Where Does Evidence About The Health Effects Of Mht Come From
The most comprehensive evidence about the health effects of MHT comes from two randomized clinical trials that were sponsored by the National Institutes of Health as part of the Womens Health Initiative :
- The WHIEstrogen-plus-Progestin Study, in which women with a uterus were randomly assigned to receive either a hormone pill containing both estrogen and progestin or a placebo. The median duration of treatment was 5.6 years.
- The WHI Estrogen-Alone Study, in which women without a uterus were randomly assigned to receive either a hormone pill containing estrogen alone or a placebo. The median duration of treatment was 7.2 years.
More than 27,000 healthy women who were 50 to 79 years of age at the time of enrollment took part in the WHI hormone therapy trials. The goals of these trials were to see if MHT prevents heart disease and bone fractures in postmenopausal women and to determine if MHT affects risks of breast cancer and, for women with a uterus, endometrial cancer. Both trials were stopped early , when it was determined that both types of therapy were associated with specific health risks, but long-term follow up of the participants continues to provide new information about the health effects of MHT.
Hrt Does Not Cause Weight Gain
Weight gain at the menopause is related to age and lifestyle factors. An increase in body fat, especially around the abdomen, can occur during menopause because of hormonal changes, although exactly why this happens is not clear. Normal age-related decrease in muscle tissue, and a decrease in exercise levels, can also contribute to weight gain.
Most studies do not show a link between weight gain and HRT use. If a woman is prone to weight gain during her middle years, she will put on weight whether or not she uses HRT.
Some women may experience symptoms at the start of treatment, including bloating, fluid retention and breast fullness, which may be misinterpreted as weight gain. These symptoms usually disappear once the therapy doses are changed to suit the individual.
Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
For many healthy adults who are experiencing moderate or severe menopausal symptoms, there are benefits to using hormone replacement therapy that may override potential risks of this treatment.
Medical experts note that the benefits of HRT can include:
- Relief from moderate to severe hot flashes
- Relief from vaginal dryness and discomfort
- Prevention of bone loss and bone fractures
- Protection against colorectal cancer
In addition, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists notes that otherwise healthy people who are experiencing early menopause or estrogen deficiency may find HRT beneficial.
Hormone replacement therapy is recommended on an individual basis. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of HRT based on factors like your symptoms, medical history, and overall health.
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What Is The Best Hormone Replacement Therapy
- What is the Best Hormone Replacement Therapy?
When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, you have options. If youre an older adult female going through menopause, youre bound to experience some unpleasant changes in your body that a male could never understand. At this time, your hormone levels are all over the place. Theyre consistently inconsistent, and theyre dropping at an increasingly alarming rate. Some of these treatments are known to raise the level of a particular hormone that has seen a substantial decline. Unfortunately, this hormone may not be the only one that needs prompt attention. This is why its vital to take a closer look at the various types of HRT that are being offered today. What is best hormone replacement therapy, and what makes this one better than the other?
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Estrogen Replacement Therapy: What Is It And What Options Are There
Estrogen replacement therapy is the most common treatment for symptoms of the menopause. Heres what you need to know
Estrogen replacement therapy is one of the most common medical treatments for menopause but one that is not always fully understood. The menopause is something almost all women will go through at some point in their lives, so knowing what options are available to make the transition a little easier is really important.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , almost half of all post-menopausal women in the US have used hormone replacement therapy, with 25% of women beginning their treatment five or more years after menoapuse. Estrogen replacement therapy is designed to replace hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause, relieving many menopausal symptoms. There are various different forms of estrogen replacement therapy, and these will have different benefits depending on the symptoms youre experiencing.
While there are some risks that come with estrogen replacement therapy, it is widely considered to be a very safe way to manage menopausal symptoms. Looking for a more natural approach? Check out our guide to the best menopause supplements, or 9 natural remedies for menopause.
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Is It Safe For Women Who Have Had A Cancer Diagnosis To Take Mht
One of the roles of naturally occurring estrogen is to promote the normal growth of cells in the breast and uterus. Some cancers also use estrogen to promote their growth. Thus, it is generally believed that MHT may promote further tumor growth in women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer. However, studies of MHT use in breast cancer survivors have produced conflicting results, with some studies showing an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and others showing no increased risk of recurrence .
When Hrt Is Not Recommended
Hormone replacement therapy is notrecommended for people who:
- May be pregnant
- Have issues with abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Have a family or personal history of breast cancer
- Have a personal history of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, or liver disease
- Have a family history of gallbladder disease
- Are allergic to estrogen or progesterone
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How Long Should I Take Hormone Therapy
In general, there is no time limit to how long you can take hormone therapy. You should take the lowest dose of hormone therapy that works for you, and continue routine monitoring with your healthcare provider to reevaluate your treatment plan each year. If you develop a new medical condition while taking HT, see your provider to discuss if its still safe to continue taking HT.
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe
When used under medical supervision and on a temporary basis, hormone replacement therapy has been proven safe. Studies indicate that women and men on HRT experience a decreased risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer. Individuals who are involved in HRT have seen overall improvements in muscle tone, weight gain and overall physical and emotional health.
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Choosing The Right Hrt For You
It is important to find the correct HRT to help your symptoms.
A low dose of HRT hormones is usually prescribed to begin with. If you need to, you can increase your dose at a later stage.
Once you’ve started HRT, it’s best to take it for a few months to see if it works well for you. If not, you can try a different type or increase the dose. It’s really important that you talk to your GP if you have any problems with HRT.
What Is Pellet Therapy
Pellet therapy is a form of each HRT that is growing in popularity among both men and women with hormone deficiencies. At Herrera Medical Group, we are proud to offer bioTe pellets. These pellets will help gradually regulate your hormone levels over time so you can experience the most balance and stability long term.
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Traditional Natural Hormone Replacement Therapies
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies essentially mean consuming supplements or plants that contain compounds that could alleviate hormonal symptoms. These supplements and plants include:
When it comes to their benefits, some experts dont believe that BRHTs are any safer or more effective when compared to the traditional natural HRTs.
Bhrt Stabilizes Mood Swings When Consistent
Most women, and many men, know that taking BHRT stabilizes their mood swings. But, most dont realize that the dramatic rise and drop of various types of therapies can cause mood swings to become worse, with only brief interludes of peace and stability. Consistency is better for the patient.
Take a look at this chart:
As you can see, when a person takes a pill, uses a patch, or an injection, they will get a sudden spike in the hormones they need. And, for a little while, they feel good. But, to avoid an overdose, the levels of hormones have to fall below an optimal level as the dose wears off. Then, the therapy repeats.
Regular hormone therapies like pills and injections rely on providing almost too much of the hormone, so the levels of adequacy stick around for the most prolonged period and doses repeat often.
This is where bioidentical pellet therapy steps in. As you can see on the graph and from this study, BHRT using pellet therapy ramps up a little bit slower and then provides a consistent and measurable dose of hormones over an extended time. People can be at their optimal level for the most extended duration without feeling the spikes or drops. And, research shows that consistency is the key.
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When To Stop Taking Hrt
Most women are able to stop taking HRT after their menopausal symptoms finish, which is usually two to five years after they start .
Gradually decreasing your HRT dose is usually recommended, rather than stopping suddenly. You may find that your menopausal symptoms come back after you stop HRT, but these should pass within a few months.
What Types Of Therapy Are There
HRT can be given by tablets, patches, creams or gels under advice from a GP, or a Menopause specialist. HRT can take different forms: Oestrogen only suitable for women who do not have a uterus . Cyclical combined which is both oestrogen and progesterone together and re-introduces monthly periods. Continuous combined these prevent periods and may either be oestrogen and progesterone combined or Tibolone a synthetic medication that has combined effects of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Women with an intact uterus must take combined HRT, replacing both oestrogen and progesterone, to prevent thickening of the lining of the womb and therefore reduce the risk of endometrial cancer of the womb. If a woman has had a hysterectomy then HRT can be oestrogen only.
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Menopausal Hormone Therapy And Cancer Risk
For decades, women have used hormone therapy to ease symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and sweating. This is called menopausal hormone therapy, and you may see it abbreviated as HT or MHT. You may also hear it described as hormone replacement therapy , postmenopausal hormone therapy , or postmenopausal hormones .
In the past, many doctors and their patients believed that MHT didnt just help with hot flashes and other symptoms it had important health benefits. But well-conducted studies have led many doctors to conclude that the risks of MHT often outweigh the benefits.
This information covers only how MHT can affect a womans risk of getting certain cancers. It does not cover other possible risks of MHT such as heart disease or stroke.
You can use this information when you talk to your doctor about whether MHT is right for you.
Shortage Of Some Hrt Products
There are ongoing supply problems with some HRT products. For some products this is because of irregular supply while for others it’s a longer-term shortage. There are lots of different reasons why medicines can be in short supply. Work is happening with the pharmaceutical manufacturers who make the medicines to help the situation.
If your pharmacy cant supply the specific HRT product you’ve been prescribed, they may supply an alternative product. This will usually have the same ingredient, but may be made by a different manufacturer. Your pharmacy might also reduce the amount they provide you with to help ensure that as many woman as possible can get access to their required medication.
Disruptions in the availability of HRT will be worrying if it has been prescribed for you. However, there are always alternative options. If you are concerned about this contact your GP, pharmacist or specialist doctor to discuss the best treatment options for you.
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Oestrogen Combined With A Serm
SERMS are a newer treatment option for menopause. They have anti-oestrogen or oestrogen-like effects that vary in different parts of the body.
A tablet containing conjugate equine oestrogen combined with the SERM bazedoxifene improves menopausal symptoms, bone density and reduces breast density. Bazedoxifene, like progestogen, reduces the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus in women who have not had a hysterectomy.
Safety fact:
- SERMs can be combined with oestrogen to improve symptoms, improve bone density and reduce the risk of uterine cancer.
What Is Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Estrogen is a hormone that the body usually creates itself, helping to develop and maintain the reproductive system, as well as typically-female characteristics like breasts and pubic hair. This hormone is depleted during the menopause, which is why estrogen replacement therapy is often used as a treatment option.
This is therapy which replaces the depleted estrogen hormone during menopause and is used to treat menopausal symptoms, says Welsh.
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What Is Known About Hormone Therapy And The Risk Of Breast Cancer
Taking combined hormone therapy can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Here are some important findings:
- Taking combination hormone therapy showed a rare increase of absolute risk of less than one additional case of breast cancer per 1000 person years of use.
- There was a nonsignificant reduction in breast cancer seen in women with hysterectomies on estrogen only therapy.
- If youve been diagnosed with breast cancer you should not take systemic hormone therapy.
Post Menopausal Hormon Replacement Therapy
How prevalent is heart disease among women?
Female Reproductive Organs
Cardiovascular disease is NOT just a mans disease. Cardiovascular disease is the Number 1 killer of women over age 25 in the United States, regardless of race or ethnicity. Once a woman reaches the age of 50 , the risk for heart disease increases. In young women who have undergone early or surgical menopause, the risk for heart disease is also higher, especially when combined with other risk factors such as:
- Elevated LDL cholesterol
- Low HDL cholesterol, sometimes called “good” cholesterol
- Family history of heart disease
What is menopause?
Technically, menopause is the end of a womans reproductive cycle, when the ovaries no longer produce eggs and she has her last menstrual cycle. The diagnosis of menopause is not confirmed until a woman has not had her period for six to twelve consecutive months.
Menopause usually occurs naturally in women between ages 45 and 55 . However, loss of estrogen can also occur if the ovaries are removed during surgery or if a woman goes through early menopause.
How is heart disease associated with menopause?
- Estrogen helps a younger womans body protect her against heart disease.
- Changes in the walls of the blood vessels, making it more likely for plaque and blood clots to form.
- Changes in the level of lipids in the blood occur.
- An increase in fibrinogen . Increased levels of blood fibrinogen are related to heart disease and stroke.
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Venous Thrombosis And Hrt
Venous thromboses are blood clots that form inside veins. Women under 50 years of age, and women aged 50 to 60, face an increased risk of venous thrombosis if they take oral HRT. The increase in risk seems to be highest in the first year or two of therapy and in women who already have a high risk of blood clots. This especially applies to women who have a genetic predisposition to developing thrombosis, who would normally not be advised to use HRT.
Limited research to date suggests the increased risk of clots is mainly related to combined oestrogen and progestogen in oral form, and also depends on the type of progestogen used. Some studies suggest a lower risk with non-oral therapy or tibolone.
Ert May Reduce Menopausal Symptoms
ERT relieves the following symptoms associated with menopause, including:
- Cognitive function
ERT can help ease these symptoms but may come with risks, such as blood clots in the legs and strokes. However, these risks are rare for women aged 50-59 and can depend on health history. The risks may also be relevant to how long the person has used therapy and whether she has a uterus. Speak to your healthcare professional for advice.
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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?
Is Hormone Therapy Safe
Bioidentical hormones are all-natural, plant-based products made from yams and a small amount of soy. Unlike creams, gels or injections, the pellets provide bioidentical hormones at consistent levels over a longer period of time.
The hormones being delivered have the same molecular structure to the hormones your body produces and arent synthetic derivatives, which dramatically lowers the risk of unwanted side-effects**.
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