HRT - Starting for the first time at age 66.

Wren5

Just started using HRT patches again, have used Evorel gel for a few years but not controlling my continuous urine infections. Every 2-3 weeks, even sooner sometimes, symptoms of infection would come back. I was distraught, it ruled my life. In the end I booked an appointment with GP who specialises in Women's Health & I haven't looked back. The only thing that troubled my GP was I started to have breast pain, only in my left breast, so referred to Breast Care Team, but in my area the waiting list is 36 weeks so just have to wait for my appointment now. I would not to want to go back to my miserable life before, just waiting for the next infection flare up, it has totally changed my life. Sorry, should have added I'm 65, & had a vaginal hysterectomy at 42, ovaries were left.

Sorry to hear that you had continuous urine infections like that. Sounds awful.
Good to hear you now have it under control though.

About the breast pain, I did read .........
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) commonly causes temporary side effects like breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, nausea, and mood changes. These typically subside within three months as the body adjusts.

Labadi0747

An excellent thread.
Why are we only finding out about these pessaries. So much fuss over nothing ! Why werent they available to us oldies 40 years ago ! Makes me angry. It’s all down to money.
Yes after much back & forth & a private appt with a Marion Gluck clinic im definitely Team HRT & on it for life.
Im a believer!
I’m 71.

At what age did you start HRT Labadi0747?

faringdon59

I was on HRT patches for about 13 years. Felt amazing on it. Was working full time and out dancing Salsa three nights a week!
GP advised I came off it at 60 as he said it was a lifestyle choice for me and clinically I didn't have a reason to be taking it. Coincidentally this is the age when free scripts kick in as well!
People always talk about the physical benefits, but it keeps the brain sharp as well.
In previous decades it was only the wealthy who had access to it, apparently the Queen Mother was on it for years!
It's a case of weighing up the pros and cons before deciding to take it on a individual basis and of course your past medical history.

Did all your symptoms come back after you stopped the patches faringdon59?

Or are you OK now?

Juicylucy

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.

Could you ask for a second opinion Juicylucy?

Veejay62

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.

Veejay62

Thank you for sharing your positive experience.

Sounds encouraging

MT62

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😊

I had the Mirena Coil fitted before I had my hysterectomy but because my periods were that heavy, it came out.

Good to hear that HRT has helped MT62. So sorry to hear of your sisters passing though But good to hear your depression is improving.

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!

Thank you sankev

That's awful to hear your mother never stopped having symptoms at 82

Yes I agree it is a personal decision, everyone copes differently. I will have to weigh up all the pros and cons.

Thisismyname1953

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 don't ever remember being offered HRT after I had my hysterectomy.

Good to hear you coped with the symptoms without resorting to it.

Babsbada

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.

That's good to hear Babsbada

Silvergirl

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.

This is more or less the same as what my GP has said.

But as you can see from here lots of people have started HRT in their 60's. Maybe worth asking again?

knspol

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.

knspol

Do you still get any symptoms now, or have they finally subsided?

Just started using HRT patches again, have used Evorel gel for a few years but not controlling my continuous urine infections. Every 2-3 weeks, even sooner sometimes, symptoms of infection would come back. I was distraught, it ruled my life. In the end I booked an appointment with GP who specialises in Women's Health & I haven't looked back. The only thing that troubled my GP was I started to have breast pain, only in my left breast, so referred to Breast Care Team, but in my area the waiting list is 36 weeks so just have to wait for my appointment now. I would not to want to go back to my miserable life before, just waiting for the next infection flare up, it has totally changed my life. Sorry, should have added I'm 65, & had a vaginal hysterectomy at 42, ovaries were left.

An excellent thread.
Why are we only finding out about these pessaries. So much fuss over nothing ! Why werent they available to us oldies 40 years ago ! Makes me angry. It’s all down to money.
Yes after much back & forth & a private appt with a Marion Gluck clinic im definitely Team HRT & on it for life.
Im a believer!
I’m 71.

I was on HRT patches for about 13 years. Felt amazing on it. Was working full time and out dancing Salsa three nights a week!
GP advised I came off it at 60 as he said it was a lifestyle choice for me and clinically I didn't have a reason to be taking it. Coincidentally this is the age when free scripts kick in as well!
People always talk about the physical benefits, but it keeps the brain sharp as well.
In previous decades it was only the wealthy who had access to it, apparently the Queen Mother was on it for years!
It's a case of weighing up the pros and cons before deciding to take it on a individual basis and of course your past medical history.

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.

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

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 😳

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.

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.

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 👍🏻

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
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😊

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.

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!

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.