Hi MichelleDT
The general view is that if started within 10 years of menopause or under 60 then the benefits generally outweigh the risks ( on balance and if you are otherwise healthy and minimise other risk factors). The risks of stroke and cardiovascular problems increase with age anyway hence the post 60 "cut-off) where the risks relative to benefits slightly increase. Nevertheless if you have never taken HRT it is advised by the British Menopause Society and top gynaecologists that if you start ( post-60) then transdermal is preferred.
Here is the info:
"
HRT prescribed before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the menopause has a favourable benefit /risk profile and is likely to be associated with a reduction in coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality.
If HRT is used in women over 60 years of age, low doses should be started, preferably with a transdermal estradiol preparation."
https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/hormone-replacement-therapy/You could ask for a referral to a menopause clinic if you don't want to go privately. I started on HRT last year when I was 57 but I was in peri. Transdermal is safer than oral but I'm not sure any research has been done specifically for this type. I can't understand why it should make any difference if you've been on it before as long as you start on a low dose.
sheila99 - not sure what you are asking re research? Are you asking whether studies comparing transdermal and oral HRT wrt stroke risk etc have been carried out? If so then they surely have - no medical claim like this would be made without evidence.
Another quote from the BMS statement:
"
Transdermal estradiol is unlikely to increase the risk of venous thrombosis or stroke above that of non-users and is associated with lower risk compared with oral estradiol."
BMS members have access to full consensus statements with studies backing up their recommendations. Also they published a paper along with Women's Health Concern detailing a lot of this info here (full paper + refs):
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2053369116680501As you were a long time without HRT and had your last period several years before the average age of natural menopause then several years of HRT will benefit your bone health.
I think the key is though that you "went back on it" jaycee. Its starting, having not been on it before, that most GPs seem very wary of.
It's not whether you have been on it or not
per se as I understand - it is the age of the woman combined with the time since menopause (or last HRT) because of this so-called "window of opportunity" for cardio-vascular protection and there have been studies about the effects I think of oral HRT and arterial damage, many years since oestrogen stopped (either naturally or artificially), where there can be an issue. I think it's to do with arterial plaque - build up on arterial walls - but I am a bit hazy on the details so just saying this from memory!!!
Your doc should be able to prescribe HRT at you age without reference to a specialist - subject to all the health checks etc - but if s/he doesn't feel comfprtable then definitley ask for a referral to a menopause clinic to put your/their mind at rest?
I went back on HRT at 73 , my Dr said there are women older than me still on it,so depends on the Dr and probably the persons general health,
I am not on any medication ,or have high blood pressure etc
Wow jaycee that's amazing! How long had you been off it and do you have uterus? Were you OK symptoms-wise oging back on it - sorry I can't remember your story!
Hurdity x
Author
Topic: Too old or too late for hrt? (Read 8675 times)