There's no single "recommended age" to stop Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT); it's a personalized decision based on benefits, risks, and individual health, but guidelines often suggest stopping around age 60 or within 10 years of menopause if symptoms improve, as risks can increase, though many women continue safely with doctor guidance, especially for severe symptoms or early menopause. For those with early menopause (before 40/45), taking HRT until the average age of menopause (around 51) is usually recommended for bone health.
This increases your level of oestrogen, which helps protect you from conditions such as osteoporosis. You'll usually be advised to take HRT until you're at least 51 years old.
Answer. Hormone therapy can be extremely beneficial for bone health purposes for women up to the age of 60 years, and in some circumstances women may continue hormone therapy after this age, depending on their general health, family history and bone density / history of fracture.
Age. If you start menopause hormone therapy at age 60 or older, or it has been more than 10 years since menopause, your risk of serious complications increases. But if you start menopause hormone therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits may outweigh the risks.
There is no explicit rule or guideline about when to stop HRT—every woman's hormone therapy plan should be personalized to her needs. Taking HRT for menopause-related symptoms before age 60-64 can significantly relieve symptoms. After that, the possible risks may begin to outweigh the benefits.
By the 1960s, women were widely prescribed HRT. But, in 2002 this changed when part of the Women's Health Initiative, a long-term national health study, was halted after data indicated that HRT increased risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and breast cancer in women over 60.
Stopping HRT is unlikely to result in weight loss and weight changes during menopause or as a natural consequence of ageing are likely to happen whether HRT is taken or not. If you feel you've gained weight on HRT and are considering stopping it to lose weight, other factors may be at play.
If you stop HRT suddenly, you may experience temporary withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include the return of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness or itching.
Estrogen deficiency following menopause results in atrophic skin changes and acceleration of skin aging. Estrogens significantly modulate skin physiology, targeting keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and improve angiogenesis, wound healing and immune responses.
There are natural estrogens in certain foods. There are two main types of phytoestrogens, called isoflavones and lignans. Soybeans, lentils, chickpeas and other legumes have isoflavones. Flaxseed, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables have lignans.
Considering risks and benefits
Natural menses continue until the age of 51 promote CVD, bone and brain health. HRT used up until this age is considered equally safe and beneficial and should not be stopped prematurely.
What are the symptoms of low estrogen levels?
Certain vitamins and supplements may influence the effectiveness of HRT or exacerbate side effects. For example, high doses of vitamin C and vitamin B6 have been known to interfere with the body's ability to metabolise oestrogen, one of the primary hormones used in HRT.
While women typically experience menopause in the 40s or 50s, a large number of women can experience hot flashes not only during menopause but well into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s.
Overview Menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
This process is usually a gradual one that progresses over several years. Oestrogen also plays an important role in maintaining bone and heart health as well as brain function during the reproductive years. The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. The average age in the UK is 51.
Signs of Low-Estrogen Skin:
Sagging with visible loss of elasticity. More prone to damage from UV radiation and pollution. Uneven tone with increased pigmentation. Hollowing in the cheeks and temples.
Here are the top five vitamins essential for female wellness during menopause.
Their clock found that post-menopausal women and people with gynae organs on combined HRT (with progesterone and oestrogen) had slower cell ageing than those not on HRT, which could explain why HRT has previously been linked to lower risk of some age-related diseases.
Here are six estrogen-positive foods to avoid:
If your HRT dose is too high, it can pose risks like: Increased side effects. High estrogen or progesterone can cause bloating, headaches, breast tenderness, and mood changes. Elevated risk of blood clots and stroke.
HRT has been shown to reduce belly fat buildup during menopause, but it does not directly lead to weight loss. HRT improves sleep (by helping with night sweats), mood, and joint pain, which may help you feel more motivated to eat well and lose weight.
If you have weighed up the information and decide coming off HRT is the right decision for you, it is usually recommended that you decrease the dose of hormones gradually, every few days, over a few weeks.
What Signals the End of Menopause?