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?

I don’t think that she was right saying 10 years of HRT gives you full osteoporosis protection.

A study showed that after 10 years on HRT gave women greater bone density than those not, but that was just a snapshot at 10 years.

I’ve found another recent study which concludes that you can be at greater risk of fractures after stopping HRT.

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/hrt-and-bone-fracture-risk

ETA: cross post with @JinglingSpringbells

Yes, the dr who said that was very wrong.

Maybe she was mixed up with the benefits to the heart? That's where '10 years' is mentioned but that's about how starting HRT within 10 years of your last period gives some protection against heart disease.

HRT can improve and maintain bone density. Someone of 60 who's used it for years may have better bone density than a woman who hasn't.
But if they stop HRT their bones will still lose density.

This is why all women ought to have free DEXA scans! The ROS campaigned for that a few years ago and the government refused.

Bone density should be part of the decision around HRT.

Interestingly, @MagpiePi the study quoted (not in respect of bone density) has been heavily criticised by menopause experts (including the BMS) because they consider some of the data flawed re. side effects of HRT by using data from studies, not peer reviewed and not including the most used HRT now ( micronised progesterone.)

I stopped about 8 weeks ago - and I agree ChatGPT has answered more questions about my health than any GP has - one issue is over 14 years old. With its help I found a reputable Orthopaedic Consultant and went privately. He was fantastic and I wish I had done it years ago. I use it every day for something. Has helped me with everything from moving home, fixing my washing machine, my Roberts radio, dealing with my (PITA) elderly mother, to my dog's health, fixing my hosepipe system, designing a pond and 'we' are currently finding a new car 🤣 many of these things I would have asked my lovely dad about, but sadly he's no longer here. But it can't read company accounts correctly and sometimes it's maths is a bit out !

It might be worth considering a private menopause doctor. I chatted to one and she was so well informed. It was face-to-face which was lovely and an hour going over all the risks and issues.

She also shared that she was in her sixties and no longer took HRT - I almost found that more interesting than everything else!

I was on Femeston tablets for 6years (aged 48-54). I stopped abruptly due to inconsistent bleeding and after investigation had an operation as the lining of my womb was too thick. I was furious to discover I should never have been on that particular type of hrt as it was to blame for the problem. I didn’t go back on. Hot flushes are my worse symptom by far. My husband says I am grumpy and lose my temper quickly tho in my opinion that’s not as bad as before ever taking it.

I am in my mid 70’s.
I had a radical hysterectomy in my 40’s. Went straight onto oestrogen only HRT.
in my 60’s decided to have a break - the most miserable year of my life, I felt down and “ empty”.
went back on Oestrogel.— still on it and will stay on it for ever !

Aren't you considering going back on it? You can if you want to.

I had to stop taking HRT last year as I was having major surgery and the consultant wanted me to be completely drug free for a month before the operation. I took it as an opportunity to see if I still needed it and quietly planned not to go back on HRT after the operation.

I weaned myself off HRT as requested and it was awful! I sweated and ached. Couldn’t sleep and felt generally lousy. I wasn’t given the green light to go back onto HRT for a few weeks after my operation and it was a long wait!

I’m now happily back on HRT and have no intention of coming off it again. You can take HRT forever. Your GP is being unreasonable to say you need to think about coming off it. You don’t.

You could try an experiment and see how you feel if you stop taking it. But why? If you’re happy. Stay on it.

What’s the downside of just staying on it? Not so much symptoms but risks.

But there are risks of not taking it which is what my consultant always mentioned. It has to be an individualised choice based on your own medical history and risks.

I've been on it in one form or another since 40-ish. The Breast Clinic advised I came of it when I was 54 and had been in for a series of mammograms, biopsies and other scans. That was 3 years ago, I've had a Mirena in for about 4.5 years.

I was really worried as I the HRT was started to reduce symptoms including horrendously bad night sweats (changing the sheets twice a night bad), severe anxiety, The Rage, horrendous mood swings and severe depression.

It's been fine, honestly, it's been fine.

I’m not sure how they know this? When I talk to them they pretty much ask how are you doing stay on it if you want.

The consequences of living for many years without ovarian hormones are well known because that's the majority of women.

The differences in rates of diseases like osteoporosis, CVD, dementia and urosepsis as well as overall mortality can be observed from epidemiological data.

The same problems affect younger women who have their ovaries removed, and are also seen in experimental animal models of menopause.

If a man is surgically or chemically castrated he will also develop many of the same issues however society has a much higher tolerance for women suffering than men.

@EasternStandard

They should be looking at your overall risk of the conditions from which most women die or are disabled in older age, as well as the symptoms HRT is reducing.

The risks include 1:2 women over 50 will develop osteoporosis.
Obviously the only way you know if that is you, is to have a DEXA scan, but also to be aware of family history, fractures you may have had, and risk factors (one of which can be as simple as being low BMI.)

Likewise,risk of heart disease in your family. Using HRT within 10 years of menopause reduces the risk.

That’s crazy!
Would he have asked a diabetic to stop taking insulin or someone to stop taking thyroid medication so they were ‘drug free’?

Hi ive been on and off hrt since febuary.. cant the patches to stay on... so just feel crap they worked great the fist time..so was thinking of just coming off them

Why would you stop it? You’re still vulnerable to osteoporosis.

AFAIK it’s no longer considered necessary to stop after 10y. I’ve been on HRT for over 15y now. At my reviews the GP used to talk about stopping, but for at least the last 5y they no longer do. It’s now, “Is it still working for you? No side-effects? No problematic consequences? Fine, I’ll issue the repeat.”

My opinion has always been that I’d rather have 10 more good years than 20 more shit years. They’ll have to peel my HRT out of my cold, dead hands when they put me in my coffin.

Could i ask your age

The 'advice' is not to stop at 60, but preferably to switch to a transdermal route for the oestrogen (which you're already on). That's to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots.

It sounds as if you've had a great success with HRT - many are not so lucky. Personally I wouldn't rock the boat. It's giving you health benefits and no side effects.

Of course you can try if you feel really strongly.

I plan to take it for life. Aside from the night sweats I had no libido. I’m not sure why there is a benefit to coming off it? Staying on protects bones / heart / muscle.

Wonder why? I had surgery last year I disclosed thyroxine and HRT. Side effects of stopping HRT not so much worse than stopping thyroxine. Would be odd to say don’t take thyroxine. Wonder why HRT is different?

Good luck! I was using the patches for scout 3.5 years and still occasionally got night sweats. That stopped so I used to just forget the patches regularly but didn’t feel any different so completely stopped for a few months, fine, then had my mirena coil ( for progesterone) removed about 3 weeks ago, still fine. I’m 54

@BonosToupeei wonder how much your GP knows about HRT. The only reason you HAVE to stop is if you develop an oestrogen dependent cancer ……. What were their reasons for encouraging you to stop?

as for symptoms- in a certain percentage of women, menopause symptoms only last from 4 to 12 years. Your body will need time to adjust to being without exogenous oestrogen. It may cope it may not. Only way you can find out is by stopping and seeing. However, if you have started HRT within 10 years of menopause , you would have got the cardiovascular benefits and ongoing bone protection for as long as you are on it

I went back on the patch so ill give it another good go... it just my eyes mouth nostrils are soooo dry.. any ome had that form the patch and they make me so constipated🤔 maybe there is something else going on... thanks for the replies