Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, but there are still some things that people may not know about it. In this article, we will discuss five key things you should be aware of when considering HRT for menopause.
- HRT for menopause is suitable for women under 60
Perimenopause and menopause can bring about a set of unpleasant symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT for short, can help alleviate common menopausal symptoms like mood swings, irritability, dry spells, hot flashes, and many more.
Hormone replacement therapy does this by rebalancing the levels of your female sex hormones that are in rapid decline. Actually, the sex hormone testosterone that is often known as a male sex hormone is also part of HRT.
All this is necessary to bring back libido in menopausal women who still want to have a thriving sex life. However, hormone replacement therapy can’t seem to work for just about any woman.
Those who are beyond the age of 60 are not recommended to begin this treatment. This is because the side effects of using hormone replacement therapy could potentially outweigh the positive benefits for women older than 59.
According to the Pharmacy Times, the North American Menopause Society revised its 2012 Hormone Therapy Position Statement in 2017, incorporating new data regarding the balance of benefits and risks. The updated 2017 statement highlighted that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is most beneficial for women under 60 years of age who are within 10 years from the onset of menopause and do not have any contraindications to the treatment.
- HRT for menopause could lead to health problems
Like any other serious treatment, hormone replacement therapy is not without its own set of side effects. Some of these side effects may not even be related to menopause itself.
For instance, using hormone replacement therapy may increase your risk of developing breast cancer. However, this increase is so small and even smaller than the average risk of breast cancer in most women.
There are also some health issues that may develop from using hormone replacement therapy, such as heart disease and DVT or deep vein thrombosis.
This is why hormone replacement therapy is not recommended as an initial treatment for women who are already older than 59.
According to information from the National Library of Medicine, in 2002, the initial outcomes of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had a detrimental impact outweighing its advantages for menopausal women. The study highlighted that the utilization of estrogen combined with progesterone hormones post-menopause escalated the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia in women. These concerning discoveries prompted a 46% reduction in the usage of HRT among women in the United States.
The thing about hormone replacement therapy is that the younger you start using it, the lower the risks become even as you grow older.
However, in some women, using this treatment for more than 5 years may also carry some risks.
- HRT for menopause can still make you bleed
The main thing about menopause is that you stop bleeding every month. That is just what menopause is all about. Menopause begins when you shed your last drop of menstrual blood.
However, if you take hormone replacement therapy, you may sometimes find yourself still bleeding from the vagina. This is because the hormones used in the therapy cause your uterus lining to become so thin that there is bleeding.
This bleeding often comes up as spots every now and then. But in some women, the bleeding may also be heavy enough to resemble a regular period. This may be uncomfortable for some women.
According to reports from Practice Nursing, experiencing bleeding while undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is frequently observed. Notably, in the Women’s Health Initiative trial conducted by Rossouw et al. in 2002, around 40% of women had to discontinue the trial due to vaginal bleeding. Studies suggest that approximately 38% of women using sequential HRT and 41% of women utilizing continuous combined HRT (CCT) seek medical attention for bleeding, as documented by Hickey et al. in 2009.
They may feel that this is unnatural at their age. If your bleeding concerns you and you experience any kind of discomfort, you should talk to your doctor. When you convey your concerns, you may be prescribed an alternative treatment.
- HRT for menopause comes in a plethora of forms
Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat many health issues in people of all ages. However, when thinking about hormone replacement therapy, most people are more familiar with its use in treating symptoms of menopause.
The treatment itself comes in many different forms. Some people, including health experts, believe that the most effective form of hormone replacement therapy can only be achieved through injections.
A lot of people who can afford to go to the doctor often also typically use injection HRT. However, hormone replacement therapy comes also in pills, patches, and even sprays.
The efficacy may differ amongst all of these alternative forms, and buying the right product may be difficult for those who are just starting.
Therefore, you should always talk to your doctor about the use of hormone replacement therapy. This is done to also prevent unwanted side effects.
- HRT for menopause can have a few unpleasant side effects
On top of its ability to contribute to serious health issues, the use of hormone replacement therapy may also cause some unpleasant side effects.
These may not be serious health issues, but the discomfort they bring may still make people think twice before taking hormone replacement therapy.
Some of the most common side effects of using hormone replacement therapy include, but are not limited to, bloating, a sense of dizziness, tenderness or swelling of the breasts, feeling sick, cramping of the legs, indigestion, and even vaginal bleeding.
All of those sound scary when combined, but most people will typically experience one or two side effects at a time.
Since the use of hormone replacement therapy can bring side effects, it is important to only get this treatment with a doctor’s guidance. Whenever you feel like your side effects are so bad, immediately talk to your doctor.
To summarize, five things were discussed that most women do not know while considering HRT for menopause. We are confident that the information regarding HRT we provided can benefit you and help you make better decisions.
What Is The Downside Of Hrt For Menopause?
Menopause is a natural and inevitable phase in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive years. During this time, the body goes through significant hormonal changes, leading to various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a commonly used treatment for managing these symptoms by supplementing the body with estrogen and progesterone. However, while HRT can be effective in managing menopause symptoms, it also comes with its own set of risks and downsides. In this paper, we will discuss the downside of HRT for menopause, including its potential risks and side effects.
One of the main concerns with HRT is its potential to increase the risk of breast cancer. Several studies have shown a link between HRT and an increased risk of breast cancer. In fact, a comprehensive analysis of over 50 studies found that women who used HRT for five years or more had a 1.5 times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who did not use HRT. This increased risk is thought to be due to the estrogen component of HRT, which can stimulate the growth of breast cells and potentially lead to breast cancer.
Moreover, HRT has been associated with an increased risk of other types of cancers as well, such as ovarian and endometrial cancer. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who used estrogen-only HRT had a 23% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to non-users. Similarly, the use of combined HRT (estrogen and progesterone) was associated with a 58% increased risk of endometrial cancer. These findings suggest that HRT may have a direct impact on the development of certain types of cancer and should be used with caution.
Apart from the risk of cancer, HRT can also have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Estrogen has been shown to have a protective effect on the heart, but studies have found that this benefit is only seen in women who start HRT within ten years of menopause. In older women, the use of HRT may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that women who used HRT had a 29% increased risk of heart attack and a 41% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users.
In addition to these potential risks, HRT can also cause various side effects that can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. The most common side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and nausea. These side effects can be mild and temporary, but in some cases, they can persist and become severe, leading to a discontinuation of HRT. Moreover, HRT can also cause an increased risk of blood clots, which can be dangerous if they travel to vital organs such as the lungs. This risk is particularly high in women who have a history of blood clots or are obese.
Furthermore, HRT may also have an impact on mental health. Estrogen has been linked to the regulation of mood and emotional well-being, and a decline in estrogen levels during menopause can lead to mood swings and irritability. While HRT may help alleviate these symptoms, it can also cause mood changes, such as increased anxiety and depression. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that women who used HRT had a 40% increased risk of developing depression compared to non-users.
In conclusion, while HRT can effectively manage menopause symptoms, it also comes with its share of risks and downsides. These include an increased risk of certain types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and various side effects. It is essential for women to discuss the potential risks and benefits of HRT with their healthcare provider before starting the treatment. In some cases, alternative therapies such as lifestyle changes, herbal supplements, and non-hormonal medications can be just as effective in managing menopause symptoms without the potential risks associated with HRT. Ultimately, the decision to use HRT should be based on an individual’s unique health profile and personal preferences.
