To just stop HRT

[ArtesianWater]

I am 44 and have been on HRT for a little over a year. Long story but my GP was never quite sure it was peri - in particular, I had long covid and the symptoms (mainly irregular periods) began during that. I asked my GP if the covid could have messed up my hormones and she said it was perfectly possible but the medical profession doesn't yet understand the full impact of long covid. After other investigations she suggested an HRT trial and it really helped. I never questioned that it was the right thing to do.

Fast forward a year and I realised the other week that my boobs are constantly sore to the point of really uncomfortable. I also feel not quite 'me', I know that's a really vague description but I'm not sure how else to explain it and had a weird instinct to reduce the oestrogen gel. I did and felt much better. Then I skipped it one night and felt even better. Then I let the 'break' run for a few days. It's now been about 4-5 days without it and so far I feel much better. My boobs have gone back to normal, I think I have more energy and feel 'lighter', strange though that may sound. I am having an unexpected period but that's not surprising really.

Obviously I will go and see my GP, but it can take weeks to get an appointment and I wondered if anyone else has ever stopped HRT of their own volition? Is it ok to do and does anyone have any advice on how to monitor / manage coming off it if I decide that I don't need it?

I would guess I was ill for about 2.5 years altogether but the first year was taken up with repeat covid infections.

It's generally a healthy diet with a good inclusion of iodine and selenium containing foods like fish, eggs, Brazil nuts. And limited soy, especially processed soy. Even now my periods get really screwed up if I have something like a protein bar with soy protein. Some edemame or soya sauce with sushi on occasion is fine though.

Thank you - and thank goodness sushi is not banned altogether, it's my favourite food!

Not controversial - I think lots of women think that

I’m almost the opposite though - I think it’s a feminist act taking medicine to feel better and stay healthy longer.

it is fascinating though that this medical pathway has such different reactions though

op you can totally have a break! I did. I then went back on to another hrt when my periods stopped and that suits me very well. Hormones fluctuate anyway during peri and it sounds like you are having a surge of something so getting too much right now

I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive.