Anonymous wrote:Progestin and progesterone is not the same and the latest findings are that micronized progesterone seems much safer—but more data is needed.

See a functional med doctor/one that truly specializes in solving issues. They will prescribe the right progesterone and HRT that is bio-identical. You will pay a bit more to have it compounded, but it's worth it IMO.

Anonymous wrote:The current social media blitz has convinced women that the benefits of HRT are huge and risks are minimal to the point that even talking about the risks gets you labeled as a misogynist or whatever.

HRT has its place for women with severe symptoms. As someone with lifelong insomnia that impacts my mental health, I am not totally writing it off if my hot flashes get worse. But I discussed it with my long-time trusted GP and he advised that the risk of cancer wasn’t worth it and will support me in exploring other ways to address symptoms if they arise.

It's all about comparing risks about everything in your lifestyle.

I had first kid over 30 (and last at 35), I breastfeed each for 2.5 years, I only used BC hormonally for about 6 years, I am a healthy weight (only higher weight when pregnant and during the 2.5 years I was breastfeeding---those pesky last 10 pounds don't drop off until you stop), never smoked, exercise, eat clean (low sugar, low carb---get carbs from healthy fruits and veggies mostly, hardly do bread or pasta or rice), get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly, etc.

Yes HRT can have some slight risk for BC, but so do a lot of things in life---most people are overweight, sedentary, use hormonal BC for much longer and make other choices that affect their risks.

I also enjoy cocktails and wine. I figure, my glass of wine with dinner has a much higher risk to my health than HRT that keeps me sane, allows me to sleep well and feel like a normal person again. My HRT also lowered my ch0olesterol (which had spiked during perimenopause and menopause).
It's all about choices in life. Be informed, but unless you have breast cancer risk in the family, there are many many other things you do daily (or don't do) that increase your risk for cancer much more. And I'd argue having your mental health back (and memory working 1000X better) with HRT is extremely beneficial.

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

NP. The suicide rates in women around menopause are quite alarming. It’s not just anecdotal. There are real data. Not saying HRT is the answer for everyone, but it probably is one solution among many.

That doesn’t mean that HRT is the answer for suicidality. Obviously.

Did you not read what you were responding to? It says it’s one solution out of many. There are in fact studies that show HRT helps suicide risk so it is a tool in the tool toolbox, but agree it is not a blanket solution. Obviously.

I read it and it was frankly outlandish and nonsensical. That PP has a lot more going on than HRT. No competent psychiatrist would just say “oh it’s the HRT!” It could be one factor but you would also need SSRIs, therapy, exercise …

Thank God you’re Not A Doctor ass is here to drone on about “competent psychiatrist” - I think you need to make an appointment with one (or more).

I don’t get the controversy. This study is one of many and we will need more info, but this is a .4% increase risk? Pregnancy greatly increases the risk of several health conditions and most of us happily took that because of the benefit risk trade-off. When I was on birth control pills in my early 20s I knew there was a slight increased risk of breast cancer but again millions of women accept that because of the benefit risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

NP. The suicide rates in women around menopause are quite alarming. It’s not just anecdotal. There are real data. Not saying HRT is the answer for everyone, but it probably is one solution among many.

That doesn’t mean that HRT is the answer for suicidality. Obviously.

Did you not read what you were responding to? It says it’s one solution out of many. There are in fact studies that show HRT helps suicide risk so it is a tool in the tool toolbox, but agree it is not a blanket solution. Obviously.

I read it and it was frankly outlandish and nonsensical. That PP has a lot more going on than HRT. No competent psychiatrist would just say “oh it’s the HRT!” It could be one factor but you would also need SSRIs, therapy, exercise …

I’m a physician. Dismissing HRT but just suggesting exercising is completely ridiculous and you have no idea what you are talking about.

Anonymous wrote:This looked at old studies that used progestin. Most HRT now uses micronized progesterone which seems to be less risky.

https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o485/rr-0

This looked at old studies that used progestin. Most HRT now uses micronized progesterone which seems to be less risky.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Why are you not addressing the “younger women” aspect, OP?

Also, why do you care as a man?

And why did you leave out that HRT helps with osteoporosis and other health issues?

You seem one sided.

NP.

Seriously. The OP is a man. No one should listen to his one-sided, sexist explanation.

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

NP. The suicide rates in women around menopause are quite alarming. It’s not just anecdotal. There are real data. Not saying HRT is the answer for everyone, but it probably is one solution among many.

That doesn’t mean that HRT is the answer for suicidality. Obviously.

Did you not read what you were responding to? It says it’s one solution out of many. There are in fact studies that show HRT helps suicide risk so it is a tool in the tool toolbox, but agree it is not a blanket solution. Obviously.

I read it and it was frankly outlandish and nonsensical. That PP has a lot more going on than HRT. No competent psychiatrist would just say “oh it’s the HRT!” It could be one factor but you would also need SSRIs, therapy, exercise …

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

NP. The suicide rates in women around menopause are quite alarming. It’s not just anecdotal. There are real data. Not saying HRT is the answer for everyone, but it probably is one solution among many.

That doesn’t mean that HRT is the answer for suicidality. Obviously.

Did you not read what you were responding to? It says it’s one solution out of many. There are in fact studies that show HRT helps suicide risk so it is a tool in the tool toolbox, but agree it is not a blanket solution. Obviously.

Anonymous wrote:I am on a medication that can cause horrible infections and cancer. A lot of people have died from taking it. But this medication makes it so I can function, decreases my risk of other cancers, and decreases my risk of major medical complications that make me miserable and can also cause death.

The cost benefit analysis with the medication I'm on is pretty simple: I'm obviously going to take it. It might be a bit more complicated to HRT; its not easy for laypeople to understand what these studies actually mean in terms of increased risk. We all know so many people who have made terrible decisions based on their reading of a study they didn't understand, and often entire professions do this. But life isn't risk-free and we have to take a holistic look at things.

Can you share the name of this medication?

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

There’s a difference between “making a claim” and telling your experience. Tons of women have experiences like that PP, yes, due to loss of hormones when there’s a pretty easy and simple solution.

NP Agreed. The “Look,” PP is absolutely horrible.

No, what is absolutely horrible is disseminating false and exaggerated information to women about their health.

You’re confused by a lot. A woman sharing her experience is not tantamount to “disseminating false and exaggerated information to women about their health.” Get a grip, sister.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

There’s a difference between “making a claim” and telling your experience. Tons of women have experiences like that PP, yes, due to loss of hormones when there’s a pretty easy and simple solution.

NP Agreed. The “Look,” PP is absolutely horrible.

No, what is absolutely horrible is disseminating false and exaggerated information to women about their health.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read exhaustively in the literature because I had a dear friend who was convinced her breast cancer was from the HRT she went on the year before diagnosis and who demanded I promise, while nursing her on hospice status, never to take it.

I experienced devastating symptoms from surgically induced early menopause and over a decade lost my career, my home, most of my possessions and nearly all my good health - I struggled with suicidality for nearly a decade from chronic debilitating insomnia that made me clinically depressed. I finally went on HRT and got my life back, or what’s left of it. I can work full time again and have some modest future hopes and don’t think all the time about killing myself.

I’m happy to risk the .whatever increase for breast cancer to avoid the certainty that I would have eventually succumbed to suicidal ideation. Don’t shame anyone who chooses HRT - you have no idea what battles they’ve endured.

HRT for surgical menopause is different from HRT for normal hot flashes. And you should not have let it get to that point.

Different poster here. Oh my god, you’re a truly horrible person. Your response to PP actually shocked me.

Look. That PP was engaged in some severe fear-mongering and outlandish tale to, I don’t know what, convince people that we all need HRT? I’m sorry no, losing all your possessions and becoming suicidal is not because you did not get HRT because your doctor is mean. Nobody is shaming anybody for taking HRT - but I surely will call out people making absurdly exaggerated claims about it.

NP. The suicide rates in women around menopause are quite alarming. It’s not just anecdotal. There are real data. Not saying HRT is the answer for everyone, but it probably is one solution among many.

That doesn’t mean that HRT is the answer for suicidality. Obviously.