Going to try stopping HRT

[BonosToupee]

I really can’t make my mind up what to do.
HRT is definitely a split opinion and I’m tired of googling and talking to chat GPT.
I had my review yesterday, I’m 60 years old, fit and healthy, and have been taking Evorel Conti for 8 years now. After a few initial ups and downs it has been a miracle cure for me. The doctor gave me another year, but told me to consider coming off it. Her take was after 5 years you should try to stop using it, after 10 you definitely should. I know I can insist on having it as long as I like.
I’m curious to find out if I can manage without it.
I’m due to change my patch today (I only use just over half) and can’t make my mind up whether to keep trimming it down or go cold turkey 🤔.
Has anyone stopped using it after so long, and are there benefits? Any advice would be appreciated.
Also, is there anyone out there also wanting to stop so we can compare notes?

Hi OP - I am younger than you (late 40s) and still having periods. I stopped briefly cold turkey and my mental health disappeared very quickly. Not to alarm you, but wean slowly is my advice and be very mindful of your mood. Perhaps keep a MH diary. I could have walked into the sea. Within a few days of starting again, I felt fine.

@BonosToupee I've been on HRT for over 15 years. I'm a lot older than you. I've tried stopping twice. My consultant advised tapering off as a trial - not because they wanted me to stop but I wanted to know how I'd feel without it. They are pro HRT for women who need it and no time limit . There are women in their 80s on hrt.

Your GP is very out of date to suggest you stop at 60. There is no time limit at all as it depends on how you feel without it.

The symptoms came back after 4 weeks the first time (night sweats and insomnia) and the second time when I reduced very slowly over 2 months ( gel reduced to 1 pump then half a pump a day) I had insomnia within 2 weeks and some allergy flare ups that had been dormant for decades.
I went back on it, on a low dose.

Maybe you should have a DEXA scan of your bones to see how they are doing? Your GP might oblige or you can have it done privately.That can be the deciding factor even if you have minimal other symptoms once you stop.

@bignewprinz & @JinglingSpringbells
Thank you so much for your replies and advice.
I think it’s more curiosity and a loathing of being dependent on medication that is making me consider giving it a go. I’ve just had to start taking statins which I’m a bit put out about.
I have tried a couple of times in the past and had a similar experience to yourselves.
You have helped me decide to reduce rather than go cold turkey though, so thank you!

This is outdated advice and current guidelines discourage arbitrary age or duration based cut offs.

However in reality many women are forced to self fund treatment as they get older.

@Charliede1182 I know, the GP didn’t seem to have a clue and it was very much an in and out quick appointment. I will definitely fight my corner when I reach the 10 year mark if I still want to use it.
Previously I’ve had my review with a nurse who went into everything, weight, alcohol, family history etc etc. Now I’ve hit 60 I have to see a doctor instead, this appointment was blood pressure and done…so much for the GP being more thorough!

My only symptom was extreme hot flushes (literally dripping sweat like a tap) and I’m on Oestrogel. I went away for a long weekend, forgot to use gel on the day of departure, and didn’t pack any. By day three I was a steaming, sodden mess as the flushes were regular through the day and would also wake me (and my husband up from the heat). Never again have I forgotten to use it or pack in my luggage

I’ve been on it since 2018 and have no intention of stopping

I’m 55 and started to cut my patches in half to wean off, I soon reverted back as my mood deteriorated.

@BonosToupee If you're on statins that is presumably due to high cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease?

HRT isn't a treatment for heart disease but it does keep the arterial walls flexible and there is some evidence is also has a positive effect on lipids.

In your case I'd stay on it.

I’m 69 and have been on HRT since I was 48. I now have a Mirena coil and oestrogel. I’m fit and healthy and want to stay on it as my mother had osteoporosis and I had very bad menopausal symptoms including a shivery creepy feeling. The last time I saw a gynaecologist I was advised I could stay on it for life if I wanted. I had a new Mirena a few weeks back and GP dealt with it as a routine matter and said nothing about stopping. I do feel the HRT plays a big part in my well-being and sexual health (I couldn’t countenance vaginal atrophy) so I will be sticking with it for the foreseeable future.

Op was there a reason they want you off it? I have two friends that have come off but because of health worries. Other than that I always hear it’s better to stay on

I'm almost the same age as you as could have written your post. Been on Evorel Conti for around 4 years and decided with my (new) GP I'd like to try and come off (also sick of those round Utrogestan tablets sticking in my throat!), I cut down over a four week period and for a couple of weeks I was ok, then the hot flushes started up with a vengeance and I'm absolutely exhausted as it's waking me up, and having to wash my hair every morning, so delaying me each day. One glass or wine and I'm on fire. I'm going to see GP next week to ask to go back on, but ChatGPT has suggested I ask to use half the dose I was on. My previous GP said I could stay on them indefinitely. They are so inconsistent as a profession with advice.

I’m 67 & I stopped 6 months ago after 10 years. I was thinking that it might be time (for me) - the HRT nurse at our GP practice would have continued prescribing as long as I wanted - when I was referred to the breast unit for pain. The consultant asked why I was using HRT given my family history! She said that 10 years gives ‘full osteoporosis protection’. I weaned myself off very slowly & it’s been better than I expected. I had to endure 3-5 hours sleep some nights for the first couple of weeks, that settled & occasional hot flashes started up. They’ve more or less settled now. I usually have to throw the duvet off at 3am (not sweaty) & my joints seem to be causing a few more problems than before but otherwise I feel the same. I’m still using vaginal oestrogen of course

This happened to me many years ago after a hysterectomy at age 40
I was on HRT patches at first but changed to tablets for 10 years total when a new GP called me to say i need to stop HRT now.
I went to see her and said if you stop it now I will end up in Holloway prison for murder ( that's how I felt ) so she said she will give me one more year .

I ended up just taking a tablet once evey 2 days instead of 1.
After about 6 months I stopped taking them altogether.
Still had occasional feelings of heat but nothing drastic.

I think the doctor was just quoting guidelines.
I want to try to get off it to see what my natural state is. HRT was definitely my saviour years ago, but it isn’t really a magic bullet and does cause a few niggles of its own.
The doctor isn’t aware that I’m going to try and I have a prescription for the next year, so if I don’t manage I’ll go back on it and fight my case in the future.

@abracadabra1980 I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling, how long is it since you stopped?
When I’ve tried to quit in the past I’ve had a similar experience and gone back on, but the last time I did try with half a patch and have managed quite nicely on it.
I’ve also been asking ChatGPT for advice this time and am determined to stick it out for the next three months to see if any symptoms that pop up initially sort themselves out.
I know you’ve to treat ChatGPT with caution, but I really find it useful!

After a few initial ups and downs it has been a miracle cure for me.

I want to try to get off it to see what my natural state is.

I'm just wondering why you want to come off it - your natural state isn't likely to have improved over the past eight years.

I'm 71 and been on HRT for around 20 years - I don't see it as a problem being reliant on a medication for my wellbeing.

@NiftyMauvePeer so nice to hear a success story! It’s also interesting that 10 years gives full osteoporosis protection.
I have a family history of breast cancer too which I must admit has always played on my mind.
I hope you continue doing well.

@Oxo01 Good result! It’s so reassuring to hear of people coming off it successfully.
I don’t want to reach a situation where I’m refused a prescription, I don’t do well with having my choice being taken away, which is why I’m giving it a go without telling the doctor.

@Westfacing There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying on HRT, and there is a good chance that I will start up again, it’s personal choice.
I am curious to know how I’ll be without it now. I started taking a sequi during perimenopause, then was changed to continuous because I was ‘the right age’, so my periods never stopped naturally and I was unaware when I actually reached menopause. I’m at a different stage of my life now.

I think the doctor was just quoting guidelines.
I want to try to get off it to see what my natural state is. HRT was definitely my saviour years ago, but it isn’t really a magic bullet and does cause a few niggles of its own.
The doctor isn’t aware that I’m going to try and I have a prescription for the next year, so if I don’t manage I’ll go back on it and fight my case in the future.

@BonosToupee That's not what the guidance says.
It's been mentioned here a few times and it's online on the British Menopause Society website. No arbitrary time limit on hrt.

It's fine to have a trial to stop and see how you feel.
However, as you're on statins it's really worth thinking about the benefits HRT may continue to give to your heart. And also think about your risk of fractures and osteoporosis. HRT or no HRT should be part of your overall health for the future not just symptoms.

If you have a few niggles with it ( side effects?) maybe you need to consider the type or dose?

I don’t want to reach a situation where I’m refused a prescription, I don’t do well with having my choice being taken away, which is why I’m giving it a go without telling the doctor.

Your GP cannot refuse without giving you a sound medical reason why they think it's contraindicated.

The whole point of the NICE meno guidance is that HRT or no HRT is a discussion based on the woman's needs and choices.
If your GP wants to dictate, they are wrong and you need to be aware of that.

@JinglingSpringbells thank you for taking the time to respond, you make some very valid points.
I’m curious that’s all. If I feel better not using it, I’ll stop for good. If I feel worse I’ll start again.

I don't know why @NiftyMauvePeer is saying that - it's totally wrong.

@NiftyMauvePeer The consultant was wrong. It's shocking that someone as a consultant can say that.

I have a DEXA scan every 2 years (privately) through my consultant because I had a lot of bone loss before HRT. I've had DEXA scans for 20 years.

Bones lose density when you stop HRT and the dose of HRT relates to the amount of bone density you will gain when using it.

Those aren't the guidelines though- your GP was quoting out of date advice.

I stopped taking it and all my symptoms came back within 4 days. My husband begged me to take it again! My quality of life is pretty poor without it

A huge thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment.
I have made the decision to try to stop and was interested in the experience of anyone who had tried.
If it doesn’t work out I will start using HRT again, and will make sure I get it.
Wishing everyone all the best 💐