096 - I have taken HRT for nearly 50 years and won’t ever stop it - Kay Anderson and Dr Louise Newson

Dr Newson has a fascinating conversation with Kay Anderson, a woman in her 80s who began taking HRT after a hysterectomy in 1972, when she was only 36. Kay remembers the frightening and devastating depression that suddenly engulfed her, as a mum with 3 young children, and how her gynaecologist agreed to use her as a 'guinea pig' and let her have some HRT.

They discuss the different types of HRT that Kay has taken and prescribing trends over the last 50 years, and Dr Newson explains how safe modern types of estrogen is through the skin, and how it can protect the health of your heart, bones and mind as you age. Kay has been the only one of her friends to take HRT and is also the only one who doesn't have to take any other medications!

Kay's top 3 tips:

1. See another doctor if they won't give you HRT or try and make you stop taking it.
2. Don't feel pressured to stop taking it, because if you do you will probably be right back where you started.
3. Tell your friends and family what you want, so they can support you to get the right help for you.