Good thought Tempest but perhaps also check the NICE guidelines to see if they give any specific age cut off - I don't think they do. My understanding of the new guidelines was that women could continue HRT beyond 60 provided they understood the risks. The benefits for Smokey's friend will far outweigh any risks at the age of 56. ADs could well cause far more side effects and problems as they certainly don't suit everyone and they can be a nightmare to come off. ADs don't always reduce flushes anyway.
Smokey, I would suggest your friend goes to her GP armed with lots of positive evidence, printed out, for staying on HRT (benefits for bones, heart, bladder and vaginal health, maintenance of good sleep, cognitive abilities and general quality of life) and she should then ask very probing questions about the side effects and risks of Sertraline e.g. would she be safe to drive, would there be any weight gain; would she feel numb and detached; would she loose her libido, would her mouth get very dry
The studies show that women who have had a hysterectomy and use oestrogen are actually less likely to get breast cancer than the women who don't use oestrogen - so there must be a slight protective effect!!! It's the combined HRT preparations, that have oestrogen plus progesterone, that brings a very small increased risk after the age of 60.
The old fashioned 5 year rule for using HRT only applied if you had been using HRT 5 years
after the natural age of menopause - a natural menopause is around 52-54 - and 5 years of HRT in our mid 50s will actually benefit heart and bones for the long term. Your friend should be asking for a referral to a gynae and a bone density scan.
These dogmatic GPs need educating. DG x
DG x
