Ask the robot:
Your body has adjusted to external estrogen support, and cutting it off abruptly is not clinically advised, unless there is a clear, immediate medical reason (e.g., suspected estrogen-sensitive cancer - which your consultant did not suggest).
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/stopping.phpUnless specifically advised by the specialist to stop HRT, your GP should not have unilaterally discontinued it - especially not with zero tapering plan.
Even in cases of polyps, fibroids, or ovarian cysts, estrogen isn’t automatically stopped unless there's a concern about malignancy (which doesn’t appear to be the case here).
Request a Temporary Prescription: A low-dose patch (e.g., Everol 25 or 50) may be acceptable while awaiting surgery, even if they want to be cautious.
Alternatively, ask for transdermal gel (like Oestrogel) if the GP is nervous about patches.
If they refuse, ask if they’ll put in writing the clinical reason for stopping the medication - this often gets them to rethink.
What to Say to the GP (or Practice Manager):
"I understand caution around ongoing bleeding, but the consultant has not told me to stop my HRT. I’m now left abruptly without estrogen support, which can be very destabilizing both physically and mentally. Please can I be prescribed a low-dose or interim option until surgery, or at least until I’ve had a clear update from my consultant?”
Thermonuclear option: Here’s a concise but firm email/letter you can send to your GP practice or practice manager.
Subject: Urgent: Request for Reinstatement or Review of HRT Prescription
Dear [Practice Manager / GP's Name],
I am writing regarding the abrupt discontinuation of my Everol HRT patches, which I have been using successfully for approximately six years alongside a Mirena coil. My last patch was used this week, and I have now effectively been forced to stop HRT cold turkey — without tapering and without any recommendation to do so from my consultant.
I was recently referred to the post-menopausal bleeding clinic due to light ongoing bleeding. An internal scan suggested a probable polyp, as well as fibroids and a cyst. I have been referred for day surgery, but **no indication of malignancy was raised** by the specialist. **Importantly, there was no instruction from the consultant to stop HRT.**
Despite this, a GP at the practice has now refused to renew my Everol patch prescription. I would like to understand the clinical reasoning behind this decision and request it be urgently reviewed. Stopping estrogen therapy abruptly — after six years — poses real and significant risks to my wellbeing, and I am already beginning to experience a return of symptoms that had previously been well managed.
I am due to travel in under three weeks for a long-awaited holiday, and I am deeply concerned about the impact of unmanaged menopause symptoms on my health and ability to function.
I would respectfully request one of the following as soon as possible:
* A short-term prescription of Everol (or alternative transdermal HRT) to carry me through to my surgery or specialist follow-up.
* A conversation between my GP and the specialist who assessed me to clarify whether HRT must be stopped at this point.
* An urgent appointment to reassess this decision.
If none of these are possible, I would be grateful for a written explanation of the decision to override specialist input and halt long-term medication with no tapering plan or alternative offered.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. I hope we can resolve this swiftly and avoid further unnecessary distress.
Kind regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your DOB or NHS number if appropriate]
[Your Contact Details]
