The benefits and risks of taking HRT depend on your age, your menopause symptoms and any risk factors you have. If you're under 60 years old, have menopause symptoms, and are not at high risk of breast cancer or blood clots, the benefits of HRT are likely to outweigh the risks.
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.
HRT for older women
Older women often need smaller doses of estrogen than younger women, and there are preparations of lower doses specifically for older women. The safest way to take replacement estrogen is through the skin in a patch, gel or spray.
You can safely get relief with hormone therapy (HT), according to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Under some circumstances, low-dose HT, one of the most effective treatments for symptoms of menopause, may be appropriate for women over 65 who meet certain health criteria.
Age. Women who begin hormone therapy at age 60 or older or more than 10 years from the onset of menopause are at greater risk of the above conditions. But if hormone therapy is started before the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks.
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.
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. In practice, the majority of women seeking treatment of menopausal symptoms fall into this group.
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.
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. In very real ways, using HRT to address symptoms of hormonal change can help you feel younger.
One alternative that is now generating substantial interest is phytoestrogens and in particular a group called isoflavones. These are compounds found in foods that can behave in a similar way to oestrogen in the body.
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.
Symptoms of low estrogen can include: 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).
Low estrogen can affect your body in various ways, depending on where you are in terms of your sexual development. Low estrogen: May delay puberty, slow or prevent sexual development. Occurs in perimenopause and menopause, often leading to painful sex, lower sexual desire and hot flashes.
Studies have revealed that decreased estrogen levels in the postmenopausal stage may speed up skin complications and signs of aging, such as dryness, wrinkles, and delayed wound healing.
And the continued low estrogen levels lead to more serious health concerns. The rate of bone loss speeds up, increasing your risk of low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. You also have a higher chance of having a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related issues.
While there are individual risk factors that may or may not make you a good candidate for HRT, the world's leading medical bodies now agree that hormone replacement therapy after age 65 is not only safe but highly beneficial for improving and maintaining your quality of life.
For example, we know that some types of HRT can increase your risk of blood clots. That baseline risk will generally be much lower at age 40 compared to age 60. An increased risk because of HRT at 60 is much more significant than it would have been when you were in your 40s.
Managing menopause symptoms without HRT
Cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, and quitting smoking, can minimize your hot flashes. Exercising regularly can reduce your risk of weight gain, as well as symptoms of hot flashes and disrupted sleep.