Q & A About Hormone Therapy

 

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Q What is Menopause?

A Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period stops. That is why some people call menopause "the change of life." During menopause, a woman's body slowly produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This change often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a menstruation for 12 consecutive months.

Q What is perimenopause?

A While menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation, perimenopause is the time immediately prior to menopause.

Q What are the symptoms of menopause?

A Lower hormone levels in menopause may lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness and thin bones (osteoporosis). Some women may experience few problems; others may find that these symptoms interfere with their quality of life.

Q What is hormone therapy for menopause?

A Hormone therapy (HT) for menopause has also been called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To help with menopausal problems, women are often given estrogen or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). Like all medicines, HT has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about hormones. If you decide to use hormones, use them at the lowest dose that helps and use them for the shortest time needed.

Q Who needs treatment for symptoms of menopause?

A For some women, many of these changes will go away over time without treatment. Some women will choose treatment for their symptoms and to prevent bone loss. If you choose treatment, estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still has her uterus or womb) can be used.

Q What are the benefits from using hormones for menopause?

A Hormone therapy is the most effective US Food and Drug Administration approved medicine for relief of your hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness. Hormones may reduce your chances of getting thin, weak bones (osteoporosis), which break easily.

Q What are the risks of using hormones?

A For some women, hormone therapy may increase their chances of getting blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and gall bladder disease. For a woman with a uterus, estrogen increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). Adding progestin lowers the risk.

Q Should hormone therapy be used to protect the heart or prevent strokes?

A Do not use hormone therapy to prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Q Should HT be used to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease?

A Do not use HT to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.

Q Do hormones protect against aging and wrinkles?

A Studies have not shown that HT prevents aging and wrinkles.

Q How long should I use hormones for menopause?

A You should talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Again, hormones should be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time needed.

Q Does the form of hormones used for menopause make a difference?

A The risks and benefits may be the same for all hormone products for menopause, such as pills, patches, vaginal creams, gels, and vaginal rings.

Q Are herbs and other "natural" products useful in treating symptoms of menopause?

A At this time, we do not know if herbs or other "natural" products are helpful or safe. Studies are being done to learn about the benefits and risks.

Q Which women should not use hormone therapy?

A Women who think they are pregnant should not take hormones. In addition, women who have had a stroke or heart attack, or who have had certain kinds of cancer should not use hormone therapy.

Q Whether or not I choose to use hormone therapy, what can I do to improve my health during menopause?

A It is important to: eat right, exercise and watch your weight; have your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked; and talk with your health care provider about taking calcium and vitamin D to ensure strong bones.