WHAT IF HRT CAN’T BE THE ANSWER FOR YOUR MENOPAUSE PROBLEMS?
Recent research suggests nine in 10 women going through the ‘the change’ suffer mental health problems as well as crippling physical symptoms. For many of them, HRT can help. But what happens if you can’t take it for medical or ethical reasons?
When Mel Fallowfield, 48, went to a party last month, the birthday girl cracked a joke asking how everyone was getting on with their menopause. It was shortly after Davina McCall’s Channel 4 show Sex, Myths And The Menopause had aired and the guests – in their late 40s and early 50s – all had plenty to say.
The vast majority were on HRT already or planning to have it. There were tales of libidos rocketing, and hair feeling thicker and glossier.
But for Mel, the conversation left her feeling low.
LIFELINE
Mel, a writer from London who lives with her husband Brian, 49, and two teenage sons, says, “They were glowing – and
I felt like a dried-up prune. Sadly the ‘magic wand’ that is HRT isn’t an option for me as I’ve had hormone receptive breast cancer – which feeds on oestrogen. Instead, I have to take pills that block oestrogen receptors in my body to stop the cancer coming back.
“It’s tough. I’d love to take a pill and feel better. Instead, my libido is tailing off, my hair is dry, my once strong nails are weak and snap and
I’m permanently exhausted. I have night sweats and though hot flushes are yet to make an appearance, no doubt they will. And the weight gain is a nightmare.”
In the UK, 2.5m prescriptions are given out every year for HRT. The average age to go through menopause is 51, but the effects can last for 15 years. The debilitating symptoms range from brain fog, insomnia, night sweats, hot flushes, weight gain, vaginal soreness and dryness, loss of libido, dry hair and nails, joint stiffness and aches, palpitations and mental health issues. Over half of women say the menopause has affected their sex life and nine out of 10 women felt it had a negative impact on their working life.
DRAINING
Menopause counsellor Diane Danzebrink, who runs Menopause Support, says, “It can be hugely draining and upsetting for women. I’ve been told they feel as though they’re going mad and feel very alone. I know women who’ve had hormone receptive breast and gynaecological cancer who’ve said they were grateful to be alive and have survived, but that now they feel life isn’t worth living with their menopause symptoms.
“One thing to remember is that we’re all individual and even for those who can consider HRT, it can take time to find the right type and dose. And there are plenty of lifestyle changes that can help. Diet is one area to look at if you have hot flushes and night sweats, try to cut out caffeine, wine and spicy foods as these can be triggers. Look into simple changes like having a fan by the bed or only sleeping under a very light cotton sheet. And support from people in a similar situation can really help.”
And menopause expert Dr Naomi Potter adds, “We can treat some of the symptoms even if you can’t have HRT, for example there are medicines that can help many with hot flushes and night sweats, or there are some you can take to help with insomnia. For many women, testosterone cream can help with libido, and there are some promising studies as well on some natural remedies – for example a supplement made from pollen extract, which seems to be helpful in relieving menopausal symptoms. It doesn’t seem to have hormonal effects, making it a possible option for women who’ve had breast cancer. There is hope out there.
SUFFERING
“I recommend seeing a menopause specialist – ask to be referred by your GP as the specialists will have the most up-to-date information and they can treat your individual circumstances, rather than going with a ‘one size fits all’ approach.”
Gina Broadhurst, 45, who lives in Surrey with her husband, Simon, 49, and their children aged nine and seven,
is desperate to get further advice. After years of suffering with painful periods, she had an operation to have her womb cauterised nearly two years ago.
OPTIONS
But when she woke up, she was told they hadn’t been able to do the procedure. Her next option was to have a hysterectomy which she’s yet to go ahead with because she has Factor V Leiden syndrome, which causes sticky blood and an increased risk of clotting, so she couldn’t have HRT.
Gina, who runs Just Shutters Surrey with her husband, says, “I’m suffering with perimenopause. I get blinding headaches and terrible brain fog – I go to tell my husband something and then have no recollection of what it was. I could fall asleep any time and I have terrible moods. Sometimes I feel normal, at other times I could kill someone! And there seems to be no way out of it.”
But menopause expert Dr Naomi Potter says that may not be the case. She says, “Every case and medical history has to be taken individually. There are different ways of taking oestrogen – either in a pill which is combined with progesterone, or you can take oestrogen with a patch or gel which is better, because the risk of breast cancer and clots is lower. If you’ve had cardiovascular problems or you have a higher risk of blood clotting then it’s not advised to take it orally.
“Although if you take it through your skin then there is no extra risk of blood clots. So, it may well be that Gina could take HRT. Doctors can sometimes have outdated information which is why it’s important to see a specialist.”
❛ SPECIALISTS CAN TREAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES RATHER THAN GOING WITH A ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’ APPROACH ❜