Login required to started new threads

Login required to post replies

Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing?
Quote | Reply
Hi ladies. I am an old poster (in more ways than one haha), but I am back with this new user name because I am so confused and ashamed of this issue. I feel anonymity will help me.

I had early menopause...around age 45, due to the fact that my ovaries were removed (due to tumors). I have been average to thin all my life. During my teens, I did struggle with body image and disordered eating patterns, but I pretty much worked it out on my own. My BMI never really went super low. I had some irregular periods but definitely did not have low BMI.

Now, I have been menopausal for a few years. It came early; I am not yet 50. My doctor has been pushing me to do HRT. I feel fine so I never really wanted to do HRT. Coping with the symptoms thru lifestyle adjustment. I am very active, with running, tri, boot camp, and even play flag football (semi contact sport), have not had a problem.

However bone density is an issue. My bone scan reveals osteopenia. 2.2 in some areas. (2.4 is the borderline to osteoporosis). My doctor strongly suggests the HRT. I am reluctant, partially because my past history I have been on hormones, it is not pleasant. However, I do not want to crumple like a snowflake by the time I'm 55.

I imagine being on HRT, a lifetime sentence of feeling bloated, PMS-y, draggy, moody....I am no elite athlete but workouts/races are a source of joy for me, I imagine that being taken away. My doctor is useless with these questions, she says 'running is bad for women' flat-out, so her credibilty takes a hit, obviously. But the bone scan doesn't lie.

If anyone is older and has dealt with this, good or bad opinion toward the HRT , please share. I'd so appreciate it.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
>>I imagine being on HRT, a lifetime sentence of feeling bloated, PMS-y, draggy, moody....I am no elite athlete but workouts/races are a source of joy for me, I imagine that being taken away.<<

Been on them for 10 years or so (due to surgery) and never an issue. We did have to change them once since what I was on is on the WADA banned drug list and my surgeon said she couldn't in good conscious fill out the TUE, so we changed meds.

And I'd suggest finding a new doctor with a better attitude!

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I started going to a SottoPelle clinic in March. There is no way I will give up my "pellets". I go about every 3 months & feel GREAT. My workouts are better, sex is better & my attitude is better. I do not have PMS symptoms, ever.

Try a naturopathic doctor. They are wonderful in this area.

Good Luck!
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [trackie clm] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks, what med were you on and what now? (if you don't mind).
Mine recommended estrogen and progesterone.

I guess there is a brand name to the estrogen..it comes in a spray-gel form. She recommended the bioidentical one, not the premarin.
Thanks for your reply.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [AZtri] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Pellets? I have no clue. But it sounds like you like them...encouraging.

You didn't find that the med made you gain weight?

About a naturopath, I have such a complex medical history with the tumors, I am kind of scared to go all-natural. Scared not to as well. Crap, this is not a great feeling. If you want to share more about your med, I am all ears. thx
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Yep, lots of tumors. Hence the surgery.

Enjuvia, but it recently got changed to Cenestin. Don't remember the one before that but it had some testosterone in it, hence on the banned drug list.

http://surmeno.blogspot.com/...ts-premarin-and.html might help you out.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I am not exactly sure, but fairly certain it is estrogen & testosterone. I go tomorrow for my next one so I will let you know. He implants the pellet in the muscle of the glute. Doesn't hurt at all - but can't exercise for 2 days. I have been really happy with my naturopath - but SottoPelle was started by an MD. You can look them up on the internet. I like the fact that I don't have to worry about it except every 3 months or so. I do have to take a progesterone product nightly (norethindrone - I am allergic to prometrium & compounded progesterone) since I still have the darn uterus.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [trackie clm] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks trackie

So when they list the scary side effects...such as spots on your face, unwanted hair growth, dementia, bulging eyes, etc......

...are those considered pretty rare?

Crap, I really feel boxed in. I feel fine, just fine, but my bone scan says otherwise. It would be so much easier to commit to this if I had a physical complaint.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [AZtri] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
thanks,,,I wonder if you mean progestrone not testosterone.
I did look up a practicioner from the sottopelle website. I will call her office this week and see if it's worth a visit. thanks for the tip.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I use 3% progesterone cream nightly and have lost weight while replacing what I've lost through time. No estrogen or testosterone being taken at this time. However, I am at the 6-month mark after starting progesterone and will have new blood draws later this week.

My hot flashes are gone, so my sleep is better and may account for my increased activity. HRT is used to fix the symptoms you describe, such as bloat, etc. so I wouldn't worry so much about it causing weight gain.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

DFL > DNF > DNS
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [SallyShortyPnts] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks . The only symptom that is really a deal breaker is the bone loss. I have osteopenia and very very close to osteoporosis. The rest of it is details. I am beside myself that this has happened despite a pretty decent lifetime of taking care of myself. WTF.

(I do have I suppose you could call it surgical menopause). Thanks so much for replying. I realize this is pretty personal info.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
>>I wonder if you mean progestrone not testosterone.<<

No, that is a combo, and the one that is banned for racing.

>>scary side effects<<

I've had none. Maybe a brown spot on my forehead, but I have so many freckles it's not that big of a deal.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [trackie clm] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I am not older (39) but am perimenopausal/menopausal also (no period since 2005). My mother had menopause at 36, so it is not crazy for it to happen this early.

I take regular dose birth control pills instead of HRT and also use estrace cream (generic version of premarin - estrogen). The pills don't seem to help my mood swings or night sweats or rage, but since I *could* still be fertile, I continue taking them. The cream, though, is a godsend. It helps my other symptoms A LOT. If you want to have any sex, you will probably want to discuss something similar with your doctor. I notice no change in my desire to compete or my results while competing with or without the cream. However, I have been taking the BCP since before I started exercising (except when I was trying to get pregnant), so I don't have a basis for comparison on those.

I agree with the other women posting, though, that you may want to consider looking for another physician who supports your desire to compete. You need to be able to tell your MD all of your symptoms and experiences in detail and I am afraid that the "women shouldn't run" attitude would chill your discussions with your current provider.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Spicy wrote:
Thanks . The only symptom that is really a deal breaker is the bone loss. I have osteopenia and very very close to osteoporosis. The rest of it is details. I am beside myself that this has happened despite a pretty decent lifetime of taking care of myself. WTF.

(I do have I suppose you could call it surgical menopause). Thanks so much for replying. I realize this is pretty personal info.

If the only reason you are consider HRT is bone loss, there are TONS of other alternatives out there. And HRT does come w/ some risks of it's own (breast cancer, etc). Plus, then you do have to wean off at some point. I suggest you get a second opinion from an endocrinologist who specializes in bone loss before you just start taking HRT.
It may very well be the right option for you, but a second opinion is always good.

good luck.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [nad] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Hmm, thought provoking.

I think I'm seeing a common thread here about switching doctors. I haven't even bent your ear telling you all the anecdotes about what she says about running, and even exercise in general. I suppose I need to quit this codependent relationship.
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
You should try and find a sports endocronologist.

I have ongoing knee issues and in part of my search for answer went to see a knee specialist at a sports med clinic attached to Children's Hospital (they see adults too). She suggested I see their sports endo to make sure it wasn't a bone density issue as I come from having PCO and other endocrine issues. She was great and understood the desire to get back to what I love. My bone scan and blood tests were all normal. She did tell me everyone here in NE should take vitamin D.

Good luck!
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
i had early peri menopause (somewhere in my thirties), which made me depressed and gave me horrible hot flashes. at least 20 a day.
it took a long time to get this diagnosed, since i was so young.
i started on hrt (estrogen and progesterone) and within 2 weeks i felt great. no side effects at all.

several times i tried to wean myself off the hrt, but the hot flashes (and sleepless nights) came back.
.the research about the side effects scared me, but at the same time my doctor and i agreed that quality of life is very important.
i think all in all i was on them for about 6-8 years.
i took prefest (estradiol and norgestimate) it was a 30 day pack, with no pause days.


good luck!
Quote Reply
Re: Older women - HRT? Effect on well being and the joy of competing? [Spicy] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Hi:

Coming in from the wilderness here (though have posted on this issue before) as being on the other side of the HRT issue. The thoughts below are not intended as judgmental on women who take it, because I strongly believe that as with any female issue, it is a personal choice.

I hit menopause at 49 . . . hot flashes, mood swings, joint aches, sleep disruption, all the usual complaints. I was tempted to go on HRT to the point where I have a full packet under my bathroom sink, but resisted.

Now three years later am fully through menopause (which is a *transition*, not a permanent state). Do I feel 100%? Honestly, no. But am doing pretty well at 90% and my training ability and general fitness has spiked due to IM aspirations later this year.

I don't know about the bone issues, or whether there are ways to build density w/out HRT. It may be your best option. Alternately, consider a gentle ramp-up of impact (start running, short and easy, in Vibrams) with lots of calcium -- then retest and see if that's made any difference. Whatever you do, find another doctor, yours will never understand how you work and what you need.

Also, please don't feel ashamed of being a woman in her prime. You sound awesome. Would love to hear how you're doing in six months.

http://www.yearoftrainingdangerously.blogspot.com
Quote Reply