I am 5 years out from going through menopause without hormone replacement. I took Effexor to get me through the worst of the hotflashes. I started hormone replacement therapy this week. I couldn't take it any longer. I had bone loss, insomnia, vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, memory loss and generally questioned the quality of my life. My family doctor did not believe in giving me hormone replacement. I discussed with her getting a second opinion and she welcomed this. I went to a doctor that specializes in menopause and is involved in doing research on menopause. He was very informed and very compassionate. He explained that in any other endocrine insufficiency we replace the hormone be it insulin or thyroid. He explained that estrogen is required by a woman's body and has over 200 targets in our bodies. I am starting HRT and not looking back. He went through the research studies and discussed them with me in detail so that I would be comfortable with my choice. The explanation is outlined in a book Menopause:Guidelines for Contemporary Management by Leon Speroff, MD. He gave me a copy of the book and I have read it twice already. I would certainly recommend it. Good Luck to you in making your own decision. I wish I would not have waited five years.
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I am 5 years out from going through menopause without hormone replacement. I took Effexor to get me through the worst of the hotflashes. I started hormone replacement therapy this week. I couldn't take it any longer. I had bone loss, insomnia, vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, memory loss and generally questioned the quality of my life. My family doctor did not believe in giving me hormone replacement. I discussed with her getting a second opinion and she welcomed this. I went to a doctor that specializes in menopause and is involved in doing research on menopause. He was very informed and very compassionate. He explained that in any other endocrine insufficiency we replace the hormone be it insulin or thyroid. He explained that estrogen is required by a woman's body and has over 200 targets in our bodies. I am starting HRT and not looking back. He went through the research studies and discussed them with me in detail so that I would be comfortable with my choice. The explanation is outlined in a book Menopause:Guidelines for Contemporary Management by Leon Speroff, MD. He gave me a copy of the book and I have read it twice already. I would certainly recommend it. Good Luck to you in making your own decision. I wish I would not have waited five years.
February 26, 2009 - 9:37pmThis Comment
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