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
Who should consider hormone therapy?
Despite its health risks, systemic estrogen is still the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. The benefits of hormone therapy may outweigh the risks if you're healthy and you:
- Experience moderate to severe hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms
- Have lost bone mass and either can't tolerate or aren't benefiting from other treatments
- Stopped having periods before age 40 (premature menopause) or lost normal function of your ovaries before age 40 (premature ovarian insufficiency)
Women who experience early menopause, particularly those who had their ovaries removed and don't take estrogen therapy until at least age 45, have a higher risk of:
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Earlier death
- Parkinson's-like symptoms (parkinsonism)
- Anxiety or depression
For women who reach menopause prematurely, the protective benefits of hormone therapy usually outweigh the risks.
Your age, type of menopause and time since menopause play significant roles in the risks associated with hormone therapy. Talk with your doctor about your personal risks.
