Transdermal HRT

I am on a compounded low-dose testosterone cream. Perhaps an option for you, as you can quit it at any time if it doesn't agree with you.

I am 62 and use 1 mg Estradiol Patches...I was on .05 but it didn't help much. I went through menopause as well around 52-53 and had to have a hysterectomy. I'm not sure I will ever get off the HRT because I am always so low that it affects me and I have arthritis in several areas. I'm much less sore than when not using them. I was off it before and after my knee replacement for about 6 months and I had to get back on. I use patches as they are less likely to cause blood clots etc....I honestly think we as women need it until we die to maintain what we had before menopause.

U r a wise woman. I also found a doctor who put me on an estrogen patch. Guidelines from FDA and failed nurses study years ago, prevent them from prescribing due to fear of being sued. Unfortunately, no other research has proven they cause strokes, blood clots, or breast cancer. Go on line and check out how the rest of the world prescribes ERT for osteoporosis, esp England.

I have Medicare A and B and Blue Cross Blue Shield. I don’t know yet if they will cover it.

Thank you. I agree about the advantages of transdermal HRT. My doctor says the risks are greater over 70. I see studies that say otherwise. I think there are economic incentives for companies not retooling and offering HRT more widely.

When you say the estradiol .05 patch didn't help much, did you lose bone while on it? Did you have osteopenia or did you have osteoporosis? Does the 1mg estradiol patch just maintain your bmd or does it actually build bone? Has it put you back in a normal range? How did your doctor figure out that the 1mg estradiol patch is what you needed? Thank you for any information- still trying to figure HRT out and am using it synergistically with other supplements such as strontium citrate and strength training to mitigate fracture risk.

I am actually on the Estradiol for vaginal stenosis however it helps me to maintain the bone that I do have. My soreness and arthritis have actually gotten a bit better since starting back on the Estradiol Patch and even better since we had to increase it for my vaginal stenosis. Dr. can't actually prescribe it for the osteoarthritis however it does have benefits that I see as a result of being on for another reason. When I wasn't on it I was much more sore and stiff and it was much better after the increase so I"m assuming that it has some benefits for the osteoarthritis as well. I hope that helps.

I am 80, on HRT patch, .025 twice a week. My gyn docs have agreed to my continuing on it. I do not intend to stop. It has multiple benefits. But the docs do bring up the matter of stopping. Have had one form or another for 30 years. I don't know that risks are higher due to age, usually the reference is years on it.

Hello. I am 70 and have been on some form of HRT since early menopause at 42. Currently I use CombiPatch and plan to stay on it for life. As for my bones, I was diagnosed with Osteopenia in my 40s and just recently Osteoporosis, with the lowest score -2.5 in right femoral hip. Since switching from oral to transdermal a liver enzyme that had been creeping up fell to normal and my cholesterol levels improved. Good luck.

What a great approach to building bones - testosterone. At 76 I still get hot flashes. I used HRT for years after going through menopause, however, it would only work for a few months and then the doctor would have to up the dose. Finally we reached the top of what was available for HRT. Then I was placed on Paxil which did do away with the hot flashes. Now I realize SSRI’s thin the bones (20 plus years on it) and probably was very influential on causing my osteoporosis. I tried taking oral estrogen, even progesterone without any relief and even bio-I dentical creams. Nothing worked. I’ve just gone through the wringer getting off of Paxil and don’t ever want to go back on it, So testosterone might be a good option. Did you get all your hormones tested first? I know it might not help with the hot flashes but at least it will help build bones. Thank you for any information you can give me.