Been on HRT for 4 years, is it time to stop?

[RBKB]

I was getting anxiety, hot flushes, but the worst was night sweats. Been very happy on oest gel and prog pills, but had a chat with GP who seemed a bit vague, but implied it might be an idea to stop as 'most people have it for around 5 years'.

I have survived the hell that is parenting through A levels and degrees with my DD, and things should calm down this summer. My job is far more manageable than it was 4 years ago.

Has anyone experience of giving it up, or...staying on it longer? Interested in....if the symptoms will all return, will I put on weight? I'm a grumpy cow anyway and that won't change (because...people). TBH the flushes don't worry me, it's the disturbed sleep that I hate. I'm 52. Thanks all!!

I'm 63 and I've been on HRT for over 20 years , after having an early menopause. I've no intention of stopping - the only negative is the slight increase in breast cancer , but I'm aware of that and I have an annual breast screen. I tried giving up once and instantly regretted it so I'm happy to stick with it for the duration.

I’ve been on it for 2 years (also 52) and it’s great, I don’t plan on ever come off it , why would you? Consultant who recommended it for me said she has patients in their 70s still on it. Many GPS

are so wary of it and have a lack of knowledge, if you feel well I’d stick with it.

Thanks both, interesting. Did your symptoms come straight back when you tried to stop @starrynight21?

It's an outdated view that women need to come off it after a few years. That's another reason I switched gp!

No, you don't need to stop. You can stay on it forever if you want to and it's not causing you any problems.

Look up Louise Newson, she's a menopause specialist who's very accessible. GPs are useless at giving advice about HRT and menopause.

I think your GP has an out of date view tbh… this is what my mother was advised back in the 1990s (5 years). Why don’t you do some research, start with Dr Louise Newson’s website.. If you are informed about the actual risks and benefits then you can make the decision for yourself. I have been on HRT since the age of 39 (I’m now 45) and have no intention of coming off. I lived abroad for a while and saw an old fashioned gynaecologist who was horrified by me being on it and encouraged me to reduce. Within a month I had anxiety and insomnia. Never again. I’ll do what I can to reduce my breast cancer risk by being a healthy weight, not smoking, being active and not drinking too much but I am NOT giving up my hormones !!

My GP is a women's health specialist and has women in their 80s still on HRT. She has assured me that it is safe 'for life'

I'll be on it til I die.

Thanks all...will do research as suggested! The GP was in fact very young and only just qualified and doing some kind of rotation trying different roles. So...not an experienced GP! I feel bad about pushing for further advice in the current climate but I do get the impression that GPs differ greatly in their opinions...wish I could see a specialist!!

I would prefer to stay on it tbh!!

Many women only start using HRT at your age! I was a bit older than you when I went on it. I've used it over 12 years.

You are very young to even consider stopping it.

My consultant (women's health/ meno/ hormone expert) suggests if women want to stop they try that for 3 months and see how they feel, then go back on it if they need or want to.

I stopped for around a month a few years ago and my symptoms came back (insomnia , night sweats and feeling low.)

There is no time limit to using HRT and if you feel good on it and also want the benefits of bone and heart health, (they do suggest at least 10 years for bone health) then 4 years' use is nothing.

And as others have said, much older women still use it.

My own consultant has women in their 90s on it still.

www.newsonhealth.co.uk/uploads/2021/07/Starting-or-continuing-HRT-after-the-menopause-v21-02.pdf

What?! You can stay on it as long as you like! Louise Newsons Mum (or mother in law, can’t remember which) was one of her reasons for becoming a menopause specialist and I am sure I remember reading she’s now in her 80s and still taking it and will continue to take it until she dies. There’s no need for anyone to stop.

Ahhh this is brilliant, thanks all, and thanks for the info @SecretDoor!!!

One other thing @RBKB.

You are only just at the age of the average menopause in the UK ( 51 and a bit!)

So the estrogen you have used so far was simply topping up what you should have had anyway. In terms of risk, they don't count the years before age 51.

It’s incredible how little some GPs know about menopause.

I plan on staying on HRT forever.

Planning to stay on it for life! I see it as preventative medicine. Does anyone know how I research if doses need to increase? Don’t trust GPS to know.

61 here and been on HRT for 13 years. Both my gynaecologist and my Menopause Consultant agree I can stay on it for life provided I monitor regularly. I have full blood work, smear, mammogram, ultrasound and bone density check done every year to make sure any potential problems are caught early. I feel great, skin, hair and nails are doing well (have a history of significant post menopausal hair loss in my family when not able to take HRT) and I still feel I have similar levels of energy and desire that I had in my 40s. If you feel good stay on it as long as you can would be my advice

@Biffatcrafts Presumably you are paing privately for all the screening (and in the UK?)

Not sure why you have the DEXA scan yearly. I have them every 2 to 3 years (I need monitoring) but a top osteoporosis specialist says that bone turnover is slow so annually is too often. Ditto smears. I am now over 65 so won't have any more unless there is a reason (last one incl HPV screening and was clear.)

Hi @JinglingHellsBells I'm in Spain, and have private health care, so that automatically covers everything. I have the bone scan because of an old spinal injury which means my bone density has to be monitored in case of further deterioration, and smears annually because I had abnormal results in my 40s and 50s, although both times (luckily) it wasn't anything serious. Also, I'm not completely sure, but I think annual smears continue here until you are 65 anyway and then stop after 2 clear results unless you are in the high risk group. I am considered a high risk group due to one other factor in my medical history.

My GP did ask me if I wanted to carry on when my Mirena ran out but made it clear it was my choice and sent me some links; I did a bit of reading around and decided I most definitely did. In fact I upped the dosage and added testosterone to the mix and am feeling better than ever.

15 years and counting. Tried to stop using HRT three times and all previous symptoms return quickly. Have moved to patches around 5 years ago due to DVT and long haul flight risk.

I have no intention of stopping again, life was just bloody awful pre HRT and I am not going back there.

It makes the UK look rather backward @Biffatcrafts :)

Here, smears are every 3 years for younger woman and 5 years for women my age. I do have private insurance but it won't cover anything routine or long-term, so I pay for all my screening, when it's routine. Most of it is once every couple of years, but I feel it's worth it.

@JinglingHellsBells I agree with you completely, you cannot put too high a price on women's health and I'm just glad that there are now more and more medical professionals who recognise that HRT is not the bad/dangerous thing it was once believed to be. Also that the past tendency to discount menopause symptoms as anxiety or depression is also being challenged and recognised as an injustice to women who were being dismissed or given antidepressants.

I have been on HRT for approx 12 years and will continue on it despite my annual inquisition by my GP practice.