HRT - Starting for the first time at age 66.

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.

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

stillawipp

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

stillawipp
Looks promising doesn't it?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 😢

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

I refused HRT when I had a hysterectomy at 45 because of huge fibroids . The surgeon said in that case he would try to leave my ovaries but they would probably shrivel within a few years anyway. From about 55 till about 65 I had hot flushes and no other symptoms. I have not been on any HRT and my bone density is still fine. I am now in my seventies.

I’m with primrose on I don’t want to come off HRT! I’m 65 and been on it for about 15 years. Tried several times to come off it because of a family history of breast cancer! In the end I decided to go back on it because my life without was terrible. Hot flashes night time sweats, low mood and brain fog meant I really struggled to function. I talked through the risks and decided I wanted to take the risk. To me it was worth the slightly higher risk of side effects in order to live a reasonable comfortable life. It’s a very personal decision but my DD is now at the point of considering HRT an option for her own menopausal symptoms and I have recommended giving it a try. Nothing is certain but give it a go and see if it works for you. Only you can decide if your circumstances and health benefits are worth it. Good luck 🤞 whichever way you choose . My menopause was horrendous until HRT and my mother never stopped having symptoms until she passed away at 82!

sankev

I’m with primrose on I don’t want to come off HRT! I’m 65 and been on it for about 15 years. Tried several times to come off it because of a family history of breast cancer! In the end I decided to go back on it because my life without was terrible. Hot flashes night time sweats, low mood and brain fog meant I really struggled to function. I talked through the risks and decided I wanted to take the risk. To me it was worth the slightly higher risk of side effects in order to live a reasonable comfortable life. It’s a very personal decision but my DD is now at the point of considering HRT an option for her own menopausal symptoms and I have recommended giving it a try. Nothing is certain but give it a go and see if it works for you. Only you can decide if your circumstances and health benefits are worth it. Good luck 🤞 whichever way you choose . My menopause was horrendous until HRT and my mother never stopped having symptoms until she passed away at 82!

When I had been on HRT for five years I decided to come off it. When I told my very good HRT nurse, she went ballistic & said ‘are you trying to ‘nose dive’ straight into the menopause?’ My gynaecologist said he had patients well into their 80s on HRT.
So I am firmly standing my ground to continue getting my HRT.

Welshy
Tbh, I was really crabby as I had the Mirena coil fitted, I went from being mild & calm to becoming aggressive.
So had that taken out & given HRT patches Everal-conti 50?
It helped the hot flashes almost straight away.
I think the depression was there due to my sister passing away before the HRT.
I gave up drinking as well (only drank socially) but that helped enormously with the lows.
HRT hasn’t helped with my sleep though, they tell you it does help.
Last night I lay awake until 4Am
Ok now I think, with my depression nothing like it was.
& I do find support on GN😊

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.

The ladies I find who seem to sail through it are the ladies who do a lot of exercise. Is that you?

Welshy

stillawipp

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

stillawipp
Looks promising doesn't it?

Definitely - think I’ll go & have a chat with my GP 👍🏻

I started hrt at age 63 ( now 67) as I had osteoporosis, insomnia, palpitations, virtually all symptoms of the menopause except hot flushes. I started on patches but was getting side effects of breast tenderness so changed to gel (lower dose) which I rub on alternate thighs each day. I also take progesterone as I still have a womb. My bone density has improved, I am now osteopenic and I sleep better averaging about 7 hrs sleep a night. Only get occasional palpitations now, so all in all it has been a positive experience. Also, people say I look a lot younger than I am so that could also be because of the hrt.

When on the higher dose patches, I did develop ocular migraine which affected my vision. An MRI scan didn't show any abnormalities and since being on the lower dose gel, I no longer have the problem.

That is good that it improved your sex drive. Was on that one 6 months & did nothing for mine.
My HRT said, I could get some soft porn books as it’s more a psychological problem for woman 😳

MT62

That is good that it improved your sex drive. Was on that one 6 months & did nothing for mine.
My HRT said, I could get some soft porn books as it’s more a psychological problem for woman 😳

Baz65

I was on hrt for 10 years from 45-55 took myself of them as they were the old style one pill a day and thought I must be through menopause by now. I’m now 69 and recently asked Dr about going back on the new type patches or gel she advised me not to start them again at my age as at 69 I'm in higher risk bracket.