LOOKING AFTER THE PERSON DOING THE LOOKING AFTER
New research on HRT and blood-clot risk is another reminder that menopause care is never one-size-fits-all
This week has been a little quieter than some of my recent week
And I think I needed it.
After returning from Spain, a family member wasn't very well, so some of the weekend was spent doing what families do.
Being there - Helping - Supporting.
Then Monday came around and it was straight back into busy clinic days, Menopause Check-Ins, Menopause MOTs, coaching and lots of conversations with women trying to understand what's happening in their bodies.
Somewhere amongst all of that, I realised something.
I'd been doing an awful lot of looking after everyone else and not quite enough looking after me.
So I deliberately put some of that back into my week.
Treatments for myself.
Educational presentations where I could sit, listen and learn rather than being the person delivering the information.
And time with friends.
My favourite way to catch up these days?
Walk and talk.
Get outside. Move. Chat. Laugh. Put the world to rights.
It gives me movement, fresh air, friendship, connection and headspace without any of it feeling like another health task.
And perhaps that's exactly the kind of self-care we need more of.
Jackie
HRT AND BLOOD CLOTS: WHY ROUTE MATTERS
There's been important new research around HRT and blood-clot risk.
A large Danish study published in The BMJ examined contemporary menopausal hormone therapy and thrombotic events.
Researchers found that oral oestrogen was associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, whereas transdermal oestrogen, delivered through the skin, did not show an overall increased risk of venous blood clots, ischaemic stroke or heart attack.
But context matters.
This was an observational study, which means it can identify associations but cannot prove that a particular type of HRT caused an outcome.
There were also limitations, including some important lifestyle and health factors that researchers couldn't fully account for.
So this isn't a reason to panic if you take oral HRT.
It's a reason to have informed, individualised conversations.
HRT ISN'T ONE SINGLE TREATMENT
This is why I find the question:
This is why I find the question:
“Is HRT safe?”
too simplistic.
HRT isn't one thing.
There are different hormones.
Different preparations.
Different doses.
Different routes of administration.
And different women with very different health histories and individual risk factors.
Current British Menopause Society guidance already recognises that transdermal estradiol is associated with a lower risk of venous thrombosis than oral estradiol, and it may therefore be preferred for women with certain risk factors.
Route matters.
Dose matters.
Your medical history matters.
Your individual risk factors matter.
Personalised means personalised.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PDF
If this feels familiar, you can download a free PDF with more information and practical next steps.
TIP OF THE WEEK: PAIR SOMETHING YOU NEED WITH SOMETHING YOU LOVE
We often turn looking after ourselves into another enormous job.
Exercise programme.
Meal plan.
Meditation.
Steps.
Sleep routine.
Another thing to squeeze into an already busy day.
So try something simpler.
Pair something that's good for you with something you already enjoy...
- Need more movement? Walk with a friend instead of meeting for coffee.
- Need some headspace? Listen to your favourite podcast while you're outside.
- Want to strength train? Put on music you love.
- Need more connection? Invite somebody for a walk rather than trying to find another free evening in both your diaries.
Health doesn't always have to feel like homework.And when something is enjoyable, it's often much easier to keep doing it.
FINAL THOUGHT
Many of us are incredibly good at noticing when somebody else needs us.
Family.
Friends.
Clients.
Children.
Parents.
Colleagues.
But we're not always as good at noticing when we need something.
Rest.
Support.
Movement.
Treatment.
Connection.
Or simply an hour where nobody needs anything from us.
I'm getting better at noticing.
Not perfect.
But better.
And perhaps that's enough.
Because good health isn't about doing everything perfectly.
It's about understanding yourself well enough to know what support you need, when you need it.
With you,
Jackie
Menopause Health Specialist
Creator of The Menopause Vitality Reset
