HRT for the over-60s

Have just joined gransnet fab idea! Wondered if anyone knew about going back on HRT have just started again on elleste solo 1 mg but wondered how long it takes to get going again after an 18 month break? Any ideas advice would be helpful thanks LesleyM

I don't know about over 60s, I'm well over 70 and have resumed Vagifem use because of recurrent UTIs due to vaginal dryness.
My doctor agrees it's perhaps better than regular doses of antibiotics, but sends me for annual checks for breast and uterine cancer.
When I restarted the beneficial effects were almost immediate. Also means marital rels are still possible (if you have the inclination. )
As someone wrote on another thread, at over 70 you don't mind so much taking risks.

Only just seen this! Just a further question I am struggling to lose weight. On low carb with personal trainer love the exercise sessions weights and all sorts especially boxing. Still no weight loss any one find the same problem and will resuming HRT which I have done help at all.
Thanks lesley

LesleyM it took me about a month or so to notice a significant improvement but don't think it will help your weight tho' I have tons more energy for exercising. Have you thought of trying the 5:2 diet? Working wonders for me. Good luck. PM me?

I'm new to this website so bear with me (not sure if I can mention brand names or not)!!

I've been reading the threads on HRT for the over 60s and want some advice. I've been taking Femoston 1/10 every other day for about 6 months now as I am 61 and think I should be coming off of it, but I am really worried that if I stop completely I may lose my hair, grow a beard and be all wrinkly! Is there a much lower dose HRT that I can consider asking for or is Femoston a low dose pill?

I'd love to carry on taking HRT for the rest of my life but think maybe this is not a good idea. There is no history of BC in my family at all.

Should I take Femoston 1/10 every 2 days, then every 3 days and see what happens - any thoughts? I'm inspired by the lady whose mother was 80 and still taking HRT until close to the end of her life (think I've got that right but can't find the right part of the thread to check!). Thanks.

I am 66 (67 this October) I have been on evorel sequi patches since I started the menapause in 1992, could not stand the hot flushes, within that time I have tried other forms of HRT but evorel sequi seems to be the best one for me, I use the combined patches 50 for 2 weeks changing twice a week then the conti again for 2 weeks changing twice a week where you get a period (bleed) . I missed 2 bleeds this year June and July , my Gp seems to think I need an ultrasound, but had one some months ago and all was ok , they do these 50 patches in 75ml and 100 ml. I suffer from Arthritis and fibromyalgia and HRT helps the pain , was reading , perhaps the reason I am missing bleeds is becouse I need to top up to either the 75 patch or the 100 patch to give me a higher input of the hormone, would I be more at risk of breast cancer at my age doing this?? I am going back to my Gp if I miss another bleed !! Anyone had the same happen to them?? This is my first time on this site

Well I took HRT as did my dear friend we are both 69 now so I reckon we took it in our early 50's.

We both subsequently had breast cancer, and my friend is terminally ill although doing fantastically well. So not sure if that is telling you anything!!!?? I am probably wrong and it isn't scientific.

My mother in law was on HRT for very many years, starting when she was still in her 50's, and she's in her late 70's now and perfectly healthy. I am still on a low dose and absolutely dread coming off the HRT and becoming menopausal again. My mother and sister both sailed through the menopause without any problem.

Just looked at this page as I've been asked to stop Hormonin HRT for a month before a shoulder decompression op. I'm 66 and have every intention of returning to it as soon as the operation is over. I've discussed the risks and benefits with my GO and she believes it's all about quality of life.
I've cut it down to three a week for two weeks but now have to stop altogether. My mood swings, concentration are bad already and I just feel hot all the time! I only hope I don't suffer aches in my joints because I already suffer spinal/joint problems and cope as best as I can. I know I can go back onto it after the op but am dreading the next month
The silly thing is I have had two spinal ops and a left shoulder decompression without having to come off it so I'm a bit surprised at this new development.
Any advice?

I was on HRT for several years in my 50's, but my GP (not me) decided i should stop. This brought on intolerable symptoms, aches and pains, headaches, feeling very low, hot flushes, vaginal dryness, I felt like I was in my 90's. Then I moved and my new GP adopts a completely different approach. He tells me he has patients in their 80's who are still on HRT and, as long as they are happy and healthy and have regular checks, he is happy for them to continue. Needless to say I am back on HRT - very low dose - and feeling great. I think some GPs are just not sympathetic to the effects the menopause can have. I make sure I keep my weight low, eat healthily and exercise regularly. I am doing as much as I can to stay fit and healthy.

These two new posts are encouraging. I stopped HRT after 7 years, because my new GP was horrified the previous GP put me on it. A recent bone density scan confirmed I'm pre osteo porosis in some areas. The scan technician and my latest gP commented it was good news I'd been on H~RT as it would have helped. I have inflammatory arthritis, so at high risk of osteo, it was this that led to me being put on HRT in my 40's. 20 plus years later, there's a bit of me that wishes I'd stayed on it. My mum took it into her 80's, as did many of her friends. The vaginal dryness, tiredness and general aches that appear once HRT stops are unpleasant. Hey ho, just got to get on with it haven't we

I am truly trying hard to get my head round this. And obviously my menopause symptoms have not been bad enough perhaps.

But if my doctor gave me a drug which 'keeps me younger' but also increases the risk of my getting cancer significantly, I would think this criminal. Taking drugs is all about the balance of + and -, including risks- but having lost several friends to cancer in recent years- I just don't get why so many would choose to take a drug with significant risk of cancer attached. I am so sorry if this comment disturbs or upsets some of you- this is not the intention- but I just don't get it (unless of course symptoms are so severe they stop you from living a 'normal' life).

Thank fully I still have my HRT - couldn't do without it.

Forgot risk of strokes, thrombosis, and cardio-vascular events.

I am aware of the risks, but value my current quality of life. If day to day living is intolerable then for me the risks are worth it. I am slim, fit and healthy, have regular checks so am taking responsibility for my health. I would not consider stopping my HRT and do not consider I am being irresponsible. At the end of the day we each choose how we live our lives and the risks we are prepared to take.

I totally respect that- as said my post is not a criticism, I just cannot get my head around taking a drug which can have serious side-effects, unless it is life-saving. But reading your post, it seems that for you, it is.

Just asked OH, how he would feel if I decided to go on HRT- he said he just would not let me, and I trust him.

I had a GP who didn't like HRT and as I didn't have any acute symptoms, I agreed that I didn't need it. I got through my 40s and 50s in a whirl of activities, leaving the menopause well behind me and very pleased not to have the old monthly hassle.

The menopause wasn't the problem for me, it was the impact of the menopause on bone density.

granjury - I respect your views, but would you really give your OH responsibility for deciding what kind of medical treatment you should/could have?! Your posts suggest you are a decisive, well informed individual -is your OH a doctor or medic of some kind.

I think that unless you have had a difficult menopause then you cannot understand what a lifesaver HRT can be. After a couple of years I knew that if I didn't take it then I would have been seriously in danger of an accident driving to work on a busy road after a night completely disrupted by night sweats, palpitations and feelings of panic and doom. I stooped as soon as I retired, but still had another seven years of misery with the menopause. I sailed through child birth, but the menopause was just awful. Now that it is over, I feel ten years younger.
I understand that much of the research which caused so much panic in the early 2000s was actually flawed.
I didn't need to take it long term, but I wouldn't have hesitated if it had been necessary. My French doctor was amazed that I had been advised to come off it so quickly.

As said, I am only trying to understand the issue, risks and advantages, and not criticize. I totally understand taking HRT for a few years to combat extreme symptoms of menopause. But it seems some women are on it way beyond the menopause for 20 + years.

In order to understand issues better, I've done a fair bit of reading this afternoon- and it does seem that HRT can become very addictive, in more ways than one- and that once oestrogen levels get very high in some women- the symptoms are even worse than before- building a dangerous vicious circle. If you've been on it for 10+ years, a good idea to get oestrogen levels tested to see if they are far too high.

Good luck whatever you decide.

From the BMJ 2012:

The bad effects of using progestogens and oestrogens are overwhelming:-

Doubling of mortality from breast cancer 7

Doubling of mortality from ovarian cancer 8

Doubling of mortality from lung cancer 9

Doubling of deaths from suicide and suspected suicide 5

Doubling of cervical adenocarcinomas 10

4-5 fold increase in invasive cervical cancers 11

5 fold increase in endometrial cancer (oestrogens) 12

Doubling (or up to 6 times) of primary venous thrombosis 13

81% increase in myocardial infarctions (at one year) 14

44 -55% increase in ischemic strokes 15,16

Doubling (or up to 5 times) increases in migraine headaches and vascular over-reactivity 17,18

Increases in osteoporosis due to micro-thrombi in bones, mineral deficiencies, and decreases in serum bone alkaline phosphatase 19,20

HRT has been a health disaster for too long.

I took HRT patches after a hysterectomy in my early 40's. I took quite a hight dose to alleviate the awful symptoms. I think I took it for between 10-12 years then weaned myself little by little over a whole year. When I got to the lowest dose I cut the patch in half then in 1/4. I often wonder if I should have remained on a low dose forever. The consultant said you can take it forever but I kept hearing differing views and made my own mind up. I just thought well I'd be well past the menopause now. I just hope I made the right choice. As a footnote my lovely little grandson once asked me "what are those plasters on your bum nanna?" I told him they were my 'happy patches' after that if I ever had a bad day his little voice would say" oh nanna have you forgotton your happy patches?" Another time I took him for a we we and noticed the Pirates eye patch was stuck to his bottom. When I pointed this out to him he said " nanna that's not my pirates patch it's my 'happy patch' he's 13 now I don't think I'll relate this story back to him anytime soon. Sweet memories

I am not able to take HRT as my mother died of breast cancer and I have benign breast cysts. I also suffer badly from migraine and oestrogen could make it worse. I have suffered badly from menopause symptoms for 12 years and have always been envious of those who are able to get such relief from HRT. I'm 64 now and things don't get any easier, I'm still flushing, still get sleepless nights and I have lots of aches and pains with osteoarthritis of the spine, neck, hips and toes. Life isn't great. However, my thanks to granjura for highlighting the quite frightening statistics regarding HRT, it has made me thankful in a way for having to grin and bear the menopause. For some women I think the menopause can be never ending and although I try and remain cheerful, I think I am going to be one of those who will continue flushing into my dotage!

I am not a statistician, and hopefully FlicketyB might be along soon to shed some light on the figures you have quoted, Granjura
I think you have expressed them in a very emotive way.
To take just one example - 'doubling of mortality from breast cancer'

What does that actually mean?
Suppose that the death rate from breast cancer for women in their 50s is 1 per 1000 women (it's probably less than that).
If the rate is doubled, that means that out of 1000 women taking HRT, 2 will get breast cancer compared to one out of 1000 women who don't take HRT.

So the risk for an individual woman of dying from breast cancer in her 50's is still quite small.

I haven't needed HRT, but I have every sympathy with those who have had a difficult menopause.
Surely the answer is to provide effective treatment at the lowest dose possible, while carefully monitoring for side effects.

Scare-mongering doesn't help anyone.

I think this NHS page is quite measured and puts the figures in context.
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hormone-replacement-therapy/Pages/Disadvantages.aspx