Articles
Hormone therapy: Is it right for you?
What are the benefits of hormone therapy?
Who should consider hormone therapy?
Who should avoid hormone therapy?
If you take hormone therapy, how can you reduce risk?
Content
What are the basic types of hormone therapy?
What are the risks of hormone therapy?
Who can benefit from hormone therapy?
What can you do if you can't take hormone therapy?
The bottom line: Hormone therapy isn't all good or all bad
What are the risks of hormone therapy?
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:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Breast cancer
Subsequent studies have suggested that these risks vary depending on:
- Age. Women who begin hormone therapy at age 60 or older or more than 10 years from the onset of menopause are at greater risk of the above conditions. But if hormone therapy is started before the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks.
- Type of hormone therapy. The risks of hormone therapy vary depending on whether estrogen is given alone or with progestin, and on the dose and type of estrogen.
- Health history. Your family history and your personal medical history and risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, liver disease and osteoporosis are important factors in determining whether hormone replacement therapy is appropriate for you.
All of these risks should be considered by you and your doctor when deciding whether hormone therapy might be an option for you.
