Do you really age dreadfully without HRT?

[Lia73]

I'm just about postmenopausal at 52, no period in a year. I've had a few hot flushes and a bit of trouble sleeping but other than that (and some dryness) feel OK. I take vitamins and am fairly active. We have menopause meetings at work and along with my Instagram feed, everyone seems to be on HRT. I keep hearing and reading that women on HRT look younger and age better than those not on it. I'm an older mum so want to look and feel as young as I can for as long as I can...now I obviously wouldn't go on HRT just for appearance sake. I do appreciate it's absolutely essential for some women too but I'd like to hear from those NOT taking it...are you doing just fine without it?

Interesting post, I am watching as similar age to you and not on HRT. Wondering if I am missing out because my energy levels are through the floor 😊

According to my gynaecologist, roughly a third of women sail through, a third have manageable symptoms and a third have severe symptoms. Being fit and healthy helps.

I’ve never taken HRT and feel fine . I do remain fit and active though .

Not on HRT and feel fine: loads of energy, go to the gym (body combat, aqua, Zumba, table tennis) - have a bit of brain fog, occasional hot flush. However, I don’t work full time which probably makes a big difference in how I feel.

I'm sixty and didn't take HRT. I had a couple of years of hot flushed and aching joints but am out the other side now. I wish someone had told me that the things you suffer with menopause don't necessarily stay with you forever, you find an equilibrium after a while and come out the other side.

When I started to get bothered with menopause symptoms I decided I wasn't going to let it age me so gave up booze, really started exercising properly (hill walking, cycling, swimming, weights), changed my diet and lost the three stone I'd be carrying for a while (and which was probably not helping my aching joints).

I don't really worry about looking younger than I am, but I think being fit and strong gives you a confidence and posture that is perhaps youthful.

I do hope this doesn't come across as smug, that's not my intention and I am aware the menopause can be a mare for some people.

I tried HRT but it made me put on a lot of weight so I stopped. I have aged but no more so than my sister who does take it.

There is no “you will…’ on HRT. If you have symptoms of menopause which negatively affect you, the GP will prescribe an appropriate medication to manage it, just like any other condition. Those who go through menopause with no medication, clearly don’t need the medication. Being fit and healthy is no more beneficial to menopause than it is general lifestyle. Just like puberty, it affects different people in different ways. Going without HRT seems to be some kind of badge of honour on here, just like those women who brag about how their life never changed when they had a period, “the pain isn’t THAT bad.” Modern medicine is there to help manage conditions, if you need it, use it, if not, don’t. There is no shame or pride in doing either.

OP

• how we age is part genetic, part environmental (sun exposure, pollution, diet, skincare routine). So it is hard to compare how people in general age on HRT or not. And it's impossible to answer the only important question - would you age a bit slower on HRT vs not on HRT.

If you have good genetics - or for e.g. have thicker collagen layers in your face (typical in Asia, for eg) - your wrinkles won't be as visible, than someone with thinner collagen layers (more typical in European).
So - let's say if you have good genetics and don't use HRT - you may look younger than someone who has a regular European pattern of aging, even on HRT.

But if you were to compare like for like - of course hormones influence skin quality, and all else being equal - being on HRT + taking care of your skin, especially staying out of the sun does help to age a bit slower.
Whether or not you want to get on HRT just for that is the question only you can answer.

Nah. I'm on HRT and love it, but my energy levels are still on the floor!

Not necessarily. I took nothing, and at 64 I've been refused over 60 discounts, and I can get away with 50 as my age - I told someone gossipy I was having a big party next year for my 50th just because I was annoyed with her (she's mid 50s and always saying I should use x product or y product or dye my hair or whatever), and as a result a certain group of people I know now think I am 49! Has even got back to my neighbours, who refuse to believe my age. DH is put out because being retired they though either he'd retired at 55 or that he had a much younger wife!

For me, I wouldn't see it as badge at all...or something you just 'have to suffer'. As you have correctly said, if there is something that can alleviate difficult symptoms, of course you should take it. I've just seen a lot of posts and information coming through the other way...things like 'I look so young and so fit' because of hrt! The posts are telling me women need eostrogen for almost everything related to staying and feeling youthful and being healthy. This is why I wanted to hear from the other side too, to get a balanced view. Thanks for your reply ☺️.

Never had HRT, nor did my sister; we’re both now mid-sixties. Some osteoarthritis, but I’ve no idea whether HRT would have protected against that. We both worked, keep active and look substantially younger than we are (based on how likely we are to be offered pension age discounts unprompted!).

Some people need it, some don’t, I have a chronic aversion to taking medication - 30 years of birth control was bad enough. I’m lucky to be old enough not to have been tiptoed around at work in the years when my jacket was constantly on and off my shoulders.

Haha..love this!

I believe hrt does offer good protection for bones which is a reason I'd take it, but I also don't really want to take medication etc if possible. Nice to hear you and your sister are doing well!

I don’t take HRT only to solve the symptoms I have experienced now I take it to prevent problems further down the line. I certainly don’t take it to look younger - that’s entirely mental. ( because that train keeps on rolling ). I find this idea that you take it like paracetamol for a headache a little short sighted.

I take HRT because symptoms relating to menopause massively negatively impacted my life. I've no idea if it makes me look younger than I might have looked if I wasn't taking it; maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. What it does, is enable me to keep working and functioning in the way I want to.

I've never heard of anyone taking it to look younger. Seems a bit sledgehammer to crack a nut if that's really your only worry at age 52. Just buy a face cream and count your blessings maybe.

No, not at all.
In fact, I cannot fathom putting myself through HRT.
Speaking for myself, I believe it's a combination of not having to work, not having children and not drinking alcohol.

I’ve found that one of the main benefits of menopause is not giving a shit about how old I look anymore.

I also don't know what to do about this. I am experiencing symptoms, hot flushes, night sweats, headaches. But I don't react well to taking hormones and have never been able to take the pill. I would like to know which is better for your health in the long run. And yes, which option ages you the most?

Never taken systemic HRT only topical estrogen for vaginal dryness. No aches or pains or thinning hair. I have always had greasy skin and that’s come in quite handy now

HRT provides protection from osteoporosis and cardio vascular disease. My mother had osteoporosis and my father vascular dementia. I'm hoping that, alongside dietary changes and exercise, HRT will help lower my chances of getting these.

It's certainly helped with temperature regulation. I have no idea if it helps me look younger, but I don't really care about that anyway.

I am 61 and love my HRT. The male GP (who ‘understands’ the menopause, he says) says to come off but the nice lady GP, post menopause nice lady, says that the male GP will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Says there is no reason to come off it and lose all my lovely hormones.
I probably look mid 50s, according to colleagues. I keep fit, lift heavy weights, race bikes, even a tandem, and eat sensibly. I also moisturise twice daily facially and once daily on the rest of my skin. If I have 2 showers, I moisturise after each one. Marie Helvin told me to, so I do.

I pointed out to male GP that I ‘understand’ erectile dysfunction - I have read a medical paper about it - but that means Jack shit unless you’ve experienced it.

Haha...yep that's a good thing! For me, I don't wanna be mistaken for my son's gran, he's only 7 bless him! But, honestly, I wouldn't go on hrt solely to try and stay looking younger as that is not a reason itself.

I was lucky that menopause was a total non-event for me. I never consulted a doctor nor have they ever asked me about it, so I never had any HRT. More than a decade later, I'm often told I look younger than my years, which is nice! My skin is good, hair is white but still just as thick, no major health issues so far. And I'm not a gym-goer nor do I often decline cake!

I’m on it but not for looking younger.

I don’t think asking for it to look younger would be enough to get it on the nhs.

im on it for the prevention against osteoporosis and dementia. It has helped my dry skin and my hot flushes. Also wanted it for the brain fog and energy - but it hasn’t helped with that for me. I’m back next week to ask for a tweak. Also have zero sex drive so going to ask for testosterone.

I also have the oestrogen pessary which has helped with the vaginal atrophy.