Hormone Therapy Follow Up

“Get regular follow-up care. See your healthcare
professional regularly to make sure the benefits of
menopause hormone therapy continue to outweigh…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Hormone Therapy Follow Up Umbrella include?

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

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Follow Up/Review
  • Hormone Therapy (HT) Follow Up/Review
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Follow Up/Review

Initial Follow Up

Initially, if menopausal women choose to use hormone therapy (HT), how often should they follow up?

In Menopause: Treatment – Follow-Up Appointments according to the (United Kingdom) NHS:

Hormone Therapy Follow Up

“If you’re having treatment for your symptoms of menopause or perimenopause, you’ll need to return to the doctor or nurse who is prescribing your HRT for a follow-up review after 3 months.

When you and your doctor or nurse agree your treatment is working well for you, you’ll need to see them once a year”.2

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Effectiveness: Managing Clinical Side Effects of MHT Therapy, published online 30 October 2023, the authors explain:

“Optimally, women using systemic MHT should have a medical review at 3 months to assess symptom relief and side effects. This is also an opportunity to discuss any patient concerns and ensure correct use of the prescribed therapy. Further follow-up will be determined by whether any treatment adjustments are made or investigations initiated. Long-term follow-up should be at least yearly”.3

Regular Follow Up

If menopausal women choose to use hormone therapy (HT), when is regular follow up required?

On page five of Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 3. When Should MHT Be Started and Stopped? When To Stop the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) Leaflet for Women for World Menopause Day 2024, the IMS note:

  • “It’s important to regularly check with your healthcare professional to see if continuing MHT is the right choice for you”.4

The (United Kingdom) Women’s Health Concern note:

“Women on HRT should be re-assessed by their doctor at least annually”.5

In the Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You: Who Can Benefit From Hormone Therapy? the (United States) Mayo Clinic also note:

  • “Get regular follow-up care. See your healthcare professional regularly to make sure the benefits of menopause hormone therapy continue to outweigh the risks. You also should continue to have regular screenings, such as mammograms, blood pressure measurement and cervical cancer screening”.6

Follow-Up Format

What may the follow-up include?

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Effectiveness: Managing Clinical Side Effects of MHT Therapy, the authors also note:

“Review should include updating medical history and a general medical examination and breast assessment as indicated. Investigations should be individually determined, with mammography frequency according to local recommendations”.7

In Menopause: Treatment – Follow-Up Appointments the NHS explain:

“During your reviews, your doctor or nurse may:

  • Make sure your symptoms are under control
  • Ask about any side effects and vaginal bleeding
  • Check your weight and blood pressure
  • Review the type of HRT you’re taking and make any necessary changes”.8

Unscheduled or Prolonged Bleeding

What may unscheduled or prolonged bleeding require?

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Effectiveness: Managing Clinical Side Effects of MHT Therapy, the authors explain:

“Unscheduled or prolonged bleeding 3–6 months after commencing MHT needs investigation (ultrasound and/or biopsy), and where indicated, specialist referral. The need for ongoing MHT, the formulation and dose requirement should be reviewed”.9

Health Care Provider

How long can I take HT or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?

In Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? the JH note:

“You can take MHT at low doses for as long as you need. Many women have symptoms for around 8 years and one in 4 women have symptoms into their 60s and 70s.

When using MHT in midlife:

  • Start low
  • Go slow
  • Review often”.10


The NHS explain:

“You can choose to continue taking HRT. The doctor or nurse prescribing your HRT can discuss with you the benefits and risks, so you can decide what’s right for you.

You can take HRT for as long as you need it. You can discuss this with your doctor or nurse at your yearly review”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy Follow Up?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Hormone Therapy Follow Up

Links

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New or Updated

  1. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists] [October 2023]
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
  4. BMS TV: Bioidentical Hormones
  5. BMS TV: HRT and Bleeding
  6. BMS TV: HRT and Breast Cancer: Overall Risks and Benefits
  7. BMS TV: HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer
  8. BMS TV: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  9. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
  10. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  11. British Menopause Society Statement on HRT Dosages
  12. Can HRT Stop Your Periods?
  13. Can You Have HRT If You Are Overweight?
  14. Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
  15. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  16. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  17. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  18. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  19. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Impact of Estrogen Deficiency on Quality of Life In Asia and the Role of Continuous Combined MHT In Treatment (EN) [27 November 2024]
  20. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  21. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  22. FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause
  23. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  24. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  25. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  26. Guidance on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  27. HRT Questions Answered [Video]
  28. HRT – Types, Doses and Regimens
  29. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  30. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  31. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): About Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  32. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives To Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  33. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  34. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  35. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen
  36. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – Who Can and Cannot Use Vaginal Oestrogen
  37. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): When To Take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – How Long To Take HRT for
  38. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): When To Take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Stopping HRT
  39. Hormone Therapy: Four Things A Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Specialist Wants You To Know [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/CG: Taryn Smith, M.D./Internal Medicine/Mayo Clinic]
  40. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  41. Hot Flashes
  42. Hot Flashes
  43. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  44. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  45. 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
  46. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video] [Other Languages and Formats]
  47. Learning To Cope With Hot Flashes
  48. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  49. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  50. Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  51. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk
  52. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Venous Thromboembolism
  53. Menopausal Hormone Therapy, Heart Disease and Stroke
  54. Menopause
  55. Menopause
  56. Menopause
  57. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Does It Cause Vaginal Bleeding?
  58. Menopause Management Options: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  59. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormone Therapy Follow Up
  60. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Hormone Therapy Follow Up
  61. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  62. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
  63. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 4. The Different Types of HRT
  64. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  65. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  66. HRT and the Likelihood of Some Medical Conditions. A Discussion Aid for GPs and Patients. Menopause: Identification and Management (NICE Guideline NG23) [07 November 2024]
  67. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Hormone Therapy Follow Up
  68. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  69. Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy [2024]
  70. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  71. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  72. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  73. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  74. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  75. Practical HRT Tips | Dr Louise Newson
  76. Risks and Benefits of MHT
  77. Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy
  78. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  79. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy
    Hormone Therapy Follow Up
  80. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice
  81. The Women’s Health Initiative Trials: Clinical Messages
  82. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  83. Updated BMS Guidelines on Unscheduled Bleeding on HRT
  84. Updated 2024 NICE Menopause Guidance Summary
  85. Urogenital Problems
  86. Vaginal Dryness
  87. Vaginal Dryness
  88. Vaginal Dryness: What To Do About It
  89. VIDEO: Hormone Therapy Protects Bone, Heart, Brain Health During Menopause
  90. Video & Podcast Library: Videos – World Menopause Day 2024: Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies [18 October 2024]
  91. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  92. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  93. What Types of Vaginal Oestrogens Are There?
  94. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women [Multiply Languages]
  95. Hormone Therapy Follow UpWorld Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You? 15 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372 Accessed: 01 May 2025
  2. Menopause: Treatment – Follow-Up Appointments. Page Last Reviewed: 17 May 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/treatment/ Accessed: 01 May 2025
  3. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – – Effectiveness: Managing Clinical Side Effects of MHT Therapy. First Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 01 May 2025
  4. Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 3. When Should MHT Be Started and Stopped? When To Stop. 2024:5. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf Accessed: 01 May 2025
  5. HRT Benefits and Risks: In Summary. Updated: November 2020. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/hrt-know-benefits-risks/ Accessed: 01 May 2025
  6. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You? 15 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372 Accessed: 01 May 2025
  7. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – – Effectiveness: Managing Clinical Side Effects of MHT Therapy. First Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 01 May 2025
  8. Menopause: Treatment – Follow-Up Appointments. Page Last Reviewed: 17 May 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/treatment/ Accessed: 01 May 2025
  9. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – – Effectiveness: Managing Clinical Side Effects of MHT Therapy. First Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 01 May 2025
  10. Treatments for Menopause: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Need To Take MHT? Last Updated: 24 April 2025 | Last Reviewed: 22 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 01 May 2025
  11. Menopause: Treatment – Follow-Up Appointments. Page Last Reviewed: 17 May 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/treatment/ Accessed: 01 May 2025
Topic Last Updated: 01 May 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 May 2025

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