Menopause usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen sooner. It affects anyone who has menstrual periods. Hormone replacement therapy helps with symptoms and it has. There is some debate about the age at which hormone replacement therapy should be started.
Some people start at age 16 because many medical professionals agree that the transition to adolescence may be easier. By starting to take hormones during adolescence, transgender people can begin to make immediate changes. Some men and women believe they may be too old to start hormone replacement therapy. Women 60 and older can still benefit from hormone replacement therapy, but they should carefully consider their options and discuss their symptoms with their doctor before making a decision.
Similarly, men in their 60s and 70s whose low testosterone levels are greatly reducing their quality of life can benefit from testosterone replacement therapy under the guidance of an experienced hormone specialist. If you have a premature menopause (before age 40) or an early menopause (before age 4), it's especially important to take hormone therapy or the combination pill. If you have symptoms, you may wonder at what age you can start hormone replacement therapy. Discover the best age to start gender affirmation with hormone replacement therapy and take another step towards your true self.
Regardless of what stage of life you are in, deciding whether and when to start hormone replacement therapy is a serious decision and not something you should make alone. 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. When hormone replacement therapy is used for more than five years, the risks of blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer (especially when using drugs that contain progesterone) may increase as you age and the longer you take the medication. However, some people notice more significant symptoms as they age, which could be related to hormonal imbalances.
For these patients, starting hormone replacement therapy at a relatively young age can help “get ahead of worsening symptoms before they worsen.” A personalized HRT treatment plan that is controlled by a doctor provides significant benefits for both men and women of all ages, if justified. As you age, and especially after age 60, the risks of hormone replacement therapy may begin to outweigh the benefits. In some patients, hormonal changes occur sooner than expected, while others notice signs of menopause or andropause when they arrive at middle age.
