Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) online

There are some risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, as well as various side effects. Potential side effects and risks can include: 

• Increased risks of blood clots, stroke, heart disease, and other adverse effects 

• Hair loss 

• Cardiovascular risk  

• Headaches  

• Breast tenderness 

• Breakthrough bleeding  

• Potential risk for certain cancers 

Before starting HRT, talk to your doctor about the risks associated with treatment to help in determining if this treatment is right for you. If during treatment you experience any unwanted symptoms, consult your doctor. 

Hormone replacement therapy may not be suitable for everyone and will affect everyone differently. You should not start HRT if you: 

• Have a history of breast cancer 

• May be pregnant 

• Have problems with vaginal bleeding such as heavy bleeding 

• Have had a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack 

• Have a liver disease or bleeding disorder 

• Are allergic to hormone medicine 

Be sure to discuss your medical history and disclose your current medications and allergies to your doctor before taking hormone replacement therapy. 

If you are looking for menopause symptom relief but HRT may not be the choice for you, don’t worry! There are plenty of alternatives that you can try to help alleviate your symptoms. These can include: 

• Mind and body practices such as meditation and low-impact exercise 

• Natural products, such as soy and black cohosh 

• Non-hormonal medications such as Paroxetine (specifically to treat hot flashes)⁹ 

Discuss your menopause symptoms with your doctor, and they will help you determine what treatment is right for you and your body. 

• Perimenopause: The transition phase between when your symptoms started, and one year after your last menstrual period. 

• Menopause: The main stage when symptoms begin and last for a few years. 

• Post menopause: The last stage when symptoms of menopause fade.
  

2. Are there different ways to take hormones? 

Replacement hormones can be taken in two main ways: systemic products and localized products. Systemic products come in forms such as tablets and patches, localized products include creams or vaginal rings. 

3. What dosage should I start with? 
Typically, your doctor will begin with the lowest dose possible, but this varies with the individual.

4. When should I stop taking hormones? 
It is usually recommended to consider tapering off hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms around 5 years. Every patient is different though and the treatment duration varies from patient to patient. 

5. What studies are available on HRT? 
The most famous study was conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative and found that many women can benefit from hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, but it is not recommended for use as the primary risk reduction for chronic conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke.¹ 

6. What are the main factors to consider when starting HRT? 
Factors to consider include your family history of breast cancer, the severity of your symptoms, and if you have had a hysterectomy 

7. Have other patients been satisfied with HRT? 
Many women find that the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks, but this is a decision that should be made on an individual basis with you and your doctor 

8. Will menopausal symptoms return when I stop HRT? 
For some, symptoms can be lifelong, but symptoms commonly taper off in a few months to a year after ending hormone treatment. 

9. How else can I ease my menopausal symptoms? 
If HRT does not sound right for you, there are other options to help manage symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. These include: 

• Dressing in breathable clothing with layers 

• Using cotton sheets and keeping a regular sleep schedule 

• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake 

• Light, regular exercise such as yoga 

10. Are there other things I can do to protect myself against osteoporosis? 
Hormone treatment should not be given just to prevent osteoporosis, so getting regular exercise and having a diet high in calcium and vitamin D can help strengthen your bones. There are also alternative medicines you can take to help with this. 

There are some studies that show that there may be an increased risk for breast cancer with hormone replacement therapy. Therefore, it is imperative to have routine breast cancer screening while on hormone replacement therapy. 

For patients with a uterus, there is an increased risk for endometrial cancer if they take estrogen only hormone replacement therapy. Because of this, it is recommended to take combined estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy for patients with a uterus.