FAO of women of "a certain age" and HRT

consettsafc · 7th September 2010, 09:41 AM

Our lass has just had an operation and it looks like she is going onto HRT. Whats the pros and cons of this treatment?

RichB · 7th September 2010, 09:49 AM

Depends on her age really. HRT used to be widely used for post menopause symptoms especially flushes but increases the risk of breast cancer. It was thought to help things like heart disease and stroke but now appears makes the risk greater. A lot of women just feel 'better' on it.

Current advice is use for symptoms for as short a time as possible post menopause really due to breast cancer risk.

If she is younger then usually people get HRT until age of menopause ie around 50 then it is stopped as you are replacing what should have been there naturally.

consettsafc · 7th September 2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichB

Depends on her age really. HRT used to be widely used for post menopause symptoms especially flushes but increases the risk of breast cancer. It was thought to help things like heart disease and stroke but now appears makes the risk greater. A lot of women just feel 'better' on it.

Current advice is use for symptoms for as short a time as possible post menopause really due to breast cancer risk.

If she is younger then usually people get HRT until age of menopause ie around 50 then it is stopped as you are replacing what should have been there naturally.

Thanks, she is 50 and since the operation the flushes are more frequent, she has been told it is another 2 weeks before the GP can see her.

RichB · 7th September 2010, 10:14 AM

Theres two types of HRT, one is oestrogen and progesterone for women with a womb. The other is oestrogen only for after a hysterectomy.

Both linked to increased breast cancer rates. Combined one has the recent links to increased heart attack/ stroke rates.

It depends on her GP some are pretty hard line and wont use HRT. I think the best approach is to teach people like adults, tell them the risks and if they wish to proceed with something give it a try. I think the problem is people find the idea of a hot flush a bit amusing whereas in reality they can really be terrible and affect your quality of life massively.

This is a useful site for patient information - link to HRT stuff which is pretty comprehensive

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Menopause-and-HRT.htm

consettsafc · 7th September 2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichB

Theres two types of HRT, one is oestrogen and progesterone for women with a womb. The other is oestrogen only for after a hysterectomy.

Both linked to increased breast cancer rates. Combined one has the recent links to increased heart attack/ stroke rates.

It depends on her GP some are pretty hard line and wont use HRT. I think the best approach is to teach people like adults, tell them the risks and if they wish to proceed with something give it a try. I think the problem is people find the idea of a hot flush a bit amusing whereas in reality they can really be terrible and affect your quality of life massively.

This is a useful site for patient information - link to HRT stuff which is pretty comprehensive

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Menopause-and-HRT.htm

Again many thanks for that

janiep · 7th September 2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichB

Depends on her age really. HRT used to be widely used for post menopause symptoms especially flushes but increases the risk of breast cancer. It was thought to help things like heart disease and stroke but now appears makes the risk greater. A lot of women just feel 'better' on it.

This.

Breast cancer got my mum, and she always thought it was because of the HRT which at the time they used to prescribe like smarties, before the link with breast cancer was known/acknowledged. Were it me, I would think really, really carefully before taking it.

peachbum · 8th September 2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janiep

This.

Breast cancer got my mum, and she always thought it was because of the HRT which at the time they used to prescribe like smarties, before the link with breast cancer was known/acknowledged. Were it me, I would think really, really carefully before taking it.

I don't think many people take it now do they? I wouldn't; I don't believe in messing with nature (unless you have to).

consettsafc · 9th September 2010, 09:23 PM

Thanks for all the advice all, especially the links, she is now armed with a load of questions for the doctor, I am like her in respect of taking what a doctor says without thinking, is correct.

pickles666 · 9th September 2010, 09:28 PM

get yersell another knob , cos once it kicks in she will be 17 again . in the sack anyways.

tunstall birdman · 9th September 2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichB

Theres two types of HRT, one is oestrogen and progesterone for women with a womb. The other is oestrogen only for after a hysterectomy.

Both linked to increased breast cancer rates. Combined one has the recent links to increased heart attack/ stroke rates.

It depends on her GP some are pretty hard line and wont use HRT. I think the best approach is to teach people like adults, tell them the risks and if they wish to proceed with something give it a try. I think the problem is people find the idea of a hot flush a bit amusing whereas in reality they can really be terrible and affect your quality of life massively.

This is a useful site for patient information - link to HRT stuff which is pretty comprehensive

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Menopause-and-HRT.htm

Very good post.