HRT - Starting for the first time at age 66.

I'm on Evorel 75 patches and Intrarosa pessaries. I had a total hysterectomy at 55, but was already on a low dose patch by then. One visit to the GP years ago (saw a new young female GP) who tried to make me stop!! I said no chance....you wait till you are menopausal and dried up and feeling cr*p!

I fell the other week (whilst cross country ski-ing) I am sure I didn't break anything because I am on HRT. The surgeon/gynea who did my hysterectomy (female) said you can stay on it for life.....I fully intend to. I'm 73 now.

First time posting on here , hope I get it right! Welshy I started HRT for the first time in January of this year , one month short of my 69th birthday. Definitely have seen an improvement in my overall wellbeing and no weight gain, sleep has improved as has my mood and no more hot flushes

I think all post menopausal women should be using vaginal oestrogen ( pessaries, gel, cream or a ring). It stops vaginal atrophy which occurs without oestrogen. It’s completely safe, even after hormone sensitive breast cancer. I don’t know why all GPs are recommending it for older women.

Systemic HRT is also fantastic post menopausal for the rest of your life. After menopause we are deficient in oestrogen, and HRT just replaces that deficiency. I intend to stay on it forever. I’m 73, no side effects as long as dose is correct.

Sorry should’ve said ‘aren’t’ recommending it!

I can't help with the decision at your specific age, but I can say when I went onto HRT in my 50s I sailed through. All the very best to you.

nellgwynne

I think all post menopausal women should be using vaginal oestrogen ( pessaries, gel, cream or a ring). It stops vaginal atrophy which occurs without oestrogen. It’s completely safe, even after hormone sensitive breast cancer. I don’t know why all GPs are recommending it for older women.

Systemic HRT is also fantastic post menopausal for the rest of your life. After menopause we are deficient in oestrogen, and HRT just replaces that deficiency. I intend to stay on it forever. I’m 73, no side effects as long as dose is correct.

Not quite sure this is correct information. If you've had breast cancer post-menopause caused by oestrogen, you're treated with inhibitors such as Anastrozole and HRT would be totally unsuitable.

4allweknow

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.

4allweknow

Thank you for your reply.
Sorry to hear it wasn't for you. Did you try other brands, methods or a different dose?

I am 73 years old and been on HRTsince I was 37. Had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries. I am on the highest dose patch plus I’m also using the pesseries three times a week. Six months ago I started on testosterone gel. My weight has always been stable and I feel amazing. Physically I’m fairly fit and walk miles plus I have gym classes three times a week. I’m staying on HRT until I pop my clogs.

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.

MT62

Thank you for your reply.

Did your depression cease when you started taking HRT too? As I have heard lots of women were given antideppresents, when really they needed hormone replacement. Including myself looking back at my 40's.

I took HRT for about 18 years and my GP used to give me the annual warning that there was a slightly raised risk of breast cancer. But he and I saw no other reason not to take it for just about ever. But then I got breast cancer and had to give it up. That was a very sad day but at least, as my surgeon said, I'd 'pre-loaded' a lot of bone protection. Now I have the opposite - I have to take daily medication to stave off all naturally occurring oestrogen. I can feel the difference and don't like it but hey- I'm alive and well and cancer-free. You takes your choices.

Overthemoongran

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.

Would you be able to go back on it Overthemoongran?

Bazza

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.

Bazza

I am still getting hot flushes 17 years after my hysterectomy which I had at 50. But for you to still be getting them at 80 must be awful.

As MT62 said above ..... My gynaecologist said he's got patients on HRT in their 80s which is good to know.

Maybe worth talking to your GP about.

I started taking Tibilone at age 56. I’m now 61. It’s not traditional HRT but it has been fabulous for my hot flushes and vaginal dryness which was awful. It is only for post menopausal women and has a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. However, I did a lot of research on it and as I’m a healthy person, non smoker, regular exercising and normal blood pressure, I was happy to take. All my symptoms stopped within a week. I will continue to take it for as long as I can. Added bonus is it strengthens bones and due to how it supports increased testosterone it increased my libido and energy levels 😉. Highly recommend.

Ooh interesting. - thinking of going on it at 63 & I thought I was too old to start….

Gwyllt

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

Gwyllt

Thank you for your reply.

It's good to hear that you have had positive results with all that you have been through.
Reassuring to hear you are still taking HRT with a heart condition.
My mother had an aortic valve replacement when she was about 58. Plus there are a lot of other heart conditions in my family.

Harris27

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.

And you never contemplated going back on it Harris27?

Lupatria

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

So nearly 30 years Lupatria, that is a long time.

But why not stay on it, if it makes you feel good.

@shoppinggirl
The dose of vaginal oestrogen is so tiny that it’s completely safe even after breast cancer. It doesn’t circulate in the system.

icanhandthemback

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.

icanhandthemback <<< Your name made me laugh

Sorry to hear you are still having problems after your hysterectomy.

But good to hear you have found them to be brilliant.

welshgirl2017

I'm on Evorel 75 patches and Intrarosa pessaries. I had a total hysterectomy at 55, but was already on a low dose patch by then. One visit to the GP years ago (saw a new young female GP) who tried to make me stop!! I said no chance....you wait till you are menopausal and dried up and feeling cr*p!

I fell the other week (whilst cross country ski-ing) I am sure I didn't break anything because I am on HRT. The surgeon/gynea who did my hysterectomy (female) said you can stay on it for life.....I fully intend to. I'm 73 now.

I said no chance....you wait till you are menopausal and dried up and feeling cr*p! ...... That made me laugh!

Sorry to hear about your fall, glad you didn't break anything though. Very lucky.

Jandy57

First time posting on here , hope I get it right! Welshy I started HRT for the first time in January of this year , one month short of my 69th birthday. Definitely have seen an improvement in my overall wellbeing and no weight gain, sleep has improved as has my mood and no more hot flushes

Hi Jandy57

Thank you for your reply. Especially as it's your first.

That is so reassuring to hear ..... I will be 67 in August.

albertina

I can't help with the decision at your specific age, but I can say when I went onto HRT in my 50s I sailed through. All the very best to you.

Thank you albertina.

Are you still taking HRT?

Coggers94

I am 73 years old and been on HRTsince I was 37. Had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries. I am on the highest dose patch plus I’m also using the pesseries three times a week. Six months ago I started on testosterone gel. My weight has always been stable and I feel amazing. Physically I’m fairly fit and walk miles plus I have gym classes three times a week. I’m staying on HRT until I pop my clogs.

Thank you for your reply Coggers94

Wow that is a long time! Such high doses too. I do not have my ovaries.

Good to hear it has worked for you. You also sound amazing all that walking and gym classes.

Paperbackwriter

I took HRT for about 18 years and my GP used to give me the annual warning that there was a slightly raised risk of breast cancer. But he and I saw no other reason not to take it for just about ever. But then I got breast cancer and had to give it up. That was a very sad day but at least, as my surgeon said, I'd 'pre-loaded' a lot of bone protection. Now I have the opposite - I have to take daily medication to stave off all naturally occurring oestrogen. I can feel the difference and don't like it but hey- I'm alive and well and cancer-free. You takes your choices.

So sorry to hear that you had cancer Paperbackwriter but good to hear you are now cancer free and well.

Thank you for your reply.

When I was in my early fifty's ( nearly eighty now) I didn't want to use HRT. My only difficult symptom was hot flushes, I found I could lessen these with dietary changes and wearing layers. I know younger people who take it and I think it is much improved now. I have had scans and have been told that I will never have osteoporosis and I certainly don't have vaginal atrophy! Obviously some people benefit from taking it, but in some ways I dislike the idea that this is a stage of life that has to be medicalised.