@daisy17 I started HRT at 64, but this was 21 years after I had stopped having periods (went thru the change early at 43). I am on a 0.05mg patch twice weekly, and also 200 mg Progesterone (which is necessary with the estradiol), as well as vaginal estradiol. I was crampy for the first 2 weeks (never have had any periods at all) but it all settled down and I feel great. I started it 4 months or so before the Tymlos. It was life-changing! At the time it was not standard for a woman to be able to get HRT so long after starting menopause but my GYN went out on a limb and said let's give it a try. Bless her!! Since then I have seen even the FDA changing their position and advocating for older women to go on HRT (now called MRT! ) and basically stay on it for life. If your GYN is giving you a bad time about it it might be because of cardio concerns which are valid, altho the whole purpose of the patches is that the estradiol is absorbed thru the skin, by-passing the liver so less chance of any blood clots. Or it might because of concerns if you have had breast cancer that was estrogen-related. But otherwise, demand it!! If you want to sleep well again, have a clear head, and have those aches and pains in your shoulders and hips go away, have your skin look better and have more energy it's worth a try! I will take it as long as I can! If you are on Insta or YouTube or FB, look up Drs. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Noor, Dr. Amy B Killen... so much info about it from them and they are dispelling all the myths around no HRT for older women!