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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Profile picture for bayhorse @bayhorse

I have been told no hormones by both gyn and endo because I am 73, slightly more than 10 years past menopause and I have cardiovascular issues. I am very disappointed, as I have severe osteoporosis and now am faced with starting Prolia, which I consider to be a very scary drug. I have agreed to do one injection. As it's only given once every six months, that buys me a bit of time to re-investigate the HRT issue. My physicians are very conservative and absolutely hold to the current "standard of care" that dictates no HRT for someone with cardiomyopathy. But my heart function is well controlled by a pacemaker, so the main concern seems to be stroke or clotting.

Do any of you know if the thinking on HRT/10 years post menopause/cardiac issues has changed any in the last year or two (i.e. since I was last told "no")?

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It’s a hard decision to take. HRT or not… I don’t think I can fully blame HRT for my ovarian cancer 2012 as I stopped taking it 19 years earlier. BUT now I have been prescribed an oestrogen (vaginal) cream
for incontinence… and it works wonder after just a few applications. Should I be worried? Or is this a totally different oestrogen than what HRT contains?
I’m 77 next month so maybe it’s not worth worrying about…?

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

It’s a hard decision to take. HRT or not… I don’t think I can fully blame HRT for my ovarian cancer 2012 as I stopped taking it 19 years earlier. BUT now I have been prescribed an oestrogen (vaginal) cream
for incontinence… and it works wonder after just a few applications. Should I be worried? Or is this a totally different oestrogen than what HRT contains?
I’m 77 next month so maybe it’s not worth worrying about…?

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@virgo48, It's so hard to know what to do, isn't it? And I am a worrier, so I know what you're talking about. Have you talked to the doc who prescribed the cream about your past ovarian cancer? I think you would be less worried if you had more detailed information about the cream. You're already seeing the benefit, you lucky person, so you are in a good position to weigh that against any potential risk. Everything concerning drugs and other treatments seems to come back to that equation: benefit vs. risk. I wish you all the best!

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Profile picture for bayhorse @bayhorse

@virgo48, It's so hard to know what to do, isn't it? And I am a worrier, so I know what you're talking about. Have you talked to the doc who prescribed the cream about your past ovarian cancer? I think you would be less worried if you had more detailed information about the cream. You're already seeing the benefit, you lucky person, so you are in a good position to weigh that against any potential risk. Everything concerning drugs and other treatments seems to come back to that equation: benefit vs. risk. I wish you all the best!

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Thank you for your kind reply. I believe that at my age, still ‘healthy’ and have a clear mind, I’ll take the risk… and stay on this oestrogen cream. Gain against risk.
PS same medical centre and doctor for 19 years.

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@virgo48, glad to hear you're with a doc who knows your medical background, and who you obviously trust if you've been with him 19 years. Would you be able to send me the name of the cream that you're using? I would like to look into it for possible use for myself. Meantime, all best wishes...

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Profile picture for bayhorse @bayhorse

@virgo48, glad to hear you're with a doc who knows your medical background, and who you obviously trust if you've been with him 19 years. Would you be able to send me the name of the cream that you're using? I would like to look into it for possible use for myself. Meantime, all best wishes...

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May I also suggest Yuvafem estradiol vaginal inserts 10 Mcg.
It doesn’t have all the other additives the cream has.

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Profile picture for kristie2 @kristie2

May I also suggest Yuvafem estradiol vaginal inserts 10 Mcg.
It doesn’t have all the other additives the cream has.

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What are the additives that you refer to and how might they be an issue.

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Profile picture for gravity3 @gravity3

What are the additives that you refer to and how might they be an issue.

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If you use the vaginal cream the other additives are listed on the tube.
Such as preservatives; Methylparaben, Benzyl Alcohol
And Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Then you could have other ingredients such as; acetylene Alcohol, Cetyl Esters Wax, Propylene Glycol and White Wax. They are not necessarily toxic but I would prefer not to put these into my body. Choosing products with fewer potentially concerning additives can contribute to better vaginal health and well being. The vagina is highly absorbent and vulnerability to chemicals. The level of research on long term effects on these products are limited.

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Profile picture for bayhorse @bayhorse

@virgo48, glad to hear you're with a doc who knows your medical background, and who you obviously trust if you've been with him 19 years. Would you be able to send me the name of the cream that you're using? I would like to look into it for possible use for myself. Meantime, all best wishes...

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Hello again,
This is the name of the prescription only medicine my Dr gave me.
OVESTIN cream, estriol 1mg/g. For intravaginal use only. 15 g Net. Contains an applicator.
That is what’s on the box.
And I can highly recommend this for treatment of incontinence even for an old bird like me. I used it twice a week for two weeks then once a week as per ‘Doctor’s order’.
Best of luck to you.
PS I was prescribed Ovestin just over a month ago but the change was almost immediate.

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Regarding contents of OVESTIN:
Antimicrobial agent: chlorhexidine hydrochloride,
0.1 mg/g
Will try and send photo.
There are some INACTIVE INGREDIENTS of course but not anything to worry about more than your face cream, lipstick, body lotion etc. The list can go on.

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Profile picture for virgo48 @virgo48

It’s a hard decision to take. HRT or not… I don’t think I can fully blame HRT for my ovarian cancer 2012 as I stopped taking it 19 years earlier. BUT now I have been prescribed an oestrogen (vaginal) cream
for incontinence… and it works wonder after just a few applications. Should I be worried? Or is this a totally different oestrogen than what HRT contains?
I’m 77 next month so maybe it’s not worth worrying about…?

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Don’t worry about it!! Words from another 77 year old!! Enjoy it totally! I have used estrogen for years!! I live in Europe and estrogen has not been refused by doctors here. They never even heard if the pathetic WHI that was such a total failure and frightened every woman in the USA for more than 30 years.

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