Preimenopause can last 10 years. My mother, HRT, helped her immensely, and she hated when her Dr stopped prescribing them back when inflated studies linked it to increased cancer risk. She hated having to stop, but eventually, her perimenopause symptoms did subside. Her and my sister swear 50 was the magic age it all stopped. It's been 6 years, but I'm hopeful that 50 will be my magic number also. If vaginal dryness and chronic urinary tract symptoms continue, there are estrogen creams that can be very helpful, and other HRT therapy may not be necessary. Just like during our adolescent years, our bodies have to adjust to the changing hormone levels, and for most, it eventually levels out. I've heard HRT can be very helpful in reducing symptoms, but I've never been told that it had to be permanent. There needs to be much more research and education surrounding re the subject. We need to talk more about it and stop acting like it's taboo.