Who Benefits From HRT?

April 10, 2004

Menopause

Weaning off HRT

Unfortunately, if you stop taking HRT cold turkey,

it is likely that your menopausal symptoms will return. Therefore,

based on a program I developed many years ago, I recommend that

when starting a natural therapy program, slowly taper down your

HRT over a period of a few months. This tapering down method will

help to prevent any menopausal symptoms from returning as you make

the transition.

If you are on estrogen only or taking two separate

prescriptions (one for estrogen, one for progestin), cut your estrogen

prescription in half each month for one or two months. Then cut

back to every other day for a month. Then cut back to twice a week

for one month, and finally to once a week for a month before you

stop. As you decrease your estrogen, begin to increase your intake

of natural estrogen substitutes like soy isoflavones, black cohosh,

or vitamin E to help cushion the estrogen withdrawal that will occur

when you stop using prescription HRT. If you are taking a separate

prescription for synthetic progestin and are on a two- or three-week

cycle with a rest period, you should finish your cycle then switch

to the natural progesterone. If you’re on a continuous program where

you are taking progestin every day of the month, you can immediately

substitute the progestin for natural progesterone.

If your HRT prescription is a single pill combination

of estrogen/progestin, cut your prescription dosage in half each

month for one to two months. Then cut back to every other day for

a month. Then cut back to twice a week for one month, and finally

to once a week for a month before you stop. As you decrease your

prescription, begin to increase your intake of natural estrogen

substitutes like soy isoflavones, black cohosh, or vitamin E to

help cushion the estrogen withdrawal that will occur when you stop

using prescription HRT. Once you are completely weaned off your

prescription and onto the natural estrogen substitutes, you should

then add natural progesterone to your regimen to support your bone

health, better sleep quality, and improve your mood.

Read More on Menopause:

Getting Started

What is Menopause?

Quiz: Is it Menopause?

Keep it SIMPLE Tip — Taking Herbs

Nutritional Therapies

Power Nutrients for Menopause

HRT

Making the HRT Decision

Who Benefits from HRT

If You Must Take HRT

JAMA Study on HRT

Weaning off HRT