Therefore, depending on a person's long-term wellness goals and risk factors, it may be preferable to continue hormone therapy indefinitely. There is increasing evidence that menopausal hormone therapy may have additional preventive benefits, such as reducing the risk of dementia and diabetes, but there is not yet enough data to recommend a specific treatment for these indications. To treat symptoms such as hot flashes, you'll usually have to take hormone 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 benefits.
the risks. This depends on your symptoms, your age, and any risk factors you have. 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.
Usually, you start with the lowest effective dose, that is, the lowest dose that alleviates symptoms. People who lose estrogen too soon (before age 40) often receive higher doses to replace what their ovaries would normally produce for their age. Some women can continue to receive hormones for two or three years, while others will need five to seven years, or maybe longer. The goal is to take the lowest dose that will treat and control symptoms so that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Hormone replacement therapy can usually be taken for up to five years. Howell explained that the risks increase and generally outweigh the benefits. However, some people may be able to follow hormone therapy for longer, depending on their health and family medical history.
