Can you get through menopause without HRT?

One of the common treatment options for menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), supplementing your hormone levels to rebalance your system. However, you may prefer to move through menopause without using hormone treatments. And, women with previous hormone-dependent cancer shouldn't use HRT.

What happens if you don't take HRT during menopause?

Skin health, sexual and bladder function will all be impacted by lack of estrogen. The skin will become drier and so will the lining of the vagina. The impaired blood supply in these tissues of the vagina, for example, impacts on cell repair, nutrition and sexual response.

How long does menopause last without HRT?

How long does the menopause last? Symptoms of the menopause can start months or even years before periods stop completely. They usually continue for around 4 years after your last period, though some women's symptoms continue for much longer.

Can you get thru menopause without HRT?

Avoid potential triggers, such as spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol, take regular exercise, and try to maintain a healthy weight. For mood changes, self-help measures, such as getting plenty of rest, taking regular exercise and doing relaxing activities such as yoga and tai chi, may help.

What can I take for menopause if I can't have HRT?

Clonidine. Clonidine is a prescription medicine that can help reduce hot flushes and night sweats in some menopausal women. It's taken as tablets 2 or 3 times a day. It does not affect hormone levels, so unlike HRT it does not carry an increased risk of problems such as breast cancer.

Menopause Management without Hormones by Lisa Larken, MD

How can I increase my estrogen levels without HRT?

What helps menopause symptoms without hormones?

What happens to your body when you stop taking HRT?

The risk is linked to all types of HRT except vaginal oestrogen. The increased risk of breast cancer falls after you stop taking HRT, but some increased risk remains for more than 10 years compared to women who have never used HRT. When you decide to stop, you can choose to do so suddenly or gradually.

Is it better to be on HRT or not?

It is currently believed that, overall, the risks of long-term (more than five years) use of HRT outweigh the benefits. HRT should not be recommended for disease prevention, except for women under 60 years of age with substantially increased risk of bone fractures, or in the setting of premature menopause.

Is there a natural substitute for HRT?

The most widely cited natural remedy is soy, which is very high in phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. Other sources are red clover and flaxseed, both of which are available as supplements.

What are the 3 stages of menopause?

What are the signs of coming to the end of menopause?

The signs and symptoms experienced in perimenopause may persist for a few years into postmenopause, but women overwhelmingly report feeling much better in postmenopause. Boundless energy, laser focus, and increased libido are all waiting on the other side of menopause. Sleep problems will subside.

What is the best treatment for menopause naturally?

How do you stop hot flashes without HRT?

Is HRT worth the risk?

Long-running studies

Over the last 15 years, these studies, and others, have found little or no evidence that HRT reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, they have found evidence for an increased risk of blood clots and stroke. They also found an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women using HRT.

Does HRT shorten your life?

New research suggests that short-term menopausal hormone therapy shortens life expectancy but improves the quality of life for those with mild or severe menopausal symptoms, the study's lead researcher tells WebMD.

Does HRT make you look younger?

By supplementing your body's natural hormone levels, HRT can help you maintain a more youthful body composition. While this effect is particularly evident in men, research suggests that women can also benefit. HRT is also known to help women maintain softer, smoother skin, resulting in a younger look.

At what age should a woman stop taking hormone replacement?

If you are healthy, most experts agree that HRT is safe to use at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed. If you're 59 or older, or have been on hormones for 5 years, you should talk to your doctor about quitting.

Does coming off HRT make you gain weight?

Weight gain

Many women believe taking HRT will make them put on weight, but there is no evidence that this is the case.

Is there anything good about menopause?

When you enter menopause, your ovaries stop releasing eggs. This stops your menstrual cycle and your monthly period. There's no need to buy tampons or pads anymore, and there's no longer a risk of bleeding or spotting unexpectedly. Plus, you can't get pregnant anymore.

What are the signs of low estrogen?

Does vitamin D increase estrogen?

High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk. Can taking daily vitamin D supplements decrease sex-hormone levels and thereby potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer in older women?

How can I test my estrogen levels at home?

If you would prefer to take a lab test from the comfort of home, the most reliable way is with an at-home Female Hormone Test. LetsGetChecked's Female Hormone Test requires a simple finger prick sample and provides a broad picture of your hormonal health, with online results in 5 days.

What vitamin should I take during menopause?

How it can help during menopause: Vitamin B6 may help ward off menopausal depression and increase energy by boosting serotonin. B vitamins may also help with insomnia and possibly even reduce hot flashes. They are also important for cognitive functions.

What foods make menopause worse?