Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[PATHURLEY54]

Hi I worked out how to start a discussion as least ! I am 64 now and was on HRT for about 8 years until my doctors insisted I came off it about 5 years ago. I wanted to stay on it as the patches were helping with my mental health and sleep mostly. Since coming off the HRT  I have experienced a frozen shoulder, and, more distressingly a vaginal prolapse which has put my sex life in the past.

I do physio for the prolapse, but am very nervous to take the surgical webbing route as it has a bad reputation for severe complications.

My question is, are there any benefits to restarting HRT after experiencing some physical repercussions due to of a lack of oestrogen ?

[Joaniepat]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I can't comment on the prolapse, but I would say there are benefits to restarting. I restarted oestrogen at the age of 67 about 13 years after my GP refused to prescribe any more. I sleep better and have far fewer joint problems. Mood is better too.

I'd had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy at the age of 47/48 and was on oestrogen-only replacement, and was fine until this wretched GP took me off it. I wanted to resume to avoid osteoporosis and to help with VA. You might have problems persuading them to restart at your age, but give it your best shot.

JP x

[Taz2]

Hi from me too.

I'm 64 and had my HRT stopped for a while due to my GP not agreeing with it being prescribed indefinitely. I suffered a uterine and bladder prolapse necessitating a hysterectomy and anterior wall repair at 60. My pelvic floor was really weak and the consultant and pelvic floor specialist nurse both wrote to my GP advising reintroduction of HRT to help strengthen the pelvic floor and try to prevent further prolapse and my GP relented. Things feel much tighter while on HRT so I would say it would help with both vaginal and pelvic floor health.

As for the op I believe that mesh has now been banned or is about to be. Have you had a look at the Hysterectomy UK site where prolapses are also mentioned and you may get advice on other options?

Taz x 

[Hurdity]

Hi PATHURLEY54

 

Yes there are benefits to restarting! Provided you have no other health risks which might make restartng inadvisable at your age - and provided you continue to use transdermal HRT ie patches, then no reason why not. The old five year guoidance now no longer applied since the NICE Guidelines in 2015.

Health concerns could be - high BMI (too much fat especially), smoking, too much alcohol on regular basis, high BP, poor diet, lack of exercise, and existing cardio-vascular problems. Provided you are looking after yourself then any risks are thought to be balanced by the benefits between the ages of 60 and 70 and may even be less...

Also even if you do restart do give local oestrogen (such as Vagifem or estriol cream) some consideration as this targets oestrogen where it is needed.

Hurdity x