Menopause and helpers anyone ?

Hi

This post is aimed at ladies of a certain age ( sorry fellas )

With having Afib , And other dodgy heart parts my GP won’t prescribe HRT

I can’t supplement with soya products at all due to Hypothyroidism .

I’m struggling with weight gain despite having a healthy diet low potassium, vegetarian , gluten free , no chocolate , cake etc

Anyone got any helpful tips that has helped them banish the menopausal spread ?

I don’t understand why I’m gaining while I should be losing ? It’s a mystery to me other than my body is obviously working differently and shifting fat to places I don’t want it !

[Peony4575]

Fat cells produce a low grade oestrogen called oestrone . From what I remember when I was researching the menopause our body wants more of these to bolster our oestrogen supplies. It said in the book “our fat cells are singing.” Fat becomes redistributed in a more male pattern as the proportion of oestrogen to testosterone shifts . And of course metabolism goes down to the point where 1600 calories which used to be a diet is now maintenance . No good news so far ? That’s because there isn’t any. At least unless you are one of the lucky ones that sales through without a problem . I initially tried things like “menopause cake “ from the health food shop but for me didn’t make a dent so I have been on HRT for about 20 years to the intense irritation of some of my doctors ( but not the cardiologist). Exercise . Yes. Yoga is good because muscles and joints can play up. Walking or weight bearing exercise to keep those bones strong and burn off the offending fat bits. Toning exercises to keep wobbly bits at bay . You may be able to get recipes for “oestrogen cake” off the internet and doubtless someone will be along who has tried supplements . Good luck it was all a bit of a shock to me but I found some very good books full of excellent advice

[Hidden]

Thank you so much Peony , wasn’t you tempted to try the hormone cream? Someone suggested this to me but I’m unsure ?

[Peony4575 in reply to Hidden]

I use oestrogen gel and the mirena so I have the full HRT hit . I don’t have any recommendations on unregulated creams I don’t have any experience and you can’t be confident what is in them. I have just looked on Amazon and the book I found most useful by Gail Sheehy The Silent Passage is still available in an updated version. She had researched alternatives to HRT in there and may be able to help . There is also an excellent forum called Menopause Matters I recommend joining that because they have all sorts of advice and people to help it’s like this one but dedicated to menopause

[Hidden in reply to Peony4575]

Thank you so much , I’ll definitely join the group and get the book .

Much appreciated

[Peony4575 in reply to Hidden]

You are very welcome x

[Peony4575 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck Reikimaster

[VelvetSky]

Hi, I’ve been on HRT for 28 years, gynocologist says if I was his mother he would recommend taking it for life. Other doctors try to get you to stop but often if challenged they cannot give specific reasons, this is a particular attitude from men. I have had 2 HA and many other problems. My aim is to stay as well as possible and mobile as possible for as long as possible in the knowledge that either the asthma or heart will get me in the end. If HRT helps then I will fight to stay on it. Ask to be referred to a Menopause clinic or another GP and weigh up your risks and benefits. Each person is different. Good luck.

[gladliz in reply to VelvetSky]

Had been on HRT for 9 years when my female GP persuaded me to come off it. Your 58, probably through the menopause by now, not good to take long term etc. Worst thing I ever did, even after weaning myself off it symptoms came back with a vengence, night sweats, hot flushes. 😡 With hindsight I should had pushed to go back on it, but hey I'm not a Doctor what do I know. I am convinced that a lot of my health issues would not be here now if I had carried on taking HRT. If I was told tomorrow that I could take it again I would snap their hand off to get at the pill.😊

[Hidden]

I’ve got other issues going on too , I bought a ladycare magnet I’ve wore it constantly. The flushes are ok cos I’m generally freezing cold . It’s just my face that goes Scarlett but My symptoms are new - only the last 3 weeks or there abouts . So it all new

I did contact my GP who said she wouldn’t recommend HRT due to my health of my heart .

I just wondered what other options are out there

I’ve see the hormone cream you can get but is that as risky as the tablets ?

Which hormone would you go for?

Progesterone it Oestrogen?

[Peony4575 in reply to Hidden]

If you still have a uterus you can’t just take oestrogen without progesterone because it causes the womb lining to thicken and increases the risk of uterine cancer. If you just take progesterone it won’t do much for symptoms caused by fluctuating oestrogen levels . It really isn’t something to be messed about with. Your first port of call needs to be a cardiologist or a gynaecologist with an interest in menopause because without their written endorsement I doubt you will get anyone to prescribe it for you . Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Peony4575]

Thank you for your help much appreciated