The hot flashes persist but they have added a whole new dimension to the amount of embarrassment they can cause, dizziness. To be honest the dizziness itself is just an inconvenience, it only lasts a minute or so, the slightly dissociated from the world aspect is annoying but wears off some 5 minutes after the ‘flash’ finishes but the other day a whole new aspect of the dizziness presented, fainting. Well, I didn’t actually faint but I’m certain that if I hadn’t been able to sit and lean forward for a couple of seconds I would have ended up prostrated in the middle of the high street. Thankfully it hasn’t happened since but I am now careful to seek a ‘place of safety’, a chair, when I feel a flash building. Anyway, as a result of this new aspect resulting from my diminishing hormones I’m off to the docs to discuss HRT. I always swore that I was ‘woman’ enough to get through the menopause without wimping out and resorting to some concoction made from the urine of pregnant mares but I’ve taken the on-line test to see if I should be on HRT and it tells me I should, and we all know that you should believe everything you read on the internet.
What do I know about HRT?
PRO’s
- Reduces hot flashes & night sweats
- Alleviates vaginal dryness and urinary sensitivity
- Improves condition of skin and hair
- Increases libido
CON’s
- ? Increases chances of heart disease
- Breast disease likelihood is increased
- Increased blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Increased facial hair
- Aggressiveness
Hmm. Sounds all good stuff really but I’ve just found this blog, flashfree, I think I shall study it and find out what else there is on offer, an anti-aging drug would be handy.
On a serious note though, supposing I get a flash and/or dizziness and fainting whilst at a homebirth?
Thanks for the plug! I think that HRT is a personal decision, one that I personally, couldn’t digest. I’ve been using topical progesterone with no problem but past estrogen woes just made me think, no way! Fortunately, I have a great chinese medicine practitioner who has prescribed just the right mix of herbs and I am happy to report that after a few months, well, the night sweats have all but disappeared! Yay! Love your post.
I’m thinking pro 3 is an excellent one. Shame the rest of the cons don’t look so good. Good luck with finding the right thing to help.
Out of your pro’s I think 1 and 2 are definitely true. 3 is subjectively true for a lot of women and 4 is true for some but not all (unless you take livial/tibolone which is licensed for it). Other pros I think are reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
Oh and most HRT is no longer made from horses’ urine but if it begins with “prem-” then it is so avoid those ones….
Out of your con’s:
1 is still debatable with the American study being such an odd population. But we can’t really say one way or the other yet. 2 definitely true but actual increased risk v small… BP doesn’t tend to be too much of an issue. Studies show menopasual women on HRT gain an average of 1/2 stone and menopausal women off HRT gain an average of 1/2 stone! HRT women tend to gain it on hips and non-HRT women tend to gain it around the middle. Don’t know about hair loss and increased facial hair; I guess the progesterone might make that happen, not had anyone complain about it. So far! Aggressiveness – I think you are back to PMT and women respond much as they used to pre-menopause. You could always go for something like tridestra where the PMT only comes every 3 months!
If you decide on HRT, go for patches not pills
Miz Liz – I’m as wary of ‘alternative’ medicine as I am of medicating with hormones. Several friends have tried assorted roots, berries and herbs and it really doesn’t seem to have helped at all. I’ll see what the Doc says tomorrow, he knows me and how badly I did on oral contraceptives so he may have suggestions for me.
Vic – I thought 3 and 4 sounded quite good. Hubby thought 4 was extremely positive!
geepeemum – Thank you for your input, it’s good to have an idea of how positive the pros are, and visa versa. I think it all sounds more positive now. Really sounds as if they balance out on the whole.
MoTB – If they are as efficient I will certainly go for patches. Friend has implants, being a wimp as far as needles etc. being poked through my skin I don’t think I will be going in that direction. Ultimately it’s all down to my G.P though, if he favours one thing then I expect that is what I’ll end up with, if anything.
MWM – the most essential thing about alternative medicine or herbs is to see a practitioner who is board certified and educated in the practice. It’s virtually impossible to simply walk into a drugstore and buy an herb or root and know what you are getting and more importantly, if it’s going to work for you. Herbal medicine is medicine – it’s just available over the counter. See what Elaine Stern has to say on navigating the maze, parts 1 and 2 at flashfree. Good luck!