September 9 2024

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe? What You Should Know

You’re tired of the night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopausal symptoms, and you’re wondering if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the answer you need. But you also know there have been some safety concerns about the long-term use of HRT–and the flood of information online can often be confusing at best.

So, is hormone replacement therapy safe? And how can you be sure it’s right for you?

“We understand many women have concerns about hormone replacement therapy, and it’s a careful balance of determining the benefits and risks,” said Dr. NAME. “The truth is, there is no one answer that’s right for everyone. That’s why we examine your individual case to see what will be the best option. Women’s wellness is an important part of what we do—you’re not just a number at Cary Medical Group.”

If you’re not sure about is hormone replacement therapy safe? then we invite you to learn more by scheduling an appointment with us.

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?

What Are the Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

If you use a pill that is the combination of estrogen-progestin (typically known by the name Prempro), you could be placed at greater risk of serious health issues such as:

Stroke
Breast Cancer
Heart Disease
Blood clots

But this does not tell the whole story, and that’s where our leading internal medicine physicians in Cary can be your guiding experts.

Who Should Not Take Hormone Therapy?

While there are benefits to HRT, there are some who should not take it. At Cary Medical Group, we’ll carefully review the benefits and risks with you, working closely to see if HRT is right for you. The following are some of the facets we’ll take into consideration:

Your Risk of Breast Cancer

If you’ve had breast cancer or if you’ve had a family history of breast cancer, you should not take hormone replacement therapy because it can slightly increase your risk of developing cancer.

The risk of breast cancer increases with the duration of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—the longer you use it, the higher your risk. However, after you stop HRT, your breast cancer risk returns to the level it was before you started the treatment.

Your Heart Health

There is a slightly elevated risk of having an increased chance of stroke and VTE (venous thromboembolism) So, if you have heart disease or other cardiovascular issues, we’ll weigh the risk/benefit ratio with you.

How Does the Healthcare Team at Cary Medical Group Determine if HRT Is Right for Me?

We know that creating a customized approach is vital if you’re going to have successful HRT—if that is the right choice for you. We’ll examine your:

Age

Depending on your age, the risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may outweigh its benefits, especially for those over 60. It’s also important to consider that many women find that menopause symptoms improve with age. If you start HRT before turning 60 or within 10 years of beginning menopause, the potential benefits may justify the associated risks.

Your Health History

Are you a breast cancer survivor? If so, hormone replacement therapy may not be the safest option for you. We will review your medical history in detail to determine whether hormone therapy is appropriate for you.

Family Medical History

If you have a close relative who struggled with blood clots, heart disease or liver disease, we’ll need to take a closer look at HRT and determine if it’s the right choice.

Your Osteoporosis Risk

Of the millions of Americans who have osteoporosis, roughly 80% are women. In addition, one in two women over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, according to information from the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.

We’ll have to weigh your osteoporosis risk against the benefits hormone replacement therapy brings.

What Is the Safest Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Estrogen-only therapy, particularly in the form of creams, is typically the safest. When you combine estrogen with progestin, the risk increases.

Why would you combine estrogen with progestin?

Sometimes, estrogen alone can stimulate the uterine lining to grow. As a result, you have an increased risk of uterine cancer. Progestin enables the uterine lining to shed, which reduces your chances of developing cancer.

Again, we’ll have to examine your individual case to determine what would be the best option. At Cary Medical Group, we take time to get to know you because we understand how vital this is for effective and timely treatment. Your health is our first priority.

Let Our Leading Physicians at Cary Medical Group Help You Determine if HRT Is Right for You

Hormone replacement therapy has many benefits, but it’s not without its risks, and this is why our individualized approach to medicine is so vital for a healthier life. If you’ve undergone menopause, or if you’ve undergone early menopause, we encourage you to contact us to see if HRT can eliminate your symptoms in the safest and most effective way possible.