Because data from the large WHI study from 25 years or so ago have been reanalyzed and estrogen’s black box warning removed. New studies/data have also come out.
This thread has some info and links to current thinking. Generally guidelines don’t recommend women 10+ years past menopause start taking HRT, primarily due to increased cardiac risk.
Thank you…..my annual GYN appointment is next Wednesday and I’ll ask the Dr, but he’s 1 year younger than me and probably would not recommend taking as I have no real issues other than I look my age now (was always one that looked younger than my age until menopause) and I have controlled RA and some tough OA issues. Mom had dementia but not until 90’s, so probably just need to keep on keep’n on with stength training and weight loss and better diet. I do feel pretty good these days just don’t like the “old” look.
My doc said it is now called HT not HRT and generally is not recommended if there is a family history of BC or reproductive system cancers or some other health issues etc. or if a woman is more than ten years past menopause. HT cured my insomnia and inability to fall back asleep in the middle of the night and also brain fog.
No known female cancers on mom’s, but cardio issues and cancer on father’s side. It is interesting that they believe it may aid in the prevention of some forms of dementia - that I’d like to prevent or at least delay until as late as possible.
In addition to talking with your docs, you might read the relevant studies. The data are pretty clear wrt increased cardiac risk of HT for those 70+.
I will try the weekly patch if I can’t get the bi weekly, but all other forms have not been nearly as effective from past experience. Costco said they are out with no indication the bi weekly will be available anytime soon.
Can the patches be combined? Meaning, if it’s possible to find them with a lower dosage, can you double or triple up on them?
Also, do you know of a compounding pharmacy nearby? They often can provide things other pharmacies can’t, though it can be more expensive or not covered by insurance.
We have had luck with Amazon’s online pharmacy filling prescriptions quickly.
Amazon is also out. I hadn’t thought of a compounding pharmacy, I will try that on MondayI will also ask about combining patches but I think all patches are difficult to find. I really appreciate the good suggestions!
I don’t think a compounding pharmacy would be able to help with biweekly patches. Liquid formulations or creams - sure, but making patches with a matrix that holds a certain amount of API to be slowly released over a period of several days would require special equipment and knowledge to manufacture.
I think Bunsen is probably right about a compounding pharmacy not being able to make such a complicated dosage. They could certainly provide gels, creams and pills, if your doctor could come up with an alternate plan.
I did read that the shortage seems to be brand specific and dosage specific, and that you can use multiple patches of lower doses.
I hope you find a solution! I would also hope your doctor can provide helpful guidance.
Off-topic, but I want to throw this out there - creatine has shown a protective advantage in staving off dementia. I don’t take hormones (too far past menopause & zero issues that would justify starting now), but I do take 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per day. It helps with strength training, and the prospect of it helping keep dementia at bay is a bonus.
I used to get a compounded HRT pill (SO much easier to manage!) but my MD doesn’t want the meds, at my age, going through my liver, so I have the patch, a progesterone pill, and a compounded testosterone gel (which I very frequently forget to use and I can’t really tell any difference with that anyway). I stay on the HRT b/c I have osteoporosis, and do also take Alendronate (generic Fosamax) as I don’t want to break any more bones or shrink much more if I can help it.
Honestly, out of all those hormones, I think testosterone would be the last one I’d give up. Feeling of well being (at least I used to have that), emotional stability, stronger bones, heart, lower breast cancer risk.
Are there any downsides to taking it? It does show up on my regular blood tests as in the normal range.
That’s creatinine, which isn’t the same thing. This article has some information, but of course you should do some research yourself, as well. Why everyone’s talking about creatine | UCLA Health
I thought the estrogen was helping with bone preservation, and you have to take progesterone to “challenge” the estrogen. I have the topical testosterone gel (compounded at a pharmacy as it is a class II drug) and I remember it… sometimes.
Estrogen slows down osteoclasts, which are the cells that break down bones - so it slows bone loss but does not actively contribute to building bone. There is some thought that testosterone can help build bone by binding to osteoblasts to help stimulate bone growth (this has not been approved as an official treatment for osteoporosis, though).
Progesterone is combined with estrogen treatment to prevent cancers that can arise from thickening of uterine wall caused by estrogen. No uterus, no need for progesterone. Per my doctor.
That’s true. But That requires no uterus. Otherwise the estrogen shouldn’t go unchallenged, afaik.
The old compounded pill had all 3 (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) but when my previous doc retired the new one said she couldn’t order that b/c they could no longer mail it with the testosterone in it (all I would have to do is sign for it, but…) so she first just Rx the estrogen/progesterone and I had to ask for the testosterone.