HRT - Starting for the first time at age 66.

I too in my early 80s and plagued for the past year with uti infections.
Was advised by the urologist to use oestrogen cream twice a week amongst other things and have been doing that regularly. No uti infections since.

My experience seems to have been different from everyone else. After having over 10 years of hot flushes and joint pain I went to see a menopause specialist at 60. I’d been reluctant to go until then as my mother died young from a blood clot.

The specialist was lovely but she advised me that if I’d come to her at 50 she’d have put me on hrt. However, I had now missed the slot so to speak. She said at my age I probably would have plaques which could be dislodged from taking hrt.

I still get lots of hot flushes at 68 and if I could be guaranteed safe hrt I would go on it tomorrow. I am quite healthy and fit apart from taking a low dose blood pressure tablet. I’ve recently had 2 hip replacements. I feel I’ve made all the wrong choices regarding this. Good luck to you all.

I didn't want to take HRT so really suffered with hot flushes, night sweats, lack of sleep, you name it. Tried every other natural remedy, gave up alcohol and coffee etc changed to soya milk and nothing made any difference. In desperation after 2 yrs I went on to HRT, an almost immediate relief from all symptoms. Unfortunately at that time the advice was to only take HRT for 2 yrs so the obgyn slowly weaned me off the tablets. When I got down to just 3 per week instead of 7 then the problems all came back in full. For over 10 yrs after this I was still getting 1 or 2 hot flushes a day.

MadAsAHatter

I was refused HRT by a female GP
in my 40’s. Said it will just “delay the menopause”. Now 66 and have osteopenia and one hip replaced awaiting a second - hands and now knees causing lots of pain. Sole carer for terminally ill husband. I do wonder if HRT would have helped 😢

@MadAsAHatter

So sorry to hear what you are going through.

Maybe worth looking into it again? It may help, you never know.

Delila

I know of a case where all sorts of health, particularly hormonal, issues in pet dogs turned out to be result of the owner using an HRT spray, so it’s worth getting advice about this if you have pets.

There’s plenty of info online.

Yes, my daughter was told this. She has a dog.

I know of a case where all sorts of health, particularly hormonal, issues in pet dogs turned out to be result of the owner using an HRT spray, so it’s worth getting advice about this if you have pets.

There’s plenty of info online.

I was refused HRT by a female GP
in my 40’s. Said it will just “delay the menopause”. Now 66 and have osteopenia and one hip replaced awaiting a second - hands and now knees causing lots of pain. Sole carer for terminally ill husband. I do wonder if HRT would have helped 😢

Autumnrose

I will be forever grateful to the GP who put me on HRT in my mid 40s. I am now 79 and have not stopped taking it. I recently broke my foot and as a precaution was given a DEXA scan. Turns out I have the bones of a 30 year-old! My gynaecologist is of the opinion that all women should take HRT for life because as well as protecting bones it also protects the heart.

Thank you Autumnrose

That's a long time you have been on HRT.

As I just said above .... My daughter has just started taking it at 42 for lots of perimenopause symptoms. Her GP just brushed it off to begin with and said she just had anxiety and offered her antidepressants. Then she saw another GP at the practice and she gave it her straight away. I just sent her your post, very reassuring. Thank you.

FranP

I started at 64 for brain fog and it improved things a bit, and helped my memory so I carried on (10 years so far). I would recommend.

I have patches, and a good tip I was given was to remove the sticky residue using baby oil.

Thank you FranP

That's good to know, that it helped your memory. As I said in my post that is one of my concerns.

Thank you for the tip too.

Bamm

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.

Yes many people are able to cope without it ....

My daughter has just started taking it at 42 for lots of perimenopause symptoms.

I do believe that's when all my problems started at that age too or maybe I was even younger.

I will be forever grateful to the GP who put me on HRT in my mid 40s. I am now 79 and have not stopped taking it. I recently broke my foot and as a precaution was given a DEXA scan. Turns out I have the bones of a 30 year-old! My gynaecologist is of the opinion that all women should take HRT for life because as well as protecting bones it also protects the heart.

stillawipp

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

stillawipp
Looks promising doesn't it?

Maz65

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.

Thank you for your reply Maz65

I was just having a little read, as I hadn't heard of it.

'Tibolone (commonly branded as Livial) is a synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women. Once ingested, the body breaks it down into substances that mimic the effects of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. It also helps prevent osteoporosis'

So it mimics the effects of all 3.

Good to hear all your symptoms went away within a week! Also that it increased your libido

I started at 64 for brain fog and it improved things a bit, and helped my memory so I carried on (10 years so far). I would recommend.

I have patches, and a good tip I was given was to remove the sticky residue using baby oil.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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?

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.