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

@pattiel I mentioned the flawed WHI study to both Drs. They both said basically we are really not using those drugs anymore.

@maryandnans

What??!

@pattiel Have you considered and decided against non hormonal osteoporosis meds?

Hi all! Sorry for being late by year or so.. lol.. I'm 18 years post full hysterectomy, don't even have a cervix. I was told back then I would need HRT, and went in to OBGYN every month for a couple years then fell off, That was a huge mistake. It changed me mentally. Physically, and spiritually. Needless to say I sought other avenues and bad people to fill that lack of inner happiness and content with. Then God lead me to recovery, and that lead me to a better life. Though I still felt lost ,after 5 years clean, and I was lacking in several aspects, I found a GYN that specialized in HRT. I would go get a shot of test cyp, test prop, estradiol (depo), and B12 , every two weeks, because I was still a young 40 yr old, it took about 6mos to find right dosage combo, going off of feel and labs, but once I did, that missing piece of my whole being ,was filled. Mind clear, quicker on my toes, motivated, happy, horney, relaxed, at peace, patient, less anxiety, a better person inside and out. I continued these up until I moved out of state in 2022, then estradiol became out of stock at big pharma, cause covid vaccine took president. I had just completed my next off the wall goal in life. Then after 9 mos without hormones came absolute chaos in my mind, actions, decisions. No motivation, had to take 2 naps a day, couldn't eat. Emptiness, numb one day, emotional wreck the next. Anyways, moved clear across country, thinking i needed to be around family more. Saw a psychologist, meditated, ect.. didn't work. Then went to a new Dr and she introduced pellets, it took like 3 weeks and I was back, mood stable, could feel, was kind, and happy, but after 3 mos got 2nd set of pellets. And noticed weight gain, or water weight.. so just went back to gym. Started eating clean, ect.. but couldn't lose weight. Opted to not go back. Come 2024 went back to original Dr who checked my blood, and she said I had way to much testosterone in my system I couldn't get back on shot until it was low again. Sorry for the long post, currently I saw a obgyn that said she could put my on an estradiol patch. And a compound pharmacy made me test lozenges, that I put inside my cheek and gums. It's been 2 mos, and finally lost 14 lbs, am motivated and beginning to feel like the best version of myself. My point is, even at 51 now, hormones are tricky, cunning, and can effect every aspect of your life while unbalanced. I will continue to take HRT until I feel it's no longer necessary. Game changer truly.

@tillymack Haven't looked into them as yet. Trying to hold or improve the osteopenia naturally. I got into this thread regarding estrogen, not osteo. How about you?

@pattiel I used Evista for 20+ years then Reclast when my DEXA scan dropped into osteoporosis territory. Now considering a change to HRT as first choice.

Hmmm. Might want to check with your doc. They are not recommending estrogen
for osteoporosis treatment.
WHat else are you doing to prevent bone loss?

My doctor is a strong proponent of HRT for elderly women for osteoporosis and prescribed it for me on my first visit. My previous doctor was quite open to HRT for osteoporosis and, at my request, printed some papers for me to read so that I could make my own decision.

Modern transdermal estrogen has far lower risks compared to the old oral medication, Premarin that was made from the urine of pregnant mares. The WHI studied the old oral estrogen.

In 2025 a new study showed the risks associated with common osteoporosis drugs are higher than previously thought. Here is a link to the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-02225-2
Here is a link to a doctor going through that paper and explaining what it means: https://www.youtube.com/watch

For me the risks of life-changing fractures without treatment are higher than the risks associated with getting treated. The risks of HRT are lower than the risks of other treatments for me. My doctor agrees for me. You might be different, but be sure the latest research with the latest medications are used in the decisions.

Do your research, talking to more than one doctor is a good idea. Wish there were easier answers.

@pattiel, I am 68 and just 10 yrs post menopause. I was never on HRT prior. I ultimately of course have severe osteoporosis in my spine. I still am having heavy duty hot flashes daily and nightly. I had a long conversation recently with both my GYN Dr and my practitioner. Both ok’d me to start on low dose estrogen patch to not just help with my ongoing menopausal symptoms but to help my osteoporosis not get worse. This happened earlier this year- before the change in black box label for HRT . For a while now there has been lots of new research findings that indicate HRT, even for us 10 yrs post menopausal woman, may benefit from HRT . Of course there’s factors that are considered - I have NO cardiac disease risk, ( my cardiac calcium US gave me a score of “0”). I have no blood clot or stroke risk and no breast cancer risk- so this helped make the decision for me and my Drs. If you want more updated info on HRT changes Dr Mary Claire Haver’s books and podcasts are very informative of the latest research on HRT

@mahonlye To each their own according to their own body. Yes, I have listened to Mary Haver and read her book. Keep in mind she is selling stuff. There are also a lot of Youtube videos on the topic. My calcium score was 24, low but still elevated. I have a pfo so not chancing heart disease. I get night sweats once in a while and have osteopenia. Seems like it depends on the doctor's perspective. I went to a menopause certified specialist at Hopkins and he said no. So did my Mercy gyn. So that's enough for me. I'd like to see the info and who is saying after 10 yrs in it's ok to take hrt. Haven't heard anyone say that. Good luck to you!