Is Birth Control Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hrt For Breast Cancer Survivors

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. In these circumstances, HRT should only be prescribed in consultation with the womans breast surgeon or oncologist.

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 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.

Here Are Some Questions You Can Ask Yourself And Discuss With Your Physician:

• Am I experiencing difficult menopause symptoms?
• Do I have any medical conditions or a family history of certain conditions that might make HRT beneficial for me?
• Do I have any medical conditions or a family history of certain conditions that might make HRT riskier for me?
• Have I considered alternatives to HRT?

How Could Oral Contraceptives Influence Cancer Risk

Naturally occurring estrogen and progesterone stimulate the development and growth of some cancers . Because birth control pills contain synthetic versions of these female hormones, they could potentially also increase cancer risk.

In addition, oral contraceptives might increase the risk of cervical cancer by changing the susceptibility of cervical cells to persistent infection with high-risk HPV types .

Researchers have proposed multiple ways that oral contraceptives may lower the risks of some cancers, including:

• suppressing endometrial cell proliferation
• reducing the number of ovulations a woman experiences in her lifetime, thereby reducing exposure to naturally occurring female hormones
• lowering the levels of bile acids in the blood for women taking oral conjugated estrogens

Selected References

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How Do You Know When You Have Reached Menopause

While theres no definitive test that can confirm menopause, your gynecologist can help you determine whether you are near menopause by reviewing your symptoms along with your medical and menstrual history.

With changing levels of hormones during perimenopause, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Heavy and irregular periods

Things You Need To Know About Estrogen And Acid Reflux

In acid reflux, the stomachs contents are regurgitated back up the esophagus. In addition to many other symptoms, this condition can cause burning and discomfort in the chest. Some evidence suggests that several hormones in the body may play a role in acid reflux. Estrogen is one example. This important hormone is responsible for the regulation and development of the female reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle. While the exact role of estrogen in acid reflux is not known, some evidence suggests that estrogen, together with other hormones, may have an aggravating effect.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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The Pill Hormone Therapy Safe With Blood Thinners

Finding may lay to rest the notion that hormonal treatments raise odds for recurrent clots, expert says

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 — Women on blood thinners can also take contraceptives that contain estrogen, or hormone replacement therapy, without raising their risk for blood clots or uterine bleeding, a new Italian study finds.

Currently, women diagnosed with blood clots may be advised to stop hormone therapy or use of the contraceptive pill — even if they are already on a blood thinner. The reason: Doctors are often concerned that these drug combinations might raise the patient’s risk for more clots.

However, “there has been no evidence to support this decision,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. Ida Martinelli, of the A. Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center in Milan.

“We conducted this study to address the fear felt by both the physician and patient when making the decision to stop or continue hormone therapy in this setting,” she explained in a news release from the American Society of Hematology.

In the study, Martinelli’s team compared cases of recurrent blood clots and abnormal uterine bleeding in nearly 1,900 women who were prescribed blood thinners either with or without hormone therapy.

Seven recurrent blood clot events occurred while the women were on hormone therapy, while 38 events occurred during a period when patients were not using these treatments, according to the study published online Dec. 22 in the journal Blood.

Ovarian And Endometrial Cancer Prevention

As a result of reports that have appeared in the lay press over the past few years, ovarian cancer is a significant fear among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, even though its actual incidence is very low. Unfortunately, no proven screening test for ovarian cancer exists, and neither CA-125 screening nor periodic pelvic ultrasound examinations have been especially helpful. Recent studies have indicated that the risk of developing ovarian cancer is reduced in women who have used oral contraceptives compared with women who have never used them.8 The largest investigation to date, the Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study , showed a decrease averaging 40 percent in the development of ovarian cancer in women who had taken oral contraceptives.9 A protective effect has been observed with as little as three to six months of oral contraceptive use, with further decreases in risk seen with longer periods of use. For example, use of oral contraceptives for seven years or longer confers about a 60 to 80 percent reduction in the risk of developing ovarian cancer.8

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Why Would I Use Very

Very-low-dose birth control pills not only prevent pregnancy but may also have some health benefits. If you’re in your 40s and are still having periods, you could still get pregnant. Very-low-dose birth control pills protect you from pregnancy. They can help regulate your periods if they are heavy or irregular. Very-low-dose birth control pills also may prevent bone loss, which helps protect you from osteoporosis. Another potential benefit is protection from cancer of the ovary and uterus.

What Are Some Hormonal Birth Control Options

There are several types of hormonal birth control options available. Birth control pills are usually the most well-known and require the patient to take a daily pill at the same time each day. If remembering a daily pill is a challenge for you, or if you have a particularly busy or less predictable schedule, you may be better suited to other hormonal options. These include stick-on patches, which should be applied each week, vaginal rings, which are replaced each month, shots, which are administered every three months, or implants, which are placed below the skin or into the uterus and remain in place for several years.

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Whats The Difference Between Hormonal And Nonhormonal Birth Control

As research and technology advances, there are more and more birth control options available. These options can be sorted into two basic categories: hormonal and nonhormonal. Here, we explain the basic differences between these two options and how you can choose the best birth control method for you.

Added Benefits Of Hrt

HRT reduces the risk of various chronic conditions that can affect postmenopausal women, including:

• diabetes taking HRT around the time of menopause reduces a womans risk of developing diabetes
• osteoporosis HRT prevents further bone density loss, preserving bone integrity and reducing the risk of fractures, but it is not usually recommended as the first choice of treatment for osteoporosis, except in younger postmenopausal women
• bowel cancer HRT slightly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer
• cardiovascular disease HRT has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease markers when used around the time of menopause.

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Actions For This Page

• Menopausal symptoms can be managed with education, lifestyle changes, support and hormone replacement therapy , also known as menopausal hormone therapy .
• In the early postmenopausal years, HRT is an effective therapy for menopausal symptoms. In most women with moderate to severe symptoms, the benefits outweigh the small increases in risk.
• The long-term use of HRT has some benefits, but also has some risks.
• The current role of HRT is for menopausal symptom relief, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration required for the control of bothersome menopausal symptoms.
• The decision to use HRT, and for how long it should be used, must be based on individual assessment and needs.

Women In Their 20s & 30s

Women in their 20s and 30s often experience a sharp reduction in libido , difficulties maintaining vaginal moisture, weight gain, and depression.

Our doctors order a comprehensive blood examination to determine the why this is happening.

We often find these women to have low estrogen, low testosterone and high sex hormone binding globulin. This hormone imbalance is quickly reversed by treatment with testosterone along with dietary and lifestyle changes.

Results are typically realized in less than a month, with noticeable reduction in body fat and a return to a youthful body composition over the six months to follow.

Sexual function is generally maximized within one month.

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What Are Some Resources I Can Access For Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy

We recommend visiting the National Center for Transgender Equality, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and World Professional Association for Transgender Health for more information regarding transgender health. Through these trusted organizations, you can find a gender affirming doctor that will help you realize your fullest expression of your identity.

Types Of Hormone Replacement Therapy

There are various types of hormone replacement therapy available today, and hormones come in a variety of forms including pills, patches, creams, gels, and injections. Prescription hormone products typically fall into one of the following groups.

Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are biologically identical to the hormones produced by the ovaries. These hormones include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is known as the natural hormone replacement option the hormones are derived from plants and are structurally the same as those that occur naturally in the human body.

Hormone pellets are one of the latest advancements in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. The pellet is implanted under the skin by a healthcare professional, where it consistently releases hormones into the bloodstream and can stay in for up to 5 months. The consistent nature of the hormone delivery provides more reliable relief from discomfort.

There is a common misconception that bioidentical hormones are too costly for some because they are not covered by insurance. However, there are BHRT products that are covered by insurance and thus available at a reasonable cost. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist about your bioidentical hormone replacement therapy options.

Hormones from Other Species

Synthetic Hormones

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A Change In Recommendations

These studies were the first large-scale trials that looked for cause and effect with heart disease and HRT. HRT does offer some benefits, such as preventing osteoporosis and reducing the risk of colon cancer. But the data on heart-related risks from these studies were very compelling. As a result, the American Heart Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration developed new guidelines for the use of HRT:

The bottom line, say physicians at the Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic: weigh the benefits of HRT against the risks and discuss the whole subject of HRT with your physician to be able to make an informed decision.

What Are The Benefits Of Hrt

Benefits of hormone replacement therapy for post-menopausal women, include:

• Increased elasticity of the blood vessels, allowing them to dilate and let the blood flow more freely throughout the body
• Improved short-term symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood swings, as well as vaginal dryness, dry skin, sleeplessness and irritable bladder symptoms
• Possible decreased incidence of Alzheimers disease
• Possible improvement of glucose levels

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How Hormones Work In The Brain And Body

In order to feel happy and healthy, you need to have balanced hormones. Here is some important information to note about the differences between natural and synthetic hormones.

Natural hormones bind to specific receptors and keep your body in balance:

• Estrogen binds to the estrogen receptor.
• Progesterone binds to the progesterone receptor.
• Testosterone binds to the testosterone receptor .
• There is no cross-reactivity.

Synthetic progesterone acts differently on the body:

• Progestins do not limit binding with just the progesterone receptor, but many other receptors as well.
• When a synthetic hormone binds to the wrong receptor, that receptor may convey inaccurate signals, which throws the body off balance.

Because synthetic hormones may bind to the wrong receptors, birth control pills may cause hormone imbalances and detrimental side effects. Not all women experience these problems, but for those that do side effects can be quite miserable.

What Are The Risks Of Hrt

The health risks of HRT include:

• Increased risk of endometrial cancer For women who have had a hysterectomy , this is not a problem
• Increased risk of breast cancer with long-term use
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increase in inflammatory markers
• Increased risk of blood clots and stroke, especially during the first year of use in susceptible women

All women taking hormone replacement therapy should have regular gynecological exams . The American Cancer Society also recommends that women over age 50 should:

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Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause

Hormone replacement therapy treats symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal discomfort, which can help women achieve a higher quality of life during this time. Hormone replacement therapy can also prevent bone loss and reduce bone fractures in postmenopausal women.

While there are several benefits, hormone replacement therapy is not right for everyone. If you have a history of vaginal bleeding, cancer, stroke, heart attack, blood clots, or liver disease you may not be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy.

How Birth Control Pills Work Inside The Body

Most oral contraceptives are made with combinations of synthetic estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. After taking the pill, these synthetic hormones enter the brain and act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the signaling process that is necessary for ovulation. In particular, they prevent the hypothalamus from signaling to the pituitary gland to secrete the hormones that cause an egg to be released. In the unlikely event ovulation does occur and an egg is fertilized, the synthetic progestin thins the uterine lining, making it more likely that the egg will be shed.

Many birth control pills include a week of placebo pills that induce monthly breakthrough bleeding, but this is not a real menstrual period. It is an artificial pattern that eliminates the natural ebb and flow of estrogen and progesterone throughout the cycle.

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Choice Of Methods Of Contraception

Women must be advised on all available methods of contraception, including long-acting reversible methods , so they can make an informed choice. No method of contraception is contraindicated based on age alone, up to the age of 50 years. Table summarises the main advantages, risks and reliability of contraceptive methods for perimenopausal women., Table shows the contraceptive methods chosen by UK women in this age group.

It is essential to acquire a personal, sexual and family history, and pregnancy should be excluded . Body mass index and blood pressure should be checked and STI screening offered, particularly before an IUC device is inserted. Pelvic examination is only required prior to fitting an IUC. Cervical cytology should be offered in line with the National Cervical Screening Programme.

Why Is Simplehealth Unable To Provide Transgender/nonbinary Hormone Therapy To Me

At SimpleHealth, your safety is our top priority, and we want to make sure youre receiving the appropriate treatment. Hormone treatment is individualized and should be monitored by an appropriately-trained medical provider who can provide you with the necessary education, counseling, and medical evaluation.

Feminizing and masculinizing hormone therapy each have a variety of medical risks that we dont take lightly. We believe its important for you to seek in-person care where a doctor can create a customized plan specifically for youyou are worth it.

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