Why is HRT not prescribed for early osteoarthritis?

[Ziggazigahhh]

As title question. I am 43. Potentially have early osteoarthritis in hands, feet… currently being investigated. If early osteoarthritis is linked to low oestrogen, why is HRT not considered treatment?
genuine question. Dr said this briefly in my appointment and it’s only after I reflected this afterwards did I wonder why!

I think doctors are not prescribing hrt as often as they did in the past. Perhaps because of side effects such as weight gain and increased risk of breast cancer. But no harm in asking your GP for more information.

This info sounds outdated.

Really ?!

Very interested in this so just watching

A friend who has osteoarthritis and went on HRT for me I symptoms found it helped her joint pain.

At 48, almost every woman I know has been on it for at least a couple of years so it seems very unlikely your GP/ consultant would say no to a trial at least.

Not sure where the earlier OP’s post about bc risk and reluctance to prescribe came from. That’s simply not the case in 2026!

Thanks this is helpful

i don’t have other big symptoms related to sleep or night sweats so unsure if that is needed for a prescription

Well that's nonsense...

You may find the answer by googling reputable medical websites and medical studies - Im afraid that I don’t know.

I do know that HRT is increasingly being prescribed to women with low bone density to prevent this worsening to osteoporosis. It has less side effects than the ‘standard’ osteoporosis drugs.

AI not that helpful. Apparently it’s not ‘an established benefit’
Little evidence to support (what a surprise…..)

“The main reason HRT isn't routinely prescribed to treat osteoarthritis (OA) is that, although oestrogen may influence joint health, the evidence doesn't yet show reliably enough that HRT improves OA pain or slows the disease down.“

…. even though early OA in 40s age women is extremely likely related to low oestrogen and its effect on tendons, cartilage, recovery etc…?

Not sure where the earlier OP’s post about bc risk and reluctance to prescribe came from. That’s simply not the case in 2026!

It might not be your experience, but it really is the experience of others.

If you really want to give it a try , LIE just say you have a couple off the other meno problems

It’s YOUR body and some GP are well behind tge times . If it was me I’d be doing it for sure

This is not official guidance now.

As in GPs aren't reluctant to prescribe it anymore and the BC risk has been re-examined and downgraded. A few years ago some GPs were reluctant, yes, not now, routinely.

I started perimenopause early (late 30's), and went on HRT partly as a precautionary measure against early osteoporosis. Nobody mentioned osteoarthritis though.

Might not be, but it doesn't take away from the fact it is people's experience.

Went on HRT 15 years ago and it’s done nothing for my Osteoarthritis in both knees. I am looking at a replacement before I’m 60. Great for other things though.

Its your anecdotal experience, yes. But its not accurate to warn other people that their GPs are likely to refuse HRT today because that is no longer the case and most GPs have got the updated breast cancer risks memo.

Agreed. 20 yrs ago, my GP was reluctant to prescribe it. Our practice nurse tells me that thinking has now changed - as did the gynae consultant who saw me two years ago.

I'm 66 and taking HRT to prevent osteoporosis.

Following an injury then scans, I was diagnosed with osteopenia in my extremities and neck plus osteoporosis in my hips. I'm 47 years old.

My GP won't prescribe anything that might help with bone density. Nothing will be prescribed until the metabolic bone team have determined the exact cause(s?) of the problems. The wait for the required specialist appointment is 12 months.

Part of the reason I was prescribed HRT was due to osteoporosis combined with early menopause. Haven't heard of HRT related to osteoarthritis though.

I have osteoarthritis and osteopenia and throughout menopause HRT wasn't once mentioned to me by my gp as an option to consider.
I never asked to go on it as I'd never really looked into it.

Osteoarthritis is different from osteoporosis, IANAD but I didn't think there was a relationship between arthrits and HRT.

i’m not on it but i know more than one person who had to stand their ground to get it.

Gps were keener to offer antidepressants than HRT in some cases

Oh Lord, yes. I went into the surgery looking for HRT when I was in my late 40s and came out clutching a prescription for fluoxetine. I tore it up.

@Mossyfox It's quite the opposite.
More and more women are using HRT as the older risks shown in flawed research from 20 years ago are proven not to exist.

Weight gain is not inevitable.

On 18 years on HRT my weight is the same as before. Size 8-10.

HRT has never been prescribed for osteoarthritis- that's wear and tear and HRT won't prevent that although it can build collagen to help cushion worn joints.