I have had a total hysterectomy and now I'm left with no ovaries. I have been taking HRT for 12 years, and I was wondering if it is safe to come of it? What will happen once I do? Will I become more manly because of the lack of oestrogen in my body? Please help.

If you wish to come off HRT it is really important to do it very, very slowly, at least over 6 months.

Coming off HRT mimics a menopause but if you come off too quickly then your stress system crashes (you are suddenly without all these extra hormones which have been shoring up your body), and you can end up getting menopause-like symptoms all over again!

When you decide to come off (after discussing with your GP), I would suggest starting a female multi-vitamin with high levels of B vitamins and a separate magnesium supplement to help support your system generally.

Acupuncture can be really effective for balancing whilst coming off HRT so it is worth looking into. Avoid foods that can stress the nervous system such as caffeine, high salt and sugar foods, and processed foods. Try to drink plenty of plain water each day.

Daily relaxation is really important for this as it helps to strengthen the nervous system and the stronger this is, the less likely you are to get symptoms.

Once off the HRT, if you are still getting some symptoms then you may find taking Menopause Support helpful as it is known to gently raise and balance oestrogen and can help the body to adapt without the HRT.

Being without HRT is unlikely to make you 'manly.'

You don't end up without any oestrogen but just with less -  most women look just as good afterwards, especially if they take good care of themselves!

Eileen Durward