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[skkb]

Is anyone else out there 60+ and still taking HRT. My doc isn't concerned about this but ten years plus and no end in sight !!

[Trey]

I've been on estrogen 33 years, had hyst when v young.

[meno lesley]

Hi

I am 55 and have been on hrt for 2 years and have tried to reduce the dose a few times and all the symptoms come back so can't see me coming off in the near future.

Lesley

[Taz2]

I'm 59 and have been on it for six years but have been told by both Doctor and Menopause Clinic that I should come off at 60 due to the increased risk of stroke    I have tried to come off twice before but the symptoms return within around three months until I am just as I was six years ago. I am still glad that I've had six sweat-free years though!!

Taz x

[Rowan]

 I think this only applies to oral HRT http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c2519.long

Excerpt

Conclusions

The increased risk of stroke associated with HRT use has been a constant finding among most observational studies and randomised controlled trials to date. Our study suggests that the use of transdermal oestrogen replacement therapy containing low doses of oestrogen could be associated with a lower risk of stroke than the oral route of administration since we found no significant difference in stroke rates for low dose transdermal users compared with non-users. Although these results alone do not represent definitive evidence to promote the use of the transdermal route over oral administration of oestrogen replacement therapy, this study should encourage further research on the importance of the route of administration to define the role of transdermal oestrogens in the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
 

[Taz2]

I believe, from the findings of both the GP and the menopause specialist, that once a woman reaches 60 the risk comes from both oral and transdermal types of HRT.

There seems to have been little research done in women over sixty to be honest. My doc is more concerned about the breast cancer risk but will prescribe providing that I understand the risk but it is not something that she would recommend.

Taz x

[skkb]

Yes, I worry about the risks, but I also remember how absolutely horrendous I felt whenever I've tried to stop the HRT. To be honest life was unbearable as my symptoms were so severe, that's no exaggeration. I use the gel 3 times a week, for 4 years everything was fine, no symptoms, suddenly four months ago symptoms returned intensely, I've persevered to allow things to settle but alas they have not so I've increased the dose to daily over the last week and a half and the symptoms are disappearing again, but now I'm worrying about the risks and feel I'm back to square one. I never thought it would be like this. I really don't know what to do.

[Joyce]

I'm on oestrogen only and have been for many years. Consultant at meno clinic said she's happy for me to continue for next 3 years until I turn 60(argh - so soon). After that not sure what will happen. I am on estradot 25. Get odd flush - maybe one a day, but I can cope with that.  I know the risks & discussed with hubby & we both agreed on life quality.

[Meg]

When women feel so ill without the hormones they produced during their reproductive years then what are they supposed to do, go on feeling so bad that every day is a struggle?  Obviously something is lacking and the body cannot function properly without the right balance of hormones.  How is it doctors are missing the point.  If your symptoms are controlled with HRT and you have found one that suits you why are doctors wanting to take you off.

Meg

[Taz2]

It's because the more years your body is exposed to oestrogen during your life, Meg, the higher the risk (they think) of you contracting a cancer. This is why you are more at risk if you begin your periods earlier - you have many more years of oestrogen in the body than someone who doesn't begin their periods until they are well into their teens.

As long as we know the risks I think that most GP's are willing to still prescribe. It is about quality of life but, even so, it is quite hard to be philosophical about that, I would think, when a cancer is diagnosed which may have been attributed to HRT. I also like a glass of wine. My GP says that in an ideal world if you are on HRT then you should give up alcohol because alcohol mimics oestrogen and you are then having an even higher dose!

Taz x

[skkb]

Goodness, I also love a glass of wine, more worry! I had read about the oestrogen in the body over many years and it does make sense, that's why I thought by this age I would have been able to reduce even more or even stop the hrt altogether. What I don't understand is why, after 4 years of no symptoms, they suddenly return at 63, it's so hard. My body just functions much better with oestrogen and my doc is ok for now, but how much longer I'm not sure!!

[Rowan]

You need your estrogen all your life to keep bones, skin, brain, heart vagina etc healthy . This does not mean full HRT but just a 0.14 estrogen patch., which does not need progesterone/progestin to protect the womb as it is not enough to build up the lining.

Of cause if you have health factors or lifestyle that may pose a risk then your Doctor may considering what is best for you.

I use a 0.25 estrogen patch and leave it on for a week combined with supplements and a hopefully lifestyle, you have to work with the doctors, go for health checks as regularly as you can, this way you have more chance of staying on hormone therapy. My doctor will prescribe my patch along with my Calcichew D3 Forte for as long as I want more so if she knows I am benefiting from it and doing my bit to keep healthy.

If a doctor refuses point blank to prescribe full hormone therapy after a certain age, you can try another doctor if possible, or ask for vagifem or Estriol which at least will give some estrogen and can have some systemic effect.

Failing all that there are creams eg Serenity that you can buy, that contain bio identical hormones that may cushion the shock of withdrawal from prescribed hormones. There is one mineral Boron that has been proven to increase 17-beta-estrodil in post menopause women 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3678698

I know its a cliché but eating for health and keeping the body and mind active, all contribute to hormone, heart, bone and brain health.

I think its up to the individual women to do the best for herself and be proactive and that means also getting the best out of her Doctor.

[skkb]

Many thanks Silverlady, interesting. Your patch at 0.25 for a week is very low, I would be more than happy with that. I use the gel, sandrena, which suits me fine but it's 0.5mg three times a week (although daily at the moment until symptoms subside) which equates to 1.5mg per week! Would you consider that to be a low dose as that is what I hope to reduce it back down to?

[Rowan]

skkb to my mind this is a low dose when you consider that a daily oral dose can be 1 or 2 mgs. If it is controlling your symptoms then at the moment it is the right dose for you, I would not fret too much about 10 years into the future. I assume you have had a hysterectomy.

I think in the hormone taking stakes, ladies who have had one fair much better with HT.

One thing  can vouch for is that Trey looks amazing having been on estrogen for 33 years, that should be an inspiration for us.

At the moment we are being scared to death in the press about healthy women taking Tamoxifen which is an anti-estrogenic drug for five years,  to prevent breast cancer, when women have far more chance of getting heart disease and osteosporosis then breast cancer. It is also being said in the same articles that taking estrogen alone can help  breast cancer. They seem to underplaying the awful side effects that the drug can cause, for some women it is a necessity, but to suggest it for healthy women to me is madness and just make women fear estrogen and confuse them, when it is needed for so many functions in a womans body from cradle to grave.

[Suzi Q]

sweetie does it matter?
Ive been pre/meno/post meno sivce I was 36/37 im 59 today
I had 2 years of Gynest 10yrs Of Ovestin and now 3 and a half years of Vagifem
I couldnt give a mokeys anyone who comes between me and my Vagi death and dismemberment would ensue and it wouldnt be me xxxxxxxxxxxx