The Bottom Line: Hormone therapy is an acceptable option for the relatively young up to age 59 or within 10 years of menopause and healthy women who are bothered by moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. Individualization is key in the decision to use hormone therapy. Consideration should be given to the woman's quality of life priorities as well as her personal risk factors such as age, time since menopause, and her risk of blood clots, heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer.
Medical organizations devoted to the care of menopausal women agree that there is no question that hormone therapy has an important role in managing symptoms for healthy women during the menopause transition and in early menopause. Ongoing research will continue to provide more information as we move forward. Going Mad in Perimenopause? Email to a Friend. In fact, hormone therapy is not used as widely as it once was because research began revealing complications with long-term use, such as cancer and heart risks.
However, thanks to these studies, doctors and medical researchers have a better understanding of who will benefit most from estrogen therapy and who should try other treatments. Doctors typically prescribe estrogen-only medication to women who have had a hysterectomy but still have their ovaries. Women who have not had a hysterectomy usually receive a combination estrogen-progesterone medicine. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus.
Removing the uterus during a hysterectomy removes the risk of endometrial cancer. The U. They are available without a prescription, and they are not held to the same safety standards as prescription medications. Despite marketing claims, these hormones are also not more natural than the FDA-approved treatments.
The short-term benefits of estrogen therapy can help ease symptoms of several conditions and reduce your risk of other diseases. However, health concerns related to hormone therapy are valid. Before you begin using estrogen, weigh the pros and cons of the treatment with your doctor. Use estrogen at the lowest dosage you can, and use it for as short a time as possible to reduce complications. You can also take measures to prevent some of the complications of estrogen loss.
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Low estrogen is typically seen in younger women and women approaching menopause. Despite the risks of long-term use, in women with severe and persistent menopausal symptoms, HRT may be the only effective therapy. Women with premature or early menopause are prescribed HRT long-term because of their increased risks of earlier onset of heart disease, osteoporosis, and some neurological conditions compared to women undergoing menopause around the age of 50 years.
Seek specialist advice from a menopause clinic or menopause specialist. Regular check-ups are recommended.
It is advisable for women with a history of breast cancer to avoid HRT unless other treatments are ineffective, and their quality of life is made intolerable by menopausal symptoms.
Evidence has not conclusively shown that HRT will increase the risk of breast cancer recurring in a woman with a history of the disease. However, oestrogen and progestogens forms of progesterone may stimulate some types of cells in the breast and some types of HRT use have been associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer in women without a history of breast cancer.
It is not recommended that women at high risk of breast cancer , or breast cancer survivors, take highly processed soy supplements which are high in phytoestrogens , but eating moderate amounts of whole soy foods appears to be healthy. Studies have shown that some prescription medications can reduce hot flushes and sweats. These treatments may be an option if HRT cannot be used for health or other reasons, and should be discussed with a doctor.
The herbal medicine , black cohosh, may take the edge off hot flushes and sweats, but there is no data to support long-term use. There is also a rare liver condition that may be associated with the use of black cohosh. Commercially available vaginal moisturisers such as Replens may reduce vaginal dryness if used regularly.
Consult your doctor about what will work best for you. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.
The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Hormonal system endocrine. Home Hormonal system endocrine. Hormone replacement therapy HRT and menopause. Actions for this page Listen Print. This is because estrogen alone, when not balanced by progesterone, can stimulate growth of the lining of the uterus, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. If you have had your uterus removed hysterectomy , you may not need to take progestin.
In the largest clinical trial to date, hormone replacement therapy that consisted of an estrogen-progestin pill Prempro increased the risk of certain serious conditions, including:.
All of these risks should be considered by you and your doctor when deciding whether hormone therapy might be an option for you. If you haven't had a hysterectomy and are using systemic estrogen therapy, you'll also need progestin. Your doctor can help you find the delivery method that offers the most benefits and convenience with the least risks and cost. You may be able to manage menopausal hot flashes with healthy-lifestyle approaches such as keeping cool, limiting caffeinated beverages and alcohol, and practicing paced relaxed breathing or other relaxation techniques.
There are also several nonhormone prescription medications that may help relieve hot flashes. For vaginal concerns such as dryness or painful intercourse, a vaginal moisturizer or lubricant may provide relief. You might also ask your doctor about the prescription medication ospemifene Osphena , which may help with episodes of painful intercourse. To determine if hormone therapy is a good treatment option for you, talk to your doctor about your individual symptoms and health risks.
Be sure to keep the conversation going throughout your menopausal years. As researchers learn more about hormone therapy and other menopausal treatments, recommendations may change. If you continue to have bothersome menopausal symptoms, review treatment options with your doctor on a regular basis.
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