Do I have to stop taking hormones after a certain period of time?

There are recommendations by several professional organizations, including the North American Menopause Society, recommending not to start systemic hormone therapy if you are over 10 years from your last menstrual cycle or over the age of 60. However, vaginal estrogen is a considerably much lower dosage than patches or oral preparations due to being topical, therefore very little is absorbed systemically so it is safe to start this formulary at any age for treatment of menopausal vaginal concerns. Additionally, another professional organization, The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommends against routine discontinuation of systemic or topical hormone therapies over the age of 65 for management of menopausal symptoms.