Hi Harebell
Thanks for your pm. Here are my brief thoughts:
I'm over 70 and still on cyclical HRT. I have a proper review coming up next week as my HRT has not been reviewed for some years. Speaking to my GP on the phone she suggested I should be on continuous - because of my age, but I was adamant I would not.
There is no age limit for cyclical HRT but medics tend to prefer women to be on continuous combined HRT because of the known increased risk of endometrial cancer from cyclical HRT - the endometrium is better protected on continuous regimes. However the absolute risk is still very small and provided one is sensible and is monitored, and there are no abnormalities or untoward bleeding, no reason to go on continuous HRT.
The joint BMS and Women's Health Concern 2020 recommendations don't even mention it - this is what they say generally about HRT:
"
There should be a holistic and individualised approach in assessing menopausal women, with particular reference to lifestyle advice, diet modification as well as discussion of the role of HRT.
The decision whether to take HRT, the dose of HRT used and the duration of its use should be made on an individualised basis after discussing the benefits and risks with each patient. This should be considered in the context of the overall benefits obtained from using HRT including symptom control and improving quality of life as well as considering the bone and cardiovascular benefits associated with HRT use.
The HRT dosage, regimen and duration should be individualised, with annual evaluation of advantages and disadvantages."
https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/bms-whcs-2020-recommendations-on-hormone-replacement-therapy-in-menopausal-women/In my case I seem to be getting spotting and bleeding at the wrong time, and last time 2.5 years ago my endometrium was thickened though no abnormalities found. I wonder if there may be an absorption problem but I will make a separate post about my situation in due course. I use utrogestan vaginally and GP suggested I try taking it orally which I also refuse to do! When I started Utrogestan I used to do a two monthly cycle but it has got shorter and shorter recently though I really don't like it!
If it's working for you, without problems then you should be able to carry on as you are, but just bear in mind that the situation may change in terms of how your body responds, as you get older, and maybe more so if using vaginally - though if your digestive system changes as you age then also potentially oral absorption may change too? As always there is insufficient research on this!
This answer may not be what you're looking for but hopefully is helpful?
Hurdity x