Transdermal HRT

First let me mention that I am a retired librarian. 😊. I started HRT prior to the big study, back when you were encouraged to take hormones, especially with early menopause. After the study, both my primary care and my gynecologist (both women) said that the results were not definitive and we probably would not know for sure during our lifetime. My gynecologist said she planned to stay on hormone replacement her whole life. In recent years, as I mentioned, a liver enzyme started creeping up and my triglycerides took a sudden climb and both doctors said it’s the hormones. I did some research (librarians can’t resist) and learned that oral delivery was likely the problem and I convinced my doctor to let me give transdermal a shot. I think she was so impressed with the rather dramatic improvement in both labs that she is unlikely to suggest I stop HRT. Also, the reduction in the likelihood of blood clots with transdermal helped influence her. One more thing, I did experience some very slight bleeding for a few days the first few months on CombiPatch. I went through the whole diagnostic procedure with pelvic ultrasound and uterine biopsy and all was normal and the bleeding stopped. It was just my body adjusting to the change in delivery methods. So don’t be discouraged if that happens to you. Good luck.

Thank you fellow librarian (@dinah1)
During that time, you must have been one of the lucky few who had not one, but two doctors still supporting use of HRTs.. The gynecologist who prescribed the patch for me, is very switched on, though not quite in support of use past the age 60--at least not yet. I'm hoping that by the time I reach that age, she'll be onboard with lifetime use.

Whatever this says, its probably out of date from 2013.

I too could benefit from transdermal hrt but none of my 3 practioners feel comfortable prescribing it for me since I carry the gene deficiency factor v leiden which puts me at risk for blood clots. I went through menopause late ( at age 60) and I'm 62 now. My main cause of osteoporosis is loss of estrogen. Currently taking Teriparatide injections (over 2 months now). Then comes a bisphosonate but don't wanna be on them too long. I haven't seen any studies with transdermal hrt with people like me that have factor five leiden but one study and can't understand all the medical terminology it includes. Until I can find a promising study, I will present it to my providers.

If interested:

The next OsteoBoston Program is on July 8th with Dr. Stephanie Osiecki and the topic is "Hormone Therapy for Osteoporosis."

If you want to be on their email list for programs, go here: https://osteoboston.org/

All of their videos are recorded and are available for rely on YouTube, too.

Hi, pennykj. I am 72 and met with an ob/gyn who prescribed the patch Climara and vaginal suppository 100 mg progesterone (Prometrium) when I asked about bioidentical hormones to assist in sleep and with osteoporosis. Just picked it up today at the pharmacy and I find I am somewhat anxious about starting it.

I am curious as to how your situation turned out and if you would have any advice for me. The only health issue I have is hypothyroidism, for which I take levothyroxine.

Hello, teb. I was told Climara was bioidentical. Would you say that is true? Just had it prescribed today by ob/gyn. I am somewhat anxious about starting it at age 72.

My gyn, who I trust, highly recommended against HRT for osteoporosis for me. I have upped my consumption of soy products and am being more vigilant with diet and exercise. I also intentionally gained about 10 pounds in the last year. My CTX scores improved from April 2023 (910) to April 2024 (522). My dexa T scores were virtually the same from August 2023 to August 2024. I plan to continue what I am doing. I take no pharmacueticals and I hope I do not have to in the near future.

Good luck!

Hi @pennykj , great to hear that your dxa held stable in the past year. May I ask the main reason that your obgyn advices against hrt in your case? Your reduction in ctx is remarkable. What do you think is the main contributing factor? Did you have your p1np tested as well? Thanks a lot!

yes, Climara is bioidentical.

I now use Sandoz brand which is also bioidentical. I switched to a twice a week patch as I found that the weekly patches were not adhering well for that length of time.

Best of luck to you!