Hi ladies, my symptoms have been getting worse and I’m at my wits' end, so I’m seriously considering HRT. But I’m trying to think ahead and curious what happens if you stop. First, how do you know if/when to stop, and second, what happens to your body if you do stop -- do symptoms come back at all, or do you just glide into menopause if you're past a certain age (hopefully)? I will, of course, talk to my doctor about all of this, but wanted to hear some first-hand experiences from folks who've been down this road before, if possible. Thank you!
- Lyndsey, Denver
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Mandy6 years ago
Oh I’d like to know this too :)
Anonymous6 years ago
Me too! What a great question!
Michelle6 years ago
I was on HRT for nearly 20 years. I’m off now and honestly wished I’d stayed on it as the benefits have proven greater than the few risks. How I went off it was very slow. I spent a month going every other day, next month every second day, another month every third day and so on. I did have symptoms when totally off at first but now they are less. What I do have is dry aging skin all over, my immune system is lessened due to lack of oestrogen, my bone density could be an issue, low libido. Now you see why I wish I stayed on it. Good luck with whatever you decide but it does help!
Rebecca6 years ago
Thanks for that insight Michelle. I was wondering the same thing. The symptoms you describe sound like the same symptoms of peri menopause - so I guess being on HRT and then going off just allows you to experience the symptoms later - which may be a huge benefit if later means after you retire and don’t have to cope with symptoms while working.
Judith6 years ago
I’ve been on HRT for nearly a year, but my GP wants me to come off it for a couple of weeks before my next prescription. Not sure whether it’s to see if I’m still getting symptoms or whether it’s best to not be on it for so many months without a break. I’ll let you know at the end of August how it goes
Anonymous6 years ago
Hi. I have been taking HRT patches for a year and because of endometriosis I now cut them in half. ( as the estrogen grows) Taking it changed my life. Hot flushes gone. Brain fog now is so much better. I will take it for as long as I can. Friends that have slowly come off it gradually ?
Julie-Marie6 years ago
I was on HRT for about a year. It was a big decision for me to take it because I do not like taking any drugs. The hot flushes stopped almost immediately! It was amazing! However during one of my routine check ups my GP noticed that my BP was very high (which can be a side effect of HRT) so she recommended that I stopped taking it. I did this Immediately without any adverse effects although the hot flushes returned. I am doing pretty well without it now.
Racheal6 years ago
Hi Julie-Marie I’ve been on HRT for 8 months and my BP has risen too. I’ve been issued another 3 months but I’m sure my GP will keep monitoring my BP. I wasn’t too keen on taking HRT however I occasionally get hot flushes, periods are pretty regular, anxiety has eased. They said I still overthink, I’ve put on a little weight and have disturbed sleep every night.
ExpertTicklerreplying to Racheal6 years ago
My BP has lowered since I’ve been on HRT, I’m doing more activity and have lost nearly 10kg (another 20+ to go). I’m also using the Calm app for the meditation sessions & their sleep stories really help when I get disturbed nights. Plus I’ve found a wool duvet amazing at helping manage body temperature.
Abigail6 years ago
Hi, I came off hrt after 5 years because it just delays the menopause and I couldn’t bear the thought of coming off hrt in my late 50s early 60s (I’m 53). I had half a tablet daily for 6 months and I’ve been hrt free for 3 weeks. I get hot at night still but NOT getting night sweats and I still occasionally get hot after a cup of tea or hot food but that is it. No brain fog, anxiety, hot flushes and other symptoms have come back so far :) I’m hoping my libido makes an appearance again too :)
Lena6 years ago
Hi Lyndsey I’m not in HRT, my mum was for a long time. Her doctors took her of HRT too quick & she then got breast cancer. She had the lump removed & has been clear for 15yrs now. I’m not saying that’s what happens when you stop HRT but talk to your doctor as they have done a lot of research since this happened. Good luck with HRT I’ve heard good things about it.