If you want to continue taking HRT or start taking it after age 60, your GP may recommend that you take a low dose and also use patches or gel instead of tablets. The benefits and risks of hormone therapy depend on your age, menopausal symptoms, and any risk factors you have. People who lose estrogen too soon (before age 40) often receive higher doses to replace what their ovaries usually produce for their age. If your symptoms bother you, ask your healthcare provider if you can adjust the dosage or form of hormone replacement therapy to reduce side effects. However, there are some women who still realize that they need some estrogen therapy in old age to control hot flashes; as long as they have started hormone therapy around the age of menopause and have used it on an ongoing basis, this is usually fine.
Doctors also call it hormone therapy (HT), especially when you receive treatment after age 50. Because early estrogen loss increases the risks of many conditions, including cardiovascular disease, people who lose estrogen before age 40 are at risk of heart disease if they don't use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It's particularly important to take hormone therapy to help prevent osteoporosis if menstrual periods stop before age 45 (early menopause). If you have a premature menopause (before age 40) or an early menopause (before age 4), it's especially important to take HRT or the combination pill.
If you want to continue taking hormone therapy or start taking it after age 60, your GP may recommend taking a low dose and using patches or gel instead of tablets to reduce your risk. As you age, and especially after age 60, the risks of HRT may begin to outweigh the benefits. Age, family medical history, personal medical history, and the severity of symptoms can affect your decision to take hormone therapy.
