HRT Question - Menopause Message Board

seekingnormal05 · 09-13-2005, 04:00 PM

Here's what I don't understand.

If estrogen (and any other) is a naturally occuring hormone in our bodies, what is it about HRT that makes those hormones bad for us?

Is it because they are artificially made hormones?

I know a couple of women who quit their estrogen because of all the dangers but they are both pretty miserable as a result. Both are trying herbal options but with no success. So I'm curious if anyone understands this issue.

Thanks.

smc612 · 09-14-2005, 03:31 AM

don't understand it either and have asked my gyn a million questions. some have been answered and some not. i tried everything from natural to AD. finally gave in and went on combi-patches. dr. told me he will not keep me on them for more than 1 year and i will be monitored through that time. they definitely stopped the HF in their tracks. i sleep at night now and never wake up sweating for the first time in a year. i just finished my year last march and never had a problem before i went through menopause. my moods are better also. i know they are dangerous and that's why i tried everything else. i have a very pressured job(physically and mentally) and couldn't function with sweating all the time and feeling like i had a chronic case of PMS. they are working for me.

seekingnormal05 · 09-14-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angel54

don't understand it either and have asked my gyn a million questions. some have been answered and some not. i tried everything from natural to AD. finally gave in and went on combi-patches. dr. told me he will not keep me on them for more than 1 year and i will be monitored through that time. they definitely stopped the HF in their tracks. i sleep at night now and never wake up sweating for the first time in a year. i just finished my year last march and never had a problem before i went through menopause. my moods are better also. i know they are dangerous and that's why i tried everything else. i have a very pressured job(physically and mentally) and couldn't function with sweating all the time and feeling like i had a chronic case of PMS. they are working for me.

Did you try different dosages of the patch?

I am planning the same path you took. I will try other things first but if I find this little journey to be too miserable, I will take the HRT road. I used to fight drug assistance but the older I get the more I realize that, for me, quality of life is as important as the risks involved.

All you can do is make an informed decision and do what you think is right for you!