Hi reesa and welcome to MM. It's nice to welcome another late starter. I restarted HRT last year aged 67. Mine was stopped by my GP in 2003 against my will.
My current regime is 2 pumps Oestrogel, a blob of Testogel, Vagifem every third night and vaginal moisturiser twice a day. What I hoped to achieve was an improvement in vaginal atrophy, to ward off osteoporosis and to get some improvement in mood, energy and motivation.
VA is much improved now, but it took quite a while. I have been on Oestrogel for four months, and using some form of local oestrogen for about eight months.
The mood and energy are, I think, getting there, but I have only been on the Testogel for just over two weeks and it takes a few months to get the full benefits. I think in starting HRT at this age it takes a while for one's hormone receptors to wake up.
Having had a hysterectomy I can't comment on the progesterone element, but I'm sure someone who can will be along soon.
I've always been prone to dry skin, too. I use Doublebase Emollient Wash Gel in the shower and Doublebase Gel afterwards. They work a treat and you can get them on prescription or otc. Have you considered seeing a dermatologist about this?
Do you attend a menopause clinic? I can't imagine a bog-standard GP would be that adventurous in prescribing HRT at our age
JP x