Medical Questions » Menopause Questions » Question No. 672
| Question: | I am in my fifties and would like to know the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy. How should I take them and how safe are they? What do you think of vaginal oestrogen creams? |
| Answer: | I personally recommend HRT to all my patients, unless there are specific reasons that they should not take hormones. Generally speaking, HRT has been a major advance in the health of women, who now outlive men by an average of more than seven years.
The points for and against hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are outlined as simply as possible in the following points. PROS: • Prevents osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and fractures.
• Slows the development of wrinkles and keeps the skin moist and more elastic.
• Lubricates the vagina and enhances sexual pleasure.
• Slows the sagging of breasts by maintaining breast tissue.
• Relieves the hot flushes, depression, bloating and other symptoms of menopause.
• Regulates irregular periods to make them milder and less painful.
CONS: • Menstrual periods may restart, or continue, for a year after HRT
commenced.
• May cause breast tenderness if dosage too high.
• Nausea and belly cramps may occur.
• Migraines may be aggravated.
Except under special circumstances, HRT should not be used in women who have had:
• Cancer of the breast, uterus or cervix.
• Hormonal mastitis (breast pain).
• Endometriosis.
• Blood clots (thromboses), liver disease or strokes.
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