Could starting HRT 12 years after menopause be beneficial for bones?

Yes, there could be benefits according to these studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9032160/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/194094
https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2026/diego-espinoza-peralta-press-release-endo-2026
It’s better if you start before or at the time of menopause but there appear to be benefits even starting post-menopause.

There are risks to consider, though, including cardiac issues, blood clots, breast and uterine cancer. Doctors tend to use the transdermal patch instead of oral estrogen as it lowers the risk.

My endocrinologist knows that I am on HRT, having started before menopause, but didn’t really consider it important. I did do a year of Evenity since I had a fracture.

In my case, being on HRT didn’t prevent osteoporosis but it might have helped slow it down.

@oopsiedaisy That's a very important observation. Can you share why you started HRT before menopause?

I started hrt 14 years post menopause and 1 month before I started Tymlos. My endocrinologist went through all my labs and said I was a perfect candidate for hrt. Its now been 11 months since I started taking it. My lipo protein A, which was 1 point out of range on the high end lowered significantly. I'm hoping my bone density will increase over just Tymlos alone. I'm also hoping to maintain my gains with just hrt at the end of my treatment. Find a doctor that's up to date on the latest research. My doctor did say she won't prescribe it to everyone. It should be based on your health history. That said many doctors aren't aware of the latest research.

@oopsiedaisy
Where was your fracture if you don't mind sharing.

@lbrown742
I have seen two doctors who are trained by the menopause society, a nurse practitioner who specializes in orthopedics and an endocrinologist. All told me being 12 years past menopause is too risky. How does one find a doctor who is aware of current research?

I would think the menopause society would have been a good start. I found the top endocrinologist in my city and took all the articles I could find that supported my reasons for wanting hrt. She never stopped prescribing it even after the womans health study. She did spend a lot of time going back through all of my labs first. I think there are some online womens clinics that can prescribe it. I'm afraid I've forgotten the name of them. Check youtube. There are several doctors on there that talk about hrt for older women that may have resources.

I am into my 5th month taking Tymlos after being diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. Started out with different side effects but now not much. Have lost muscle mass but I believe it’s because the summer was so hot I wasn’t getting out and not having any energy from staying mostly inside. Thirteen more months to go and I’m praying that this shot will help my bones rebuild.

@lbrown742

I used a functional medicine provider.

Would someone here with real knowledge explain why an HRT patch on the hip joint, and taking the balancing progesterone could be such a risk factor in later years ? A GYN I know was okay with estrogen cream for another issue, but against the patch…need scientific info about the risk….i am aware that this patch can only stabilize bone, not build it, but people with multiple conditions they don’t want to aggravate are having such a hard time figuring out what to do with osteoporosis.

@tillymack I was having perimenopause symptoms that were impacting my ability to enjoy life.