HRT in the long term

[Poetrypatty]

I've been reading a lot of recommendations on here for HRT and am considering it, but what I'm not sure about is what happens in the longer term- when you stop taking it do the meno symptoms come back or have they passed?

Also, if you don't stop, there must come a point where the risk of taking it is getting too much as you get older, I think it's more risky the longer you've been taking it? So what's the longer term strategy for people taking it?

I’m 54, I took HRT for 18 months because I felt anxious, had insomnia and awful night sweats. It stopped these but gave me more migraines and bad mood swings. Two different types and two strengths, I gave up when I felt suicidal,
It’s two years since I stopped HRT but I’m seriously considering trying the Newsome clinic so I get advice from someone who knows what they’re actually talking about rather than my gp who told me I probably know more about menopause than her. She told me she know nothing about HRT

That sounds tough Freebird61 glad to hear your prognosis is good. Really appreciating your post and perspective. Lots of food for thought on these posts and thanks all for contributing.

It's terrible how women are really in the dark about a lot of it even though HRT has been around a while.

What I'm wondering also is do the hormone swings just naturally balance themselves out in the end if you don't take HRT? I'd say my perimenopause has been going about 7 years so far it's worse sometimes than others. Still having periods and can't wait for them to stop.

Have you watched the Davina channel four menopause documentary where she looks into this?

Long thread on Menop-matters.

I'm 47 and my doctor has told me I'll be on it for 5 years maximum. I'm not sure how they work this out tbh

Thanks isitweds9thseptyet I have watched the Davina and have read quite a bit on here about it. I can definitely see the advantages of starting it, but haven't read or heard anything really about what happens in the long term and how and when people stop.
Thanks lljkk will have a read of that.

I started taking it in my late 40s and it helped a lot at the time.

However due to shortages I was put on a new one which didn't suit me so well. I started skipping doses and felt fine, so I gradually stopped altogether.

It's been a few months since I stopped and I don't feel any different to when I was on it so I see no point in starting again. I'm 59.

I have been on HRT since I was about 52 and am 57 now.

It has been transformational.

I run my own business in quite a demanding field (and work mainly with much younger people) and I feel I really need it to keep mentally sharp, as well as the other benefits.

However I would also like to retire in about 5 years or so and then I will probably try gradually reducing it/giving it up completely.

At the moment though you would have to rip it from my cold dead hands, I wouldn't be without it.

I also take care with my diet and not drinking too much alcohol to balance the other risks. And exercise.

There's also lots of good advice on the Menopause board.

My GP persuaded me to try to manage without it as at that time ( c. 15 years ago, so it might be different now) there was a concern about breast cancer risk being increase with usage beyond 5 years, and once you started it would be difficult to come off it.

As said, I don't know what the current thinking is, but I managed ok without it.