Anyone Else Not Taking Hormones ??? - Menopause Message Board

MrsKramden · 05-02-2003, 06:53 PM

I'm new here, so I have so many questions.

Is there anyone else here who is not taking HRT or anything for menopause ?

Although my mammograms are always normal, I have a significant family history of breast cancer and my dr & I agree that I shouldn't take hormones.I was really nervous about this, thinking that I would HAVE to, but was relieved that my dr. said it wasn't necessary. Anyone else experience this ?

cloverberry · 05-03-2003, 05:10 AM

I don't take any hormones. I don't feel any need to. I tried for a couple of months but I didn't see any difference. All I could see is my money wasted on something the drug companies paid my doctor to try to get me to take.

Geneva1 · 05-03-2003, 11:39 AM

MrsKramden

If you can get through it without taking anything, then good for you, and consider yourself lucky!!! From what I have learned so far, there are dangers in taking any kind of replacement, and dangers if you take
nothing! You've got to weigh your own risks, either way. My Mother had Breast cancer, she had been taking Premarin for 30 years. Whether that caused it or not, who knows? I thought I couldn't take any more of the
flashes/night sweats/mood swings/etc., and attempted to take Prempro, but that only lasted a couple of months. I ended up with chest/leg pain, and had to stop taking them. I know that sooner or later, the hot flashes etc., will more than likely come back, and right now, I'm not sure what I will do about it. I do know that (in my case) the solution was worse than the
problem. I'm slowly finding out, that where our bodies are concerned, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, so I am spending time to learn about what is going on inside of me right now. This site has been extremely helpful. I thought I was all alone until I started reading!! The only advice I could give you, is to read up about Menopause, and KNOW what you're putting in your body or not, and WHY. I have been quite surprised (& fascinated) with all of it. I just today, learned that SOY is NOT good for us (despite what you hear all the time), ESPECIALLY during menopause! Read up on it, you'll be surprised.

Happy Hunting!

Jen

MrsKramden · 05-03-2003, 12:56 PM

Hi, Geneva !

Interesting that you should mention soy. My doctor told me the same thing. He said that the soy products mimic estrogen and can have the same effects as estrogen.

We use the internet to read about every health concern that comes up !We also have books, but since the internet, there is a wealth of information about everything.

I don't feel I need anything. My main complaint -which was unbearable-was nausea, but that ended 6 months before I was tested as being menopausal. The only hot flashes I had were minor, infrequent blushing for a few seconds.They were nothing like the scenarios that a lot of women describe.So, I feel good not taking anything . Thanks for responding to my post (thank you all !)

[This message has been edited by MrsKramden (edited 05-20-2003).]

tagger · 05-03-2003, 10:24 PM

Hi Mrskramden,

I tried HRT for 3 mths. We have no history of breast cancer in our family but lots of osteo. I experienced awful leg pains (still not entirely gone after 5 wks) and after my bone density test came back OK I went off them. As another poster has said every person experiences menopause differently so at this crucial time in our lives (so many backlashes based on the decisions made now) I recommend lots of research. There are "alternative" products ( I use Evening Primrose Oil with great success) and the soy based product which I haven't used. I was taking Black Cohosh for the hot flashes but there has been recent
negative literature about it so went off it too. So far so good if only my legs would stop hurting!..Tagger