Hormone Replacement Therapy - Risks vs Benefits

Pregnancy Belly and Fundal Height.png

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HRT?

Early Findings

Early findings seemed to indicate  Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could slightly raise the odds of

  • heart disease,

  • breast cancer, and

  • stroke

for women who had gone through menopause.

The studies covered women taking combinations of estrogen and progestin (a form of progesterone), but many of the women in the study were over 60.

These early assessments were unclear and the resulting publicity caused many women to stop or not start Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Further Research

Since then, research has shown that the benefits typically far outweigh the risks for many women, but in some cases, HRT may still raise the chances of:

  • Endometrial cancer, if you take estrogen without progestin and you still have your uterus,

  • Blood clots,

  • Stroke, and Breast cancer

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HRT?

As many women move towards menopause, your ovaries make less estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones help control your monthly cycle as well as affect the health of your bones, heart, and vagina.

Replacing these hormones with versions made in a lab (called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT) ease many symptoms women can suffer during menopause.

SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF HRT

Hormone replacement therapy can help alleviate the following:

  • Relieve hot flashes and night sweats

  • Help you sleep better

  • Ease vaginal dryness and itching

  • Make sex less painful

The effects on your health after menopause can be even more important. Studies show that HRT can:

  • Help prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis (thinning bones)

  • Make some women less likely to have heart disease

  • Lower your chances of dementia

REDUCE HRT RISK FACTORS

Subject to discussions with your doctors the following should be taken into consideration:

  • Start HRT within 10 years of menopause or before age 60,

  • Take the lowest dose that works for you for the shortest possible time,

  • Take progesterone or progestin if you still have your uterus,

  • Ask about other forms of HRT besides pills, like patches, gels, mists, vaginal creams, vaginal suppositories, or vaginal rings, and

  • Get regular mammograms and pelvic exams.

WHO SHOULDN’T CONSIDER HRT?

You and your doctor may decide HRT isn’t right for you if you have or have had:

  • Cancer,

  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding,

  • Blood clots or Stoke, and

  • Liver disease

HRT should not be used if you are pregnant.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR

If you are thinking about HRT, some questions to ask your gynaecologist could include:

  • Based on my medical history, is there any reason I shouldn’t use HRT?

  • Do you think it could help reduce my symptoms, especially hot flashes, sleep issues, and vaginal dryness?

  • Are there other treatments I should consider? (Vaginal moisturizers may help vaginal dryness, for example.)

  • Do you think I’ll have side effects from HRT? (Be sure to tell your doctor if you had any issues with taking birth control pills.)

  • Does my family medical history make me a good or bad candidate for HRT? (parental osteoporosis, HRT will help lower your chances of it. But if your mother had breast cancer, you’ll want to talk about that with your doctor.)

  • What type of HRT might be best for me?

YOUR NEXT STEP

It is important to understand both the benefits and risks of HRT  before deciding if HRT is right for you. We would advise that you see your general practitioner and possibly obtain a referral to see Dr Alexander.

Dr Alexander can offer advice help in your Fertility and Pregnancy Planning. Arrange an appointment now for peace of mind and body www.alexalexander.com.au