Taz-we are disagreeing because I think what you are posting is slightly inaccurate.
How risks rise at a certain age- they are based on the old WHI trials AND they apply to oral oestrogen from what I've read.
There are other favourable stats that show that 10 years of HRT ( starting at whatever age) can reduce cardiovascular disease. There are other stats that show women on oestrogen only HRT have fewer cases of breast cancer than women not on HRT or on combined HRT. There are secondary benefits such as better bone health where relevant ( as in my case) and less bowel cancer. These alone are not a reason to make HRT a first choice treatment necessarily, but they are considerations for each woman and her current or hereditary risks.
The BMS doesn't say what you have written here in my opinion. I may be wrong, but my interpretation of the statement is different!
If HRT is to be used in women over 60 years of age, lower doses should be started, preferably with a transdermal route of administration.
Call this semantics if you like but 'Is to be used ' means to me that if HRT is STARTED at 60 - because they use the word 'started' . They don't use the word 'continued' as in 'If HRT is to be continued'. There is a difference and it may be an important one.
The BMS also says this:
-The decision whether to use HRT should be made by each woman having been given sufficient information by her health professional to make a fully informed choice.
-The HRT dosage, regimen and duration should be individualised, with annual evaluation of pros and cons.
-Arbitrary limits should not be placed on the duration of usage of HRT; if symptoms persist, the benefits of hormone therapy usually outweigh the risks.
If that is not saying that HRT can continue indefinitely based on a woman's own choice and medical history then I don't know what it IS saying!
It IS a myth in the sense that there are no guidelines or recommendations to say women have to stop at 60. Individual drs have their own opinions but they are precisely that: opinions. To my mind the statement from the BMS tries to put an end to women being denied HRT due to duration on it, age , etc.
You ask about my experience: I've answered this question already a few times. I discuss duration and risks with my specialist at my appts. I've reached 5 years so wondered how long I could continue- risks supposedly rise after 5 years ( again, old WHI trial - later trials such as the Danish one studied women for 16+ years and saw no increase in major risks) and many drs make women stop after 5 years. When I mentioned that I'd have to come off it sometime he didn't agree. I am 60 next year and it's been suggested that I will probably have a break for 3 months or thereabouts not because I will be 60 but because I'll have been on it for 7 years, so it might be an idea to see how I get on without it.
