When do the benefits from natural hormone therapy end? I have encountered this question a number of times recently, so I thought I would write about it.

While I do see more and more younger women in their 30s and early 40s, I am thrilled to say that I also see and hear more from women in their late 60s to early 80s. Some have been on synthetic hormones for decades, and others have just become aware of their options. Most complain they cannot have a conversation about taking hormones with their physicians because they tell the women they are too old to worry either about the effects of the synthetic hormones, or they need to start hormone therapies (naturals) now.

I’m sure you know how I feel about this: pshaw!

I don’t care how old you are. As long as you are alive and on this planet, you have the right to feel good, enjoy life, and experience hormone balance.

I recently saw a wonderful woman. She was in her 70s and looked beautiful. She told me about the great job she had helping older children learn to read. She was full of life and energy. Her doctor had told her to stop taking her synthetic hormone replacement therapy after 25 years, and when she developed horrible hot flashes and night sweats, he told her to take the antidepressant Paxil.

When she asked for better help, he dismissed her.

Fortunately, she was not intimidated by the doctor and refused the medication. She went to a bookstore instead. She told me how she read every book on hormones until she came across my books and then found me. She said she was determined not to give up, “curl up, and die in a corner.”

She said she hesitated only because she was afraid I would refuse to give her natural hormones because she was “old,” and they may not be effective on women her age.

She was wrong on both counts.

There is no age limit for taking natural hormones. The doses may differ, but there are no contraindications or limitations on the amount of time of use reported in the large body of scientific data accumulated on natural hormones over the past 20 years.

Benefits abound and are not limited to the young; they apply to the young at heart, too.

Hormones help us feel better, eliminate hot flashes and night sweats, and improve sleep patterns, sexuality, and mood. They also play a role in weight control and heightened energy levels. All this adds up to improved quality of life and prevention of chronic disease. If you feel better, you’re more likely to be active, feel motivated, eat better, and exercise. The results will add up to keep you younger and limber longer.

So, why would anyone limit the use of natural/bioidentical hormones as we age? If anything, I would encourage women to use natural hormones even more with advancing age. It is the only sure thing we have to forestall symptoms of old age.

For more from Dr. Erika, go to her website.