AIBU to think HRT can help you look younger for longer?

[birdskirt]

I am currently not on HRT but thinking about it. I am late 40's and when I look around at my friends the ones who have been on HRT since their early 40's seem to still be looking much like they were while those of us who can't take it or haven't yet look older I feel. I've been holding off because I had hopped to have another baby (didn't happen) and also because I was waiting for symptoms to occur which they now have. One of my closest friends went on it pre-emptively in her early 40s mostly due to low energy levels and I think she could still pass for early 30s looks wise. I now have some hot flashes and sleep issues as my holistic approach hasn't been helping I am considering HRT. However I am not sure if I feel some regret that I didn't try it a bit sooner because while I don't think it can reverse aging I do think it seems to slow it down quite a bit and preserve what you have on all sort of levels not just skin and beauty.

Am I unreasonable to think that HRT does make you look better as you age?

While it's true it might be a contributing factor, t's almost impossible to know if a specific case of cancer was caused by HRT. Whereas there is very good evidence it can prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, so everyone needs to weigh up their individual circumstances.

Well this is the million dollar question!

Yes I agree.

I went on HRT shortly after starting work with a new colleague.

About twelve months later she said that there was a very visible improvement in my skin.

We aren't best mates but chatty enough. So she had no reason to mention it.

@Moveyourbleedingarse Really interesting! I think I personally used to feel quite anti-HRT and cynical about its benefit because I wasn't on it and so I didn't really do much research but now that I've looked more into it I feel like I've been missing out!

Drinking alcohol is a higher risk for women than bio identical HRT

Most of my friends in New York are using oestrogen face cream and singing its praises, OP.

I'll be contrary as say, yes, I do think full HRT does keep people looking younger.

I bloody love it.
I take the most amount of oestrogen, the coil and testosterone.

A million other things can cause cancer. It literally didn't factor into my thinking.

The night sweats, poor mood, excessive period bleeding and vaginal atrophy were over riding factors.

I've tried mixing in my vaginal oestrogen with my moisturiser but the preparation is too greasy.

I think the US has different preparations. I'd like some!

@Moveyourbleedingarse Good for you! I think I will join you!

@user58643296 I'd like to try that too!

I'm definitely getting some next time we're there!

I think there's one you can get here (it might be German) called Bezwecken Transitions.

Yet you’ll often read” I’m never coming off it,they’ll have to prise it from my cold, dead hands!” That leads women to think they should have it whether they need it or not!

Total bullshit.

Surely it just means many of us who take it are happy with it? I do feel that way, but can't understand why that would mean someone else should have it.

@FredaMountfitchet I have definitely not gained weight on it, and neither have any friends that I can think of.

@user58643296 I suppose the received wisdom is that it is only needed for symptom management but its the new conversation about if there are benefits to health, vitality, brain, bones, sex drive and even beauty that are "side benefits" but in fact for many women the actual benefit! I think some people believe we should only take it if we really really can't cope without it as opposed to just wanting the other multiple benefits of being on it.

The Natural Doctor Harley Street sells this cream - I have no affiliation just know they sell it

I would say yes, I started at 45 (47 now) and it immediately helped with my sleep (which contributes to how you age). I feel great, good energy, no weight gain, good skin/hair. HRT helps, but I have a lot of lifestyle habits that help too.

Yes I think it does, it’s replacing hormones that are there in younger people. And as people have said, it helps with other things like sleep that can be really aging if there is a lack of. Pain etc.
But also depends on smoking, sunbathing, alcohol etc
Someone on hrt who doesn’t look after themselves in other ways probably looks older to someone who looks after themselves but isn’t on hrt.

I struggled until 47 and i was close to a breakdown. Anxiety and insomnia with night sweats. My moods were off the scale.
I wanted to just end it all.
Within 2 months i was sane again and yes i looked younger again.
At 50 i feel fantastic and i have the motivation again for complete self care.
It was life changing for me.
My symptoms started at 45.

I think the protective effects on bone density are reason enough, in all honesty, but I feel so good on it, I can't imagine going off unless I really had to.

@Thecup Thanks for the heads up! I'll have a look.

This is such an interesting question: to only take it until we can’t cope with symptoms.

It actually gives me the rage, like as if I should stoically wait until I can’t cope with life for HRT. Who comes up with this? And why don’t women deserve to feel their best at all times?

@Hermione101 unfortunately it is very difficult to get under 45yrs on the NHS.

I think it does make you look younger. My hair was getting dry and wiry before hrt and is back to being soft and smooth

Funny you should say that. I'm 61 now and I've definitely aged in this last year.

Is there any point in taking HRT though if you don't have any symptoms? I'm 55 and not taking HRT because I haven't had any of the negative symptoms associated with menopause. I haven't put on weight, my skin is in the best condition it's been in for years and my sex life is great. I have discussed it with my GP who's supportive but there just hasn't seemed like any need so far. I understand that menopause is awful for some people but it isn't for everyone.

I'm 68 now and recently started Ovestin cream, never used any HRT before this, as no symptoms. It will take a while to work, but if it helps my urinary frequency I'll eat the damn stuff ha ha. Other than that I feel no different, nails, hair ok, skin ageing but that's not preventable really, no joint pain and sleep reasonably well with magnesium glycinate to send me off to zzzzzs. So it will be interesting to see if my multiple daytime trips to the loo, pre planning if going anywhere, and dreading long journeys is eased with this stuff. 😊Funny enough it's only now and then I need the loo in the night.