Risks of Hormone Therapy
In 2002, results from the Women’s Health Initiative study raised alarms when it found that hormone therapy increased women’s risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. However, more recent research has found major methodological flaws with the study, and since then, newer research has challenged its findings.
Not everyone is a candidate, though. For example, research has found that starting hormone replacement therapy for menopause at the age of 60 or older (or 10 years after the onset of menopause) can increase your risk of developing complications. Your personal health history — including your risk of blood clots, heart disease, and breast cancer — may also affect your risk.
Overall, however, “we see that the hormone therapy benefit is much larger than the risk,” says Dr. Kling.
Who Should Avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you have certain medical conditions, you may be at greater risk of serious side effects when taking hormone therapy. Before starting treatment, make sure your doctor is aware if you have a history of any of the following conditions so they can help you find the treatment that’s best for you:
- Breast cancer
- Deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Blood clotting disorder
- Stroke
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Liver disease
- Heart attack
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