What Happens To Me After HRT?

Women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), as a treatment to fight their hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, night sweats and other menopausal symptoms. But what many women may not know is that if they start using HRT as a treatment for these symptoms, when it is finally time for them to discontinue the use of HRT they will most likely experience those same symptoms of menopause that they have been trying to avoid with HRT.

How to Get Off HRT

If you are looking to stop using HRT as a treatment for menopause, what you will need to do first is lower your dose of estrogen and replace the progestin with progesterone cream. By doing this slowly, your body will not be shocked by the drastic change in hormones and will be better equipped to keep you healthy. This tapering should last for about 3-4 months until you lower your dose of estrogen and progesterone so much that you don’t need it anymore.

What Will My Doctor Say?

There are doctors who will try to stop you from changing your estrogen, progestin and progesterone intake, but if you are well-versed in the risks, benefits and side effects of HRT you will be able to simply explain what you want to do and what you feel is in your best interest. Of course, you should always take your doctor’s advice and think over what you know and what your doctor tells you before you make any final decisions about your HRT treatment.

Effects of Stopping HRT

Many women report severe hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, cramps and depression after they stop using HRT to treat menopausal symptoms. This is because the body is coping with the sudden decrease of estrogen and progesterone, just as it does during the onset of menopause. However, if a woman is only using HRT for five years or less, most doctors agree that it is much easier to lower the dosage gradually, avoiding so many uncomfortable side effects.

It is always important to know what the side effects of a treatment are before, during and after the treatment, but you should also learn about the hormones your body produces naturally. To find out more about menopause click on the following link about natural hormones.