Post Menopause - Starting HRT?

[velvetydogtoy]

7 years since my last period and am 53 now. Struggling with a few things related to menopause - vaginal atrophy, hot all the time, no libido, aches and pains every day. I tried oestrogen gel for about a week after going to the Newson Clinic but my boobs were so very painful and I felt very brain foggy so I stopped. I cannot go back to all of the crazy hormonal stuff I had when I had periods - I also had endo which was found and dealt with via surgery.

My question is - is it possible to start HRT at this stage so long after my last period? And is it worth it? I do use Estriol topically.

And if it IS worth starting it, is there a really low dose that you can take - a weak patch for example? I found the gel too much even on one pump and I never even got to trying the progesterone tablet.

You're still really young!
You also had what they now consider an early-ish menopause at 46. Average age is 51/52.

Yes, you can start hrt now and at any age (women in their 60s and older start.)

You might want to ask about a bone density scan as you are on the cusp of being at a higher risk (risks are menopausal before 45.)

The lowest dose is a 25mcg patch but you can get the equivalent of that by using gel. Just use half a pump (don't press the cap right down on the pump)

Thanks so much for responding - I respect and value your posts on the Menopause topics so much.

I think I thought that being closer to the 10 years since my last period might mean that the advantages were lessening? Also a mammogram nurse warned me off saying that it was wrong to 'stir all that up again'!

It's so bloody confusing tbf but I feel like I should give it another go.