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Has anyone gone through menopause 5 years ago or longer and done it completely without any hormonal help at all?
I am in my second year of menopause after about five years of perimenopause. I have not used hormones of any kind and seem to have gotten through at least the physical effects (hot flashes, etc) without tearing my hair out.
But I have noticed other changes -- in my skin, my hair, and my libido -- that bother me, and I know that our hormones affect all these things. I'm now wondering if my decision (almost by default; I just didn't have an extraordinarily tough transition) to go hormone-free was made in haste, and if I should reconsider.
Does anyone have the experience of 5 or 10 years post-menopause without hormones? Are you happy with your decision?
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I am 2 years in Menopause and was 5 in Perimenopause.
The worst for me was my hot flashes. I would go out on dates with guys only to break into a feverish sweat when we got to the restaurant. I started using this hot flash relief spray that my sister turned me on to this called Restore www.restore.com It isn't a permanent solution by any means but definitely saved me some embarrassment on dates. My son even used it the other day on the subway platform hahaha
September 28, 2009 - 10:10amThis Comment
I am 1.5 years in Menopause, previous to that about 4 years in Perimenopause.
August 27, 2009 - 10:26amI have desided to go with bio-denticals made from natural substances and I will go to a specialist that this is what they do, geared for the person. I will take a rub on gel, only
I have read extensively on this subject and I am 53.
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Anon, thank you so very much for your opinion, and for telling me that you've read extensively on the subject. I really appreciate the benefit of your research. Please write back in a few months and let us know how it's working for you!
September 28, 2009 - 10:25amThis Comment
I am 45 years old and have been having menopausal symptoms for 2 years although my GYN tested me at 43 and said "noooo, you are not in the stage of pre-menopause" (funny how we know our bodies). Anyway, now at 45 my periods are irregular, I have hot flashes to the point I feel I have to explain to my patients why all the sudden I have sweat popping up on my forehead and running down my face just so they know I am not having a heart attack or severe diabetic reaction (which I am not diabetic) and yes, the wonderful night sweats that wake me and often interfere with my limited sleep these days, libido "GONE".....so I am having a wonderful time. I am trying to decide if I just want to try to wait this thing out for the next whatever years or talk to my doc about HRT. I guess I am a little paranoid with HRT possibly causing more harm than good.
August 27, 2009 - 3:12amThis Comment
I feel the same way, Mtsu. I have studied the options and they are really complicated -- no HRT, synthetic HRT, bio-identical HRT, regular doctors, naturopaths, compounding pharmacies -- with pros and cons all the way around. I was blessed in that I never had bad hot flashes during the day (though I had terrible night sweats). I'll be interested to know what you decide, when you do. Please come back and update us and let us know how it goes!
August 27, 2009 - 8:39amThis Comment
I was just talking about this with my mom this morning, and she actually went into very early menopause while in her early 40's. She has been on HRT for years and loves it (now she is nearing 70) because she feels that her moods are stable and her body just generally feels healthier. She has an awesome figure. She says that she notices that other women she knows who are around her age who aren't on HRT seem older because their skin "droops" more and their hair is thinning.
June 5, 2009 - 5:11pmThis Comment
Well, fortunately, my skin isn't droopy and my hair is far from thinning. So, I guess I managed to avoid those issues. :))
I just have a smiley belly, LOL!
June 5, 2009 - 5:36pmThis Comment
wow, this is a more common issue I thought. I have some friends who I have to get this discussion to ... I think they need HRT too.
June 5, 2009 - 7:46amThis Comment
Whether or not your friends need HRT is both a personal and medical decision. Some of us do not tolerate "traditional," or even alternative treatment very well.
Just a word of caution.
June 5, 2009 - 4:40pmThis Comment
Not from personal experience, but five years ago my mom started going through Menopause with no hormone replacement therapy at all. Other than the mood swings and hot flashes, she really hasn't had much change physically. Her hair is a little more coarse than I remember, but she seems to have no problem with that and she's not sure if it's just attributed to mistreatment through the years. About her libido- I really have no idea nor do I want to know. So, sorry that I can't help you there. :) She has dealt with her hot flashes by lowering the ac to the point where I had to sleep with socks, pants, and a sweatshirt when I still lived at home.
June 5, 2009 - 6:21amWhat I have never asked is why she chose to go through it without HRT. My guess is that she was trying to avoid any medication at all. My mom usually believes that the remedy is worse than the disease.
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