Hormone Replacement Therapy

[MargeB]

Who takes, why, and what effect does it have?

[andy hughes]

It is taken by women who have either had a hysterectomy - surgicalremoval of the uterus and / or overies, or women who have netered an early menopause. The medication provides artificially the chemicals secreted in the woman's body as part of her menstrual cycleand the result is to 'balance' the system, and avoid some of the unpleasant effects an early menopause would bring - sweats, rashes, and similar. Sorry if this is a bit general - maybe someone who has direct experience can add to my basic knowledge, which is, by definition, second-hand.

[calleach]

This a huge question.Used to be taken widely for the menopause but increasing evidence about side effects are prompting more caution. My short interpretation is that HRT dosnt affect how long you live but it probably changes what you die of.

[smudge]

There was an article in the newspaper this morning about HRT - but it was for 'Husband Replacement Therapy'!

[sib444]

HRT is given to women going through the menapause. I started my menapause about 4 years ago. Friends said i was too young (43) but my doctor said Asian women generally experience it 10 years before European women.

It started with getting tired really quickly and hot sweats at night. The hot sweats then got more and more frequent occuring both day and night. My GP thought i should try the HRT as it helped a lot of women. I was hesitant at first as i had heard and read so many negatives about it.(cancer scares- weight gain).

On one visit to the doctor i read an articla about women who were on HRT. They all said positive things about it, saying how great they felt since they had started taking it. I eventually started taking them and withinn the first 2 months i was able to have a WHOLE nights sleep without disturbance.

I cannot praise HRT enough. Its great not breaking out in a hot sweat in the middle of a conversation with work colleagues or friends.

[woofgang]

I tried it and things went from cataclysmically awful to REALLY cataclysmically awful so I stopped and now use progesterone cream which i have to buy myself but has given me my lfe back

[Robinia]

I had an early menopause at 35 due to chemotherapy & have been taking hrt for 15 years.  Both the hospital consultant & my GP are happy for me to be on it.  As well as preventing hot flushes etc I've been told that I'll gain some protection against osteoporosis.(Apparently being tall & slim as I am makes you more prone to it). I have to add that my hair & nails grow very fast since taking it but no weight gain which I actually wouldn't mind!