sixties. "Not sure. There were fewer periods and then none" she didn't take hormones although her friends with symptoms did.

Just in case it's useful to anyone. I'm healthy. No osteoporosis. No heart problems. No cancer. I take a statin. I walk daily, live an active life.

Not much wrinkling at all, though I'm very fair and have worn sunscreen daily for 50 years. And hats and long sleeves at the beach because I burn really easily. So, very little sun exposure, never smoked. Did drink.Still drink, but not as much because it interferes with sleep. No cosmetic procedures.

Still interested in sex and sexually active. Some dryness, but use lubricant. Lots of oral.

I'm certainly not opposed to hormone replacement, but it wasn't necessary for me. Sample of one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a down side to taking HRT?

Cancer

False.

Not false. Just not as high a risk as previously reported.

NP. I support a woman’s right to choose but the WHI did show lower cancer incidence and death for women taking hrt (all types of cancer taken together). You only get the “cancer” issue when you look at just breast cancer and don’t take into account the reduction in risk of other forms of cancer (brain, lung, ovarian etc). Just saying don’t cherry pick your data.

As someone who was dealing with the ‘threat of cervical cancer’ for years, enduring painful testing, constant monitoring, anxiety, etc., only to be told later “Oh, you are HPV negative, never mind” , under no circumstances would I go on HRT, only to have it affect my uterine lining and cause another cycle of monitoring and fear. Nope. There was never a threat of cervical cancer as it turns out - it was inflammation that was exaggerated in a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach. So much of the medical community abuses people with constant ‘just in case’ testing and shaming. In most cases, the testing just is revenue to keep the practices going.

[Anonymous]

I tried it as I am going though peri and noticed the shift in my mood was drastic around the time I was expecting my period (which was still on time, just much shorter and lighter).

I was ok at the lowest dose possible but anytime my doctor tried to increase, I had such debilitating nausea. It was the same when I was pregnant so my doctor told me this is how my body responds to increased progesterone. So it’s not for me as I can’t live the rest of my days like that. I’ve had friends suggest to look into more natural ways to support but I’m working with my doctor on other ways to support these mood changes.


No matter what- these changes suck sometimes. lol

[Anonymous]

I just came home from a college friends weekend where I was the only one out of ten not on HRT. They all look ten years younger than they are. I’m tempted to try it for a few reasons. My wake up every night at 1:30 am. I haven’t had a full night sleep in years. And I have regular black chin hairs. And for the preventative dementia effects. Abu tho one has mentioned belly fat here. Does it help with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just came home from a college friends weekend where I was the only one out of ten not on HRT. They all look ten years younger than they are. I’m tempted to try it for a few reasons. My wake up every night at 1:30 am. I haven’t had a full night sleep in years. And I have regular black chin hairs. And for the preventative dementia effects. Abu tho one has mentioned belly fat here. Does it help with that?

Would like to know this too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just came home from a college friends weekend where I was the only one out of ten not on HRT. They all look ten years younger than they are. I’m tempted to try it for a few reasons. My wake up every night at 1:30 am. I haven’t had a full night sleep in years. And I have regular black chin hairs. And for the preventative dementia effects. Abu tho one has mentioned belly fat here. Does it help with that?

Would like to know this too

Yes, from what I understand it does help with belly fat. Perhaps only in that it makes you feel better which enables more exercise and better overall metabolic health, but I think it does contribute.

[Anonymous]

sex is a very good indication of your well being so if you don't have a drive then think about it too and it would help you in every department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 70 and never did hormone replacement, mainly because I never really felt bad. No hot flashes.

My mom had such an easy menopause that she couldn't remember exactly when it was when I questioned her in her early sixties. "Not sure. There were fewer periods and then none" she didn't take hormones although her friends with symptoms did.

Just in case it's useful to anyone. I'm healthy. No osteoporosis. No heart problems. No cancer. I take a statin. I walk daily, live an active life.

Not much wrinkling at all, though I'm very fair and have worn sunscreen daily for 50 years. And hats and long sleeves at the beach because I burn really easily. So, very little sun exposure, never smoked. Did drink.Still drink, but not as much because it interferes with sleep. No cosmetic procedures.

Still interested in sex and sexually active. Some dryness, but use lubricant. Lots of oral.

I'm certainly not opposed to hormone replacement, but it wasn't necessary for me. Sample of one.

That is so much me and I can't tell you how similar it is. For me, drinking doesn't affect anything and no dryness in skin or down there either. Oral receiving and giving both helps in my case.

[Anonymous]

That is so much me and I can't tell you how similar it is. For me, drinking doesn't affect anything and no dryness in skin or down there either. Oral receiving and giving both helps in my case.

[Anonymous]

No HRT and I feel the same as I did at 35. Then again, I don’t have hot flashes or mood swings like other people describe.