Byrd,

I have been on low-dose Levlite bcp since 47, when symptoms of perimenopause started making me miserable. Last year, at 50, I decided to stop taking them and tough it out. After one month being off, I started them again. Without them my symptoms were similar to yours and my quality of life was suffering. That is a big reason to be on HRT- improved quality of life. Compare your life now with your life when you were on HRT. I know there are no clear answers whether to take hrt, but you doc pointed out that you don't have any risk factors that would contraindicate using it. Just my two-cents.