HRT for severe menopause symptoms

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:54:00 GMT

Question:

Two years ago, I went in to the change and immediately, from being a very healthy and active person, I have suffered great health problems. I started with massive panic attacks which left me feeling very ill for about six months. On Christmas Eve I had another one, which left me having to spend three days in bed. I run my own accountancy business and always have a lot of meetings to attend. I have to plan these for the first 14 days of the month, as they are the days when I function best. Then, from day 15 to day 27, I find myself feeling so ill – being dizzy, feeling faint and not sleeping. I have been using natural progesterone cream and herbal cures. My doctor, who does not advise HRT unless he feels it is necessary, thinks I should try it just for a couple of months as he feels it may solve the problem. I know to be able to carry on my job I will have to do something. Is there any advice that you can offer to help me make a decision? He says the due date of my period should not affect me now but I know it does. I would really appreciate any advice that you can give. I am 57.

Mary

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Answer:

We think you should take your doctor’s advice. The risks of trying HRT for a couple of months are low, and it may help significantly. Have you told your doctor about the herbal supplements you’ve been taking? Not all herbal supplements are safe, so they might be part of the equation. Finally, it’s important that you separate ongoing psychiatric symptoms from post-menopausal symptoms. Anxiety is a fairly typical side effect of perimenopause. But it sounds like you may have developed a full-blown anxiety disorder. The good news is that there are effective treatments for this, but you need to be diagnosed first. Ask your doctor if he thinks seeing a psychiatrist would be beneficial.

Is menopause fatal?

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:37:00 GMT

Question:

My son's wife is going through menopause and he made a statement that you could die from menopause. I said I didn't think so. I went through it – and took hormone replacements – but didn't have any symptoms, so my doctor said to stop it when they came out with the fact that it wasn't good for you. Could you please answer the question?

Cheryl

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Answer:

It’s a simplification to say that HRT isn’t good for you. As a rule, people should use HRT for the absolute minimum required to manage their condition. But that is true of virtually all medications. As for menopause being fatal, we’ve never heard of someone being killed solely by the cessation of their period.

Questions & Answers : menopause symptoms, HRT dangers

HRT for severe menopause symptoms

Is menopause fatal?