In theory, people can take hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives, but the risks involved may increase with age. Doctors recommend taking an individualized approach and regularly weighing benefits and risks. There is very little evidence about starting hormone therapy in older women because this research has not been carried out. However, most women who are otherwise physically fit continue to benefit from hormone therapy, even if it's been more than 10 years since menopause.
For symptoms such as hot flashes, you'll usually need to take hormone replacement therapy for 2 to 5 years, but in some cases it can be longer. It's best to take hormone replacement therapy only as long as the benefits outweigh the risks. This depends on your symptoms, your age, and any risk factors you have. While their dosage may need to be reevaluated each year, men and women can continue to enjoy the benefits of hormone therapy indefinitely.
An accredited medical clinic will continuously monitor your symptoms and your health status to ensure that you are getting the right hormones in the ideal amount for your particular needs. Decisions about how long to continue hormone therapy now depend on individual health factors, symptoms and personal goals. Simply put, you can continue menopausal hormone therapy for as long as it works for you. Every woman's experience and symptom profile is different, so a doctor may prescribe estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, or a combination of any of these hormones to meet individual needs.
The duration of therapy is personal and depends on how the patient responds to treatment. Hormone replacement therapy is considered long-lasting if a person continues treatment for more than five years. Long-term hormone replacement therapy has some health benefits, but it's only appropriate for women if there are certain health conditions. According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), there is no definitive limit on the duration of hormone therapy. Hormone replacement therapy can put you at risk of serious side effects or exacerbations if you have certain health conditions.
Women are often surprised when menopausal symptoms return after stopping hormone therapy, even women who have taken it for many years. Talking to your doctor about starting hormone therapy as soon as you notice symptoms of perimenopause may be your best option to avoid bone fractures.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT
) replenishes these crucial hormone levels to rebalance the body, treat symptoms, and restore energy and vitality. If you want to continue taking HRT or start taking it after age 60, your GP may recommend taking a low dose and using patches or gel instead of tablets to reduce your risk. In randomized controlled trials, hormone therapy-induced bowel cancers are reduced by 38%, indicating that estrogen has a protective effect on the gastrointestinal system.There is some evidence that shows a slightly increased risk of heart attack or stroke during the first year after stopping hormone therapy. You may have been very concerned about the safety of HRT or that other health professionals have advised you not to. Take it. People over 65 can continue to use hormone replacement therapy for hot flashes, osteoporosis prevention, and quality of life problems.
If your regular doctor isn't willing to consider hormone replacement therapy for you, you may want to find a doctor or nurse who has a special interest in menopause. If you're still healthy and feel the benefits of hormone therapy, there's no reason to stop taking it. While hormonal hormone therapy is not recommended for women with a history of breast cancer, there are other forms of cancer for which exposure to estrogen has been shown to have a beneficial effect. Studies also suggest that long-term hormone replacement therapy may provide benefits, such as better bone and brain health, pain-free sex, and longer life expectancy.
