WHY I’M A BIG FAN OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

I CONFESS, I’m a big fan of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I think of my daily dose of oestrogen gel as simply topping up what my body is naturally lacking, and I thrive on it — better sleep, smoother skin, improved mood and increased energy levels.

For me, the improved quality of life, together with so many health benefits, outweigh my own personal risk factor.

That’s not to say all women need to take HRT and it is important to discuss your needs with your GP. But you should know that HRT is available on the NHS — you do not need to go to a highly-priced private clinic for so-called bioidentical hormones.

Don’t be deterred if your GP is reluctant to prescribe it. NICE guidelines now confirm the benefits outweigh the risks in almost all cases. You can be prescribed top-up hormones (usually oestrogen and progesterone) as tablets, skin patches or gel.

It is important to consider testosterone, too. Declining levels can explain poor moods, low energy, poor concentration and absent libido. But a tiny dab of testosterone gel can help reverse this. One of my friends says it’s made her brain sharper and she’s firing on all cylinders in the bedroom and the boardroom; another came off it after six months, as it made her argumentative when she barely used to raise her voice. There are risks associated with all forms of HRT, the most obvious being that some types may cause a small increase in the risk of breast cancer. Every woman in the UK has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer, regardless of whether or not she takes HRT, and the risk associated with taking HRT is similar to the increased breast cancer risk for those who are obese, never had children, or who drink two to three units of alcohol each day.

Women who take HRT as tablets have a small increased risk of developing a blood clot or DVT, but again, this risk is more likely if you are overweight, have had a clot in the past, or smoke.

But there is no increased risk of developing a blood clot if you use oestrogen as patches or gel, rather than tablets.

To offset these risks, you should know that HRT reduces your future risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as the crumbling bones and fractures of osteoporosis. It can really help with low mood, too.