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[Julie1963]

What is the average length of time is HRT prescribed?  Somebody I know has been taking HRT for 12 years.  Is this normal?

[Cassie]

I have been on HRT for about 12 years but I went through early meno and they only start counting from 50, as far as I know 5 years but if you read the post that I put on earlier this week, re Interesting Read... they are saying that some woman can stay on it indefinitely, my gynae said at 60 one must come off but time will tell. You have to weigh up the pros and the cons and make an informed decision along with your Dr.

[honeybun]

My GP is starting to make comments about coming off. I am just 53 and started at 49.

There does not seem to be any hard and fast rules although the cut off point seems to be 60.
It's all very confusing.


Honeyb
X

[Joyce]

I hope I can stay on it for as long as necessary, but doubt I'll be allowed past 60. 

[Dancinggirl]

I know a lady in her 80s who is still taking HRT - she sees a private gyne of course. She's incredible - great posture, fit, still working & enjoying life. She instructed me very firmly to "Go back on HRT" when I mentioned my ongoing meno symptoms ( I had come off 3 years earlier because of breast cancer scares).
I personally think that if they expect us to work till we're 67 then we probably need HRT till then provided there are no other health issues. Far more monitoring and data needs to happen to get a better picture.
I believe research is now showing that ongoing HRT treatment can be beneficial but the trend is to reduce the dosage to the minimum.
DG x

[karenw]

I've been advised I need to stop taking my half-patch HRT in a few months after 5 years use.  He also added there will be no negotiation, his stance is inflexible and he was very reluctant to prescribe the last course.

I'll be 49 and started using HRT at 44, 6 months following my last-ever period.  I'll be changing GP at this point because I understood HRT could be prescribed for longer in cases of early menopause....

[Cassie]

From my understanding you would be doing yourself an injustice under the age of 51 to not take HRT and from then on, they say 5 years usually but I guess every Dr is different?

[Dancinggirl]

Karenw
I'm appalled to hear your doctor is so inflexible - definitely change your doctor.  You are way too young to be without oestrogen - unless you have other health issues.
Some of these GPs really need some education
Good luck  DG x

[Cassie]

They tend to get soo fixated with the 5 year plan but forget that that only kicks in after 50, its pure ignorance and sheep mentality, makes me quite sick!

[Joyce]

Eeks I'd never have coped, still wouldn't. Us ladies are much more informed than our GPs I think, thanks to the wonders of the internet. We research stuff. OK some of it should be given a wide berth, but as for the menopause we need all the support we can get. Karenw, try asking for a referral to a menopause clinic, they are better informed.

[Taz2]

How annoying - although if you have been prescribed HRT before the age of 50/51 most GP's want you to stop for a few months once you reach 50 so that you can judge where you are menopausal symptoms-wise. After this you can then restart. That's what's happened to three of my friends who went through surgical menopause in their early forties anyway.

Taz x

[Cassie]

What would you hope to achieveby stopping for a few months on reaching 50,  sorry if I sound dim, but, sureley, all the horrid symptoms will come flooding in and the you will have to go back onto the HRT, just wondering what their logic of thinking is behind this?

[Taz2]

Some women are put onto HRT due to an early menopause i.e. periods stopping rather than because of symptoms. This is to protect heart and bones. They may not be women who will suffer unduly during menopause so it makes sense to stop once you get to the more risky age just to see whether any symptoms are there and how bad they are. It is obviously not wise to take HRT if you don't actually need to. I think that's why it's done.

Taz x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Cassie
I agree 50 is probably too early for reassessment - 54 would be more logical.
I'm 57 (very post meno)I'm taking a break very soon because i need to have my Mirena out and therefore stop my Oestrogel as well. The practise nurse I'm seeing said she wanted a 'base line' to work from to help me decide what to do next.  Unless you come off everything, you and the professionals can't tell what you need from HRT or indeed whether you still need HRT. Taking a break is scary - the thought of all the horrid flushes etc. fill me with dread.
In your early 50s they like you to take a break so they can tell what stage you are at in your menopause. Only then can you and the professionals decide what is the suitable HRT for you e.g if still peri then continue sequi HRT but if past meno perhaps consider conti HRT. 
At my stage, if I decide I still want HRT perhaps I would be ok on lower doses for long term use.
Hope this helps  DG x

[Cassie]

Thx Ladies this makes sense, must be why my Dr said to come off @ 55 and see how I go but that I could go back on again if things went pear shaped