HRT believer

I have a very tense job that requires much concentration and got a referral to a GYN because of heavy bleeding and general malaise. None of my sonograms showed physical reason for bleeding, but I was anemic, so insurance paid for me to have uterine ablation to stop the bleeding - quick and mostly easy procedure that took one afternoon.

I still had hot flashes and severe cognitive problems and depression, and my GYN prescribed Vivelle patch and pill - said I could give it a try and after only a week, I feel so much better. I don't have bleeding thanks to ablation (the rollerball kind - think it superior) and have great decrease in depression, anemia (blood count finally normal) and most of all, cognitive skills.

I am so relieved. I know that I have increased risks from HRT but since I already do yearly physicals, I'm willing to take the risks. My doctor told me one piece of sterling advice if you want to know about your own menopause and where HRT will work - to ask your mother. According to doctor our menopause will be something like 60% like that of our mothers - so what worked for her just might work for you.

In any case, I'm an HRT believer. I wish there was more research on the mental affection of lowered hormones, because I have a much better cure on patch than I had on antidepressants - Lexapro and the like, that only made me apathetic and lethargic.

MJ

For more information:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause
• Symptoms of Menopause
• Ways to Manage the Menopausal Transition

 

Updated 06/01/2007