Pros & Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many women still choose Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to combat the symptoms of menopause. There are risks and benefits involved with taking the medication. A woman must decide if it is worth the possible risks to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Definition

Hormone Replacement Therapy involves the use of estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. HRT is used to regulate the declining levels of these hormones in menopausal women.

Hot Flashes

Many menopausal women suffer from symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disorders. The use of Hormone Replacement Therapy has been proven to control these problems.

Benefits

Some studies have show Hormone Replacement Therapy to help prevent osteoporosis.

Risks

Clinical trials in recent years have shown that Hormone Replacement Therapy can increase a women's risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease. The use of estrogen (without progesterone) has also been shown to increase a woman's possibility of getting endometrial cancer.

Considerations

If menopausal symptoms are disturbing the quality of life, Hormone Replacement Therapy may be worthwhile. Women should discuss the risk and benefits with their doctor and consider how long to continue treatment.

Resources

• Menopause

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