Weaning off HRT

[SpringGlade004]

Just looking for some advice please. I’ve been weaning down my Estradot patches to come off HRT altogether for several personal reasons. I’ve been reducing it by 25mcg a time over a number of months and am now down to a 25mcg patch only. My next step is to obviously stop the patches completely so do I then also immediately stop taking any utrogestan? I was doing the 2 weeks on 2 weeks off regime but I’m guessing no patches means no requirement for the Utrogestan? This may well be a dumb question but just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing 😬. Thanks in advance! ☺️

I have no advice sorry but I’m interested to know how long you’ve been reducing your HRT for- I’m currently on a 100mcg patch but am keen to try to come off HRT as I’m not sure how much it’s helping any more, and I was wondering how quickly to reduce the dose xx

Hi @Strumpetpumpet . That’s another reason I’ve been reducing and wanted to come off! I have been reducing by 25mcg every 4-6 weeks to minimise any bad side effects - migraines etc xx

What has your dr suggested @SpringGlade004 ?

Going back to the beginning, unless you've used HRT for ages, the medics say there is no difference between going cold turkey or reducing gradually. Symptoms may still come back whichever way you do it.

As you're doing sequential you need to complete a cycle. So, you should follow the same pattern as always. In other words, you can stop the Utrogestan after the usual 12 days (or 14) and have a withdrawal bleed, and not replace your patch.

If you don't bleed, it may be worth considering doing another 12 days a couple of weeks later, but without wearing a patch at the same time.

It also depends if you are post menopausal. Presumably not so you may have your own periods back anyway, once you stop HRT.

Be aware that it can take 3 months for your own hormones to settle and symptoms may start again then, or before that time.

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells for such a detailed and informative reply!

I have been going to a private clinic as our doctors menopause ‘expert’ is useless. I just didn’t want to necessarily book a £200 consultation to ask this one thing really 😬.

I’ve not been reducing slowly to avoid symptoms coming back necessarily just more not to trigger more headaches/migraines by doing it suddenly as I suffer with enough of those anyway!

I’m still having regular periods so I will complete this month as you say and take one last 2 weeks worth of Utrogestan then and hopefully stay in my normal cycle pattern thereafter.

Many Thanks again for such a knowledgable reply ☺️

I hope you get on okay.

TBH and just for future ref, (and it may not apply to you) I am pretty sure my consultant would do a free 5 mins call for that type of thing or reply to email.

Worth asking if you need to speak to them again?

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells

I think I could have a 15 minute call with a pharmacist for a reduced price but yes definitely worth an ask re my consultant thanks. 👍🏼