Have you been told no to hrt if you are 10+ years post menopause?

Posted by gravity3 @gravity3, May 16, 2024

Starting hrt 10 years post menopause and the flawed Women's health initiative study.
I have been told no and yet the current findings seem to indicate that hrt can still help.

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@bboon55

I did get told 'no' by a youngish male ObGYN, but since I'm a doctor myself, and know better, I ordered the hormones myself. It's criminal how Women's health issues are woefully misunderstood. I was like, "Hello! I may be 70, but I still like having sex and I don't want my skeleton to crumble." This young ObGYN was probably in med school when the completely flawed and discredited Women's Health Initiative study came out. It turns out, estrogen is critical for healthy bones. The young male ObGYN said, "I have seen too much cancer." Well, a LOT of things cause cancer. Not to downplay the horror of getting breast cancer, but I told him, "Let's see? What do I need more? My breasts or a functioning skeleton, so I can stand upright without crippling pain? I think I'll choose my skeleton." Note: this was after having a compression fracture in my spine and finding out that SURPRISE! You have osteoporosis!) I'll take my chances and get regular mammograms.

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Bravo!!! Well said and I couldn't agree more. I get furious a when I think what we have lost. It is grief.

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The 10 year number is standard of care for HRT but I’ve heard and read that some docs stray from this since we are all individuals. Suggest you speak with your prescribing doc.

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yes--i think i was told 5 rather than 10--i was too late

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@baguette

My gyno says there would be no upside and only possible side effects. The Nurse Practitioner I see as my primary and who specializes in bioidenticals says she would have to increase the hormones at such incremental levels I wouldn't see any possible benefits for years. I am 66, don't know exactly when menopause started. Maybe 10-12 years ago. All I get is scare stories.

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It sounds like they haven't done studies on older postmenopausal women to give conclusive advice. I am 66 too and have only taken progesterone for other issues which has been great. Going for a calcium score test tomorrow and will decide when the results of that are in. Regardless, I'm starting to think whatever damage has been done is done and the risks of starting now might not be worth it. It's a risk either way you go.

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@donnajones

I am 73 and have been on HRT for at least 8 years, started them about 15 years post menapause. The difference was amazing in how I felt on the HRT. I use a topical cream I apply daily to my inner thigh and take progesterone capsule at night. Have had no problems.

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Well, that's amazing that they prescribed that for you at 65. Wow. Am assuming the cream is estrodial but you didn't specify. How is your bone density since starting? Let us know!

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@jenatsky

The 10 year number is standard of care for HRT but I’ve heard and read that some docs stray from this since we are all individuals. Suggest you speak with your prescribing doc.

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