Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Lizc on June 02, 2025, 05:42:29 PM
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Hi, new here . 62 years old have been on elleste solo 1mg for 12 years after hysterectomy with tubes and ovaries removed due to high family history of ovarian cancer . There is also breast cancer in the family. Any thoughts on stopping HRT and possible side effects . Is it a good idea to stop ?
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Morning. Why stop unless side effects are difficult to live with?
I don't think that there is any reason not to continue with replacement for ever, if I felt well I wouldn't consider it. Has someone made that suggestion due to age for example?
:welcomemm: browse round, make notes ;-)
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Personally I will be on hormone therapy for the rest of my life, as there is no age at which I am ok with developing osteoporosis or any of the other diseases of hypoestrogenism, and no age at which my quality of life ceases to matter.
I had 7 affected relatives and was lucky enough to qualify for risk reducing mastectomies at 29, so this may be something that is available to you too if you have a strong family history.
I would much rather have estrogen than breasts, in fact I was willing to pay a lot of money to have my cancerbags removed had I been unable to get the surgery on the NHS!
It has given me probably as much psychological relief as the BSO gave you.
I elected to keep my ovaries and take the combined pill for 20+ years to halve my risk of that, and pay for private screening, both of which I have continued despite learning I was negative when genetic testing became available.
Regarding symptoms, some women do experience a return of symptoms if they stop or reduce estrogen, others don't. This probably depends somewhat on whether you had symptoms to begin with or are taking it predominantly for health reasons.