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?

It's pretty important that the benefits of HRT are understood before dismissing it completely. Lack of oestrogen (during menopause) is implicated in loss of bone density, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and cardiac problems. Replacing oestrogen is incredibly beneficial and much better understood these days.

My mum never took it, she is 70 now and looks great, could pass for 60 on a good day!

Definitely!

Good to hear. I would like to continue enjoying cakes!

I take HRT as family history of osteoporosis and Parkinson's. I also have arthritis and a couple of other autoimmune conditions I hoped it might help. I had hoped that one of the side effects might have been an improvement in appearances but can't say I have noticed that. I did lose weight though.

I do think I saw an improvement in joint pain and other autoimmune symptoms but not huge. I hate the faff and if it wasn't for the family history I would look to stop. I have to say I didn't have any of the typical symptoms and arguably felt better menopausal as I used to get dreadful PMT.

I've not had to "put myself through" anything taking her, just need to slap a patch on your bum twice a week. But I take it after being diagnosed with osteopenia. It basically fixed my menopause induced insomnia immediately and stopped my aching joints though so that was a bonus.

I have stopped taking it as I put on weight.

I think this is one of the reasons I feel in a dilemma about it. It's like I don't really feel I need it and don't particularly want to take ut, but then is it silly not to take it with all the benefits it offers?

Yep, all of that.

I don't know how it will play out for me generally, but taking hrt means I'm upping my odds. I needed it anyway as was barely clinging on by my fingertips beforehand. That it could protect my long term health means it makes even more sense.

Btw OP it's not "medication" as such - it replaces a hormone that you lose when you get to menopause. It doesn't "treat" symptoms. You get relief from any bodily effects you have as a result of losing that hormone, but it's not prescribed because you're "ill".

I don't know anyone who uses hrt because of wanting to look young! The women I know personally and through work who take it have all chosen to because the symptoms of menopause were ruining their quality of life.

I don't think of it as medication really, to me it's more about rebalancing my hormones to replace the ones I've lost so that my body functions well and I'm comfortable. More like a supplement than medication.

Amen to this! It's so liberating!

I’m on HRT and have been four over four years now and I’m nearly 60. I intend to stay on it for many years yet, but mainly for the fact that oestrogen will help protect my bones as both my parents had osteoporosis. I’ve also got atrial fibrillation, which I’ve had before I started HRT and I hope that the oestrogen will also help my heart health going forward.

Thanks for all the replies. There are reasons I personally would rather not take hrt, some based on family history. By the same token, the fact it protects against certain diseases makes me think I should. I do know that this is a personal decision but I really value hearing other people's experiences and views.

I've never taken HRT. I'm 61.
I stay out of the sun, am a lifelong vegetarian, teetotal and a non smoker. I keep very active, I've always had big dogs so I walk a lot. I'm size 10/12 and a fairly athletic build. I drink water and use good skincare, but no longer wear make up because I find that is more ageing than anything else!

I'm always told I look young, sometimes people think I'm joking when I say I'm over 60. I definitely do look younger than friends of my age who have taken HRT, but I suspect it's more down to my lifestyle and my genes than being anything to do with HRT.

So no, I don't think you age "dreadfully" without HRT, provided you look after yourself and keep active.

Nice have produced interesting reviews of the evidence of health conditions and any impact of using hrt on increasing or decreasing incidence. Quite accessible info. Also have a look at British Menopause Society info sheets.

It's such a personal decision, so many factors come into it for every woman. Great that you've had a relatively manageable time of it, always great to hear that.

No one can say if they aged/didn’t age (dreadfully 🙄 or otherwise) because they did or didn’t use HRT because no one can ‘Sliding Doors’ it and compare to the alternative!

I’m sixty and didn’t need to take HRT. My main symptoms were dreadful dry eyes, and weight gain. Neither of which can be alleviated by HRT. Friends on HRT tell me it has caused weight gain.

People are generally quite shocked when they find out my age and think I’m younger.

I am sure it’s a great resource for many women, but not everyone needs it.

Sorry,but this is utter bollocks. 'Fit and healthy helps'. Implying only unfit fat knackers get symptoms, blaming women for their symptoms that could be avoided by being 'fit and healthy'. Internalised misogyny at its finest.

I was going to the gym 5 times a week, also doing Pilates and I had horrific symptoms. My sister, the gym bunny, was sectioned with menopause symptoms.

@Zempy dry eyes (part of my autoimmune condition) was one of the reasons I started HRT and it did help. Not a cure but overall better.

@SwedishEdith do the patches stick well? I swim regularly and thought patches might be problematic. Interested in your experience

Hrt helps a lot with my dry eyes. I reduced it recently and the dry eyes were awful until I increased it again.

People have no idea how many body systems are affected by oestrogen deficiency.

I don't swim but I've never had problems with them not sticking, even after a long bath.

I'm on HRT, it helped because I had quite severe symptoms, but it's not the key to eternal youth. Off my two closest friends who aren't on HRT, one of them is annoyingly gorgeous - lovely skin and hair, good genetics and keeps herself fit. The other is healthier than I am, but looks the same age.

HRT is helpful if you need it, but you won't crumble into a mound of dust overnight without it. But having said that, vaginal estrogen will help with atrophy and doesn't carry the same risks.

Definitely dry eyes are a menopause symptom. I ended up with corneal erosion! It was bloody awful.

Dry ears too. Less problematic but weird. I kept on thinking "god my ears are itchy". Turns out it was menopause, the gift that keeps on giving.

I wonder how many other women out there are having random difficulties that they just think are "one of those things" that it's not worthwhile taking HRT for, when in fact HRT could help them.

I can’t take HRT ever because I had breast cancer. It’s coming up to 10 years since perimenopause and 7 years since my last period. I’m tired but I’m working.