Still Flashing at 65? You’re Not Too Late for HRT

03/07/2025 30 min Temporada 1 Episodio 58

Listen "Still Flashing at 65? You’re Not Too Late for HRT"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode I break down one of the most frustrating myths I hear in women’s health: that once you reach a certain age — usually 60 or 65 — you’re “too old” to start hormone therapy.Spoiler alert: that is not true. And it’s long overdue that we challenge the outdated thinking behind it.I walk you through how this myth started, what the science actually shows, and how a personalized, risk-based approach is what really matters — not your birthday.Key Topics I Cover:Where the “Too Old” Myth Started: The 2002 WHI study caused panic, but it was never designed to assess quality of life — and its flawed conclusions about age cutoffs still haunt modern care.The Real Impact of Stopping HRT After 60: Many women were forced off therapy overnight, leading to a resurgence of symptoms and long-term confusion among providers.The Truth About Vasomotor Symptoms (Hot Flashes & Night Sweats):Can last 7–14 years or moreUp to 1 in 3 women over 65 still suffer from themMore severe and long-lasting in African American and Hispanic womenOther Menopausal Syndromes That Persist or Worsen With Age:Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Dryness, pain with sex, urinary symptomsMusculoskeletal Symptoms: Joint pain, frozen shoulder, hand stiffnessSleep Disruption: Even without night sweats, quality of sleep drops significantlyCognitive Decline: Brain fog, word-finding issues, memory trouble — not just “getting older”Why There’s No Magical Cutoff at Age 60 or 65: Menopause isn’t a finish line — it’s a transition. And most women spend 30–40 years post-menopause. We can’t ignore their needs for half their lives.What New Data Actually Shows:Later follow-ups (13+ years) from WHI show no increased risk of heart disease or death in women 60+ on HRTSlight increases in stroke and clot risk only apply to oral estrogen — not safer, modern non-oral methodsEstrogen-alone therapy may reduce risk of dementia-related deathCognitive data still evolving — but timing, route, and type of hormone matterWhy a Personalized Risk-Benefit Approach Is Critical: Your chronological age isn’t enough. I look at:Bone densityHeart and brain healthSleep qualitySymptom burdenFamily historyFinal Takeaway: If you're being told you can't continue or start hormones because of your age — challenge it. Ask why. And if your provider can’t answer, find one who can.Follow us!Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationskristinjacksonmd/Website https://www.foundationsfl.com/FB facebook.com/advancedurogynecology