Rethinking Hormone Therapy After 60

For a long time, the message was clear: once you hit 60—or it’s been 10 years since menopause—hormone therapy was off the table. But that advice was based on older data, and science has come a long way since then.

Today, we understand that age alone shouldn’t dictate whether a woman can continue or start menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The decision should be based on your individual health history, symptoms, and goals—not a hard and fast age limit.

So… Is MHT Safe After 60?

According to the The Menopause Society there’s no universal age when MHT must stop. In fact, many women in good health continue to benefit from it well into their 60s and beyond.

A major 2024 study looked at over 10 million Medicare participants aged 65 and up. The findings? MHT can still be a safe and meaningful option for many women—especially when the treatment plan is personalized and thoughtfully managed.

The Full Picture: Health Benefits of MHT Beyond Symptoms

Most people associate hormone therapy with hot flash relief—and yes, it helps. But for women 65 and older, the benefits may extend beyond symptom control. New research shows that estrogen therapy (ET) can support long-term health in some pretty significant ways.

Women on estrogen therapy experienced:

• 19% reduction in overall mortality

• 16% lower risk of breast cancer

• 13% drop in lung cancer risk

• 12% decrease in colorectal cancer risk

• 5% reduction in congestive heart failure

• 3% lower risk of blood clots

• 4% drop in atrial fibrillation

• 11% reduced heart attack risk

• 2% decrease in dementia risk

-Baik SH, Baye F, McDonald CJ. Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women’s health outcomes by types, routes, and doses. Menopause. 2024;31(5):363-371.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38595196/