My D’s friend is an OB/GYN. She said that there are women starting HRT too soon, with an expectation that it will keep them young - of particular concern to her are the med spas that prescribe hormones. She believes that there are women who benefit from HRT but that it needs to be prescribed thoughtfully.
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I don’t understand that number since as stated above, up to 30% of beast cancers are related to genetic factors.
I wish those Med spas would be more closely regulated. I got a facial last year at one of those places because I had a Groupon- a woman in a white coat who kept suggesting add-on’s– some of which were invasive, some required an RX. I asked if she was a dermatologist (no) an RN (no); she was a cosmetologist who also had a manicurist license. She kept insisting “we are really careful and we sanitize everything”– as if that were the only concern when an unregulated facility is going to give you oxygen, an “energy booster”(which required an IV), fillers, etc. I had no doubt her cosmetology license was current, but who taught her to insert an IV?
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As I posted above, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation said 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary but for younger women, 25%. I am sure there are different statistics floating around.
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And for certain populations (Ashkenazic Jewish, i.e. from Eastern Europe) the general population statistics are irrelevant- they have their own profiles, stats and protocols. Add in a mom with ovarian cancer or parent of either gender with colon cancer and the genetic risk factors go up significantly FOR THIS POPULATION.
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Not to derail this thread, but holy moly, I get so dismayed at these Med Spas. A new “Hydration Center” is just opening up here that boasts of providing you a custom IV for your needs. From everything I have read, unless you are currently in the midst of an Ironman, or are just getting over norovirus, you should not need an IV in a non-hospital/medical setting. And there are dangers associated with these types of IVs, even when administered by an RN.
To stay on topic, I find it extremely frustrating that this area has not been researched as thoroughly as it should and so many doctors are behind in the literature. I am about 10 years out from menopause, so I don’t think I am a candidate for HRT, but as I said earlier, I am worried about protecting my heart and bones. I know exercise and weight training are important there too.
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From what I’ve read, scientific research on women’s health, particularly older women, is notoriously under-funded and given a fraction of the attention provided to other groups.
Now that we have more money and power and aren’t so reliant on men (and their interests), maybe that will change…
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If I never had breast cancer, I would definitely be asking questions and considering HRT. I think it is very important however for women who are in HRT therapy and then diagnosed with breast cancer not to go into a guilt spiral. I didn’t realize the complexity of breast cancer until I was diagnosed. You can do everything right, not have a genetic mutation, not have a mom or sister or grandma with a history of the disease and still you get diagnosed.
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It’s concerning that the medical community (board-certified medical doctors) seem to still be torn on whether patients should consider HRT. Add to that, the anecdotal stories from friends, family and strangers about their experiences with HRT (good and bad), it’s hard to know what the right decision is.
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I will digress with you.
Some years ago, I went to a Christmas party at a medspa that offered those IVs and was stunned. People could sit in this little theater with soothing music and watch a screen with images of nature and receive vitamins and fluids for….a crushing hang over. So they could get out and drink again the next day!
Wow. Just wow.
I live in what I thought was kind of a sleepy, family oriented community. I asked how popular this was, and they replied “you’d be surprised.”
I am so naive.
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I thought testosterone was not FDA approved for women? My ob/gyn put me on estradiol patch + progesterone pills which have been amazing but i do still have fatigue. She won’t even run my blood work bc that is also “not covered by insurance” and dosing is based on symptoms. Tell me again how women’s health is a priority in this country??
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I don’t think testosterone is FDA approved for women, but they’re well behind the curve and there are still negative conclusions out there about it that are outdated. But if you watch what is going on in areas where people are more affluent, testosterone for women is definitely a thing. They don’t prescribe high dosages for women like they do for men, but dosages to get you up to the level that you were decades ago.
I have concerns about pellet therapy (because if they get the wrong dosage, you’re stuck in it for three months, and I only go to a doctor and clinic who know exactly what they’re doing, take blood tests and measure for the correct amount. I use cream that you can easily adjust the amount of. Definitely wouldn’t go to a medical spa! It is pathetic that you often can’t even get this from an endocrinologist, they don’t know how to prescribe this for women. Seriously? The information is out there, and they are far behind.
I had to go off my testosterone for a few weeks several years ago because I was trying to figure out what was causing my heart palpitations. Turns out it was caffeine and stress, but wow, what a difference. I am usually very level and not overly emotional, secure, have feelings of well being, happy and confident (undeservedly, no doubt 
). I was anxious, emotions all over the place, no confidence, fearful, what the heck? Is this how women feel as they get older? No thank you!
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Here is a good read on testosterone by Kelly Casperson MD, a urologist. It’s not just for low libido
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If you have a child who is a nurse or in a nursing program, you will learn that that crowd is very popular because they can insert IVs. Not speaking about my child but friends.
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I’ve been using an estrogen patch 2x/week since I was in my early 50s, shortly after I went through menopause. I had terrible hot flashes and night sweats that made my life miserable and the estrogen patch really helped. Since I had a hysterectomy when I was 45 and don’t have a uterus, I do not have to take progesterone with the estrogen, since my understanding was that the main reason progesterone is taken is to prevent uterine cancer. I’m now 65 and still on the lowest dose estrogen patch, mostly for bone health reasons. My OB/Gyn has continued to recommend that I stay on it, since I do have some bone loss.
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I went through surgical menopause at age 35 due to severe endometriosis (I am nearing 60 now). My doctor at the time told me to “gut it out” a few months to let the remaining endo burn itself out. And I never went on it.
My menopausal symptoms were never that bad (to me) and they were transitory. I think compared to the pain of endo, it was a walk in the park (again, to me). I have never felt the need to go on HRT.
I work out, take care of myself, etc - about the only thing that bothers me a bit is I have more grey hair now, but no wrinkles (thank you, genetics). So I guess that’s a long way of saying you don’t HAVE to go on HRT unless it’s medically necessary, the definition of which is up to you and your doctor.
I believe menopause is a natural phase of life - but certainly consult your trusted medical advisors.
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I have a friend who is doing that testosterone insertion insertion for 3 months. Her libido was similar to most of us in our 60’s. She said it upped it so much, they’ve had sx 22 days in a row, because she wants to. But she’s leaking a massive amount of fluid during the grand moment that is concerning. .
She’s going to address all, she’s seeing a nurse, but a doc
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Honestly, that sounds horrible to me! After the birth of my second, my hormones were so out of whack that I was in a constant state of arousal (sorry if TMI). I wasn’t a fan.
I agree. She wasn’t expecting that, and not quite sure she really likes it to that extent. I imagine she’ll lower the dosage the 2nd time around.
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If I ever considered HRT, it’s off the table now.
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