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4 min read. If you’ve been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a while to relieve menopause symptoms, you may be wondering, what now? Should you stop taking it? If so, when? And how do...
- Overview
- Why might someone want to stop HRT?
- What happens if you stop HRT suddenly?
- How to stop HRT safely
- Are there withdrawal symptoms?
- How long can someone take HRT?
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
If people decide to stop taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), they should reduce the dosage gradually. Stopping abruptly may cause a return of menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and disrupted sleep.
People may wish to stop taking HRT if they have been taking it for a long time, if their menopause symptoms are reducing as they get older, or for other health reasons.
Doctors advise taking HRT for the shortest time possible. This is because HRT may increase the risk of certain health problems with long-term use.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), there is no set time for how long people can take HRT. People may take HRT for 2–5 years to treat menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, or sometimes longer.
People may also stop taking HRT because they experience a decrease in their menopausal symptoms, which happens as people get older. People may decide the risks of HRT begin to outweigh the benefits. Additionally, the risks of HRT may increase as people get older, particularly for people over the age of 60.
People may also need to stop taking HRT due to certain health conditions, such as breast cancer. HRT may increase the risk of breast cancer, so experts advise people to stop taking HRT if they have breast cancer.
A 2018 article examined reasons for discontinuing HRT and included 825 telephone surveys with females using HRT in South China.
The survey found that people started HRT to manage menopausal symptoms, and reasons for discontinuing HRT included:
Stopping HRT suddenly may cause temporary withdrawal symptoms, in which people will experience menopausal symptoms.
People may experience both natural and medical menopause or “cold turkey” menopause if they stop HRT abruptly. This is due to the rapid drop in estrogen.
If people choose to stop HRT, experts usually recommend coming off the medication slowly.
People can do this by gradually reducing the estrogen dosage every few days over several weeks. It may be best to taper off HRT over 3–6 months.
People may experience a temporary return of some menopausal symptoms when they stop taking HRT, although this may be less likely to happen if people reduce the dosage in stages.
If symptoms return and persist for more than 3 months, people can speak with a doctor. A doctor may recommend going back on a low dose of HRT to manage symptoms or they may recommend other treatments.
According to the North American Menopause Society, the recommended length of time for taking combined estrogen and progestogen HRT is usually 5 years or less, although this can vary.
The risk of breast cancer may increase if people take estrogen and progestogen HRT continuously for 5 or more years.
How long does it take for HRT to leave your system after stopping?
The amount of time it takes for HRT to leave the body may depend on the type of HRT people take and the method they use. There is a lack of research, though, into how long HRT stays in the system once a person stops using it. One 2019 study looked at the effects of HRT containing estriol in the form of vaginal rings. Estriol levels in the blood increased rapidly with the treatment and then, quickly decreased. There was a continuous decrease in estriol levels after around 6 days.
Will I lose weight if I stop HRT?
There is little evidence to suggest stopping HRT will make people lose weight. A 2023 systematic review found taking HRT is not likely to cause significant weight changes during or after menopause. Weight changes may occur in relation to getting older or menopause, but this may happen regardless of taking HRT. Ways to help manage weight include getting regular exercise and eating a balanced diet.
People may decide to stop hormone replacement therapy after being on the medication for a certain length of time, once they reach a certain age, or once their menopausal symptoms start easing.
Some health conditions, such as breast cancer, may also require people to stop taking HRT.
Gradually reducing the dosage of HRT, instead of stopping abruptly, may help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
If people want to stop taking HRT, they can talk with a doctor about the best way to do it safely.
- Beth Sissons
Mar 22, 2022 · The side effects of menopausal HRT will slowly ease off as you lower your dose of HRT. Once you stop the medication, the side effects will go away completely. But depending on how quickly you stop or lower your HRT, you may experience some other symptoms (more on this below).
What happens when you stop taking HRT. When you decide to stop taking HRT, you can choose to stop suddenly, but it's usually recommended to reduce your dose gradually over 3 to 6 months. You may find that symptoms come back for a short time when you stop taking it. This is less likely to happen if you reduce your dose gradually.
People also ask
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May 10, 2024 · For people who are postmenopausal: 200 milligrams (mg) daily for 12 days each 28-day cycle. For people who have not had a period for at least 3 consecutive months: 400 mg daily for 10 days....
Mar 12, 2024 · How often do you take hormone replacement therapy? You typically begin with the lowest effective dose, which means the lowest dose that helps your symptoms. People who lose estrogen too early (before age 40) are usually given higher doses to replace what their ovaries would typically produce for their age. Estrogen-only therapy is daily.
Sep 15, 2021 · You can safely get relief with hormone therapy (HT), according to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Under some circumstances, low-dose HT, one of the most effective treatments for symptoms of menopause, may be appropriate for women over 65 who meet certain health criteria.
