Women who stop HRT need practical advice on how to stop taking the medication, but there is no guidance in the existing medical literature. You can stop treatment abruptly (“suddenly”) or gradually reduce treatment by gradually skipping more days between doses or decreasing doses every 4 to 6 weeks. The amount of time it takes for HRT to leave the body may depend on the type of HRT people are taking and the method they use. People may experience a temporary return of some menopausal symptoms when they stop taking hormone therapy, although this is less likely to happen if people reduce the dosage in stages.
However, there is a lack of research on how long HRT stays in the system once a person stops using it. HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer, so experts recommend that people stop taking it if they have breast cancer. Weight changes may occur in connection with aging or menopause, but this can happen regardless of whether you are taking hormone replacement therapy. However, all HRT does is replenish female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which decrease naturally in menopause.
The risk of breast cancer may increase if people take hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progestogen continuously for 5 or more years. Many of the big pharmaceutical companies resisted, criticizing the WHI study and making new claims about the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy. The time it takes for HRT to leave the body depends on the type of medication, the length of use, and other personal factors. Gradually reducing the dose of hormone replacement therapy, rather than stopping it abruptly, can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Many women are so motivated to stop hormone therapy that they stop doing it overnight, which is very stressful for the body. By gradually reducing HRT under the supervision of your primary care physician, you will give your body more time to adapt and minimize the intensity of rebound symptoms. Always see a healthcare professional if you have exceptionally severe symptoms that last for several months after stopping hormone therapy. Ideally, you should have the opportunity to start this support program before you start stopping hormone therapy. People may also stop taking hormone therapy because they experience a decrease in menopausal symptoms, which occurs as people age.
Your GP may recommend that you reduce the dose of HRT, reduce HRT pills by half, or use a patch with reduced doses.
