HRT Safety

Wow, I may investigate. Thanks so much!

At this stage I'm assuming I will simply do another 12 month DEXA scan, which is available free in Australia every 12 months for patients with osteoporosis. I also intend to search for an endocronologist who specialises in HRT and osteoporosis and who may be able to advise me on the utility of other tests - such as CTX bone markers and REMS. I also want to explore a so called SERM treatment, tibolone, which is an alternative to HRT. I have a younger sister who is under the care of an endocronologist who put her on tibolone 3 years ago and - combined with weight lifting/ resistance exercises - has reduced her T score from - 3.5 to -2.8.

@janieben , I am 67 and began BHRT 9 months ago. I have a small amount of discharge without any bleeding. I also had mildly tender breasts which resolved after a few months. I have heard of spotting from BHRT. Are you using an estradiol patch and if so what dose are you on?

Slight correction, I am 68 now and began BHRT 10 months ago at age 67.

I am in the Mpls area and would appreciate the name of your doctor.
Thank you!

Hi, Debbie1956. I am on .05 mg Estradiol weekly patch and 300 mg progesterone (taken at night before bed). It seems I have had a spotting issue every five or six weeks. Typically just one day of it, noticing it on tissue, not on panties. But Wed I had to use a pad, also on Thursday. It seems less today but wearing a pad just in case. Started BHRT in Sept 2024. Just wondering if this is normal or if something needs to be adjusted. Also taking low dose naltrexone to help with hashimoto's and have lost 10 pounds in last month.

Hi Janieben, It's curious you were prescribed twice the Estradiol dosage and 3 times the Progesterone I was prescribed. I am on .25 Estradiol and 100 mg Progesterone, but of course, I'm not qualified to comment on the the appropriate dosage for you. The spotting and breakthrough bleeding with BHRT comes up right away on a google search. Unfortunately, I have limited knowledge and experience with BHRT spotting other than mild discharge I mentioned. I also tried low dose Naltrexone for my autoimmune vasculitis a few years ago. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for.

@midwestgirl I go to the Smartcare clinic at Healthparters in St. Louis Park. My provider is Ann Marie Strong. She see’s patients in SLP and one other office. I’m sure you can easily find that information on the HealthPartners website. Good luck!

Great! I'm already in the Park Nicollet system.
Thank you.

Thank you for your response. I believe you are actually taking five times the amount of E I am taking. .25 divided by .05 =5. Isn't that correct? Maybe my dosage needs to be increased??? I don't know. I changed to NP and am meeting with her this week. She sent me an email saying the American Menopause Society does not recommend starting BHRT 10 years after menopause, so I am thinking she will want me to taper off and stop. She isn't the experienced, knowledgeable professional I hoped she was. I may go off and try again at some point with someone who has more experience with older women starting BHRT.