It doesn't have to be a rough transition.
  |
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | | | | Q | | What should a person expect when they stop menopausal hormone therapy, and what are things they can do to make the process as smooth as possible? | | | | A | | When a person stops menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), they will typically experience a recurrence of menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes and night sweats. They may also experience urogenital symptoms such as vaginal dryness. These symptoms typically reappear within the first year after discontinuing MHT, especially if you've been on long-term MHT. In fact, one study showed that around 9 out of 10 women experience a recurrence of symptoms within the first year after discontinuation.
While these symptoms often return soon after stopping therapy, they typically decrease in frequency and intensity over time. In some cases, a sudden withdrawal from hormones can also lead to mood changes or cognitive symptoms, such as trouble concentrating or feeling emotionally off-balance. These effects vary from person to person but are usually temporary.
Several strategies might help make the transition off MHT smoother. Many doctors recommend gradually tapering the dose rather than stopping abruptly, as this may help reduce the intensity of returning symptoms. If symptoms do reappear, alternative treatments such as low dose vaginal estrogen or other nonhormonal therapies can offer relief. For hot flashes and night sweats, certain antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) may be effective.
Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference — dressing in layers and keeping your sleep environment cool, staying physically active to support mood and bone health, practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga, and eating a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D are all helpful.
Finally, close follow-up with your doctor is essential, as regular check-ins allow for careful monitoring of symptoms and adjustments to your treatment plan to ensure you feel supported and comfortable throughout the process. | | | | | | | | Have you experienced recurring symptoms after stopping hormone therapy? Or do you have any other questions for our menopause experts? Let us know at menopause@healthline.com, and the answer may be featured in an upcoming edition! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. | Healthline, Optum Now, and their respective logo(s) are trademarks of RVO Health, LLC.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2025 RVO Health, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC, 29707 | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.