Stopping HRT Suddenly

[TheLadyAnneNeville]

So, because of the new evidence that taking HRT for 4/5 years plus may lead to an increase in breast cancer for as long as 10yrs AFTER coming off.

I’m 58. Have been on it 4 yrs. GP felt it’s time to come off due to family history and told me I could just stop. No need to tail off, just stop dead. So will I suddenly age? Will I have all the menopause symptoms I had before?

She also told me to buy VitD and calcium supplements and when I asked her about a baseline of Vit D levels before I start supplementing, she said it wasn’t necessary 🤷🏻‍♀️

I feel that I’ve come out of the surgery with very little info. Doesn’t anyone know what happens? Thanks

I would ignore the research you are talking about.

There has been a huge amount of controversy over it and a lot of anger amongst meno consultants that GPs are telling women to stop

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/breast-cancer-risks-from-hrt-by-leading-breast-cancer-specialist-professor-michael-baum

www.newsonhealth.co.uk/news/terrifying-press-releases-are-unforgivable-says-leading-breast-cancer-specialist-ucl-professor-michael-baum-of-recent-media-coverage-of-hrt

I have discussed this with my own meno consultant who is far more relaxed about it and somewhat sceptical of the research.

You have only used it for a short time. The risk is tiny- something like 1 extra case per 100 women on HRT ( so the risk goes up from 6 cases per 100 in women not using hrt to 7 in women using it.)

It's your choice not your GPs how long you stay on it.
You could look at it that f the risk stays, why not carry on and get all the benefits?

I'd advise you to ignore the Lancet paper and read other info.

what is your family history? Mother or sister with BC?That might be a consideration but not always.

I stopped my hrt after a year. Just stopped when I ran out. Having had so many problems trying to obtain the stuff in the first place (this was nearly 20 years ago). Felt no different once I stopped with the exception of my (I believe) hrt induced headache went within 24 hours of taking the last patch off. And no I didn’t suddenly go from being 28 - 50 within a week. (Early, total radical hysterectomy). I haven’t suffered any bone loss either.

Should add - I have zero medical training.

It's your choice not your GPs how long you stay on it

I wish someone would tell my GP that! I'm sick of being bullied to come off.

@JinglingHellsBells... Nan (61) Auntie (52) and 37yr old cousin. All died ca breast.

@Bargebill19 it’s also getting so difficult to obtain. Have had 3 different “makes” in past year due to HRT shortages

Someone Correct me if I’m wrong but that isn’t considered immediate family history of breast cancer. Immediate family history for breast cancer is dad, brother, mum, sister, daughter. Also, if you carry one of the genes then your risk factors for other types of cancer also increase - would your GP be willing to refer you for a test before you come off?

I gave up suddenly and was absolutely fine, in fact better! It made me wonder why I'd ever gone on HRT in the first place.

After a couple of weeks the flushes returned but they weren't too bad and don't last forever. I am pleased to say there were no more periods.

My cousin came off after being on it for years and years and she was fine, didn't even have flushes.

I think a lot depends on your age and whether or not you have actually reached the menopause. Most people are peri-menopausal when they go on HRT, I was. My cousin was quite a lot older, in her sixties, when she stopped taking it hence no flushes.

@TheLadyAnneNeville @GrumpyHoonMain

For family history to be relevant, it's your Mum and sister who have both had BC and usually at a young age (ie before 50.)

Other members of extended family don't count.

It's your choice what you do @Lady.

The Lancet report is not one to really latch onto. It's your own preferences and symptoms that matter. The research in the Lancet is under discussion with other specialists. One of the reasons is that the type of hrt women used then (for research purposes) is not the same type as many women use now.

Cancer is linked to lifestyle- they estimate that 40 per cent of cancer is down to lifestyle - poor diet, being overweight, sedentary and smoking. so if your family history includes any of the above, that's relevant.

The risks of coming off quickly are heart problems. Most GPs seem unaware of this but latest research does show there is a risk if you just stop, The advice is to reduce over 3 to 6 months.

@Bargebill19

Have you had a DEXA scan to show your bones have not lost density or are you assuming you are okay as no fractures?

I wish someone would tell my GP that! I'm sick of being bullied to come off @thenightsky YOU can tell your GP! It's clearly set out in the NICE guidelines- they say it's a partnership/ joint decision .

Your GP has to explain the risks to you and then it's your decision what to do.

If your GP is not doing this you need to print off the Nice guide and show them,

@TheLadyAnneNeville I tried to come off my hrt after 12 years recently. I reduced it slowly over a month to nothing. I had poor sleep and night sweats . I'm a lot older than you. I discussed with my consultant and have gone back on it. I may try again to stop, and give it a bit longer, but I can't function without sleep and that in itself is a risk factor for a lot of disease.

Thanks so much for replies which have eased my mind on the Ca. breast problem. I’m not sure what I’ll do. I cannot suggest anything to my GP. The last time I did, I got a talking to about “self diagnosis via the internet”. I did feel that as I had a late afternoon appointment and it was the very end of that surgery, she looked like she’d had enough. I might be being a bit judgemental there but she just said “you can just stop it or reduce, it’s up to you”.

Ahh, what to do, what to do...

Now, I’m worried about heart health 🙄 Mum had by pass x 9 aged 51. Then again, she was a smoker, which I’ve never done.

I have discussed this with my own meno consultant who is far more relaxed about it and somewhat sceptical of the research.

Just to say I saw my menopause consultant last week, asked about the increased risk of breast cancer and she said almost exactly the same thing.

Your GP is a cheeky so and so with her 'online' comment.

The whole point of the NICE meno guidelines is that women take an active part in decision making and stop being 'told' what to do by drs.

I am always amazed at how consultants who are really good are happy to talk at length about pros and cons and treat their patients as intelligent human beings, compared with many GPs who want to play God.

You need to do some research and if necessary pay £250 for a meno consultant and get your hour talking all of your worries over with an expert.

My gyn also suggests that there is no time limit for using hrt, it is a personal decision if there are no contradictions.
The Lancet survey is based more on myths and bias from the past.
Regarding stopping it is better to taper gradually.

Please ask your GP to refer you to a Menopause clinic. My GP also bullied me to come off HRT but my symptoms were dreadful when I did and a bone density scan showed osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis) which GPs NEVER tell you about.

I asked for a referral and the Menopause Clinic at Chelsea & Westminster hospital checked my hormone levels before putting me back on it (I use Oestrogel + progesterone in tablet form)

My bone density which during my spell off HRT developed into full blown osteoporsis in my spine, was checked again after a year on HRT and it has improved. I'll continue on HRT in the same way I take meds for blood pressure.

Good luck

HRT is helpful for heart health. If you use oestrogel rather than tablets there is no risk of blood clots.

For me taking hrt is the same as taking insulin for diabetes, I am 44 and my peri started at 38.

I’ve had several dexa scans which shows I have the bones of an 18 year old - have one every five years and zero change in the last 20 years. There is a family history of osteoporosis. I may have just got lucky or there’s a family secret I’ve not been told. But at 50 - I’m happy with the bones of an 18 year old!
I just got fed up of spending days each month trying to fill my prescription. Shortages do not seem to be a new thing with medicine.

@bargebill so you had an premature menopause at 30, you took hrt for a year and you are now 50? (Have I understood?)

And your bones are like an 18 yr olds?

You are rare and lucky.

Are you large boned by any chance?

1 in 2 women over 50 have osteoporosis.
These are women with average age of menopause by and large.

You are very unusual because being without estrogen (I assume) for 20 years since 30 and normal bones now is almost unheard of.

Hope it continued for you.

Yes you are right. Unless the scans are wrong - but given I’ve had them done at different hospital over the years I suspect they are ok.
I’m not big boned- certainly don’t seem to be compared to others. Just average. I do eat a varied diet. I do a lot of weight bearing exercise and have always been reasonably fit. I am slightly heavier than the ‘ideal weight’ but carry a lot of muscle.

Barge I am CrossFit athlete and I hardly can continue my training without estrogen!
I was feeling too ill and weak! I am slightly heavier too, with a lot of muscle too but without my hrt I was unable to have the quality of life I have. You are definitely an exception!

I suspect I’m less of an exception and more of a stubborn old git! (With a dose of good luck.)

Barge, can I ask you if your heart, your skin, your overall health is ok? I am so terrified with my menopause that I am convinced that I will never stop my hrt. You give me hope! :)