HRT views

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:52 am

In Dr. Roby's site he discusses the lack of hormone replacement as a reason for such things as facial hair (chin and mustache), fibro and chronic fatigue syndrome. I'm curious to hear what everyone's opinion is on this.

I had a hystorectomy in my early/mid 20's (I'm soon to be 46) and took HRT for a short while immediately after surgery but gave up because of the lack of proper dosage. I had extreme mood swings and didn't like the way I "felt" while taking them.

I am noticing the hot flashes (somewhat) with a very red chest and thought it was my BP but that seems to be holding steady with continued meds. I also have the little "pluckers" on my chin and have some fibro and CFS.

I once had a female doc who said that HRT was not tested for long-term use (15-20 + years) in women my age. She suggested that it would be ok to avoid taking them unless I began having problems.

I'm curious about everyone's ideas on this. I am contemplating a conference with my doc to get his thoughts. Of course, your input is valued more so!

Thanks,
Mars

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:11 am

No idea, but am interested to hear what others say! I am seeing my surgeon in about a month (little more) to talk about HRT. So far I'm not on anything, but I'm tired, achy (but for me I *think* its gluten), moody sometimes. But then I've been this way for years. Although I think I've been out of whack hormonally for a long time. I do have more energy than pre-surgery though...just not as much as I would like.

Katy

celia · Post by **celia** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:31 am

Hi, I just happened to read an article (Time or Newsweek) about Dana Reeve's death due to lung cancer when I took my husband for the ambulatory surgery center for his ALS reconstruction this a. m. It pointed out recent studies linking lung cancer and breast cancer with HRT. I will see if I can look at it again when I go back to pick him up to get more precise info.

Celia

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:09 am

Went through "change" 10 years ago. No HRT. Hot flashes long gone. Not tired. Some new facial hair but nothing I can't tweeze away! Besides it's turning white now and barely shows!

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:20 am

I am not taking anything, and only occassionally have a hot flash (seconf Menopause) and nothing is unbearable. I also have read articles linking HRT to Cancer. Alotho There is nothing to actually prove that for certain....I prefer not to take anything. I don't beleive I need it. I own tweezers and will pluck any hairs that show up. Love Oma

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:28 am

Morning All,

No HRT for me - not a vegan's choice. Done the hysterectomy thing and really have had no menopause to speak of after that. Only 1 chin hair and I can easily tweeze that one away. I would never, ever consider HRT.

Love, Maggie

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:36 am

Hi Mars,

Don't forget that Dr. Fine believes that HRT might be one of the triggers for developing MC. I think that studies have shown that it is not the miracle drug it was thought to be with regard to helping to reduce risk for Alzheimer's, heart attacks, and osteoporosis. I guess it does help with menopausal symptoms, however. I'll be interested to hear more from others.

Love,

Polly

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:24 am

I went thru menopause @ age 48----had NO problems --no hot flashes--NADA!!!

It was wonderful---if I say so muself---
BUT my GYN INSISTED that I go on Hormone Therapy @ age 60???? I was like----what~~~I went thru *pause* @ 48 and now @ 60 U want me to have HRT????
His *therapy* would BRING back my period??? and I said *are U crazy*!and to add, he told me that in 6 months they would do a *cutting* to see if any CANCER CELLS had started???????? DUH!!!!!
Mind U, he was an Xcellant GYN--I was with him for yeaaaaaaaaars--but his conception of HRT left much to the imagination~~~

And my BODY--was TELLING ME----DO NOT DO IT,BARBARA!!!And I LISTENED to MYSELF--
Well GYN and me had a whopper of an argument--
I didnt/wouldnt ever do HRT--

My 2 friends were on it for 5 years(the allowable time according to their GYN) and they had many uncomfortable symtoms--

So----its all as to how one feels about it/neccessity of one being on HRT/ETC.

For me, declining HRT was the best decision I ever made---

Just my verbalizing--
luve, Barbara----gotta go and shave me BEARD now---

Alice · Post by **Alice** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:36 am

Hi Mars.

I had surgical menopause at age 45. I still have severe symptoms, not just uncomfortable, but health-threatening. I've tried all other non-drug therapies and none worked for me. I have a very low dose (.025)estradiol patch. For me it is the only answer. I'm probably in the minority of women.

Alice

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:41 am

Mars,

Have you had follow up bone density tests or anything? You are one of the few people I know who went through the surgical menopause thing as young or younger than me.

Katy

celia · Post by **celia** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:10 pm

Mars,

I had my female hormone levels tested post menopause to see exactly what I need. Even though my PCP/GYN (same person) wanted me to do HRT. Her attitude is that if you are post menopause of course your estrogen levels are low. As though I were a moron not to know that.

Well in fact that's not true. There are other glands in your body that take over estrogen production after your ovaries stop, and many women do not need HRT.

The test showed that my estrogen levels (in it's three forms) were completely fine. My progesterone was prettty good too, but my integrative medicine doctor calculated the ratios and put me on a little progesterone.

I had the test done at Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab (www.gsdl.com). They have several different female hormone panels to choose from. I had an integrative medicine doctor so she was happy to order the test for me. Conventional doctors are skeptical of these saliva tests, but they have been proven reputable time and again in the research.

I myself wouldn't consider replacing something without first checking to see if the levels are actually low. I had something like hot flashes for almost six months and they only stopped about a month ago. I don't think they have any thing to do with menopause in my case. It can be do to hypolthalmaus dysregulation, hypoglycemia, a food reaction, and other things...all of which can happen when your immune system is a bit over the top.

HRT is an indvidual and personl decision. It is the best choice for some women, and I'd support you if that's your choice. But I'd check the levels first! Your doctor may have a conventional way of doing so.

I'm not familiar with Dr. Roby, but I have done extensive reading on fibro and CFS. The causes are usually multi-factoral and I've never heard this cited as a contributing factor before. Not to say he's wrong, but its the first I've heard of it.

Celia