HRT meds - time limits?

[DointItForTheKids]

I've been on patches for a while (sadly, due to my addled mind I can't remember exactly how long but it must be a year I'd say).

Whenever I go to see my GP she keeps banging on about "We'd expect you to stop after 2 years - that's the maximum".

Firstly, I've heard of people in their 70s who are still on it and I can't imagine if they are 70 that they only recently started the meds - they must have been on them for a while.

And then, where does this 2 years start from? No one can tell us for sure if we are in peri menopause or actual menopause (right?) but if we're still having periods does that mean we are in peri menopause and thus, if there is this arbitrary 2 year limit, surely it wouldn't start until your period had stopped - or would it?

I just wondered if others had been told that they must be off it in 2 years. Honestly, I don't think I'm going to have finished menopause then and would rather wait some time after my periods have stopped (they haven't yet, get the odd one every 2 or 3 months still but with endless weeks of pre-periodyness!) so clearly not through it yet, and am wondering if I'm going to be facing an argument/uphill battle when my 2 years is 'up' and I say well actually, I don't want to stop having the patches yet.

It's rubbish there is no time limit. Go to the website of Dr Louise Newson, easy to access great site. All the stuff you need to know is there. Change your GP- she's way behind the times.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/how-long-can-women-take-hrt-for

www.beingeve.net/treatments/hormone-replacement-therapy-answers-to-the-10-most-common-questions

See question 8- she has a patient aged 92 on HRT.

A have visited a number of gyns privately and everyone has his own theory.
I was told too that there is a time limit about 2-5 years and it depends on age.
I personal disagree and I think that I know better my body and my needs. I guess that I will stay on it the longer I can.

Thank you ladies you see, that's what I thought!

I scoured the NICE Guidelines and couldn't seem to see anything about when the clock starts ticking and time limits. I shall be challenging her don't you worry (poor woman... doesn't know what she's dealing with!).

I'm off to the website Jingle - thank you for the link.

I think a limit like this is batshit - surely that's from the days when they thought it caused all types of cancer?

Apologies for taking so long to reply, first chance I've had!

I’ve been on HRT for 6 years. I’m 58 and haven’t had a period for around 3 years. I had a sore lump in one breast and was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound about 3 years ago. It was just a noduley area and the pain was hormonal and the consultant recommended starflower oil and if possible to stop HRT after 5 years as at my age the slight risk of breast cancer increases.

I am trying to taper off at the moment and the hot flushes/sweats are already back after 2 weeks of alternate days of tablet. I’ve had the same breast issue again and have just been referred for an urgent mammogram but the GP isn’t worried about it . If the mammogram is clear this time and my hot flushes start to really go back to how they used to be (a complete nightmare) I will go back on HRT but probably patches. There’s no history of breast cancer in the family and my life was being wrecked by the menopause symptoms so I’m prepared to take a slightly increased risk in return for increased quality of life.

that's interesting info heritage. This is my fear, that if made to come off it i'll be right back to where I started - but I'm still having periods so think that some of this arbitrary 2 years being quoted is being 'used up' on that! When I might not even be in menopause actually at the moment!

I've had a lot of weird breast behaviours. About 2 years ago right boob went about 15% bigger than the right, hot and red - saw breast surgeon, he wasn't worried. Went back for something else, again he wasn't worried. You always get looked at as though you're some type of hypocondriac. "Oh there's no lump". Er, you have heard of inflammatory breast cancer haven't you?! You'd be a bit daft to not go when one boob goes bigger than the other and is hot and red but hey ho.

I'm on the patches and get on ok with them. I think you're right, it's a personal choice, but I agree that you have to play off symptoms against any increased risk and in fact, I believe that that most massive indicator for BC is being overweight so, sounds like a sensible decision. Until you've lived through sleepless night hot flushes and mental mood swings (in the same day!!) no one can know how awful it is and how much you'd want those symptoms gone.

I'm sure all will be well with your mammogram.

My consultant always says there are risks (small - very small) with HRT but risks not taking it- and more women die early who have not used HRT (from all diseases) and from other diseases which HRT prevents- osteoporosis and heart disease. So many GPs play the risk card when it's all out of perspective- being overweight and drinking more than 2 drinks a day has a much higher risk than HRT.

Thanks Doinit . I’ve had issues with the same area in the right breast for years. Last time I was referred GP could feel a lump, this time no lump but she said she has to refer but isn’t worried. The area is dense and very lumpy generally so I’m happy to have it checked now it’s got so sore again.

My fear is that HRT has just delayed the inevitable and when I do stop I’ll be back to non stop flushes and sweats. I so hope not. I haven’t the advise to stop after 2 years. Is this a new thing. My GP yesterday didn’t seem overly concerned I’d been on it for 6.

I never intended to take HRT and used to roll my eyes at women fanning themselves wildly . I feel so mean because I had NO idea just how all consuming hot flushes are and just how many you can get each day. Plus the waking up multiple times a night chilled with soaking pjs and beeeing after night sweats. I felt so weak all the time. I swear if my breast is ok and those sweats are as frequent as they were before I started, I’ll sign a declaimed to say I accept the slight risks and beg to go back on them.

bedding not beeeing 🙈

If meno was only hot flashes I would prefer to have them for all my life. It is more unfortunately than this, osteoporosis, heart diseases, loose skin, muscle atrophy, thinning hair and so on. There is no information at all about meno when we are young. It is still a taboo subject...

@Heritage HRT doesn't delay the menopause. Your body goes through it once. If you still have symptoms if you stop hrt, you'd have those symptoms all the time you were on it or not on it. HRT just relieves the symptoms for as long as you need it.

two years was a timescale that was plucked out of nowhere 20 years ago when some drs decided women could use it for the shortest time and decided that was between 2- 5 years.

That is now old and out of date prescribing and no one with up to date knowledge believes that now.

Jingling thanks for that. The GP told me yesterday that whether I stopped HRT suddenly or reduced it gradually I’d still have hot flushes when I stopped because the oestrogen level would be low again. I took that to mean that I’d definitely have hot flushes. But after what you’ve said, I’m guessing she meant if I’m still having hot flushes it’s not from stopping the HRT but because I’m still experiencing menopause symptoms the drug damped down.