Withdrawal from hrt

That should read Menopace 🙈

I'm mid 50s and came off evorel conti patches due to silent migraines. I feel ok. I'm taking sage tablets every day and menopause. Plus some A.vogel menopause supplements when I remember. I eat well and am fairly active. My job can be active at times. My skin and hair hasn't changed much since coming off it. I get taken for a lot younger but that's probably genetic.

It's good there's more choice nowadays. But it seems to differ in different areas? I thought the consensus was to stay on it as long as you want? So why are people being made to stop?

I've never taken HRT and I had a hysterectomy at 48 years and had no problems. Must have been lucky.

TheMaggiejane1

I was on HRT at 40 following a hysterectomy until last year when at 68 the surgery refused to give me any more. Since then my IBS and over sensitive bladder and my arthritis have been much much worse. I have also developed a prolapse. My hair is like wire and I feel 10 years older. I’ve lost a stone in weight. They refuse to give me any more HRT and I’m so miserable.

Hi TheMaggiejane1, I am sorry to hear about your symptoms after coming off HRT. They sound just like the ones I am going through now at the same ageish. Since the change things have gradually gone down hill and I have often thought of going to the doctor to ask for HRT. I am sure that whatever hormones are associated keep us buoyant. I hope you find remedies to alleviate your feelings. I try to walk each day, get lots of sleep and follow a healthy diet but it is damn boring when those around you of the same age are drinking wine, lying hours on the beach in the hot sun, and eating heavy meals late at night. That kind of behaviour now would finish me off. All the best.

I was on HRT at 40 following a hysterectomy until last year when at 68 the surgery refused to give me any more. Since then my IBS and over sensitive bladder and my arthritis have been much much worse. I have also developed a prolapse. My hair is like wire and I feel 10 years older. I’ve lost a stone in weight. They refuse to give me any more HRT and I’m so miserable.

lovingit

I,m 72 and have been on HRT for decades and have no intention of coming off. My GP was reluctant until I pointed out that if I did, the resulting lack of sleep due to night sweats,the muscle ache and mood swings would have me back and I would be so depressed he would suggest anti depressants.He had to agree that it was possible. The small added risk is far outweighed by the quality of life HRT allows me.

Same here, just turned 70 and have no intention of coming off....I now have a sympathetic (female) GP. As well as the hot flushes, lack of sleep and mood swings nobody seems to mention the vaginal atrophy and bladder problems...which is awful and only remedied by vaginal HRT tablets or gel.

….oh, the nights sweats are now 23 years old!

I weaned myself off over 9 months. 1/2 tablet for 1 day & full tablet the next for 6 weeks. Then 1/2 tablet daily for 6 weeks & so on reducing very gradually. It seemed to work for me.

Couldn’t take HRT because of strokes , so ‘just got on with it’ my mums words. As did she! I still get night sweats and nothing can be done about it. Hey Ho!

My mum, now 80, has been on HRT since her mid 40s. She has tried to stop it several times but the resulting hot flushes, palpitations, night sweats and mood swings have lead to her restarting. Her experiences on HRT put me off even thinking about trying it. I know it has probably improved and developed over the years.

gillyknits

After a total hysterectomy at 50, I was put on Oestragel for about ten years. Then there was a health scare related to HRT and I was taken off it. I immediately went into full menopause. Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and loss of libido. I asked to go back on after three years, as the symptoms weren’t abating but was then taken off again at 70. Since then I’ve struggled with hot flushes and night sweats for five years but will never go on HRT again, until they decide that they will let me stay on it forever! Things are improving but very,very, slowly!

Maybe see another GP at your practice? I could never go through those night sweats again. I used to have to come downstairs and lay on the cold kitchen floor tiles until I reached an acceptable temperature. it was hell.

After a total hysterectomy at 50, I was put on Oestragel for about ten years. Then there was a health scare related to HRT and I was taken off it. I immediately went into full menopause. Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and loss of libido. I asked to go back on after three years, as the symptoms weren’t abating but was then taken off again at 70. Since then I’ve struggled with hot flushes and night sweats for five years but will never go on HRT again, until they decide that they will let me stay on it forever! Things are improving but very,very, slowly!

I have been on HRT for over 20 years and feel fine. My GP says I can stay on it as long as I like as it protects against osteoporosis. I am on a low dose now. My skin, nails and hair are all good and I hardly have a wrinkle.

Who remembers former newsreader Jan Leeming? She is now over 80. Last summer she was mugged in France and pushed to the ground. She was shaken up and bruised and the consultant at the hospital was amazed she had not broken a hip or leg which most ladies her age do after a fall. She told him she had been on HRT for decades and he confirmed it had protected her bones so she says she will never come off it.

semperfidelis

There was a discussion on Women's Hour this week about the research linking long term use of HRT to dementia in later life. There were also reports about this in the press. I find this extremely worrying.

I wouldn’t worry about that. I have worked with older people, mainly ladies actually and HRT wasn’t around when they were younger and many still got dementia including my Mum.

I was on HRT for 20 years - came off it at age 60 as my doctor recommended this. No problems at all - but after 2 years developed breast cancer - and had a mastectomy- was this due to HRT? Who knows?

I’m 60 and was told by a GP in April I should stop taking HRT owing to my age. I was on Utrogestan and Oestrogel. Apart from the odd hot flush I’ve been perfectly ok. I did wean off it over 3 weeks but really am surprised that I seem to be fine.

I am not on HRT and haven't been since I was 45. Decided to stop after 2 years as I felt I just could not keep up with my body wanting to rush everywhere. Yes the flushing and sweats returned but only for a few months. 76 now and wonder just how I'd feel if I had kept on the drug, I'd probably have been flying by now.

I use topical oestrogen pessaries and cream prescribed by my GP. I have GSOM as it's called now (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause) or VA (Vaginal Atrophy as it used to be called.) This condition is often extremely painful and my life wouldn't be worth living without the partial relief it brings. I will need this medication for the rest of my life and maybe increasing doses of oestrogen. If I needed to take oral HRT, I would because GSOM has ruined my quality of life. It is a common condition which I'd never heard about until I got it. Even GPs often seem unaware of it or how negatively it can impact women's lives. I had urinary problems and pain for years but very rarely tested positive for a UTI (though often given antibiotics which didn't help.) None of the medics considered GSOM/VA. Now I have horrible pelvic and vaginal pain instead which limits my life. Of course (?) people don't like to hear about a painful vag but women need to be aware of it because treating with oestrogen topically (or stronger HRT if necessary) improves the condition and prevents it getting worse.

I was on HRT from age 40 when I had a hysterectomy, this continued until I was 62. My Dr refused to prescribe them any more and I started having hot flushes almost immediately, now at the age of 75 the hot flushes continue.

I'm 57 been in menopause since my mid 40s and am not allowed HRT, I envy anyone who can have it...

(I'm over 70)

I've never been on HRT and still get very hot and sweaty - I assume from this that symptoms would start again for many if you come off them.
After the dementia reports earlier this week it was stressed that this was just one report and that others have said the opposite. Personally I believe that it is wrong to come off any medication too quickly, unless it is damaging in the short term.
For example obviously for women who have had some oestrogen-sensitive type of breast cancer it would be essential.

There was a discussion on Women's Hour this week about the research linking long term use of HRT to dementia in later life. There were also reports about this in the press. I find this extremely worrying.

Started on HRT in 1993 at age 40 after having Hysterectomy plus Ovaries removed too.
Had been on them till about 18 months ago when tried to come off of them. Terrible hot flushes and feeling awful. GP didn’t want me going back on them so I went to a private Menopause clinic and was prescribed patches.
Was also told I can be on them indefinitely.

So much better. Yes I know there is a slight risk of Breast cancer, but I believe it’s quality of life not quantity that matters most.

It amazes me how many of you are on HRT.

In Denmark we have been told for 20 years that it increases the risk of cancer in all parts of the female reproductary tract and that it should only be used for very short periods of time.

Hot flushes can be caused by other factors than the menopause, and mood swings might benefit more from counselling than from hormone treatments, as they too are not necessarily part of the menopause, or indeed of the menarche.