Effects of Stopping Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many women who reach menopause suffer severely from reactions such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, that are very unpleasant and disruptive to daily life. Until a few years ago, many of these women would take a combination of hormones (Estrogen + Progesterone) to alleviate the symptoms. However, recent research indicates that taking these hormones (called "Hormone Replacement Therapy" - HRT) is associated with increased risk in a variety of diseases. (Details are available in our series on HRT Risks). Alternative medicine has not been found to be effective. Sometimes, physicians suggest that women use HRT in decreasing doses to help alleviate the symptoms, with the anticipation that the gradual decrease in hormone levels will make the transition easier.

In the following, we describe the results of a study, published in JAMA, volume 294, page 183, 2005. The study is titled "Symptom Experience after discontinuing use of Estrogen plus Progestin", and examines women's symptoms after terminating HRT. The study involved approximately 8400 women, with an average duration of about 6 years. Half the women were actually on HRT, and the other half - on a placebo. The women were surveyed to assess their symptoms 8 to 12 months after the termination.


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