Starting and Stopping Hormone Therapy

Starting Hormone Therapy

Estrogen can prevent the accelerated bone loss that occurs in the early years of menopause. If you and your doctor decide that hormone therapy (HT) is appropriate for you, the best time to start HT is at the beginning of menopause or shortly afterwards.

Stopping Hormone Therapy

If you expect to have a surgery, talk to your doctor about temporarily stopping your HT. Women should stop taking the hormones 72 hours prior to surgery. Similarly, HT should be stopped during prolonged periods of bedrest or stretches of time when you will be immobile. The therapy can be restarted once you are mobile again.

You may decide to continue taking HT, if you are tolerating it well and if your risk factors for cardiovascular disease and breast cancer are minimal. If you decide to discontinue HT, it is best to taper off the hormones gradually instead of stopping them suddenly.

Withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to menopausal symptoms (and include hot flashes, effects on mood and sleep), may occur as a result of the decreased amount of estrogen. Temporary withdrawal "spotting" (i.e. light vaginal bleeding) may also occur when stopping a combined HT regimen. To minimize these potential withdrawal effects, your doctor may suggest tapering off your HT over a period of two to four weeks (or longer).

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