Anonymous
Post 10/16/2024 15:43     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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 She said doctors are slow to change and many operate on antiquated outdated debunked information.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.

Anonymous
Post 10/16/2024 15:38     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, there’s no strong evidence that HRT when started within 10 years of menopause, and ideally done transdermally, creates ANY significant health risks.

I drink wine now and then, which is causally linked to all sorts of bad health outcomes. I drive in a car even though I statistically put my safety at risk every time. I eat saturated fat even though my cholesterol is over 200 and I’ll probably need a statin someday.

When I take HRT it makes me feel fantastic. I sleep well, I reversed my osteopenia (I also started lifting), my mood is good, I have energy and no brain fog and no hot flashes. I like to feel fantastic, don’t you? Isn’t that the whole point?

Did you know that trans women are freely prescribed *multiples* of the tiny HRT doses that doctors grudgingly, with warnings, prescribe to us? A standard dose for a trans woman is 4-8 mg of (oral) estradiol per day, or the patch (2-4 x 0.1 patches). I’m in surgical menopause and had to really advocate for more than 2mg per day for myself.

We already medicalize menopause by prescribing women SSRIs, sleep meds and supplements, osteoporosis drugs, etc. And yet doctors largely continue to be unwilling to prescribe the one hormone that our bodies make and that resolves so many of the health problems that women encounter in menopause.
I’m mad and you should be, too.


Cholesterol is OVER 200?!!! You are puttinf yourself at a huge risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes. I'm more mad your Dr has not put you on a serious diet and exercise regime, and cut outbthe HRT until you lose weight and lower your cholesterol. YIKES.


DP: My cholesterol was 140-150 from age 35 until I was 6 months before menopause(53). Then it jumped to 225 and has hovered in that area for last 2+ years. My functional med doctor (and regular concierge doctor) are not concerned about it---they actually believe HRT will help lower it as it most definately is directly correlated to me entering menopause.
Also my FM doctor is not nearly as concerned because this desire to keep cholesterol really low comes at a price---your body needs cholesterol to protect your brain. Dementia in this country
began to increase 5-10 years after the big push for low fat/no fat began. fact is your body needs good fats and needs cholesterol to function.
So I'm hoping HRT will help (will be starting it soon, after I do an ultrasound and DEXA scan and my yearly exam). But I wouldn't' start statins for a cholesterol like mine or really worry about it.

Anonymous
Post 10/12/2024 13:25     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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.


I’ve been following doctors discussing this on SM, and have talked to several doctors of my own and MD friends, and haven’t heard this at all. Can you please cite your sources for this claim?
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 23:53     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The gaslighting and internalized misogyny in this thread is crazy. I had to stop reading.

I have to assume these are younger women who haven’t experienced peri telling people lifestyle changes will fix symptoms. This forum tends to attract healthy, active people. Stop assuming we’re causing peri with our diet and workouts.

This. I was a young, healthy, active person who did yoga and did all of the right things. I wasn't yet even in peri when I got diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer. I then had to go through ovarian suppression injections and an aromatase inhibitor, sending me immediately into full menopause. I still continued doing all of the right things with respect to diet, exercise, and self care. I can pretty confidently say that the hot flashes, insomnia, weight gain, migraines, and all of that junk are from the lack of hormones and not from any need for lifestyle changes.


true but as you likely know, HRT isn’t necessarily the answer to that.

It’s literally not an answer for me, due to the cancer. I’d hope that most people weigh the risks of the HRT vs their misery and make the choice that works best for them. If a woman decides that HRT is the right choice for her, who are you to judge?
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 21:49     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
Anonymous wrote:The wife from The Holderness Family just did a video about the person lecturing us about lifestyle changes. It’s awesome.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA3MWwRxXSf/


Meh.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 21:37     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
The wife from The Holderness Family just did a video about the person lecturing us about lifestyle changes. It’s awesome.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA3MWwRxXSf/
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 21:28     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The gaslighting and internalized misogyny in this thread is crazy. I had to stop reading.

I have to assume these are younger women who haven’t experienced peri telling people lifestyle changes will fix symptoms. This forum tends to attract healthy, active people. Stop assuming we’re causing peri with our diet and workouts.

This. I was a young, healthy, active person who did yoga and did all of the right things. I wasn't yet even in peri when I got diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer. I then had to go through ovarian suppression injections and an aromatase inhibitor, sending me immediately into full menopause. I still continued doing all of the right things with respect to diet, exercise, and self care. I can pretty confidently say that the hot flashes, insomnia, weight gain, migraines, and all of that junk are from the lack of hormones and not from any need for lifestyle changes.


true but as you likely know, HRT isn’t necessarily the answer to that.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 21:27     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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?
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 17:15     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
Anonymous wrote:The gaslighting and internalized misogyny in this thread is crazy. I had to stop reading.

I have to assume these are younger women who haven’t experienced peri telling people lifestyle changes will fix symptoms. This forum tends to attract healthy, active people. Stop assuming we’re causing peri with our diet and workouts.

This. I was a young, healthy, active person who did yoga and did all of the right things. I wasn't yet even in peri when I got diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer. I then had to go through ovarian suppression injections and an aromatase inhibitor, sending me immediately into full menopause. I still continued doing all of the right things with respect to diet, exercise, and self care. I can pretty confidently say that the hot flashes, insomnia, weight gain, migraines, and all of that junk are from the lack of hormones and not from any need for lifestyle changes.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 14:16     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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 ^^
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 14:15     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 14:10     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 14:06     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
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.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2024 07:46     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
The person who says everyone needs to just deal and only mentioned hot flashes needs to STFU.

People are in pain. Go away.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2024 17:50     Subject: Why does my doctor say HRT for women under 50 is not safe but everyone around me is taking it and feeling good?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you don't have cancer risk in your family, it really is doctor dependent on how they chose to read the info. I do my research and the two I have gone to, when I present my case for HRT, have no problem with it. I started at 49.

But I also go to younger women rather than any age male.


NP. I have always found male doctors to be more compassionate than female doctors, in any specialty. YMMV


Bull shite. I see the exact opposite. My first gyn was male and was mean and every yearly exam was painful and he made light of it. I hated the first ob I had who was male. He was rude and insulting. I had a rare genetic problem and he made light of it and I had to have a d&c. Male doctors, in general, have been awful in my experience.


+1. My male ob gyn was arrogant and dismissive. I treated myself to a woman doctor when I started menopause and never would go back.


+2 I’ve had great male doctors and great female doctors but the few arrogant jerks were always male.