Menopause Clinics and Information
clinic finder
Home
Clinic Finder
About Us
Menopause Information
HRT Information
Alternative Treatments
Premature Menopause
Tests
Questions & Answers
Glossary
Contact Us
Health Professionals
Useful Links
News
Meetings
Questions & Answers
Q. I have hot flushes but am keen to avoid HRT, what can I do?
A. Some women who have mild flushes find that avoiding things like coffee and alcohol (stimulants) can help reduce the number of flushes. Phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) may help with mild symptoms, as may various other alternative remedies.Q. I had an early menopause and have been on HRT for 12 years, is this risky?
A. The recommendations for use of HRT in women who have had an early menopause (under 45) are different to those for women taking HRT after the menopause at a normal age (over 45). For women with an early menopause (premature ovarian failure) it is best to take HRT until the average age of the menopause (51 years) and then consider whether to continue HRT after that. The UK advisory body for prescribing (The Committee for Safety of Medicines) recommend that the benefits of HRT appear to be greater than any risks in women with an early menopause.Q. Will I put on weight if I take HRT?
A. There is no reason to put on weight if you start HRT. However, many women do seem to gain weight around the time of the menopause naturally. Scientific studies of HRT show no overall weight gain when compared to women taking a dummy (placebo) tablet. Some women will experience a feeling of bloating and fluid retention at first when they start HRT, but this usually settles after a few weeks. If it does not improve, a change to the type of treatment may be helpful.Q. How should I stop taking my HRT?
A. If you have been on HRT for a short time (just a few months) then it is usual to stop HRT abruptly. If possible it is best to stop at the end of a packet. For a women who has been on HRT for longer, she may need to come off the treatment more slowly. This is to avoid getting troublesome hot flushes and sweats. To do this, there may be a lower dose preparation that you could take for a few months. Otherwise you can reduce the dose slowly over a few months. Consult your doctor or medical adviser about how best to do this. The advice will vary with different types of HRT.Q. What is the longest time for which I can take HRT?
A. There is no upper limit to the length of time to take HRT. It depends on your individual circumstances. For a woman with an early menopause, she may be on HRT for many, many years. For other women, they should continue HRT for as long as the symptoms are troublesome, taking into account the risks and benefits. Your medical adviser will be able to help you about your own personal risks and benefits. Then you can come to a decision which is right for you personally.Q. I am currently on HRT, when can I stop using contraception?
A. This depends on how old you are and whether your periods have stopped. If you are under 50 years old and your periods were still continuing when you commenced HRT, you should continue using contraception for two years. If you are over 50 years old, or if your periods had already stopped when you went onto HRT, a year should be sufficient. However, whilst the chance of getting pregnant at this time is extremely small, there is no guarantee until your periods have completely finished.Q. I am a moderately heavy smoker (20 cigarettes a day). Can I still take HRT?
A. Smokers can use HRT safely. However, as a general lifestyle measure, you should see that stopping smoking must be a priority in your life. Smokers tend to have lower hormone levels anyway. Giving up smoking may even help with some of your menopausal symptoms, as well as helping you to live longer.Q. I have been told that I have osteoporosis. I am taking HRT but am worried whether it will protect me against further broken bones.
A. HRT is a very good treatment for osteoporosis. It is not now the first treatment to be offered for osteoporosis, but if you are already on HRT, it should be treating osteoporosis satisfactorily. Your doctor may well want to check this with a repeat DEXA bone density scan to make sure. Further Info.
