You used to have to stop HRT after five years which was awful for many women. I have been on it for fifteen years (aged 68 now) and intend to stay on it for the rest of my life if possible. I am lucky in that I've had a hysterectomy so I don't need progesterone which lowers the breast cancer risk. Although once post meno the more emotional symptoms - mood swings etc - do die away (mostly) the lack of oestrogen within the body will continue to be felt by some women and it is now known that oestrogen is important for our overall health. I have friends who have never been on HRT, as they didn't suffer much in the way of hot flushes, mood swings, depression, but now don't put their tiredness, dry skin, bladder problems down to menopause at all as they think that was "years ago". Everyone is different of course.
Taz x