No — there is no fixed rule that hormone therapy must stop after 10 years. Current evidence and clinical guidelines have moved away from arbitrary time limits. The focus is now on ongoing individual risk-benefit assessment.
What current guidance says:
- Hormone therapy should continue as long as the benefits outweigh the risks for you personally
- Risk-benefit assessments should be revisited regularly (typically annually)
- For most women who started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the risks of continuing are low
When stopping might make sense: Symptoms have resolved; new health conditions change your risk profile; or you and your clinician agree stopping is appropriate after reviewing your current health.
How to stop safely: Tapering gradually is typically recommended rather than stopping abruptly, to minimize symptom return.