HRT Safety

I find Dr. Felice Gersh, Functional Medicine MD, OB-GYN, another good resource for BHRT information. Here is her video on BHRT for over 60: https://www.youtube.com/watch

Excellent video on HRT and how it can be used by postmenopausal women without heart or breast conditions:

Just wondering if there are any women over 65 that have actually started BHRT? I recently have started at 68. A functional doctor, who came highly recommended, did a number of tests on me and decided that I would be a good candidate. Still I am concerned. If someone out there started it at 65+, please comment. good or bad results. I have no family history of breast cancer. I have only been on it a week, oral progesterone and cream estrogen. I am sleeping better, but time will tell. I have 2 friends that are in their late 70's and one that I know that is 80 are still on HRT. They did start sooner that 68 however. They are doing great with good bone density.

@oitsu62 I was reviewing McCormick's book last night and again, he expresses the idea that HRT might maintain density but most likely won't increase it. I think fear drives a lot of decisions. For obvious reasons (cancer) I am way more afraid of HRT than Tymlos (especially since the dose of Tymlos can be played with). But what your post leaves out if the fear of fracture. I was way way more afraid of more fractures than Tymlos.

The hard part about osteoporosis, which I think sometimes increases our risk, is that it does not have symptoms. We feel fine, even strong. Fractures are not only painful but affect lungs, GI function, and ability to do things for oneself. They don't just happen from falls.

I am not sure why taking HRT after menopause ( a natural event) is more "natural" than using another kind of hormone, the parathyroid, to grow bone. People say strontium is "natural" but the therapeutic dose is 300 times the daily requirement, I just read.

Tymlos works- at least for many of us, and you can do bone marker tests to make sure it is working for you. You can start at 1/4 dose and move up. My spine went from -3.7 (severe) to -2.5 (borderline) and continues to improve.

If your DEXA's are better than -3.0 and your FRAX score is low, it is very reasonable to try HRT, diet and exercise so I am only posting for those with serious osteoporosis.

Just wondering if there are any women over 65 that have actually started BHRT? I recently have started at 68. A functional doctor, who came highly recommended, did a number of tests on me and decided that I would be a good candidate. Still I am concerned. If someone out there started it at 65+, please comment. good or bad results. I have no family history of breast cancer. I have only been on it a week, oral progesterone and cream estrogen. I am sleeping better, but time will tell. I have 2 friends that are in their late 70's and one that I know that is 80 are still on HRT. They did start sooner that 68 however. They are doing great with good bone density.

@blueberre Hi. I applaud you for starting HRT. I began the estrogen patch at 69 yrs old (2 months ago). I have osteoporosis (3.1 in one area). No fractures . I had a complete hysterectomy in my late 40’s, which contributed to my bone lost. Plus I am small boned woman. Since they now removed the black box warning, I decided to get on the patch. My dose is 0.25, which I understand is a low dose but all that’s needed to protect the bones. I understand the patch is safer (from oral), because it bypasses the liver. I do not have breast cancer in the family. My reason for starting the patch, for me it’s much safer and peer effective than any current osteoporosis treatment. I’m not willing to deal with those side effects of the osteoporosis meds. I’ll try this treatment first. I figure I much rather take a chance on breast cancer then to have those terrible side effects of the osteoporosis meds/shots. I also weight lift and jog everyday. Eat as healthy as possible. I understand it might take 2yrs to show up in DEXA scan, but every day on the patch I figure is one day closer to being stronger.

@blueberre Hi. I applaud you for starting HRT. I began the estrogen patch at 69 yrs old (2 months ago). I have osteoporosis (3.1 in one area). No fractures . I had a complete hysterectomy in my late 40’s, which contributed to my bone lost. Plus I am small boned woman. Since they now removed the black box warning, I decided to get on the patch. My dose is 0.25, which I understand is a low dose but all that’s needed to protect the bones. I understand the patch is safer (from oral), because it bypasses the liver. I do not have breast cancer in the family. My reason for starting the patch, for me it’s much safer and peer effective than any current osteoporosis treatment. I’m not willing to deal with those side effects of the osteoporosis meds. I’ll try this treatment first. I figure I much rather take a chance on breast cancer then to have those terrible side effects of the osteoporosis meds/shots. I also weight lift and jog everyday. Eat as healthy as possible. I understand it might take 2yrs to show up in DEXA scan, but every day on the patch I figure is one day closer to being stronger.