A randomized controlled study of taper-down or abrupt discontinuation of hormone therapy in women treated for vasomotor symptoms

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether tapering down of combined estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT) reduced the recurrence of hot flashes and resumption of therapy compared with abrupt discontinuation. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was affected after discontinuation of EPT and to investigate the possible factors predicting resumption of EPT.

Methods: Eighty-one postmenopausal women undergoing EPT because of hot flashes were randomized to tapering down or abrupt discontinuation of EPT. Vasomotor symptoms were recorded in self-registered diaries, and resumption of hormone therapy (HT) was asked for at every follow-up. The Psychological General Well-being Index was used to assess HRQoL.

Results: Neither the number nor the severity of hot flashes or HRQoL or frequency of resumption of HT differed between the two modes of discontinuation of EPT during up to 12 months of follow-up. About every other woman had resumed HT within 1 year. Women who resumed HT after 4 or 12 months reported more deteriorated HRQoL and more severe hot flashes after discontinuation of therapy than did women who did not resume HT.

Conclusions: Women who initiate EPT because of hot flashes may experience recurrence of vasomotor symptoms and impaired HRQoL after discontinuation of EPT regardless of the discontinuation method used, abrupt or taper down. Because, in addition to severity of flashes, decreased well-being was the main predictor of the risk to resume HT, it seems important to also discuss quality of life in parallel with efforts to discontinue HT.