Are you over 60 and on hrt ?

I started at 60. My GP wouldn't prescribe but was happy to refer me to the menopause clinic at the hospital. They had no issues agreeing and put me on patches and bio identical progesterone. Absolutely change d my life. Feel like myself again

I have taken it for about 20 years and am nearly 80. The doctor prescribed it because my mother and both grandmothers had suffered weak and broken bones in later life. I was suffering from osteoporosis and the doctor said HRT would help. It helped in all sorts of ways and I still have good hair and skin.
I think it is now considered to be quite safe. Those who wish to try acupuncture etc might find benefits. Those who are Mayan may prefer to let nature take its course. Years ago, women never got to the age of menopause. We live longer now and have that to contend with. We have had similar threads before and somebody said there must be a reason why we have to suffer the menopause. Tell me one reason.

I was reluctant to start HRT, but after years of menopausal problems I gave in - and never looked back. I got it on the NHS, no problem.

I’d love to go back on it. I’m 67. How do you go about it privately?

I am 74 and have never taken it. Perhaps I should have, as I have been unable to have sex since the menopause due to dryness and pain. It is probably too late now. Excuse the frankness.

No way would I use it...that is just me though. From what I have read it seems that symptoms vary according to your culture. Attitude is very important. I found this paragraph in some research. 'Interviews of rural Mayan Indian women further illustrate that menopause is far from a uniform experience. Researchers found that the women reported no hot flashes or any significant menopausal symptoms. Mayan women tend to look forward to menopause because with it comes a progressive change in status within their communities and, in turn, a feeling of freedom. When women from indigenous cultures cross into menopause, they often become known as "wise women" or spiritual leaders and hold a place of power in their communities.

Interesting...research shows similar things appear in other cultures.

It literally saved my life, but my GP stopped subscribing it after 10 years as there was scaremongering information about it emerging. My skin literally crumpled and my hair thinned.
I still get hot flushes and would like it back to improve the quality of my life. Reading everyone’s posts on here, it’s what I am now going to do.

I have a friend just started on it at 74, due to persistent hot flushes she had put up with for years.

So sorry to hear of your problems FlexibleFriend, you must have been really unlucky.

Started topical HRT (Vagifem) for vaginal atrophy at the age of 60. It's helped but I'm now on double the standard dose and suspect that I may actually need more than even that.

I'm even older than you OP but was thinking of asking about starting HRT for the first time. Will watch this in case there are any more posts about it

Thanks ladies for your stories

Gosh, sorry to hear that FlexibleFriend

I still have my ovaries

I was put on Hrt by my then GP at 58 and it triggered my auto immune condition which has caused me no end of problems and I wish I'd never taken it. Until then I was an extremely fit and healthy person, since then my mobility has gone to pot and I use a wheelchair and have no end of health issues.

Surely if ovaries removed or hysterectomy - the situation is very different? Clio51, is that the case for you?

Personally, the risks seem to me to totally outweigh the advantages and I just would not take the risk. Other therapies like Gi-Gung, Tai-chi, acupressure and herbal remedies seem to be a much better bet.

Yep, started at 64 after 12 years of hell. Am 70 and fully expect to be on it for the rest of my life. I bypassed my doctor and went privately. But my doctor quite happily prescribes it for me now. Only have to have oestrogen patches as had a hysterectomy four years ago.

Thanks ladies
Seems most of you have been on it before 60

Maybe I should of rephrased my title to
Did you start hrt after 60 ?

Thing is I’m 62 now, so was wondering if any ladies had started it very late in life

Agree quality of life means so so much

I’ve been on it since a surgical menopause at 40. I’m 71 now and still on it. My consultant is happy for me to continue and frankly if she wasn’t I’d find some other way to continue.
Quality of life is so important.
I don’t want osteoporosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, sleep disturbances, memory changes, loss of libido, accelerated aging, hot flushes, osteoporosis arthritis, incontinence, hair loss, wrinkles etc. etc.
I look way younger than my peers and still choose to work part time.
Strange the way that you never hear about the long term negatives of menopause. They are never talked about but so debilitating for so many.
Try your GP first then if you are not satisfied ask to be referred to a menopause clinic.

I've been on it for over 30 years, starting on the highest dose patch when my ovaries were removed and am now on the lowest dose.

I've been taking it since the start of the menopause. My doctor has pointed out that the risk of cancer is increased, but that it helps prevent osteo arthritis. I'm more concerned about the quality of my life than the length of it, so I'm happy to keep on taking it.

Been on it since my early 50's now 66 ,my gynaecologist has said I can stay on it for life.I went on it after trying every alternative remedy known to womankind...from a magnet in my pants to creams and potions and herbs ,nothing worked.If I hadn't finally got an HRT that suited I'd at the very least be divorced and maybe dead.My symptoms were horrendous and I'm happy to say I'm back to being me ..and my husband is happy about that too

Been on it since 1993! Life changer, don't hesitate to try it. If it doesn't suit you, you can swap or stop, but if you don't try, you will never know.