Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

menopause after long term HRT

Options
  • 29-12-2018 11:58am
    #1
    Maggiesm70
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭


    i'm 48 and on HRT since i was 17 due to a disorder i have that was diagnosed at 17

    i'm single and have not been in a relationship for the past 6 years, I spoke to my GP about stopping the HRT and letting nature take its course, he had no concerns

    i was just wondering about what changes will happen to my breasts when the menopause kicks in, i'm 4' 8" with very big heavy breasts that have dropped down over the years i was told this was due to the changes in my hormones and missing the HRT for weeks or a months over the years and gravity

    i dont want them getting any bigger they already take up most of my upper body, good bras are expensive, will they shrink?, i've given up on relationships at this stage due to a string of failed relationships and a failed marriage, but maybe over the years i might look for a soulmate but i'm happy in my own world now

    does anyone have experiences of the menopause, i'm in the doctors next week for all i know i am probably been in the menopause for years, he told me to get bloods done when i decide to stop


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Emme
    Registered Users Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Emme


    Would you be eligible for a reduction on health grounds? If they are causing you pain and making it difficult to carry out daily tasks talk to your GP about it.


  • Options
    #3
    Maggiesm70
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭Maggiesm70


    Emme wrote: »
    Would you be eligible for a reduction on health grounds? If they are causing you pain and making it difficult to carry out daily tasks talk to your GP about it.

    he referred me for a reduction, tbh they don't cause too much discomfort, I've early stage osteoporosis and theres a fair bit of weight in them, i'm lost a good bit of weight over the years due to my height its easy put it on.

    he said they won't get bigger, could be years waiting for to be seen, i'm sorry i didn't look to have it done years ago


  • Options
    #4
    TheBoyConor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,292 ✭✭✭TheBoyConor


    If they are causing you issues it would definitely be a good idea to look into the idea of a reduction. If you have the means to do so you could get it done privately within a matter of weeks. There is no need to be waiting years if you can afford it.

    I remember having to get a varicose vein in my left leg done. I was waiting months and months with no sign of an appointment. I just said feck it, went off and met a different consultant privately and 6 weeks later i was done, dusted and back on my feet relatively pain free.

    I'd be cautious with stopping HRT if you already have early stage osteoporosis. A collapse in hormone levels could accelerate the condition.

    You should also be made aware that stopping HRT will cause or accelerate, amongst other things,
    - accelerated loss of muscle mass which can lead to frailty
    - thinning and wrinkling of skin
    - accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia and parkinsons disease.
    - redistribution of fat to other parts of the body, potentially leading to weightgain or body image issues.
    - increased risk of vascular events, ie, heart attack and stroke.
    - accelerated osteoporosis and risk of fractures.
    - profound sexual dysfunction

    About the only benefit to HRT withdrawal is a comparative 25% reduction in the risk of breast cancer from 4 in 1200 to 3 in 1200.

    Tbh, your GP is not an expert in this field. You should ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who with specialised knowledge and experience, will be best placed to advise you on you HRT and may be able to give some input into the breast issue. But it is really a plastic or reconstructive surgeon you need to talk to about the latter.


  • Options
    #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 26,052 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    TheBoyConor wrote: »
    If they are causing you issues it would definitely be a good idea to look into the idea of a reduction. If you have the means to do so you could get it done privately within a matter of weeks. There is no need to be waiting years if you can afford it.

    I remember having to get a varicose vein in my left leg done. I was waiting months and months with no sign of an appointment. I just said feck it, went off and met a different consultant privately and 6 weeks later i was done, dusted and back on my feet relatively pain free.

    I'd be cautious with stopping HRT if you already have early stage osteoporosis. A collapse in hormone levels could accelerate the condition.

    You should also be made aware that stopping HRT will cause or accelerate, amongst other things,
    - accelerated loss of muscle mass which can lead to frailty
    - thinning and wrinkling of skin
    - accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia and parkinsons disease.
    - redistribution of fat to other parts of the body, potentially leading to weightgain or body image issues.
    - increased risk of vascular events, ie, heart attack and stroke.
    - accelerated osteoporosis and risk of fractures.
    - profound sexual dysfunction

    About the only benefit to HRT withdrawal is a comparative 25% reduction in the risk of breast cancer from 4 in 1200 to 3 in 1200.

    Tbh, your GP is not an expert in this field. You should ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who with specialised knowledge and experience, will be best placed to advise you on you HRT and may be able to give some input into the breast issue. But it is really a plastic or reconstructive surgeon you need to talk to about the latter.

    You would have better phrased that as 'can' cause or accelerate. None of those things are inevitabilities and for the most part not all of them affect every person, and of those affected it's often to a relatively minor degree that accelerates over time, i.e. normal ageing. The OP is in her late 40's, she's not a 21 year old who would be plunged into premature menopause.

    There's nothing to be gained frightening people about things that probably won't happen, or if they do will have a minor affect against which other measures can be taken.

    OP, follow your docs advice since they've been caring for you over the years and know you well. Best of luck with it.


  • Options
    #6
    Maggiesm70
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭Maggiesm70


    thanks for your advice, i was referred to an endocrinologist when i was 17 he diagnosed me and put me on HRT, he said i would never be able to get pregnant and my chances of marriage were reduced but because i had big breasts men would probably me attracted to me, as a 17 year old country girl i didn't understand what he was saying, it was years later i realised he was right
    TheBoyConor wrote: »
    If they are causing you issues it would definitely be a good idea to look into the idea of a reduction. If you have the means to do so you could get it done privately within a matter of weeks. There is no need to be waiting years if you can afford it.

    I remember having to get a varicose vein in my left leg done. I was waiting months and months with no sign of an appointment. I just said feck it, went off and met a different consultant privately and 6 weeks later i was done, dusted and back on my feet relatively pain free.

    I'd be cautious with stopping HRT if you already have early stage osteoporosis. A collapse in hormone levels could accelerate the condition.

    You should also be made aware that stopping HRT will cause or accelerate, amongst other things,
    - accelerated loss of muscle mass which can lead to frailty
    - thinning and wrinkling of skin
    - accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia and parkinsons disease.
    - redistribution of fat to other parts of the body, potentially leading to weightgain or body image issues.
    - increased risk of vascular events, ie, heart attack and stroke.
    - accelerated osteoporosis and risk of fractures.
    - profound sexual dysfunction

    About the only benefit to HRT withdrawal is a comparative 25% reduction in the risk of breast cancer from 4 in 1200 to 3 in 1200.

    Tbh, your GP is not an expert in this field. You should ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who with specialised knowledge and experience, will be best placed to advise you on you HRT and may be able to give some input into the breast issue. But it is really a plastic or reconstructive surgeon you need to talk to about the latter.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Emme
    Registered Users Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Emme


    Maggiesm70 wrote: »
    thanks for your advice, i was referred to an endocrinologist when i was 17 he diagnosed me and put me on HRT, he said i would never be able to get pregnant and my chances of marriage were reduced but because i had big breasts men would probably me attracted to me, as a 17 year old country girl i didn't understand what he was saying, it was years later i realised he was right

    How unprofessional of him to say things like that. He is probably long retired by now. It's a pity he got away with saying things like that to a vulnerable teenager. I wonder did he say similar things to other young women. These days he would be rightly sued.

    How many professional opinions have you sought for your condition? I wonder was that insensitive sexist quack correct to prescribe you HRT at such a young age?

    Endocrinologists are not like this nowadays. Would it be possible for your GP to refer you to a good female endocrinologist?


  • Options
    #8
    Maggiesm70
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭Maggiesm70


    i know you wouldn't have that kind of thing said now, he examined me from top to toe literally, he measured round my head to my feet and everything in-between

    having big boobs i was well used to being felt at least in this case it was medical, he was very professional i was standing in my underwear for the duration of it he examined my breasts last so i could dress straight away

    he was right thought, a lot of guys wouldn't marry me because of not being able to have children as it would mean who would the farm go to

    he said i had some syndrome toners i think if i remember I'm definitely infertile i would definitely would have gotten pregnant by now if i wasn't


    Emme wrote: »
    How unprofessional of him to say things like that. He is probably long retired by now. It's a pity he got away with saying things like that to a vulnerable teenager. I wonder did he say similar things to other young women. These days he would be rightly sued.

    How many professional opinions have you sought for your condition? I wonder was that insensitive sexist quack correct to prescribe you HRT at such a young age?

    Endocrinologists are not like this nowadays. Would it be possible for your GP to refer you to a good female endocrinologist?


  • Options
    #9
    Emme
    Registered Users Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Emme


    Maggiesm70 wrote: »
    i know you wouldn't have that kind of thing said now, he examined me from top to toe literally, he measured round my head to my feet and everything in-between

    having big boobs i was well used to being felt at least in this case it was medical, he was very professional i was standing in my underwear for the duration of it he examined my breasts last so i could dress straight away

    he was right thought, a lot of guys wouldn't marry me because of not being able to have children as it would mean who would the farm go to

    he said i had some syndrome toners i think if i remember I'm definitely infertile i would definitely would have gotten pregnant by now if i wasn't

    Would you want to marry some Bull McCabe type who wants a good laying hen to produce strong sons and slave on the farm for him after doing a days work off farm and cooking dinner for him? Unfortunately they still exist in rural Ireland but they are the reason many women who grew up on farms get the hell out of the countryside and farmers' sons emigrate to Australia or NZ and never come back to Ireland.

    Good luck with your health issues, I hope you get that reduction.


  • Options
    #10
    Maggiesm70
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭Maggiesm70


    i'm done with the idea of being the farmers wife lol

    Thanks
    Emme wrote: »
    Would you want to marry some Bull McCabe type who wants a good laying hen to produce strong sons and slave on the farm for him after doing a days work off farm and cooking dinner for him? Unfortunately they still exist in rural Ireland but they are the reason many women who grew up on farms get the hell out of the countryside and farmers' sons emigrate to Australia or NZ and never come back to Ireland.

    Good luck with your health issues, I hope you get that reduction.


Advertisement