I agree that Op made an error in referring to THE older generation, rather than older people SHE knows. Whilst we shouldn’t generalise, the broad question about experiencing criticism for taking HRT still stands, as does the question about factors which influence different people’s views about it. Of course, ones own experience at the age of menopause is a key factor in determining that.
I’ve found that when it comes up (and it hasn’t much…until recently, when more people are talking about it) that there are negative attitudes and a lack of knowledge from older women, but also many of menopausal age too. Younger women often admit to knowing zero about it all.
Quite a few women still focus on the issue of cancer risks, which were built up behind what is now understood and caused a lot of fear in the past. I’ve found older women talk about their own experiences (of course) and those who didn’t take it often emphasise it as natural and something they got through, so why shouldn’t people today too. Those in their 40s and 50s seem quite mixed. Quite a few have seemed reluctant to introduce anything into their bodies and are very into natural birth, minimal medication, natural menopause and are suspicious of interventions. Others say they are part way through but have only recently realised it and the information out there at the moment is a revelation to them, including info about HRT. I’m surprised how many say they’ve gone o to it in the kast year. It’s probably my age which means I know lots of women in this bracket, but I feel like I know those people who have caused the HRT shortages…who have recently become aware of facts and out menioause and HRT and seized the opportunity to have it.
In my experience, women still start their talk about it in a whisper. There’s still that sense it’s a bit secret or unsavoury or something many won’t want to talk about. But if you’re in a group of late 40s/early 50s women or older, once it’s broached cautiously by whoever wants to talk about it, I’ve found women open up and want to talk about it. And if someone is knowledgable and introduces interesting facts, some then go away and read up on it a bit.
And Ive certainly found that some people of all ages see HRT as a nice to have, but not comparable to other medications or menioause symptoms equal to other medical conditions people might have.
Its interesting because it’s getting lots of press, people are talking more and attitudes are changing, but like all things, it’s slow and actually there’s still stigma attached to being a ‘woman of a certain age undergoing the change’ and taking HRT is part of the mystery.
I guess for men, it’s something they know they’ll never experience and for women under 40, for the vast majority, it’s something they just aren’t that interested in thinking about or knowing about at the present time. For all of those people it’s something either in the future or ‘for others’ and is akin to thinking about some of the issues of old age we might not want to think about too much - incontinence, falls, dementia etc. People know it’s there, but until they are in it or it’s directly relevant to them, don’t want to think about what’s seen as unpleasant and regrettable.