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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How long do you need to take HRT?

    Related Topics
    Menopause Women's Health
    I am 46 years old and been peri-menopausal for about 8 years and been on HRT for 6 years. My last blood tests show that I have gone into full menopause now. How long do I need to keep taking HRT? I haven't had a period for 1 year
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    Jean Hailes for Women's Health

    Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a leader in women’s health, supported by funding from the Australian Government. We provide trusted and easy-to-understand information to … View Profile

    In general, we recommend that women on hormone replacement therapy take the lowest effective dose, for only as long as required by their symptoms. Meet with your doctor/endocrinologist every year (or more often, if you have any specific concerns) to review your reasons for continuing HRT.

    Health practitioners usually assess menopause according to when periods stop (permanently), rather than blood tests: Perimenopause is defined as from when periods become irregular until 12 months after the final period; Menopause is technically the last period, but the word ‘menopause’ is also commonly used to describe the transition phase of 2-6 years around that last period, in which symptoms of menopause can occur.

    There's a lot of information about options for managing menopausal symptoms on our website (www.managingmenopause.org.au), but any decision about HRT should be an individual one based on your own symptoms and situation - talk to your doctor about risks, benefits, concerns and other alternatives.

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    Dr Barry Wren

    Endocrinologist, Gynaecologist

    Dr Barry Wren was one of the original founders of the International Menopause Society in 1976 and subsequently founded the Australian Menopause Society, becoming its … View Profile

    There are no long-term prospective double-blind studies regarding the benefits or adverse  effect of HRT, but there are four very large cohort studies lasting from 10 to 22 years comparing women who were on Estrogen-based HRT with similar groups who did not use hormone therapy.
    These studies were consistent in the following benefits:
    1. A 30-50% reduction in the risk of osteoporotic fractures
    2. A 25-50% reduction in heart attacks
    3. A 0-25% reduction in Alzheimers dementia
    4. A 30-40% reduction in the use of major health-care facilities (hospital, out-patient, etc.)
    5. A 20-35% reduction in total health care costs
    6. An increase in life expectancy by 1.5 - 3.0 years of life
    7. Maintenance of well-being and sexual enjoyment

    Further information with references can be obtained from the recently published book:-
    “MENOPAUSE : Change, Choice and HRT”   Rockpool Publishing 2013

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