Can I just stop HRT?

[VikingNorthUtsire]

I feel like I have been around and around googling this with no definitive answer - I've also learned more about HRT from reading threads here than I did from either my GP or online research.

I am on oestrogel (three pumps each day) and progesterone tablets (14 days each cycle). Been on it for a year, almost exactly.

When I started HRT, my periods were still pretty regular (every 24-30 days), but I was having other symptoms such as brain fog, tiredness etc. I also have some other health problems and neither the GP or I were certain whether these were peri symptoms or not but given my age (49 when I started HRT) it seemed sensible to try the HRT and see if it helped.

Long story short, my symptoms have not got better. I am also suffering from awful mood swings and weepiness (again, possibly due to other factors not related either to the HRT or to my menopause) and DH is pushing me to drop the HRT in case it is that which is causing the mood swings (he's being nice I promise - he's worried).

Can I just stop and see what happens? Is that a recipe for disaster?

I feel so confused as I have no idea whether it's helping, making things worse, or having no effect at all (although that last one seems unlikely).

I'm about to finish a run of progesterone, which seems like a natural point to stop, if I'm going to.

There are other HRTs out there. I'm on my second lot. Continuous with the patches and the progesterone tablet. I know that the continuous progesterone can make you feel like you want to slit your throat for 3 months or so until you're used to it.

If a year in you're not happy then go back and ask for something else.

I really wouldnt just stop. I'd go back and ask for another approach.

Hm, thank you. I wasn't sure whether it was worth asking for a change of format, as I'd thought this would be more suitable if the HRT just wasn't having an effect. I've been having another search (honestly I seem to spend my life googling HRT) and it seems that there are different forms of progesterone and that this can be the culprit for low mood and anxiety. Maybe a change there might help.

You can just stop though, I have done so because I am having an operation and was told to come off it. I'm not feeling as bad as I expected so far but my mood and temper control are not what they were when I was on it! You could come off for a couple of months if you wanted to see how you got on.

Yes you can just stop it. It’s not like anti depressants. Although it might be a bit bumpy for a while as your body adjusts.

I would go back & see your GP and try different HRT. Gel isn’t for everyone. For me patches were much better but I was allergic to the glue! Some prefer the spray.

the pp who said progesterone affects you badly for the first 3 months said it as though it was absolute fact which it isn’t. Have you considered having a coil fitted? It can make a huge difference.

Some GP’s are very knowledgeable - some not so much so try & find the one with an interest in HRT and menopause & book in with them. There are so many positives if you can get the right prescription

It isn't likely to be estrogen gel @Iizzyb as it's the same estrogen in patches.

The difference is the progestogen in patches- it's usually Norethisterone.
This works better for some women, but not all.

@VikingNorthUtsire you could ask to change to a patch or even consider the mirena coil (used with a separate type of estrogen.)

Thanks everyone for your advice.

It does sound like the progesterone might be the culprit (maybe? Who knows. But low mood is a listed side effect).

I remember when it was first prescribed, the GP suggested I could use the capsules vaginally if I was getting side effects. I'd assumed she meant headaches etc but I may try this for a couple of months before I decide to go cold turkey.

Very useful to know that it's ok just to stop, though, if that seems right later..

I'm 71 and been on HRT for about 20 years - firstly Evorel patches and Mirena coil; after hysterectomy the patches only.

Twenty years ago my female gynaecologist wouldn't countenance HRT until I'd had various blood tests to ascertain if it was appropriate. However, from what I've read on MN over the years this has now changed and many women are prescribed HRT based on reported symptoms only.

I'd advise you to see your GP and have your hormone levels checked - maybe the dose needs adjusting or maybe you don't need it at all.

Hi , I just stopped . I’d forgotten to take my hrt for a few days on holiday and didn’t feel too bad , I’d been on it for 10 years and decided I’d had enough .
I’ve been off it now for 6 months and feel great , I lost a stone in weight , my mood has lifted and I feel so much more like my old self . I still have occasional hot sweats but they really aren’t that bad .
You can try it for a few months and go back on to hrt if it doesn’t work out for you .
I do still have my gel and tablets in the cupboard just incase so maybe collect your new prescription then stop so at least if it doesn’t work out for you you have the hrt to hand .

Hello. I too was very weepy, paranoid and sad for the first six months on HRT. Upped oestrogen to max dose in last bid attempt to sort but I was not good. Still managing to work full time etc but quite low mood from my usual. I started to wean off by cutting patches down and at the same time began to take progesterone vaginally. Somehow during this process I hit a sweet spot and could not believe the difference. To cut a long story short

On MN, HRT is the cure-it-all for anything that happens to a woman past the age of 30.
Maybe your symptoms had nothing to do with menopause or peri. You didn’t have hot flushes, night sweats so severe you have to change bedsheets, ...

Brain fog and tiredness can be very much linked to dietary insufficiencies. Test your B12, D, Omega 3 index (anything below 8 you have your answer) , and then of course, diet .

Today is the perfect day to self experiment. It is the 1st of February, go 28 days without and see how it goes. Do test your micronutrients and try to go as much whole foods as possible with a focus on fibre until the end of the month.

Focusing on HRT might make you miss the real cause.

I tapered down a bit then stopped and felt fine

I would also suggest ti have blood test. B12, Vitamind D, Iron, thyroid, etc.

I take vitamin D, magnesium chelated from Solgar, have b12 injections, SAD lamp, evening primrose from Solgar and sometimes omega 3, mindfulness, diet, and excercise in my case swimming helps me a lot.

Trying everything before going the HRT. I have my low moments but pushing myself as need to keep strong for myself, husband and kids.

Dr said exercise was an antidepressant.

Agree with others that gel isn't for everyone. I was awful on it, symptoms were just dreadful and I had my first ever panic attack.

I am much more stable on patches.

Try patches.

I was not absorbing the gel and my serum estrogen levels were too low

Had appointments with Newson clinic

I'm now on a 1000 patch and it's great

I feel myself again and life is coming back together.