Most women have heard of it.
HRT is an abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy.
I remember it from years ago, in a Cosmopolitan article about using pregnant horse urine.
It was linked in the media to breast cancer and blood clot risks in the 2000’s. Thankfully, it’s moved on since then.
A recent study (2022) have said that for most women under the age of sixty, the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks.
Dr.Louise Newson , Menopause specialist commented on the study saying, “This is a very welcome study.
In our clinic, which receives referrals from every corner of the UK, sadly we often see women who have been misinformed about the risks of HRT.
If prescribed appropriately based on rigorous empirical research, HRT is not only safe but has the potential to prevent bad health outcomes, including several diseases that particularly affect women, such as osteoporosis and dementia.
This timely study helps reassure women that evidence-based HRT use is safe, and supports doctors across the UK to provide safe, individualised care.”
The reported benefits are; removing the symptoms of the menopause (all forms of HRT contain estrogen), protecting your bones, protection against heart disease & dementia.
There are two types; estrogen only & combined HRT, which is estrogen and progestrogen.
HRT comes in about 50 different combinations, with a variety of hormones & doses and it can be taken in different ways such as pills, patches or gels.
It’s up to you whether you choose to go down the HRT route. You can save money on your HRT prescriptions.
You will need to speak to a doctor, or health professional to weigh up whether you think it’s right for you, as risks and benefits will depend on your individual circumstances such as age, health and family history.
It can be beneficial to ask if there’s a menopause specialist at your surgery, or you may want to see if there’s a specialist clinic in your area that can help you.
Lots of ladies have told me how they’ve been to a health professional and been upset by the treatment they’ve received, like being told ‘just to get on with it’, or refused HRT when they’ve asked for it.
Don’t suffer in silence, seek out a specialist if you can that will understand and be able to help you.
For a year I used other alternatives successfully , then a major life event hit me (my mum died who I was very close to) & that knocked everything sideways.
I then sought out specialist advice through a menopause clinic & have estrogen patches, as well as progesterone in tablet form. This has really helped my hot flushes, not sleeping, having to get up & pee about 5 times per night- all of that has gone.
I get other symptoms though – brain fog & others, which I put down to peri/menopause, but life is pretty good & I follow all the lifestyle changes that I’ve listed below.
If you feel that it’s not right for you, consider other alternatives.
Don’t forget that lifestyle changes such as eating more healthily, exercise , reducing alcohol etc can all help in reducing the risk of heart disease, strokes, cancers and brittle bones.
Claire x
