"This initial phase - caused by falling oestrogen levels - may last a short time, or a long time or be hardly noticeable, but the average duration is thought to be about seven years or so." She is keen to point out that HRT does not delay menopause, but controls symptoms while they are present.

Does HRT prolong menopause symptoms?

Taking HRT does not just delay the inevitable menopause symptoms. When HRT is stopped symptoms do not necessarily return. Some women do experience troublesome symptoms after stopping HRT - these symptoms would likely have been present (but masked by HRT) all the time they were taking HRT.

At what age should a woman stop HRT?

Women older than 60 or 65 don't automatically have to stop taking HRT and can consider continuing HRT beyond age 65 for persistent hot flashes, quality-of-life issues, or prevention of osteoporosis after appropriate evaluation and counseling of the benefits and risks of HRT.