I love hearing your story. I have been menopausal for 25 years after going into early menopause at 41. Like you I was told at the time HRT was too dangerous - and almost instantly I went on to develop the full welter of debilitating post menopausal conditions - though its only recently I realised my problems were directly due to estrogen deprivation ; osteoporosis, severe vaginal dystrophy, zero libido, over active bladder that only made my chronic insomnia worse ,anxiety and panic attacks, and bouts of depression. I have five sisters, all younger than me, who were put on to HRT in their early 50s, , well within the "safe" 10 year window. They all have osteoporosis too. After years of believing I had well and truly missed the HRT window I was recently prescribed low dose estrogen and progesterone for my osteoporosis and I can only say it feels almost miraculous. Every one of my problems is far less acute - insomnia lessened, bladder ect. And I just feel like an "edge" has been taken off so that I feel calmer and happier and less agitated. No idea what it will do for my bones yet. And I do worry there is some evidence (unclear) of a slight increase in dementia and cardiovascular problems given my late start. But for quality of life, I am happy to take that risk.