How many women on hrt

A meta-analysis of 52 epidemiological studies has shown an increased risk of ovarian cancer with estrogen only and combined HRT. It is for your information and advice and should be used in consultation with your own medical practitioner. HRT: The history.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with this. HRT does not significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease including heart disease and strokes when started before 60 years of age, and may reduce your risk. Taking HRT tablets is associated with a small increase in the risk of stroke, but the risk of stroke for women under age 60 is generally very low, so the overall risk is still small.

Page last reviewed: 09 September Next review due: 09 September Benefits of HRT The main benefit of HRT is that it can help relieve most menopausal symptoms , such as: hot flushes night sweats mood swings vaginal dryness reduced sex drive HRT can also help prevent thinning of the bones, which can lead to fracture osteoporosis.

Most studies do not show a link between weight gain and HRT use. If a woman is prone to weight gain during her middle years, she will put on weight whether or not she uses HRT.

Some women may experience symptoms at the start of treatment, including bloating, fluid retention and breast fullness, which may be misinterpreted as weight gain. These symptoms usually disappear once the therapy doses are changed to suit the individual.

HRT is not a form of contraception. The treatment does not contain high enough levels of hormones to suppress ovulation, so pregnancy is still possible in women in the perimenopause the time of hormonal instability leading up to menopause. Periods can be erratic in perimenopause, and egg production will be less frequent, but can still occur until menopause.

For women younger than 50, contraception is recommended for at least two years after the final period. For women aged 50 and above, contraception is recommended for at least one year after their final period. It is currently believed that, overall, the risks of long-term more than five years use of HRT outweigh the benefits.

HRT should not be recommended for disease prevention, except for women under 60 years of age with substantially increased risk of bone fractures, or in the setting of premature menopause. Women with liver disease, migraine headaches, epilepsy, diabetes, gall bladder disease, fibroids, endometriosis or hypertension high blood pressure need special consideration before being prescribed HRT.

In these situations HRT is often given through the skin transdermally. Despite the risks of long-term use, in women with severe and persistent menopausal symptoms, HRT may be the only effective therapy. Women with premature or early menopause are prescribed HRT long-term because of their increased risks of earlier onset of heart disease, osteoporosis, and some neurological conditions compared to women undergoing menopause around the age of 50 years.

Seek specialist advice from a menopause clinic or menopause specialist. Regular check-ups are recommended. It is advisable for women with a history of breast cancer to avoid HRT unless other treatments are ineffective, and their quality of life is made intolerable by menopausal symptoms.

Evidence has not conclusively shown that HRT will increase the risk of breast cancer recurring in a woman with a history of the disease. However, oestrogen and progestogens forms of progesterone may stimulate some types of cells in the breast and some types of HRT use have been associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer in women without a history of breast cancer.

It is not recommended that women at high risk of breast cancer , or breast cancer survivors, take highly processed soy supplements which are high in phytoestrogens , but eating moderate amounts of whole soy foods appears to be healthy. Studies have shown that some prescription medications can reduce hot flushes and sweats. These treatments may be an option if HRT cannot be used for health or other reasons, and should be discussed with a doctor.

The herbal medicine , black cohosh, may take the edge off hot flushes and sweats, but there is no data to support long-term use. There is also a rare liver condition that may be associated with the use of black cohosh. Indeed, they may be less safe — their production is not monitored by government drug regulatory authorities and thus their dosage may be inaccurate or inconsistent, their purity is certainly not guaranteed, and their safety is not tested as it is with approved HRT formulations.

The accuracy and usefulness of such tests are highly questionable. We would not recommend the use of bio-identical hormones that have not been licensed by the UK regulatory authorities, and indeed would strongly caution women against obtaining such products. There are more than 50 types of HRT available: HRT can be given orally tablets , transdermally through the skin ; subcutaneously a long-lasting implant ; or vaginally. Women wishing to start HRT should carefully discuss the benefits and risks of treatment with their doctor to see what is right for them, taking into account their age, medical history, risk factors and personal preferences.

For the majority of women who use HRT for the short-term treatment of symptoms of the menopause, the benefits of treatment are considered to outweigh the risks. The lowest effective HRT dose should be taken, with duration of use depending on the clinical reasons for use. HRT remains licensed for osteoporosis prevention and can be considered the treatment of choice for women starting treatment below age 60 years, and especially for those with a premature menopause.

Women on HRT should be re-assessed by their doctor at least annually. For some women, long-term use of HRT may be necessary for continued symptom relief and quality of life.

Many health centres and practices have a doctor with a special interest in postmenopausal health. However, if your family doctor does not have sufficient knowledge of the current situation concerning the benefits and risks of HRT and many have lost confidence in prescribing because of the recent scares, then it is your right to request advice from a local Menopause clinic or a specialist with known expertise in menopausal health.

It is for your information and advice and should be used in consultation with your own medical practitioner.