HRT or not?

[TibbyBaker]

Hello Lovely people, what's the consensus on whether to take HRT. I have lost three three immediate relatives to OC. I don't have the BRAC 1 gene.

Tibby

[Lindaura]

I am personally against HRT. It’s a drag, but menapause is a normal part of life, although so many of us have to enter earlier due to ovarian cancer or risk reduction surgery.

You find ways to cope.

There are herbal remedies that actually do help the hot flushes, but after a certain point, the vaginal dryness really got me down.

Fortunately, I have s very sweet and loving husband, who has discovered the pleasures of oral sex, so romance is stil on the cards.

I wouldn’t want to risk HRT.

The million woman study concluded that your chances are better without it.

Best wishes,

Laura

[TibbyBaker in reply to Lindaura]

Thank you Laura. There is so much talk about HRT recently and we are living so much longer in general. I think I will give it a miss and just take cod liver oil, vit A&D and magnesium. I hope he's not the only one getting g a bit or oral sex now.

[Lindaura in reply to TibbyBaker]

Oh no! He is a Glorious and tender lover. I am very lucky...😻

[27-359]

Hi. I am not sure if you have OC, or are just asking about HRT in general. Since chemo etc, I keep getting sensitive bladder issues, as a result of an atrophic (old and dry!!!) vagina. The GP has said that a hormone cream would help this, but the oncologist has said that as my cancer is oestrogen sensitive it would be better if I stayed away from anything hormonal. I hope this helps.

Jenny

[TibbyBaker in reply to 27-359]

Thank you Jenny, no I don't have OC. I'm just mindful because of my FH.

[bamboo89]

Difficult one, you need the latest research/expert advice. What I do know is there is an increased risk of breast cancer (as I remember, 4 more women in a thousand, I think) but that's also true if you're obese or drink alcohol. I guess if someone's obese and has a glass or two of wine daily, the extra risk of HRT isn't worth it. Ovarian cancer is never mentioned in regard to HRT, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's no connection, given that OC is the very much poorer and often forgotten relative of breast cancer, but OC is not always hormone driven anyway.

About the only good, concrete reason I can see for taking HRT is protection of the bones - nothing else does that job in the same way. It does sometimes help with vaginal dryness issues - but not always. It can help with hot flushes (but not always), although there looks likely to be another treatment available for those in the next 3-5 years which blocks a different hormone, nothing to do with oestrogen or testosterone. Apparently, this hormone is found in higher than usual levels in the brains of women who suffer hot flushes - but no doubt there will be a physical price for taking that too, later on.

Otherwise, HRT can help with mood swings and sleep. Perhaps Anna at Ovacome has more information on any connection between HRT and OC, so it might be worth contacting her direct.

Miriam

[Cropcrop]

I made a decision long long before I was diagnosed with OC that the menopause is a natural part of life’s rich tapestry and I really didn’t fancy HRT with it’s potential side effects so decided to do it the natural way. It was exactly as I expected, lots of personal summers especially at inappropriate moments, my cognitive ability also changed somewhat and my sleep pattern was affected but no more than expected and to be honest it really wasn’t as bad as I’d been lead to believe it would be, I think a healthy diet and regular exercise really helped me, I’d finished it all nicely then I did another mini one following the hysterectomy after diagnosis. I believe I was fortunate not to need the HRT but younger ladies could benefit from taking it for the long term benefit to their bones. It’s a personal decision but one I believe should be taken without undue outside pressure and following enough personal research to be happy with the decision you arrive at for yourself. Good luck with whatever you decide lovely ❤️Xx Jane

[Lyndy]

Hi Tibby

I don’t want to stress you out but with your family history it is possible that you have some genetic component they haven’t identified yet. I met a woman recently who wasn’t BRCA 1or2 but who had been told she probably had a sort of ‘wild card’ genetic risk- her family had BC and OC.

I am sorry if this is worrying-all I am suggesting is that you get really good advice from an expert before doing anything that could increase your risk. xx

[TibbyBaker]

Thank you Lyndy, I am mindful of that, at least I can go to the docs if I have any symptoms as I am aware and on alert. I am fortunate that my GP allows me to have an annual Ca125 test. She's not as strict as some other GP's. x

[luluw]

I think it depends on how bad your menopause is. To be perfectly honest, my menopause symptoms were so bad that I couldn't have carried on working without HRT. I tried herbal remedies etc but they didn't work for me. I took it for the recommended maximum (at the time) period of 5 years and the came off it over a summer break. It worked for me extremely well-I certainly don't regret using it.

Lou