Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Coco62 on October 27, 2023, 05:23:30 PM
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Hi,
I went through menopause at 42-43 and didn't go on HRT.
At age 51, I started Vagifem for vulva/vaginal atrophy: did the job.
At 59, I started systemic HRT because of the long-term health benefits.
I am a bit confused as to whether I have missed the window of opportunity due to having an early menopause.
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Hi Coco62
The window of opportunity for starting HRT (under 60 or less than 10 years after menopause) is supposed to be the safest time in terms of changes to the cardio-vascular system but as far as I recall was due to some specific research (sorry can't remember right now). In addition it is recommended that those who have an early or premature menopause should take HRT at least until the natural average age of menopause ( around 51/52)
Ideally you should have been started earlier, but never mind - you have started now! Hopefully you will start to build bone again to help prevent osteoporosis. Not everyone gets osteoporosis anyway but you might like to ask you doc for a bone scan just to check your bone density, and explain that you didn't have HRT?
One question - have you been given patches because these are recommended for women in your position, as being safer than tablet HRT?
I hope you are feeling better as a result of starting HRT and do not worry about the years when you didn't take it and long forward to ageing healthily. Lifestyle and dietary changes also play a big part in our health as we age so if you havent already made changes (exercise, body weight, alcohol, smoking, diet) then now is the time. Apologies if you are already doing this but felt I should also mention this.
All the best
Hurdity x
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Hi,
I went through menopause at 42-43 and didn't go on HRT.
At age 51, I started Vagifem for vulva/vaginal atrophy: did the job.
At 59, I started systemic HRT because of the long-term health benefits.
I am a bit confused as to whether I have missed the window of opportunity due to having an early menopause.
Hi Coco62
The window of opportunity for starting HRT (under 60 or less than 10 years after menopause) is supposed to be the safest time in terms of changes to the cardio-vascular system but as far as I recall was due to some specific research (sorry can't remember right now). In addition it is recommended that those who have an early or premature menopause should take HRT at least until the natural average age of menopause ( around 51/52)
Ideally you should have been started earlier, but never mind - you have started now! Hopefully you will start to build bone again to help prevent osteoporosis. Not everyone gets osteoporosis anyway but you might like to ask you doc for a bone scan just to check your bone density, and explain that you didn't have HRT?
One question - have you been given patches because these are recommended for women in your position, as being safer than tablet HRT?
I hope you are feeling better as a result of starting HRT and do not worry about the years when you didn't take it and long forward to ageing healthily. Lifestyle and dietary changes also play a big part in our health as we age so if you havent already made changes (exercise, body weight, alcohol, smoking, diet) then now is the time. Apologies if you are already doing this but felt I should also mention this.
All the best
Hurdity x
Thank for getting back to me Hurdity. I am on transdermal Estrogel and Utrogestan. I suspect I will be a bit osteopenic but hoping the HRT, as you said, will start to rebuild the bone. I intend to continue HRT well into my old age. I have a healthy lifestyle too👍.