Is it ever too late to start HRT?

[HannahinHampshire]

Just that, really. I am 61 and had my last period 10 years ago. Menopause for me was relatively painless - I had some night sweats, low level anxiety and some difficulty in sleeping. I was going through an acrimonious divorce at the time so whether the anxiety and sleeplessness was due to that or menopause I don’t know.

I got a good settlement and got on with life, the night sweats stopped as did the anxiety and the insomnia. I’ve put on a bit of weight around the middle which is proving hard to lose, but my BMI is ‘just’ in the overweight category so I’m OK with that but will try to get back to healthy BMI with exercise.

here’s the thing though - over the last couple of months my insomnia has been back with a vengeance. I am busy at work during the day and I feel the tiredness is affecting my performance. My mood is good, I enjoy my single life, see my grown up sons regularly, have a good social life. Can’t complain really.

if I go to the doctor would they consider prescribing HRT or am I too late considering I’m 10 years post menopause? FWIW, I’m not and never have been anti HRT, it’s just that I seemed to have a relatively easy time of it compared to some of my friends.

I don’t want to be fobbed off with sleeping pills or anti depressants - my mood is good but the lack of sleep is beginning to get me down.

All thoughts welcome!

I’m 64 and my best friend 63 both of us looked into this earlier with different drs and both told too late.
still worth asking though for bone health.
plus guidelines are always changing.

In a word. NO.

The British Menopause Society has guidance on prescribing for the 0ver-60s ( starting then, not continuing.)

You'd be given transdermal estrogen (patch, gel or spray) to ensure no blood clots (above your own risk level pre-HRT). If you need the info to print off for a GP I can link to it later.

You get the best reduction in heart disease starting within 10 years of menopause (they call it the 'window of opportunity) so you are just on the edge of that!

So- go for it!

@fallfallfall See other drs!

My menopause consultant told me they started a patient on who was in their late 80s and women still on it in their 90s.

Sadly most GPs are totally ignorant about HRT.

Thank you, I might look into it for bone health reasons. Fortunately meno was easy for me, which held me back from looking into tx.

I highly recommend that you go to a private menopause clinic. It isn't very expensive and it's absolutely worth it. I would not go to a GP.

I hoped you might reply Jingling, thank you. I will ask for an appointment at the GP and see how I get on. Apparently there is a very good female doctor in the practice who is very clued up on menopause matters so I’ll see what she says.

I came on this board to find the answer to this exact question. Similar back story, got through the menopause fairly easily so didn’t bother with HRT. However, now I’m starting to show my age (mid 50s) with a crepey neck and hair starting to thin. I’m wondering if taking HRT now will improve those things, or is it too late once those things have happened?

I read that the window of opportunity closes 6-10 years after the last period.

That relates to the benefits to the heart @SantiagoSky but it doesn't mean women can't have HRT if they start later. It still helps bones, mood, hot flushes, pelvic and bladder health, for lots of women.

@JinglingHellsBells ... bookmarking for that link thanks....