For many women, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy after 65 are undeniable, and you may take great comfort in the knowledge that turning 65 doesn't mean HRT is no longer an option. However, the truth is that some risks, such as blood clots and dementia, may increase with age or duration of hormone therapy.
There is no specific age cut-off for starting HRT.
Hormone therapy can be extremely beneficial for bone health purposes for women up to the age of 60 years, and in some circumstances women may continue hormone therapy after this age, depending on their general health, family history and bone density / history of fracture.
In women starting HRT when aged between 60 – 70 years, the benefits equal the risks. Starting HRT after the age of 60 does not lower the risk of heart disease but it is not thought that it increases it either. Starting HRT over the age of 70 may have more risks than benefits.
While there are many inevitable health consequences of menopause and aging, the initiation of systemic or local HRT may be both appropriate and acceptable in some older women in order to improve the quality, if not the quantity, of life.
However, a Mayo Clinic study found that many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood changes and other menopause symptoms beyond mid-life and into their 60s, 70s and even their 80s.
Endometrial (womb) cancer: oestrogen-only HRT increases the risk of womb cancer. This increased risk gets bigger the longer HRT is used, and may stay for some years after HRT is stopped. This is why it is usually only prescribed to people who are not at risk of womb cancer.
Yes, it is generally safe to take progesterone after menopause. However, as with any medication, some women may experience certain side effects.
HRT is also known to help women maintain softer, smoother skin, resulting in a younger look. In addition to—and, often, as a result of—these physical changes, HRT often changes how you see yourself.
Genes associated with follicle growth were not significantly altered by vitamin D3. However, it increases expression of genes involved in the estrogen-biosynthesis. Further, estrogen concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media increased in response to vitamin D3.
Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer risk
Because of this risk, doctors usually recommend that women with a history of breast cancer should not take types of HRT that affect the entire body (called systemic HRT). HRT has also been linked to cardiovascular risks, such as heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies
Some plants and supplements that people may take to treat hormonal symptoms include: phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains. folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid)
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could help prevent Alzheimer's Dementia among women at risk of developing the disease – according to University of East Anglia research.
But there's hope for relief from the increased belly fat and weight gain that comes along with menopause. A recent study of postmenopausal women, ages 50 to 80, found that those who took hormones had significantly lower levels of belly fat than women who did not take hormones.
In addition to increasing longevity, hormone replacement therapy can help to address many of the changes we experience as we grow older. Estrogen therapy is associated with healthier and younger-looking skin in women.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase epidermal hydration, skin elasticity, skin thickness (Sator et al 2001), and also reduces skin wrinkles (Phillips et al 2001). Furthermore, the content and quality of collagen and the level of vascularization is enhanced (Brincat et al 1987).
The International Menopause Society guidelines recommend that if menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is prescribed, it be commenced before the age of 60, or within 10 years of menopause.
Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. This can give you a feeling of warmth (hot flash). Your face may look flushed.
Most women experience menopause around age 50, though it can occur before that age. The usual age range is 45 to 55. With menopause: The ovaries stop making the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
However, most women who are otherwise fit and well do still gain benefits from taking HRT even if it has been more than 10 years since their menopause. You may decide to start HRT now because your symptoms have worsened, or you were expecting them to have gone by now but they haven't.
HRT was associated with a gain in life expectancy of between 0.39 and 0.79 years for mutation carriers undergoing both prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy.
So in summary, the safest types of HRT are the oestrogen applied through the skin as a patch, gel or spray with body identical micronised progesterone.