Hi Poppytoast,
This is what I was advised by my GP when I went on sequi HRT at 53. She wanted me to try conti as per the guidelines at age 54 having been on HRT for a year. I think the thinking is, on average, you should/may have reached menopause after a year due to the average age of reaching menopause being 51. That is my understanding of it. I just think it's not black or white but trial and error.