HRT - Starting for the first time at age 66.

I was having up to a dozen hot flashes a day- felt like my head was on fire & quite nauseous with them.
Never looked back once on HRT.
Hot flashes disappeared within days. Probably slept a little better too.
I don’t think it sorted out brain fog out as I still have days where I think I am starting with dementia, whether that’s stress, I don’t know.

Been heft since my 40s so no I didn’t put anymore weight on, or lose it.
Now on weight loss jabs & slowly lost two stones.

MT62

I was having up to a dozen hot flashes a day- felt like my head was on fire & quite nauseous with them.
Never looked back once on HRT.
Hot flashes disappeared within days. Probably slept a little better too.
I don’t think it sorted out brain fog out as I still have days where I think I am starting with dementia, whether that’s stress, I don’t know.

Thank you for your reply. That's good to hear that your hot flushes disappeared so quickly.

How old were you when you started HRT? If you don't mind me asking.

Also well done with the weight loss.

I refused HRT when going through menopause. At the time I was not well and on lots of strong medications.
Got through that and some years later, well into my sixties it was suggested that HRT pessaries may help to cut down the number of UTI's I was getting.
Was a little put out feeling I was long past HRT need - but gave it a try - at first twice a day, then every day, then slowly down to twice a week. Now in my mid-80's still do that twice a week. No UTI's, no weight gain.

I have HRT pessaries now for local issues. Sadly taken over HRT at 62 - never felt well since. I hope it helps you Welshy.

I will never stop taking HRT because I believe that’s what is keeping me going! I must have been on it 15-20 years. I am only on a low dose of HRT spray now but in the past was on pills and also patches. The spray is dead easy and suits me.

The former broadcaster Jan Leeming is now in her 80s but very fit and healthy. About two years ago she was mugged and knocked to the floor in France. She reported that the Consultant at hospital told her the HRT protected her bones because normally a lady of her age would have broken her hip or legs after a violent attack like that. She swears by it too.

Samsara1

I have HRT pessaries now for local issues. Sadly taken over HRT at 62 - never felt well since. I hope it helps you Welshy.

I am so sorry to hear you have not felt well since using HRT pessaries Samsara1
Is there anything else you can try?

Franbern

I refused HRT when going through menopause. At the time I was not well and on lots of strong medications.
Got through that and some years later, well into my sixties it was suggested that HRT pessaries may help to cut down the number of UTI's I was getting.
Was a little put out feeling I was long past HRT need - but gave it a try - at first twice a day, then every day, then slowly down to twice a week. Now in my mid-80's still do that twice a week. No UTI's, no weight gain.

Thank you for your reply Franbern.
I had never heard of HRT pessaries until now.
I am so glad to hear that they have helped you for several years.

Primrose53

I will never stop taking HRT because I believe that’s what is keeping me going! I must have been on it 15-20 years. I am only on a low dose of HRT spray now but in the past was on pills and also patches. The spray is dead easy and suits me.

The former broadcaster Jan Leeming is now in her 80s but very fit and healthy. About two years ago she was mugged and knocked to the floor in France. She reported that the Consultant at hospital told her the HRT protected her bones because normally a lady of her age would have broken her hip or legs after a violent attack like that. She swears by it too.

I have heard a lot of people say the same. They will never stop taking it.

One concern I have is most medication I have taken, I have had some sort of side effects.
Another more importantly is, I have a strong family history of heart problems.

Welshy

Franbern

I refused HRT when going through menopause. At the time I was not well and on lots of strong medications.
Got through that and some years later, well into my sixties it was suggested that HRT pessaries may help to cut down the number of UTI's I was getting.
Was a little put out feeling I was long past HRT need - but gave it a try - at first twice a day, then every day, then slowly down to twice a week. Now in my mid-80's still do that twice a week. No UTI's, no weight gain.

Thank you for your reply Franbern.
I had never heard of HRT pessaries until now.
I am so glad to hear that they have helped you for several years.

Franbern are you using Vagirux pessaries which deliver a small dose of oestrogen? It is not the full hrt so would help with avoiding utis. I used one a day for a fortnight and then twice a week. I have had them for a few months and so far have not had another uti. Before that I had them one after another and was in state of despair. I am almost 85 and so grateful to doctor who suggested them.

Tried HRT in need to be able to do everything 40s as usual menopausal symptoms were making my life diffucult. Was on it for just about 18 months but decided it wasn't for me. My body could not keep up with my mind, I was racing everywhere to get everything done, just couldn't spare a moment. Felt a lot better once I stopped and realised I just couldn't and didn't need to do everything or be everywhere. Often think if Davina McCall when she was advocating HRT as she felt she couldn't cope with her lifestyle at that time.

Hi Welshy, I was 53. I was struggling with depression as well, so Gp put me on 20mg of Fluoxetine first, I had a battle to get 10mg, got them in the end.
& battle to get HRT but in the end I saw an HRT nurse at the local hospital who was brilliant.
On patches first, then switched to pills as there was a shortage of patches.
On femoston conti 0.5/2.5mg.
No side effects as such.
My gynaecologist said he got patients on HRT in their 80s which is good to know.

MT62

Hi Welshy, I was 53. I was struggling with depression as well, so Gp put me on 20mg of Fluoxetine first, I had a battle to get 10mg, got them in the end.
& battle to get HRT but in the end I saw an HRT nurse at the local hospital who was brilliant.
On patches first, then switched to pills as there was a shortage of patches.
On femoston conti 0.5/2.5mg.
No side effects as such.
My gynaecologist said he got patients on HRT in their 80s which is good to know.

Thanks btw, regarding weight loss. That’s also been a battle.

Franbern

I refused HRT when going through menopause. At the time I was not well and on lots of strong medications.
Got through that and some years later, well into my sixties it was suggested that HRT pessaries may help to cut down the number of UTI's I was getting.
Was a little put out feeling I was long past HRT need - but gave it a try - at first twice a day, then every day, then slowly down to twice a week. Now in my mid-80's still do that twice a week. No UTI's, no weight gain.

Great stuff 👍🏻

Is it easy to get the spray primrose?

I so regret being made to give up my HRT whilst still in my 60s, I think back then GPs tended to think it just a temporary medication. I now have the HRT vaginal gel to help with UTIs, which it has, but I have never felt so good as when I was taking the full blown dose.

I took HRT when going through the menopause, but came of it as my lovely lady doctor thought I should as then staying on it could cause problems, which now seem unfounded. In retrospect I wish I had kept on taking it for ever as I’m still getting hot flushes at 80 which I certainly didn’t while taking HRT.

I am still on HRT. Bone loss whilst on steroids was minimised orthopedic consultant was positive when I had two hip replacements. Heart surgeon was positive when I had aorta replacement. A while ago when I broke my wrist I was told if my bones were not as good as they were it would have been smashed to bits Sometimes you have to weigh up the odds and what it means to you Not eady. Take care

MT62

Is it easy to get the spray primrose?

No problem getting it on NHS. I should have said I also have to take Progesterone pill with it. I think that’s because I still have my womb/ovaries.

I didn’t even know you could get a spray now. A young female Dr suggested it and it’s excellent.
Spray is called Lenzetto.

Early menopause due to hysterectomy took hrt from 45 for five years and was fine. Did have hot flushes for years after especially at night.

Oh thanks primrose I will have a look into that spray.
I suppose not much will go through the liver. I did prefer my patches for that reason.

Lovetopaint037

Welshy

Franbern

I refused HRT when going through menopause. At the time I was not well and on lots of strong medications.
Got through that and some years later, well into my sixties it was suggested that HRT pessaries may help to cut down the number of UTI's I was getting.
Was a little put out feeling I was long past HRT need - but gave it a try - at first twice a day, then every day, then slowly down to twice a week. Now in my mid-80's still do that twice a week. No UTI's, no weight gain.

Thank you for your reply Franbern.
I had never heard of HRT pessaries until now.
I am so glad to hear that they have helped you for several years.

Franbern are you using Vagirux pessaries which deliver a small dose of oestrogen? It is not the full hrt so would help with avoiding utis. I used one a day for a fortnight and then twice a week. I have had them for a few months and so far have not had another uti. Before that I had them one after another and was in state of despair. I am almost 85 and so grateful to doctor who suggested them.

Yes, this is what I use, just twice a week now. Simple and quick to use, does a wonderful job

i'm 78 now and have been on hrt since my hysterectomy at 47. i weighed up the pros and cons and decided to keep using it although i'm now taking a lower dose. i don't expect to come off it for many years

I take them after a radical hysterectomy. I still have some of the worst effects of that op but at least I know my bones have some protection. I have found that they have been brilliant not least because I suffered really badly from oestrogen deficiency with my monthly cycle which caused me all sorts of problems. I will fight to the death to keep them.