What are the issues in stopping HRT? Ive seen many comments here about not wanting or not able to stop. Is it like an addiction, or the fear of reverting back to your previous miserable self? My therapist is in agreement with me that starting HRT will help with my dysphoria. I'm 66 and have suffered  keeping this in my whole life. I just want to to be free to live my life as I feel inside, but what happens if it is not me? Can I quit? I'am so confused and scared!

Hi Joanne 🙋‍♀️ I was told by my endocrinologist that I could stop hrt cold turkey with no ill effects if I felt I needed to.

In the beginning it was a test for me and it scared me.  I quit a few times early on only to have the feelings that I needed it return.  It did make me feel better, so why would I want to stop.  Coupled with the intense feeling that if I didn't continue, I would be missing out on something vital to my life. 
Twice I quit for 3 weeks, only to continue again when I sorted it out.  Each time I became more comfortable with what I was doing and have not looked back.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Quote from: Joanne ONeal on August 25, 2018, 08:31:55 AM
. . . but what happens if it is not me? Can I quit? I'am so confused and scared!

        Joanne was gonna post "Welcome to The 'Ole Girls Club" in another thread but this will do! Hakuna Matata . . . due to prior cancer issues I really don't think you and supportive spouse (that's great BTW!) have anything to lose. And of course you can stop whenever you choose but, then again, few rarely do!

          Having been HRT On/Off/On again for the last 40yrs you'll probably find only regret is you didn't start sooner your story very much reminds me of another long-time CD'ing friend I know. My dysphoria is more "physical sexuality" based than "social" but managed to cope with 2 kids and a third grandchild "in the oven" . . . lol kids still call me "grandpa" but "grand transparent" is probably more like it! I am definately their favorite!

Being "transgendered" is No Big Deal! Rather it's what you ultimately decide to do about it instead. Could tell ya stories everyone knows about my girlish proclivities . . . have found cis "older crowd" to be most accepting of all!

(ps edit: My "ex" has become jealous - we've been divorced 10 yrs yet together again "for the grandkids" and she now actually shops for me, bringing home more feminine clothes than I would ever dare wear!  lol Flattery, while often welcome, will get her NOWHERE !

My father died of prostrate cancer so, swearing it would never happen to me, was lucky taking Casodex anti-antigens early on and believe it helped save my full head of hair 

Quote from: Joanne ONeal on August 25, 2018, 08:31:55 AM
What are the issues in stopping HRT? Ive seen many comments here about not wanting or not able to stop. Is it like an addiction, or the fear of reverting back to your previous miserable self? My therapist is in agreement with me that starting HRT will help with my dysphoria. I'm 66 and have suffered  keeping this in my whole life. I just want to to be free to live my life as I feel inside, but what happens if it is not me? Can I quit? I'am so confused and scared!

Yes, you can stop any time you wish. The only issues would be, as Kiera mentioned, regret not starting sooner or regret quiting after starting HRT. The only other issue would be the physical changes from HRT like a few months in, your breast will start to develop and after a much longer time, (not sure of the time frame) you may loose the ability to have children. I would never try to speek for you or anyone else about this one but, at my age (61 with 2 kids in their mid 20's) I wouldn't want to have anymore kids anyway. I just couldn't keep up with them lol  .

Hope this helps!!!

Hugs,
Donica.

Having more children is not an issue. Prostate cancer and surgery took care of that.

Hi, Joanne.

I am another member of the over-60 club.

When people have been on HRT for a while, some report menopause symptoms when stopping, such as hot & cold flashes.  They may be uncomfortable, but are not serious.  But yes, if you choose to stop, there is no big issue health-wise.  Depending on how long you were on it, there may be some permanent effects.  Breasts would need to be surgically removed, for example, and sterility may be irreversible.

A common "gotcha" is that people feel good on HRT.  Their dysphoria is gone, they think they are cured, and so they stop.  But HRT is a treatment, not a cure, and the dysphoria comes back.  It sometimes takes people a few cycles to realize that they need it to keep the dysphoria gone.

Talk to your doctor and/or therapist about the effects of starting HRT and stopping it.

Quote from: Jessica on August 25, 2018, 09:08:22 AM
Hi Joanne 🙋‍♀️ I was told by my endocrinologist that I could stop hrt cold turkey with no ill effects if I felt I needed to.

In the beginning it was a test for me and it scared me.  I quit a few times early on only to have the feelings that I needed it return.  It did make me feel better, so why would I want to stop.  Coupled with the intense feeling that if I didn't continue, I would be missing out on something vital to my life. 
Twice I quit for 3 weeks, only to continue again when I sorted it out.  Each time I became more comfortable with what I was doing and have not looked back.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

I wish I had your strength, but I know all to well the felling of missing out right now.