HRT Safety

@debbie1956 Following up with my progress. Great news, I found a provider willing to put me on HRT! I found her through the Menopause Society provider search. Unbelievably she is actually in my primary care clinic.

She started me on .25 Estradiol Patch 2x weekly and daily 100 mg micronized Progesterone this week and tested bone turnover markers.
Ctx: 705
P1np: 82
The plan is to retest Ctx in 3 months. I’m very hopeful that the combination of of lifestyle changes and HRT will lower the Ctx number.

I’m feeling very hopeful and fortunate to have a provider willing to partner with me on this journey.

@kshea2 This is wonderful news that you found a provider through the Menopause Society to prescribe the BHRT. You are on the same dose of Estradiol patch and Progesterone as I am. It's great that this provider gave you these bone marker tests. In my experience only the Menopause Society naturopath doctor ordered the CTX. The other doctors never mentioned them and seemed uninterested. My CTX was similar to yours when I began BHRT at 688. Eight months later this February, my CTX had taken a staggering 80% drop to 138! I am not taking any OP medication, so I can be confident the drop is due to the BHRT. There is a good chance your CTX will drop as well. I also had a .4 increase in my REMS Echolight spine T score. All the best to you. Keep us posted on your follow-up results.

@debbie1956 Wow, that is an amazing drop in CTX! Fingers crossed I experience similar results.

My provider was actually not familiar with the bone marker tests. I specifically requested those tests. While i was in the office she did some quick research and then consulted with the bone specialist i had seen previously and he agreed it was a good idea.

She is a young PA and very passionate about women’s health and HRT. I hope that I will be a success story for her to highlight HRT for other post-menopausal osteoporosis patients.

@kshea2 Thanks for sharing your medical experience with me. I find it so interesting to hear about other medical professionals' opinions, knowledge, treatments offered etc. This gives me valuable perspective on my own experience with medical professionals I've seen.

Wonderful for you! May I ask where you live?

@mpc1 I live in Minneapolis, MN

A little too far from NE Fl. Good luck!

I am so glad to hear this about HRT because I have an appointment next week with a GYN to discuss BHRT for my osteoporosis. I have refused the osteo meds and have changed my diet instead.

@ny2ganana The way I framed the discussion with my provider was I felt HRT could help with both some post-menopausal concerns (sleep, vaginal issues, dry eyes ect) and the OP. The OP is my biggest concern, but if I the HRT can positively impact multiple concerns then its a big bonus!

Best of luck with your appointment next week! Keep us posted.

hi there. Just wanted to share with you that I started HRT 2 months ago for the very first time - 25 years since my last period. when I was 41. Im just about to turn 67. Like you I was looking for an alternative treatment for osteoporosis but never imagined I would be a candidate for HRT at my age. I was very anxious about it due to the fact that even HRT advocates have a very mixed position on the risks that could be involved starting HRT so long after menopause. But within days of starting HRT at a very low dose I began to feel subtly calmer and generally happier than I have been in decades. And as the weeks have gone on it has significantly improved a whole welter of health conditions that I have really struggled with since menopause - chronic insomnia, vaginal atrophy, anxiety, over active bladder... the works. It will take at least 12 months until I can tell what, if anything, it will do for my osteoporosis given that I missed out on the standard 10 year menopause window when they know for sure it helps protect bones. I know I ameffectively in unchartered territory. But given how much better I feel, it seems to be worth whatever undefined risks may or may not be involved.