How long does this continue?

[Sandybhappy65]

Hi I'm new here and wanted to ask if anyone else has been on hrt for 20 years plus. I'm a young 60 😊 and had a full hysterectomy in 2003. I was immediately put on hrt to prevent osteoporosis and I am still on it. My symptoms started early 50s I think and now I'm still experiencing some night sweats although not too bad but the most recent thing is getting up to pee at least 3 times in the night despite no fluids after 7pm. I've had urine tested and all clear and blood tests. I'm also experiencing itching, mainly down below but on the outside. I'm not sure when I can stop hrt as it seems such a long time and are these symptoms menopause related? So confused and doc just says they'll take me off hrt when I'm 60 next year. I exercise regularly and am not overweight. I'm just so tired with so little sleep. Any advice welcome or anyone else had or having the same issues. Thank you

The symptoms of weeing/itching etc are now called GUM- Genito Urinary symptoms of Menopause. The older name was vaginal atrophy, but that' s not accurate as it's also the bladder that's affected by loss of estrogen.

Systemic HRT doesn't always reach the parts where it's needed.
You need to ask your dr for vaginal estrogen (cream or a small pessary) which is used a few times a week (forever.)
The brands are called Estriol Cream or Vagifem.
It might take a few weeks or even months to work well but this is the standard treatment.

Also, you don't have to stop HRT at 60.
That's very dated information and no longer applies. The only thing you may need to consider is swapping to transdermal estrogen (patch or gel) not tablet form once you reach 60, to avoid the slight risk of blood clots.

You can use HRT as long as you want and estrogen-only which you're using is very safe. You should also ask for a bone density scan to check that you don't have osteoporosis based on your surgical menopause.

There is loads of info online about both of these - GUM/vaginal atrophy and duration of HRT. It sounds as if your dr isn't really up to date, to maybe it would help to google all of this and print off the info for them.

I agree with the above.

Stay on HRT as long as you want. For the majority of women HRT has continuing benefits that vastly outweigh any potential negatives. I've been on it for 15y and for at least 10y the GP no longer suggests coming off it.

Time to reassess how your HRT is delivered - preferably with a doctor who has a better understanding of it than the GP you mentioned. Ask to be referred to a menopause clinic. Or see one privately if you can. A bone density scan should be part of that further investigation.

It really does sound like you would benefit from vaginal oestrogen. Makes a massive difference to the issues you mention.