Fears regarding HRT - relate?opinions?
Hello!
I'm new - and this is my first reddit post so be gentle 🤣😭
I'm 53, had a hysterectomy due to adenomyosis in 2021 - and have recently been prescribed and have received Estradiol patches.
Now that I have them in my hand, I've been afraid to start them. I have a serious lifelong fear of blood clots and stroke in general, unrelated to the HRT. Also, pretty terrified of dementia and did not realize there was an increased risk with the HRT until I read the package insert.
My mom had been living with us due to cognitive decline/early dementia and just passed in February. Menopause brain had me fearing that I too had been losing cognitive function. I realize now what I had going on was some depression and the meno brain - But the previous fear has made me extra cautious if that makes sense. I'm also the caretaker for our oldest adult child because she has a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disease and we believe may be starting down the early dementia road.So to be honest, I'm pretty terrified of this type of issue anyway - and as a caretaker, can't really afford to fluff around with my health as the primary person caring for others.
I want some relief from these symptoms; particularly
Brain fog, loss of libido, serious joint pain/inflammation and hot flashes. I'm married to a younger man, and no longer feeling like myself - I'm too young to feel as old as I do physically with some spine and arthritis issues. I don't expect those things to be cured with HRT , but was hoping for the menopause related joint pain and inflammation to be relieved a bit. And these 🤬 hot flashes. I was counting on the HRT to help me get back closer to where I was, and now that I'm afraid to start taking it, I'm feeling pretty self-defeated.
I want to take it, but I'm scared.
Anyone have any wisdom? Similar experience? Opinions?
Thanks for reading
ETA : GIVEN THE RESPONSES, I PROBABLY MISREAD THE INSERT AND AM SUPER RELIEVED IF SO. I SLAPPED THE PATCH ON - AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU - FEEL FREE TO CONTINUE TO COMMENT - ITS NICE TO FEEL LESS ALONE ❤️