Hormone Therapy for Menopause: What You Need to Know
Experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, and lack of sleep while going through menopause shouldn't be the norm. It's the main point that comes from a health authority's recent announcement.
The health authority plans to remove the "black box" warnings on estrogen-based hormone therapy, which is a popular treatment for menopausal symptoms. The labels have been deterring women from trying the therapy and doctors from prescribing it.
The warnings came about in the early 2000s following a study which discovered that hormone therapy could increase risks of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and breast cancer. However, the hormone therapy formulation used in that study is no longer popular. Moreover, the women in the study were on average 63 years old, which is now considered too late to start hormone therapy.
Current Understanding of Hormone Therapy
Experts now believe there are safer and more effective ways to administer hormone therapy, especially if it begins at a younger age. If a woman is under 60 or within ten years of the onset of menopause, starting hormone therapy can lead to fewer hot flashes, sweats, and sleep disruptions.
Furthermore, hormone therapy can offer protection against bone loss and fractures, as well as potentially improve heart health, brain fog, and overall quality of life, provided it is given in appropriate doses.
However, it's important to remember that hormone therapy isn't suitable for every woman. Some women have medical conditions or symptoms that can make hormone therapy risky. Hence, it's crucial that women consult with knowledgeable health care providers to understand the benefits and risks.
Points to Consider About Hormone Therapy
- When to start hormone therapy? Experts recommend that estrogen therapy should ideally begin before the age of 60 or within ten years of menopause onset. This will help manage symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
- How long should you be on hormone therapy? Typically, women stay on hormone therapy for three to five years. However, this is not a strict rule and depends on individual needs and symptoms.
- How has hormone therapy evolved? Over the past 20 years, science has progressed significantly, and there have been changes in how estrogen is administered and the types of hormones used. For example, many women are now prescribed patches instead of pills.
- Do all estrogen products carry the same risks? Not all estrogen treatments have the same risks. For instance, low-dose vaginal creams, designed to target specific symptoms, carry a lower risk than systemic estrogen treatments that circulate through the body.
- Who should avoid hormone therapy? Women with certain medical conditions, like estrogen-sensitive breast or uterine cancer, or those at high risk for or have had a heart attack, stroke, blood clot, or pulmonary embolism should avoid hormone therapy.
- Are there alternatives for women who don't want to take hormone therapy? The health authority has approved two non-hormonal medications to treat severe hot flashes in menopause. Other tips for managing symptoms include limiting alcohol and caffeine, maintaining a healthy body weight, and exploring techniques like hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation.
