Over 70 and starting HRT

The hot flushes etc do pass eventually. I had 1 in last year(im 60) but even then im not sure it wasnt just the heating up too much.

I took HRT for 10 months and diagnosed with breast cancer. Often wondered if the HRT was the cause and pushed my oestrogen level too high. Of course I will never know.

Have you been on Vagifem longer than 3 months? It will take a while for things to improve. Consult your doctor, let them know its not working and try other methods, let them investigate.
Take a look at this website: www.themenopausecharity.org/2021/10/21/vaginal-dryness-2/
HRT is best started within 10 years of menopause for you to get the most benefits. However, it's definitely worth researching as you may still benefit. I too had UTIs and vaginal atrophy. I was prescribed Ovestin cream, which led me to thoroughly research going on HRT for the many health benefits it can bring. I was 59 when I started on HRT and hope to continue long into my 70s and beyond.
I wish you all the best.

I’m 72 and have not had any issues with the menopause. My Mum went through hell and I couldn’t think why , apart from the cessation of periods, I hadn’t experienced what she and most of my peers describe. My doctor says that it’s because I’m a vegetarian but even women who eat fish are less likely to suffer the worst effects of menopause, she says, and don’t usually need HRT. Just a thought. Hope it helps.

Nannan2

Has anyone considered that their symptoms may be just normal menopause symptoms like their own mum and granma had, and its the way nature meant it to be? And just weather it out till it passes? Then they would be fine? Thing is now they get to a certain age and all these women think 'oh its ok i can just take HRT & it'll be fine...I dont thin i would have been taking it even if i wasnt on warfarin tbh as who knows what natural body phases its messing with...

Humans, killer whales and pilot whales are the only mammals that experience menopause. We all share a relatively long lifespan that involves mothers living in close quarters with their daughters
We only live as long in the West because of good diet, good housing and good medicine. Look at the poor women in the 3rd world and see their lifestyles!
As for our mothers and grandmothers I think they suffered in silence because there no alternatives!
Having said that when they did the one million HRT trial years ago they gave it to all ages and the more elderly women who had never taken it before got hardening of the arteries and they had to stop the trial.
If a woman is a suitable candidate for HRT and is prescribed progesterone too it can be a Godsend. Others like myself who have had a hysterectomy do not need that element of treatment. I had to have a hysterectomy on my early 40's and have had 6 gynae ops in total over 10 years to get things right. I have been on HRT estrogen only patches ever since and I too would fight tooth and nail to remain on it.
I have just turned 68.
Another thing is you shouldn't mess around with HRT if you are a suitable candidate you are not supposed to take it and come off it and go back on it again.
Incidentally I slipped on wet grass in the garden last year and I fell with my knees on concrete. I swear if I had not been on HRT I would have had two broken knees. As it was I bounced! My knees were black and blue but not broken!

I have been on HRT since I was perimenopausal and am now 76. I feel very grateful to the enlightened GP who started me on it. A recent DEXA scan showed I have the bones of a 30 year old and I am generally fitter and ageing better than friends who are younger. Menopause happens because of an oestrogen deficiency. Other hormonal deficiencies are treated with hormone replacement such as thyroid and insulin so I fail to see why oestrogen deficiency should not be treated in the same way.

I tried vagifem and sylk but for me, Yes works wonderfully well. It's not sticky and has made a real difference and you can get it on prescription.

I went into menopause in my early 40’s. My GYN Dr put me on HRT and I remained on that for approx 20 yrs. In my late 60’s I developed BREAST CANCER. (Had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed under arm; cancer free many years now!)

I did have hot flashes post surgery. It was tough being dry one minute and dripping wet the next. Not fun. They went away after about a year and slowly came back as little 60-90 second hot flushes where my face would turn pink and be gone, never breaking a sweat. I can live with that at 76.

I always suspected the HRT in later years caused my cancer. Think about that.
USA Gundy

Hi Framilode

What Hrt are you on ?
Thanks
Junie

Hi Autumnrose
Are you on a combi patch ?

Thanks
Junie

Junie1I am on oestrogen only tablets as I had a hysterectomy. I can't remember the name of them offhand. My GP wanted to put me on patches but I had a skin reaction.

I had to fight tooth and nail to stay on it in my sixties. Now everything seems to have changed and my GP is delighted to prescribe it for me.

Autumnrose

I have been on HRT since I was perimenopausal and am now 76. I feel very grateful to the enlightened GP who started me on it. A recent DEXA scan showed I have the bones of a 30 year old and I am generally fitter and ageing better than friends who are younger. Menopause happens because of an oestrogen deficiency. Other hormonal deficiencies are treated with hormone replacement such as thyroid and insulin so I fail to see why oestrogen deficiency should not be treated in the same way.

That's a good point Autumnrose. I'd never thought of that before. People aren't told to live with the symptoms of the thyroid hormone deficiency or with diabetes. Obviously there are some risks with HRT and it doesn't suit everyone, but it is odd that there is still some blanket prejudice against something that can improve the lives of women.

Thanks Framilode

Best wishes
Junie

Go to the online Menopause Clinic. They treat each case as an individual. I am 69 and have just started HRT

It’s not good though if you feel your heads on fire & feel nauseous to boot,15 times a day.. (I didn’t get the dripping sweats) felt ill & suicidal! day 3 of HRT symptoms of that disappeared 😀 I just worry that those symptoms will come back if I come off HRT & that’s why I panicked when there was a shortage.
To some ladies who get frequent/ overactive bladder ( had this problem since my early 20s) Botox injections to the bladder may be a good option, had mine done 3 times/ not totally cured but better than it was.

I started HRT at 47 and stayed on it until 74 when I went cold turkey and managed to kick it. I am 86 now and free of all menopausal nonsense . No ill effects from long term HRT. Argue with the doctor if necessary. It's your body.

Every woman is different. Age should not be a factor in prescribing HRT, nor should you have to stop taking it when you reach a certain age. It's a replacement of missing hormones and many women need the supplementation to function well. Research yourself re the options, benefits and risks. Read the NICE guidelines for GPs prescribing HRT and quote them to those GPs who haven't read them. Newson Clinic, the British Menopause Society and many others are helpful sources of research. HRT is available by private consultation and then prescriptions can be given by your GP on the NHS, this can be the fastest and most effective route.

Yes !!!
I was on HRT for five years round menopause then stopped as there was that scare … felt wonderful on it . Been using vaginal cream for ages but doesn’t stop atrophy satisfactorily…. Life has been challenging last two years and having to look after grandchildren more , ageing mother moved into care home … family member with mental health issues aaaargh . Last time saw GP I said I wished I’d never stopped HRT and she said happy to put me back on it as got no contra indications etc … I’ve also seen private HRT doctor . Been in it for 6 months and feel great . Body identical hormones . Oestrogen spray daily and progesterone pesaries every other night . I’m in lowest dose . I’m 72 …. They said lots of 70 year old plus on it . I’m aware of potential risks but body identical hormones are supposed to reduce these . Id rather take small risk than have osteoporosis or incontinence issues later .
Go for it !

I did have sore boobs for a about 3 weeks but that settled .

I did have sore boobs for about three weeks but it settled .. also they said keep using vaginal HRT if needed as no extra risk .

mrsgreenfingers56

I took HRT for 10 months and diagnosed with breast cancer. Often wondered if the HRT was the cause and pushed my oestrogen level too high. Of course I will never know.

I would be extremely surprised if taking HRT for 10 months caused cancer. Really sorry you had to go through that though, we sometimes forget that almost 50% of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives

Mollie3

After many years of suffering, giving up on the NHS,
doing lots of research I found this product that I have been using for more than 20 years

buynaturalprogesterone.com/

It's the best quality one I could find, cheaper ones just don't make any difference. There is lots of information on this lady's website. More information in John R Lee MD book - What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Menopause.

Progesterone helps prevent breast cancer, re-bulds your bones (estrogen does not rebuild bones) stops hot flushes, restores sleep, improves mood and memory, etc.

If you have had a full term pregnancy you cannot overdose on progesterone, it's the very high levels of progesterone during pregnancy that makes the majority of us look for healthy. Remember the glowing skin and thick shiny hair?

Information on dosage with product, as it depends on each individual how much you need.

Progesterone does not help to prevent breast cancer - it has a lower risk than oestrogen but is still a risk a for hormone linked cancers.

Vaginal atrophy is such a horrible term! There must be a nicer way of describing it!

That is what it is Grannieanna. What do you suggest? Shrinking petals !!!

I'm the same as you dragonfly46 . Diagnosed with breast cancer having taken HRT for a few years. Now on tablets to get rid of oestrogen and going through a second menopause. I'd advise caution!