How to stop HRT
- 30 Nov 2023
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How to stop HRT
- Updated on 30 Nov 2023
- 1 Minute to read
- Print
- PDF
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- HRT may be gradually reduced over many months or stopped suddenly, depending on the woman’s preferences.
- According to NICE, gradually reducing HRT may limit recurrence of symptoms in the short term. Gradually reducing or immediately stopping HRT makes no difference to symptoms in the longer term.
- Consider staying off HRT for 2 – 3 months before restarting.
- If troublesome symptoms recur, options include restarting HRT at a low dose, or considering alternative non-hormonal treatments.
- Vaginal oestrogen treatments can be used long term alone or in combination with systemic HRT. Vaginal dryness tends to increase in severity with time.
References and Further Information:
- NICE CKS Guidance. Menopause. Management. How should I manage menopausal symptoms with HRT. Last revised Sept 2022.
- NICE CKS Guidance. Diagnosis. Diagnosis of menopause and perimenopause. Last revised Sept 2022.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Guideline. Menopause (update). Draft for consultation, Nov 2023.
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