Stopping HRT

[samthebordercollie]

I'm 57 and have been on continuous HRT for 2 years, 2 pumps of Estreva (Sandrena in UK?) and 100 mg progesterone: Before my symptoms were occasional night sweats, no hot flushes so nothing too serious: I was hoping it would help with my sex drive, but it didn't and as testosterone is unavailable as part of the treatment here in France I didn't have that option so libido still zero 😥
I didn't put on any weight with HRT and have had no real side effects except tummy bloat and so I've decided to stop taking it to see if I can do without it:
I'm just curious to hear the experiences of others who have stopped as to how they feel/if symptoms returned/if they went back on it? I've stopped cold turkey because I don't think my dosage was high:
TIA!

Anyone? Just interested in hearing from people who have stopped taking HRT, return of symptoms, weight or not?

It isn't really going to help to know what other women felt. Some will feel great, others will be back on it soon-ish.

I stopped for a month and my insomnia came back almost immediately.

Everyone is totally different. You will have to wait and see.

@JinglingSpringbells thanks, yes of course it will be different for everyone - do you think your insomnia was due to the progesterone? It really helped me sleep: I'm just interested in hearing the different experiences, that's all, even if one size doesn't fit all!

My insomnia was due to lack of estrogen.

I don't use progesterone daily- one 12 days every few weeks, under a consultant.

*one=only

Didnt find it great sleep better a few wks that was it. Weight gain too. I came off it. It works well for some not for everyone.

@Mary46 how long did it take for the HRT to stop having an effect?

1. Try magnesium at night before bed - that sorted my habit of waking up at 3am
2. Buy a vibrator and get your sex life back - seriously.

There's no medical reason to stop HRT unless you're having adverse effects. It will continue to protect your bones and brain health.

Hi, there is a thread about coming off hrt with some good tips

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/menopause/4801164-weaning-off-hrt?page=4&reply=127935795

@cleowasmycat I had a bone scan a couple of years ago and density was above average for my age (I'm a runner and have now added lots of resistance training with weights) - if I don't have any severe menopause symptoms there doesn't seem a lot of point in taking it:

@Melony75 Brilliant, I did a search but missed that one: Thankyou!

I stopped suddenly when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’d only been on it for nine months. Then go on to medication that deliberately makes all menopause symptoms worse by stripping out all oestrogen from your body. It was hard.

My weight has settled down it was def piling on. Sleep is mixed. I just felt gp sold it as amazing but you not told side effects. My friend on 25patch she going no higher as she didnt feel right. We all different. Patches fiddly at times too

Like everything, this doesn't work for everyone either. Getting a vibrator isn't necessarily going to restart your sex drive.

@something2say I already take magnesium and will dust off the vibrator to see if that works but I'm not holding out a lot of hope!

Lol fair enough. Good luck, it's a funny old stage of life.