How long is too long for taking HRT?

I wanted to know from any of my hystersisters. Do you know how long is to long for taking HRT. The reason i ask is Im 25 years old i had to have a TAH last year and im currently on HRT. I just hard for me to see me taking HRT forever. Will their become a certain point where I function w/o it. Any opinions needed. im going to ask my gyn my next appt also.

Hi 24hester,

This is a difficult question for anyone to answer. The crucial word in your question for me is 'function'. Anyone will 'function' without HRT. The issue here is quality of life and that's one to be thought about thoroughly.

I was 35 when I has my hyst, 10 years older than you then. I started HRT immediately and wondered the same thing. I feel that I should take it until such time as I might have encountered the menopause naturally, but I think I will carry on longer if it benefits me.

It's an individual decision, but I know my medical team advised that I should take it until 40 years old at the very least - I did and I'm carrying on, although with a new type.

I hope you resolve this to your satisfaction!

I talked to my General Physician on Friday and he suggested only taking HRT for 5 years and then seeing how things go. I am 38 and will have my TAH/BSO on June 23 and I will probably have to go on them ASAP. I am so hormornal anyway....I will talk to the GYN/OB on Monday for Pre-op and I'll ask that question and hopefully get some kind of answer. Hang in there!!! We are all there 4 u and with u.

My surgery was just a couple of years ago, when I was age 50. But my mother had a hysterectomy when she was 35 and has been on Premarin since that time. She is currently 76. My youngest sister had a hysterectomy at age 28 and has been on Premarin since that time. She is currently 48. They have both kept any weight off (with some effort), and have minimal issues. The benefit for them has been mood stability and stronger bones along with no hot flashes, etc. None of their physicians have ever suggested stopping their HRT.

I have a friend who had a hysterectomy in her late 20's and only had HRT for a few years. She is now 62 and is dealing with osteoporosis and has even had a broken ankle during a hiking trip a couple of years ago. She wishes now she had stayed with some form of HRT to help keep her bones strong.

Everyone is different. I've decided to use the most natural products I can in the lowest doses I can for as long as I think I need to.

Hi
I'm 42 and expect to remain on HRT til 50 at the minimum. After that I'll see what the current thinking is ref. safety in continuing.
I imagine by that time the drug companies will have introduced "better" medicines for us. Well, fingers crossed, anyway.
Elaine
x

Hi. I'm 41 and have decided to stay on HRT forever. Without HRT, I am depressed, can't concentrate, have horrible allergies, no libido, very dry, etc,etc,etc. Living with these symptom does not equal a good quality of life for me. My Mom had a hystertomy 10 years ago and decided not to go on HRT because she was so scared of cancer. She was always depressed and was just not a happy person. She passed away from ovarian cancer 12/06. For me, the choice is clear. I have to enjoy and live my life to the fullest. There is no acceptable age for me to experience the "joys" of menopause.

I wish there was a manual that came with all this hormone junk! I was 26 when I had my hysterectomy for Ov/Ca and am still wondering if HRT is right for me. I know that I've read that taking Estrogen for 10yrs or longer can increase your risk for developing Ovarian cancer, but I guess some of the benefits outweigh the risks, especially at our age. My mom just developed osteoperosis and that is a huge concern for me. I take Premarin, .90mg a day, and seem pretty "normal" on that, although with my past diagnosis, I would feel safer being on a lower dose. I think I will try to lower my dosage to .625mg soon. I think as long as your on the lowest possible dosage and you are managing your side effects, that as long as your Dr is monitoring you, you'll be ok. I'm sure there is no clear cut answer to your question - unfortunatly, I think that's the way it is with hormones!

While initially I just assumed I would be on hrt forever, I'm not so sure now. Thus far, I have been on hrt for seven years now and do not have any plans to discontinue it in the near future. It is something that I discuss with my doctor at my well woman appointment. My bloodwork is checked and I make sure and have my mammogram. As long as everything checks out okay and I am doing okay, my doctor says I can continue the hrt.

I love my Vivelle Dot and hope to stay on it till I'm 70.

The reviews are mixed about wether it causes cancer or not-I'm with a lot of you ladies here-quality of life is more important to me Than living an extra 10 years and feeling rotten with brittle bones and no energy.

I recently met an 8o year old who said she had her hysterectomy @ 50 and is still on estrogen. She said her Dr. tired to get her to discontinue it and she tried-she said she would not quite it and why should she @ 80? She also added that she hated those "nasty hotflashes" she gets when she tries to go off it. Not only that, she looks and acts like a 50 year old.

Thought you all would get a laugh out of that one.

Hi,

I am menopausal age and have been on hrt for 3 years. I have tried to lower dose and get off a couple of times and felt depressed and had hot flashes.

I don't know how long I can stay on it, but will check witth my dr every year when I go for my yearly exam.

s