Hormone Therapy and Stopping

“Although not proven by studies, slowly decreasing your
dose of estrogen over several months or even over several
years may reduce the chance that your hot flashes…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy and Stopping Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  • Stopping Hormone Therapy

Right Time

Is there a right time to stop HT?

On page two in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Stopping Hormone Therapy published July 2022, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) note:

Hormone Therapy and Stopping

“There is no “right” time to stop HT. Many women try to stop HT after 4 to 5 years because of concerns about potential increased risk of breast cancer. Other women may lower doses or change to non-pill forms of HT. Hot flashes may or may not return after you stop HT”.2

Right Age

Is there a right age to stop HT?

On page two in the The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement published 07 July 2022, the NAMS explain:

Hormone Therapy and Stopping

  • “Hormone therapy does not need to be routinely discontinued in women aged older than 60 or 65 years and can be considered for continuation beyond age 65 for persistent VMS, quality-of-life issues, or prevention of osteoporosis after appropriate evaluation and counseling of benefits and risks
  • For women with GSM, vaginal estrogen (and systemic if required) or other nonestrogen therapies may be used at any age and for extended duration, if needed”.3

What is VMS?

VMS can be an abbreviation for Vasomotor Symptoms such as hot flushes or night sweats.

What is GSM?

GSM can be an abbreviation for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.

On page two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause first published online 10 June 2022, Hamoda et al. explain:

  • “The decision whether to take HRT, the dose and duration of its use should be made on an individualised basis after discussing the benefits and risks with each patient. This should be considered in the context of the overall benefits obtained from using HRT including symptom control and improving quality of life as well as considering the bone and cardiovascular benefits associated with HRT use. Discussions with women should also cover aspects such as when to consider stopping HRT and how this can be done (by gradually reducing the dose of HRT). No arbitrary limits should be set on age or duration of HRT intake”.4

Age 65

Is stopping HT routinely at the age of 65 recommended?

No. In Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy: Risks and Benefits the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) explain:

“There are no arbitrary limits regarding how long MHT can be taken – it can be taken for as long as the woman feels the benefits outweigh the risks for her, and decisions must be made on an individual basis. Stopping routinely at the age of 65 is not recommended”.5

Right Way

Is there a right way to stop HT?

In Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy: Stopping MHT the EMAS note:

  • “There appears to be no advantage in tapering down or in stopping abruptly”.6

The NAMS explain:

“Although not proven by studies, slowly decreasing your dose of estrogen over several months or even over several years may reduce the chance that your hot flashes will come back. You and your healthcare professional will work together to decide the best time to stop HT”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I unsure about when and how to stop HT?

If you are unsure about when and how to stop HT, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The NAMS explain:

“If very bothersome hot flashes or night sweats return when you stop HT, you will need to reassess your individual risks and benefits to decide whether to continue HT. Because there may be greater risks with longer duration of use and as you age, you and your healthcare professional will work together to decide what is the best option for you”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Hormone Therapy and Stopping?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Stopping?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
  3. Bioidentical Custom Compounded Hormone Therapy
  4. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  5. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  6. Bioidentical Hormones – Ask Dr Jean
  7. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  8. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Combined Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  10. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  11. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  13. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  14. Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
  15. Dr Gail Busby – I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – Episode 9 The Menopause
  16. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  17. EMAS Replay [Webinars: Multiply Languages]
  18. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  19. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  20. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  21. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  22. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  23. HRT: Types, Doses and Regimens
  24. Hormone Replacement Therapy
  25. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  26. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  27. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  28. Hot Flashes
  29. Hot Flashes
  30. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  31. How Long Does Menopause Last? – Ask Dr Jean
  32. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  33. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  34. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
  35. Looking After Yourself
  36. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  37. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  38. Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause & Herbs
  43. Menopause & Hormones: Common Questions
  44. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  45. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  46. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  47. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  48. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
  49. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 4. The Different Types of HRT
  50. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Mindfulness & Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
  51. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  52. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  53. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  54. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  55. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment
  56. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Starting and Stopping HRT [NICE Guideline]
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  58. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  59. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  60. Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  61. Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy
  62. Starting and Stopping, Duration of Menopause Hormone Therapy Use
  63. The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
  64. Tipos de Hormonoterapia
  65. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  66. Types of Hormone Therapy
  67. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  68. Vaginal Dryness
  69. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  70. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  71. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  72. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: The Women’s Health Initiative – What Can We
  73. Webinars: Previous – Breast Cancer
  74. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  75. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Stopping Hormone Therapy. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
  2. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Stopping Hormone Therapy. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
  3. The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 07 July 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/press-release/ht-position-statement-release.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
  4. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayesena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 04 February 2023
  5. Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy: Stopping MHT. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Starting-and-stopping-hormone-therapy.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
  6. Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy: Risks and Benefits. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Starting-and-stopping-hormone-therapy.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
  7. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Stopping Hormone Therapy. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
  8. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Stopping Hormone Therapy. 2022:2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 04 February 2023
Topic Last Updated: 04 February 2023  – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 February 2023

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