What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:To combat the problems associated with menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) became a popular-albeit controversial-treatment to consider.
Because our hormone levels drop as we age, it was thought that injecting hormones could be a way of staying young. The problem with HRT is that it's linked to very serious side effects. Some HRTs have been linked to increased vein clotting-which can escape to the lungs-cancer, and heart attacks.
Although I can't recommend HRT as a first-line therapy, I haven't given up on it in the future. Those women who are prescribed HRT need to take aspirin before taking estrogen. A small percentage of women are prone to making potentially fatal clots when they take hormones, so aspirin can help prevent clotting.
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To combat the problems associated with menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) became a popular-albeit controversial-treatment to consider. Because our hormone levels drop as we age, it was thought that injecting hormones could be a... More -
Healthwise answered:Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is also called estrogen/progestin therapy, is the use of a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progestin. It can be used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, that result from the changing hormone levels that occur before and after the end of a woman's reproductive years (menopause).
There are certain health risks related to HRT use. While most women do not develop health problems with HRT, a very small number of women get breast cancer, stroke, or blood clots related to hormone use. HRT is also thought to increase the chance of heart disease or dementia in a small number of women.
Every woman should discuss with her doctor her health risks and treatment options for menopausal symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is also called estrogen/progestin therapy, is the use of a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progestin. It can be used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, that result from the... More -
RealAge answered:Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is meant to replenish hormone levels that have decreased due to menopause. The most common forms of HRT are estrogen only (ERT) and estrogen plus progesterone (HRT). Because the estrogen-only treatment can cause an increased risk of uterine cancer, HRT is usually given only to women who have had a hysterectomy.
HRT can be given in a short-term or a long-term manner. Short-term therapy is HRT given for less than five years, usually to treat hot flashes and other common symptoms of menopause. Long-term therapy is given for five years or longer, and along with alleviating the symptoms of menopause, long-term therapy decreases the risks of developing diseases common in older women, such as osteoporosis and possibly colorectal cancer. It is unclear if long-term hormone replacement therapy reduces heart disease risk in healthy women. However, long-term hormone replacement therapy does not appear to reduce the risk of heart attack in women with heart disease.
HRT has been in use for decades, and many of its health benefits and risks are well established. Research has shown that short-term therapy does not increase the risk of developing breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer. However, questions remain about long-term therapy, which may increase the risk of developing breast cancer but also decreases the risk of osteoporosis. The decision to take long-term HRT is personal, and that decision should be made between each woman and her primary healthcare practitioner.Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is meant to replenish hormone levels that have decreased due to menopause. The most common forms of HRT are estrogen only (ERT) and estrogen plus progesterone (HRT). Because the estrogen-only treatment can... More
