How long do you stay on HRT?

[Flockameanie]

I had a meeting with GP today about HRT. She’s prescribing me the gel + progesterone pill. The one thing I forgot to ask her was how long one stays on HRT for? Does anyone know? I’m 46. Been in peri for about 5 years now I look back on it. Haven’t had a period for over 6 months.

If it suits you and you are happy most would stay on until at least the average age of menopause ie 52-54.After that it is a matter of choice and ongoing discussion and monitoring so many women stop in their 50s but all being well one can stay on for as long as one wishes.

Thank you!

@Flockameanie There is no time limit at all. You can stay on it for life it you have no medical reasons to stop.

My gp suggested a review at 50 but I had supply issues during the pandemic so stopped just before my 50th, I have not had a period for 15ish months and feel fine out the other side I think, but you don't have to stop if you don't want to.

I have just started mine this week. I have 6 months prescription and the Dr said we will review in 6 months. Mine is more for mood swings as I havent been affected by hot flushes and my period is still regular. I'm 52.

Technically, you can stay on it as long as you like, however NICE suggests no longer than 5yrs as breast cancer risk (although increases after 1yr of HRT), becomes more significant after 5 years of HRT . www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/resources/menopause-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-1837330217413
Also as age is an independent risk factor for breast cancer, the older you are, the higher the risk.

I’m hoping to be on it for ever

I started HRT at 52. It has allowed me to continue working because I can now sleep a night through and have no anxiety or brain fog. My retirement age is 67 so there’s no way I’m stopping before then barring some sort of medical emergency.

I've been on it since I was 45 & had a hysterectomy, I'm 56 now.

@Nomad916 It's worth noting that the NICE guidance linked to is now 7 years old.

The risks are based mainly on the older types of HRT used in trials up to that date, and excludes the use of micronised progesterone. The few trials there have been using it, showed that use for 11 years or more did not increase BC.
This type of HRT is thought to carry lower risks, although more research is needed.

@JinglingHellsBells the 2019 data sadly confirms increased risk even in Yr1-4 www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)31709-X/fulltext
I was hoping for a different outcome. Dydrogesterone is lower risk though.

Good to know. I had my hysterectomy the same age and the GP said that many Drs would say I have to stop it at 50 but that he feels 55 is more realistic. I’ve met a female gynae who said she will use HRT forever as, for her, the benefits outweigh any risk.
I can’t imagine being happy to stop when I don’t get to retire until at least 67! How would I function enough to work without it?!

I thought I was dealing with the symptoms and I reckon my menopause was age 54. Age 58 they suddenly seemed much worse, or due to Davina effect I was much more aware so I started HRT. Revolutionary and I will stay on for as long as I can.

7 years. It does have other protective properties, but there was a lot of issue with breast cancer risk. However not seen any recent research into this.

@Nomad916 I suggest you drill down into the report in the Lancet. There is a lot online in response to it.

The British Menopause Society produced a response to it, as did one of the UK's top breast surgeons/ expert. www.lattelounge.co.uk/professor-michael-baums-response-to-the-lancets-publication-of-a-report-on-hrt/

and here thebms.org.uk/publications/bms-tv/ scroll down for the video on risks etc with Prof Baum.

The criticisms about the Lancet report are it included outdated trials, types of HRT not used now, (I think only 58 women were using micronised progesterone out of the hundreds of thousands of women in the research) research that was never peer-reviewed, trials like the WHI and Million Women study both of which have been shown now to be flawed.

I'm not saying there are no risks, or dismissing it.

I'm a long term user of HRT ( almost 15 years) and it's on my mind all of the time, but I have other health issues which HRT has helped (so far.)

My consultant says women need to accept there are possibly some small risks with HRT, (but far less than being overweight which increases cases hugely, or drinking 2+ units a day) but there are also risks not using it- so it's a matter of choice, ultimately, based on each woman's medical history etc.

thanks all. Now I just need to be able to fill my prescription. Apparently all the local pharmacies are out of the gel…