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?

https://gremjournal.com/journal/01-2024/menopause-and-the-effects-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-on-skin-aging-a-short-review/

Yes, I believe it does make you appear younger - how could it not?- it affects collagen in your skin, thickens skin layer and prevents sagging, provides lubrication and moisture etc We have oestrogen receptors all over our bodies so to say it has zero effect is a bit silly. Also, if it helps sleep quality and lowering of cortisol then that also directly affects how you look.

Now obviously, it wont reverse damage done by decades of smoking or excessive sun exposure as they will definitely age you but otherwise, yes it does make you appear younger.

I don’t think it’s about hrt, I think it’s about lifestyle op. I’ve noticed in my friends the ones who have lost weight, all 4 mounjaro related, look a lot younger, glowy in the face, flat tummies, neat busts,, and the overweight ones, with the big belly and bust look older.

so I think it’s about diet, hydration, reduced alchohol and exercise. If you eat a healthy diet, work out, are fully hydrated, have limited alchohol are a healthy weight and have muscle tone, it makes you look good for your age.

but if you’ve a poor diet, drink too much, don’t work out etc, your skin and eyes can be dull, your hair lack lustre, and the big belly with a matronly bust on top, can be very ageing

both also impact how we dress, often if overweight we try to hide and disguise our bodies, but if a healthy weight, dress in clothes thay are maybe more current and built to flatter.

Your itchy skin- does it feel "prickly"- like little electric prickles that itch?

If so that means your skin barrier is compromised - I switched to Cerave moisture cream for very dry skin and it completely stopped this sensation. Normal moisturisers dont usually repair the skin barrier, they just provide surface level hydration rather than repairing it.

No, HRT doesn't make you look younger. The people I know who look amazing post-menopause - I'm not going to say younger because I believe everyone pretty much looks their age - are the ones who have lots of time for self care, i.e. either don't work or work part time.

My hair is most definitely better on HRT than it was before.. it was beginning to resrmble Francis Rossi’s ponytail!

Yes, HRT makes you look younger. I have noticed this with myself and others who take it compared to those who dont in my social circle.

Plenty of studies on why this might be.

Just to say that since January I gave quite a drinking, got back into fitness and started eating properly again. I was a mess at the end of 2025 both mentally and physically. I’m about to turn 53 and i think HRT along with my lifestyle changes has helped.

I’ve been on it nearly five years now and it definitely has not stopped the aging process 😆. I wish it had.

You do need to do all the other stuff too! It helps though I think.

Yeah I’m not sure you need to be unemployed or a part timer to have time for self care. Of All the working women I know many are able to achieve it. Having a supportive husband if you’ve young kids helps.

But you don’t need to be a part timer or unemployed to eat healthy, to drink enough water, to limit alcohol, and most people can spare 30 mins a day to work out, be it in the morning or evening. Most people can spend 3 mins applying skin care of a morning.

sure if a single parent, or caring for disabled kids, or a non supportive husband, would all be a limiting factor, but I res;ly don’t think having a full time job is a limiting factor.

You can spare time for most things if they are priority. I don’t have time or inclination to work out (I also have a lot of pain from an injury). But if it meant that much I would find the time.

However I will never waste three minutes faffing about with skin cream! I have amazing skin, no wrinkles or grey hairs and have put literally no effort in.

The irony being I wouldn’t care if I did get grey hair and wrinkles 😬

Ah - I'm talking about the glow and relaxed appearance that money can't buy not 3 mins applying a face cream.

If you have to spent a fortune in money and hours a day, what’s the point? If I had the time and money I sure as shit wouldn’t be spending it on something as shallow as how I look. (plus you can’t polish a turd so in my case it would be pointless)

I've worked in mental health and I can tell you that I met plenty of people who didnt work at all who were stressed up to the eyeballs.

Its simply not the case that if you dont work you are relaxed and if you work you are a stress ball.

There are far more internal and external factors to your mood than a reductionist work/ not work divide.

I started it at 41 and honestly once my severe peri symptoms started I aged 5 years in about 3 mths. My skin was horrendous grey from lack of sleep bags under my eyes and drier than sand paper. Im 43 now and I couldnt bare the thought of not being on it.

But it was more than that I felt like I had woken up in someone else's body one day. Dragging myself around, aches pains. Severe hot flushes, anxiety pins and needles. Dry itchy skin everywhere.

My Gynaecologist put me on it to protect my bone density and Im scheduled for a hysterectomy this year. They are leaving my ovaries but with the level of symptoms I have and my menstruation cycle they think they are doing very little now.

True that - I have recently started a job I absolutely adore, because I love it so much I work stupid hours but I probably look more relaxed than someone part time in a job they hate!

I'm talking specifically about the women in my social circle and who looks the best. Nothing 'reductionist' about it, merely stating facts.

Exactly - plus it's well known that when people cant find a job for long periods of time they get depressed and lack healthy routines.

If time and money were guarantees of happiness then no rich people who dont have to work would ever kill themselves, and they do.

But that’s a different thing, the glow comes from a good diet, good hydration and exercise, relaxed appearance is if you’re in a job or life that stresses you out, not simply as you work. And good skin care also helps with the glow.

But Is eating healthy working out being hydrated using good skin care spending money on how you look?

Noticing it in your social circle isnt factual. I said upthread I have noticed HRT having a positive effect in my social circle and its true, but I also clarified that studies have confirmed this phenomenon.

Its not "factual" that people who dont work look better or younger 🤣

I know someone who smoked heavily and died at age 92- does that mean its "factual" that smoking doesnt harm you?

'Factual' = actually the case as in 'actually the case in my social circle'. Clearly hit a raw nerve with the MN 'desperate to look young' crowd today. 😂

Why would anyone be remotely upset by what you said? its silly nonsense- hence why people are challenging it 🤭

I didn’t start HRT till 47 and I’ve always looked younger.barely any grey hair and good skin, I think I’ve just been lucky