Women in or have gone through menopause, what made you decide that you needed hormone replacement therapy?

The doctor decided I needed them because they were believed to help protect women from heart disease. I took them for at least 10 years but they made the cysts in my breasts hurt terribly bad so I finally stopped the treatment.

Since then they have found that they do not do the things they thought they did and no longer recommend their use.

I'm in early peri menopause. From detailed research I'm firmly convinced that menopause is an engineering flaw and we are simply outliving ovarian function. In my opinion women using balanced hormones are healthier then risking the serious health problems associated with female hypogonadism. I wasn't prepared to endure incontinence, depression, vaginal atrophy, raised cholesterol levels, increased risk of osteoporosis, arthritis, reduced libido and higher risk of age related complaint incuding heart disease.

I checked out some government statistics that state that women aged 50 are 20% more likely to be on incapacity benefits then men of a corresponding age. Aged at 40 the rates of using these benefits were similar.

I have no desire to endure menopause - it wasn't an option so I saw an anti aging specialist and had my hormones checked and small supplements supplied. As a result I feel healthier and more cheerful. Everyone tells me I also look better - I shuddered at the sufferings of many women visiting menopause matters and vowed not to tolerate this almost cultural compulsion. As a result I founded the group referenced as a link.