Hormone therapy definitely helps build bone mass, provides better sleep, better memory and more energy. I am 71 and have been on subcutaneous pelletts 12.5 estrogen and 75mg testosterone for last 20 years. I had a complete hysterectomy 20 years ago so didn't need progesterone. I recently had DCIS with lumpectomy stage 0 grade 2 so can't take estrogen patch or pellets as cells they found were estrogen positive. I just got back on testosterone slow release subcutaneous pellet 50 mg which is the lowest dose. Testosterone definitely helps to build bone and I have read some research articles that show this and it also helps the heart. Taking an estrogen cream vaginally is not absorbed systemically into the body so I plan on asking my doctor for that as well. I have osteoporosis and osteopenia and my numbers are pretty bad. I tried Fosamax over 20 years ago and it caused extreme muscle aches and pains and my numbers did not improve. I already have muscle aches since I have Osteoathritis and fibromyalgia and it just made all those symptoms worse. I am very hesitant to take any meds and have not been good about staying on calcium and doing bone building exercise but I have decided to make it part of my regular routine. Glad there is a platform like this to share info.