Duration of use
- 10 Dec 2023
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Duration of use
- Updated on 10 Dec 2023
- 1 Minute to read
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- No arbitrary limits should be placed on the duration of use or age of women taking HRT.
- HRT can be continued for as long as benefits on symptom control and quality of life outweigh any risks.
- The decision to continue HRT should be made on an individualised basis.
- The median duration of menopausal symptoms is over 7 years and it estimated that approximately 20% of women experience symptoms up to 15 years.
- Women with premature ovarian insufficiency should take HRT until the average age of menopause, after which the need for ongoing HRT should be reassessed.
- For women who continue taking HRT over the age of 60 years a transdermal oestrogen should be considered to minimise risks of stroke and venous thromboembolism.
References and Further Information:
- Menopause Practice Standards produced by the British Menopause Society (BMS), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Society for Endocrinology (SfE), Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (FPM) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) 2022. Found on page 9, standard 6.
- NICE CKS Guidance. Menopause. Management. How should I manage menopausal symptoms with HRT. Last revised Sept 2022.
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