HRT Update Article from Medscape

I am an unwilling victim of the Women's Health Initiative and missed out on HRT/BHRT at menopause. Now I'm 70 and some say I'm way too old to start and some say it would still be beneficial. I am taking an Onero bone building class and there are 2 physicians in my group who have OP - they say absolutely not at my age.

The confusion and mixed messages continue.

@babs10 Yes, like you I am also a victim of the WHI study and missed out on HRT during the most crucial years. I am 69, but began bhrt a year and a half ago at age 67. Yes I understand the confusion with the conflicting information and it is unsettling to hear two doctors with OP in your group state they are opposed to HRT at our age. I am on the estradiol patch and micronized progesterone. I have gained close to 5% BMD and my CTX score came down from 688 to 99 in less than a year. Did these doctors in your group mention why they are so opposed to women our age taking HRT?

@babs10 Hi Babs. I am a 67 yr old woman with Osteoporosis and was told to take Fosamax. I am afraid to take this medication due to the horrendous side effects. I do not have a uterus so I would need to take a transdermal estrogen only patch. I am wondering if the estrogen alone could help increase my bone mineral density. Your story has me thinking that maybe I should try it. Do you know if I would have gains with only the estrogen patch? I am happy that HRT is working for you!

@goseve I don't know if you'd have gains or not. I never got very far looking into HRT so I'm not much help. Maybe someone else will be able to weigh in.

Thank u!

@debbie1956 In the same boat with HRT. I have had osteopenia since age 37 and managed to slow it down with weightlifting, diet and a change in thyroid hormone dose (I had thyroid cancer in my 20s and take replacement level dose). When I was approaching menopause (about 8 years ago) no doctor I was seeing would prescribe HRT--neither OB/GYN, nor endocrinologist nor PCP. Within a year or two of menopause my DEXa scans indicated osteoporosis after hovering in the osteopenia-to-normal range for 18 years. I found a physician (OB/GYN, with additional training in HRT) who did not take any insurance plan who would prescribe the HRT after reviewing my medical history. I began HRT 3-4 years post-menopause and am still taking it. He was of the opinion that 75 should be the cut-off age for continuing HRT (for heart and circulatory concerns, including risk for stroke), but this was based on older research findings--with newer information he might not hold this opinion. Now my PCP is prescribing it although when I first saw her in 2021 she indicated she would not. I believe that thinking on HRT is shifting widely at the moment.

@pd999 if you really want BHRT, get several opinions-pcp, endo, GYN…. They often cite risks, but it’s also risky to take some of the meds usually prescribed- side effects are no small thing to patients ! Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear path for people with OP…seeking good info here, and wishing you all good luck ! ( If we can fight off cancer, we can deal with OP !).