If symptoms come back and persist for more than 3 months, people can talk to a doctor. Your doctor may recommend taking a low dose of MHT again. The doctor may recommend retaking a low dose of hormone therapy to control symptoms or may recommend other treatments. Some women take hormone therapy for a few years to help improve the worst symptoms of menopause.
Some women find that when they stop taking hormone replacement therapy after a few years, they no longer have symptoms. Other women have symptoms returning when they stop taking HRT. There is no set amount of time for which you should take hormone replacement therapy; it's an individual decision between you and your doctor or nurse. This fact sheet includes information to help you decide if now is the right time to start or stop taking hormone therapy, even if menopause occurred several years ago years.
If you stop taking HRT, your symptoms may come back. But you can usually take it again if you want to. If you have any questions about this, ask a healthcare professional for advice. There is a 50% chance that hot flashes and night sweats will return after stopping hormone therapy.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps treat menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Age, family medical history, personal medical history, and the severity of symptoms can affect your decision to take hormone therapy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of HRT, the different forms of HRT, and alternative options. Whether you should consider taking HRT is something you should discuss with your provider.
of health care. While hormone therapy reduces menopausal symptoms, it comes with risks. You should discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your provider to determine if it's right for you. As you approach menopause, your ovaries shrink and stop producing estrogen and progesterone.
The lack of a sufficient amount of these hormones in the body is what causes menopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy works by giving you back lost hormones. However, hormone replacement therapy has both benefits and health risks, which may be higher in some people. Your healthcare provider can help determine if the benefits of hormone therapy outweigh the risks.
There is no single approach to HRT. Instead, your healthcare provider will develop a treatment plan that's unique to you, your symptoms, and your medical history. Side effects usually resolve on their own within a few months. In most cases, these side effects are mild and there is no need to stop hormone therapy. If your symptoms bother you, ask your healthcare provider if you can adjust the dose or form of HRT to reduce side effects.
Never change your medication or stop taking it without talking to your provider. It's always best to talk to your healthcare provider, as they may recommend treatment based on your health history. Contact your healthcare provider if you have menopausal symptoms that interrupt your daily life. Your healthcare provider can explain treatment options, including hormone replacement therapy.
It's important that your provider helps you understand the advantages and disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy and how they apply to your particular situation. It's important to make the decision to take hormone therapy after talking to your healthcare provider. Talk about the risks and benefits during an office visit dedicated to this conversation. You'll need time to answer all your questions and make the decision that's best for you. Be sure to talk about the pros and cons of different types and forms of hormonal hormone therapy.
Even if HRT isn't right for you, there are other treatment options your healthcare provider may recommend to help treat menopausal symptoms.
