Hormone Therapy for Women
Hormone Therapy for Women
Hormone therapy is often recommended for women experiencing menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal discomfort. This treatment has also proven effective in preventing bone loss and reducing fractures in postmenopausal women. If you have been recommended hormone therapy, you should learn all the benefits and risks so you can make an informed decision about your treatment. This guide from Juro’s Pharmacy Health & Wellness covers all the basics.
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What Is Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy, is focused on replacing the estrogen that your body no longer produces after menopause. In patients who have not undergone a hysterectomy, estrogen is usually paired with progesterone or progestin. This is because estrogen alone can stimulate the growth of the uterine lining and increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
There are two main types of hormone therapy. Systemic hormone therapy, in which estrogen is distributed throughout the body, most often comes in the form of pills. This treatment method can reduce all the symptoms of menopause. Meanwhile, low-dose vaginal preparations of estrogen are available to target vaginal and urinary symptoms. These usually come in the form of a topical cream.
What Are the Risks of Hormone Therapy?
Clinical trials have identified a few risks associated with hormone therapy. Estrogen-progestin pills may increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer in some patients. The degree of risk largely depends on the age of the patient. Women who begin hormone therapy at age 60 or older, or more than 10 years after the onset of menopause, are at greater risk. When therapy begins before the age of 60, or within 10 years of starting menopause, the benefits are considered to outweigh the risks.
The patient’s personal and family medical history should also be taken into account when weighing the risks of hormone therapy. High-dose estrogen treatment may not be appropriate for those with a family history of breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and liver disease.
Who Can Benefit From Hormone Therapy?
In many cases, the benefits of hormone therapy can outweigh the risks. Hormone therapy is considered the gold standard treatment for those with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. These include hot flashes and night sweats, as well as vaginal symptoms like dryness, itching, and burning. Estrogen is also used in the treatment of osteoporosis, but generally as a Plan B option if the patient cannot tolerate bisphosphonates.
Hormone therapy can be very beneficial for women who experience early menopause or estrogen deficiency. This includes women who have their ovaries removed before age 45, lose their menstrual cycle before age 45, or lose normal ovary function before age 40. In these patients, replacement estrogen can decrease the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and mood changes.
If you have any questions about hormone therapy for women, don’t hesitate to ask the experts here at Juro’s Pharmacy Health & Wellness. Your pharmacist can provide you with more detailed information about your prescription.
