How to Discontinue Hormone Therapy
For many women, menopause is a difficult transition marked by hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain and loss of sex drive. Menopause is defined as the time when a woman stops having periods and usually occurs around the age of 51. Menopause, which is a naturally occurring transition, typically starts when the ovaries produce less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause also can happen after a hysterectomy, radiation and/or chemotherapy, and ovarian insufficiency, which is when the ovaries don't produce enough reproductive hormones.
To replace these deficient hormones, many women elect to begin hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormones can be pills, patches, creams, even lozenges. If you decide you don't want to continue with HRT indefinitely, there are steps you can take to make the transition.
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Instructions
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Don't quit cold turkey. You probably will experience withdrawal symptoms and possibly a return of your original menopause indicators. How your body reacts to quitting cold turkey depends on the severity of your original symptoms, the types of hormones you are taking and the dosage. Regardless, a sudden stoppage can send your system into a tailspin, so it is advisable to go slowly.
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Taper off gradually. If you are taking pills, ask your physician to prescribe a lower-strength pill. Alternate every other day with your regular dosage, before gradually taking only the low-strength pill every other day, then decreasing to every couple of days before you stop altogether. If you find you still need hormones, take your pill once every three days.
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Cut hormone patches in half. While this won't work with all patches, it can be effective for some, so check with your doctor. Other methods include wearing patches every other day or asking your doctor to provide a lower dosage.
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Tips & Warnings
Exercise regularly to combat the weight gain often associated with menopause. Exercise also will release endorphins (feel-good hormones), which can help regulate mood swings.
Eat right. Avoid sugar, alcohol and fatty foods. Instead, feed your body plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber and lots of water.
Once you stop taking progesterone, you might have vaginal bleeding similar to a period.
Consult your doctor before stopping HRT. And remember that each woman is different, so it might take more than one attempt to stop HRT successfully.
