Some women have side effects such as nausea, fluid retention, bloating, breast tenderness and swelling, and irregular bleeding. These often go away with time. MHT may not be suitable for you if you have or have had: breast cancer, endometrial cancer or other cancers that are dependent on hormones.
Combined HRT can be associated with a small increase in the risk of breast cancer. The increased risk is related to how long you take HRT, and it falls after you stop taking it. Because of the risk of breast cancer, it's especially important to attend all your breast cancer screening appointments if you're taking HRT.
Endometrial (womb) cancer: oestrogen-only HRT increases the risk of womb cancer. This increased risk gets bigger the longer HRT is used, and may stay for some years after HRT is stopped. This is why it is usually only prescribed to people who are not at risk of womb cancer.
In fact, they have found evidence for an increased risk of blood clots and stroke. They also found an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women using HRT. Most of the effects of HRT - positive and negative - are seen while women are taking HRT, and disappear once they stop.
Like the now debunked link between the MMR vaccine and autism, HRT has been dogged by a bad safety reputation since it was linked to breast cancer in a research study published in 2001.
Recent findings show that although not completely risk-free, HRT remains the most effective solution for helping with symptoms of menopause and is also effective for the prevention of osteoporosis. It may also provide protection against heart disease.
One of the common treatment options for menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), supplementing your hormone levels to rebalance your system. However, you may prefer to move through menopause without using hormone treatments. And, women with previous hormone-dependent cancer shouldn't use HRT.
Starting HRT after the age of 60 does not lower the risk of heart disease but it is not thought that it increases it either. Starting HRT over the age of 70 may have more risks than benefits. When to Stop HRT? There is no arbitrary age to stop HRT.
There is a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a stroke for women over 60 who take HRT. This is more likely if they started HRT late into the menopause and use combined HRT. The risk can depend on the amount (dose) of HRT and how you take it.
HRT is also known to help women maintain softer, smoother skin, resulting in a younger look. In addition to—and, often, as a result of—these physical changes, HRT often changes how you see yourself.
Taking the right type of oestrogen can really help improve this low mood and other symptoms related to the menopause. Many women find that they feel calmer, have more energy, are more motivated and generally much happier when they take HRT.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help combat the effects of ageing by replenishing the body's levels of hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. Low hormone levels can cause some age-related changes, such as: Wrinkles. Thinning skin.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) HRT is a safe and effective treatment for most going through menopause and perimenopause. Your GP will discuss any risks with you. HRT involves using oestrogen to replace your body's own levels around the time of the menopause.
There are many women out there who worry about weight gain being a side effect of taking HRT. However, several scientific studies show that there is no direct link between weight gain and the menopause itself.
But it is associated with a lot of serious risks if used over the long term. Although the treatment lowers the risk of bone fractures, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel problems) and breast cancer.
undiagnosed vaginal bleeding. untreated uterine lining thickening. raised risk of thrombosis. coronary heart disease, stroke or dementia.
While many people notice improvements in sleep or mood within weeks of starting HRT, changes like improved muscle mass or fat loss can take at least three to six months.
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies
phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains. folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid) St. John's wort.
There is no specific age cut-off for starting HRT.
But taking hormones over time is less about following a set duration and more about developing a course of treatment based on your unique symptoms, needs, history and quality of life, while considering risks and benefits. Research has typically supported an acceptable HRT duration of two to five years.
If you still have your womb (uterus) you will also need to take a progestogen, such as micronised progesterone, to protect the lining of your womb. Does taking HRT just delay the menopause? Many women think that taking HRT just delays the natural duration of the menopause in your body. This is not the case.
And the continued low estrogen levels lead to more serious health concerns. The rate of bone loss speeds up, increasing your risk of low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. You also have a higher chance of having a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related issues.