Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)? You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)? Get the facts
Your options Use hormone therapy (HT). Don't use HT. Try other treatment to manage your menopause symptoms. Key points to remember Hormone therapy osteoporosis The health risks linked to HT are not high for most people. But these small risks may outweigh the small benefits of HT. HT can help you deal with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes Instead of HT, you might try other prescription medicines or cognitive-behavioural therapy to manage hot flashes. A lubricant gel or an estrogen cream, ring, or tablet may help with vaginal soreness and dryness. HT helps prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. But if you are at high risk for osteoporosis, HT is only one of several treatments you could try. Compare your options
Compare Option 1 Take HT Don't take HT
Compare Option 2 Take HT Don't take HT
What is usually involved?
What are the benefits?
What are the risks and side effects?
Take HT Take HT You take daily pills or use a patch, gel, spray, or vaginal ring to increase hormone levels. You take hormone therapy (HT) to relieve menopause symptoms. Taking HT:
Helps you deal with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Lowers your risk of osteoporosis. Eases vaginal dryness and soreness. Slows loss of skin collagen. Reduces the risk of dental problems. Side effects can include:
Vaginal bleeding or spotting. Breast tenderness. Bloating. Nausea. HT may increase your risk for:
Stroke. Blood clots. Heart attack. Breast cancer. Gallstones. Dementia. Urinary incontinence. Some risks depend on your age, when HT is started, and how long it is used.
Don't take HT Don't take HT You manage menopause symptoms such as hot flashes with: Cognitive behavioural therapy. Hypnosis. Mind and body relaxation. Soy. Yoga or biofeedback. Antidepressant medicines, blood pressure medicine (clonidine), or gabapentin. Vaginal lubricants (such as Astroglide and K-Y Jelly), moisturizers, or low-dose vaginal estrogen. You avoid the health risks of HT. Your menopause symptoms may still bother you. Other prescription medicines can have side effects, such as: Headaches, upset stomach, and problems sleeping (antidepressants). Problems linked to low blood pressure (clonidine). By the time my periods stopped, I didn't have bad hot flashes or other problems. I was pretty proud of myself for getting exercise and eating right, and thought that I was one of the lucky ones. Did I get hit, though! The night sweats started a few months after my last period, and I couldn't sleep or get through the day after that. So, I tried low-dose HT for 6 months, to get some relief. Then, I tapered off of it over a few months, and they weren't as bad. I figure I can tough it out now till my body adjusts to its new state.
I have already had a terrible time with perimenopausal moodiness and some occasional hot flashes, and low-dose birth control pills have helped even out the hormone ups and downs. So if I still have symptoms in menopause, I'll talk with my doctor about HT.
A friend told me that they were having great results from cognitive-behavioural therapy, so I tried it for the hot flashes I was having. I think it's working quite well.
I've been very fortunate. I made it through menopause without hot flashes or other major discomforts. My doctor tells me that all I have to do now is be sure I get my regular checkups and exams, take calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and take good care of myself.
I started taking HT after my periods stopped. The problem is, I had bleeding on and off that was like my period, and I just couldn't take it after 6 months. I haven't taken it since, and I've grown used to my body's changes. I still get hot flashes sometimes but not like I used to. When I feel one coming on, it really helps me to do relaxation breathing. I think that calming my body and mind has a big effect on making a hot flash go away.
I don't want to take estrogen or progestin, because of my family history of cancer. I used an antidepressant when my hot flashes were bad, and that helped me a lot. Now, I just take calcium and vitamin D supplements and get regular exercise to help protect my bones.
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Each pair of questions uses a 3 point scale where 3 is more important, 1 is less important and 0 is equally important. Use the right and left arrow keys to navigate the scale. Reasons to use hormone therapy
Reasons not to use hormone therapy
Other treatment hasn't helped me deal with my menopause symptoms.
I want to try other treatment before I try HT for my symptoms.
More important
Equally important
More important
The benefits of HT outweigh the risks for me.
I feel the risks of HT are too high for me.
More important
Equally important
More important
I don't mind taking medicines to help me manage my symptoms.
I don't want to take medicines if I can avoid them.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Use the following 3 point scale where 3 is leaning toward, 1 is may be leaning toward, and 0 is undecided. Use the right and left arrow keys to navigate the scale. Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts 1. 1, Does taking HT raise your risk of health problems and disease? Yes You're right. HT may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and dementia. No Sorry, that's not right. HT may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and dementia. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." HT may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and dementia.
2. 2, Can HT help you deal with menopause? 3. 3, Are there other treatments that can help with menopause symptoms? Yes You're right. Instead of HT, you might try other prescription medicines, cognitive-behaviouraltherapy, or a vaginal estrogen to help deal with symptoms. No Sorry, that's not right. Instead of HT, you might try other prescription medicines, cognitive-behaviouraltherapy, or a vaginal estrogen to help deal with symptoms. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Instead of HT, you might try other prescription medicines, cognitive-behaviouraltherapy, or a vaginal estrogen to help deal with symptoms.
Decide what's next 1. 1, Do you understand the options available to you?
2. 2, Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. 3, Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Use a 7 point scale where 1 is not sure at all, 4 is somewhat sure, and 7 is very sure. Use the right and left arrow keys to navigate the scale.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2. 2, Check what you need to do before you make this decision. 3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your Summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Incomplete section
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Get the facts Compare your options What matters most to you? Where are you leaning now? What else do you need to make your decision? 1. Get the Facts Your options Use hormone therapy (HT). Don't use HT. Try other treatment to manage your menopause symptoms. Key points to remember Hormone therapy osteoporosis The health risks linked to HT are not high for most people. But these small risks may outweigh the small benefits of HT. HT can help you deal with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes Instead of HT, you might try other prescription medicines or cognitive-behavioural therapy to manage hot flashes. A lubricant gel or an estrogen cream, ring, or tablet may help with vaginal soreness and dryness. HT helps prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. But if you are at high risk for osteoporosis, HT is only one of several treatments you could try. FAQs
What is menopause? Menopause is the point in your life when you permanently stop having menstrual periods. After 1 year of having no periods, you've reached menopause.
In most cases, menopause happens at around age 50, but everyone's body has its own timeline. As you get closer to menopause, your estrogen levels go up and down unevenly. This causes changes in your period and other symptoms, such as hot flashes
Menopause is a natural part of growing older. You don't need treatment for it unless your symptoms bother you.
What is hormone therapy? Hormone therapy usually uses a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progestin. HT comes in the form of a pill, patch, gel, spray, or vaginal ring. HT increases the estrogen and progestin levels in your body. It can prevent osteoporosis
What if you don't take HT? Menopause symptoms can be upsetting and uncomfortable. But you don't have to suffer through them. There are other things besides taking HT that you can do to help.
The first step is to have a healthy lifestyle. This can reduce your symptoms and also lower your risk of heart disease and other long-term problems linked to aging. Eat a heart-healthy diet, get regular exercise, don't smoke, and limit caffeine, alcohol, and stress.
If you still need help dealing with symptoms, you might try:
Cognitive behavioural therapy. This may help reduce hot flashes. Hypnosis. This may help reduce the number and severity of hot flashes. Mind and body relaxation, such as breathing exercises. This may help with hot flashes and mood symptoms. Soy. Some people feel that eating soy helps even out their menopause symptoms. Yoga or biofeedback. They may help reduce stress. Vaginal lubricants (such as Astroglide and K-Y Jelly) and moisturizers to help with vaginal dryness, and vaginal estrogen to relieve soreness. Antidepressant medicines, a blood pressure medicine called clonidine, or gabapentin. These may lower the number of hot flashes you have. And they can make hot flashes less severe when you do have them. To manage symptoms before you start menopause, you might think about taking hormonal birth control.
What are the benefits of taking HT? Hormone therapy:
Reduces the number of hot flashes you have, and it makes them less severe when you do have them. Lowers your risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen slows bone thinning and helps increase bone strength. Prevents vaginal dryness and soreness caused by low estrogen. Slows the loss of skin collagen Reduces the risk of dental problems, such as tooth loss and gum disease. May reduce the risk of colon cancer. What are the risks from HT? Risks vary based on when you start HT in menopause and how long you take it. Short-term use of hormone therapy in early menopause has less risks than when it is started later in menopause.
HT may increase your risk for:
Stroke. Blood clots. Heart attack. Breast cancer. Gallstones. Dementia. Urinary incontinence. Your risk will differ based on your personal or family history.
Why might your doctor recommend hormone therapy? Your doctor may recommend HT if:
You have no risk factors for heart disease, blood clots, stroke, or breast cancer; you are willing to accept the small increase in risks of cancer and heart disease; and You have thought about or tried other treatments. You have menopause symptoms that are lowering your quality of life. 2. Compare your options Take HT Don't take HT What is usually involved? You take daily pills or use a patch, gel, spray, or vaginal ring to increase hormone levels. You take hormone therapy (HT) to relieve menopause symptoms. You manage menopause symptoms such as hot flashes with: Cognitive behavioural therapy. Hypnosis. Mind and body relaxation. Soy. Yoga or biofeedback. Antidepressant medicines, blood pressure medicine (clonidine), or gabapentin. Vaginal lubricants (such as Astroglide and K-Y Jelly), moisturizers, or low-dose vaginal estrogen. What are the benefits? Taking HT:
Helps you deal with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Lowers your risk of osteoporosis. Eases vaginal dryness and soreness. Slows loss of skin collagen. Reduces the risk of dental problems. You avoid the health risks of HT. What are the risks and side effects? Side effects can include:
Vaginal bleeding or spotting. Breast tenderness. Bloating. Nausea. HT may increase your risk for:
Stroke. Blood clots. Heart attack. Breast cancer. Gallstones. Dementia. Urinary incontinence. Some risks depend on your age, when HT is started, and how long it is used.
Your menopause symptoms may still bother you. Other prescription medicines can have side effects, such as: Headaches, upset stomach, and problems sleeping (antidepressants). Problems linked to low blood pressure (clonidine).
Personal stories Personal stories about deciding whether to take hormone therapy (HT) These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I've been very fortunate. I made it through menopause without hot flashes or other major discomforts. My doctor tells me that all I have to do now is be sure I get my regular checkups and exams, take calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and take good care of myself."
"By the time my periods stopped, I didn't have bad hot flashes or other problems. I was pretty proud of myself for getting exercise and eating right, and thought that I was one of the lucky ones. Did I get hit, though! The night sweats started a few months after my last period, and I couldn't sleep or get through the day after that. So, I tried low-dose HT for 6 months, to get some relief. Then, I tapered off of it over a few months, and they weren't as bad. I figure I can tough it out now till my body adjusts to its new state."
"I started taking HT after my periods stopped. The problem is, I had bleeding on and off that was like my period, and I just couldn't take it after 6 months. I haven't taken it since, and I've grown used to my body's changes. I still get hot flashes sometimes but not like I used to. When I feel one coming on, it really helps me to do relaxation breathing. I think that calming my body and mind has a big effect on making a hot flash go away."
"I have already had a terrible time with perimenopausal moodiness and some occasional hot flashes, and low-dose birth control pills have helped even out the hormone ups and downs. So if I still have symptoms in menopause, I'll talk with my doctor about HT."
"I don't want to take estrogen or progestin, because of my family history of cancer. I used an antidepressant when my hot flashes were bad, and that helped me a lot. Now, I just take calcium and vitamin D supplements and get regular exercise to help protect my bones."
"A friend told me that they were having great results from cognitive-behavioural therapy, so I tried it for the hot flashes I was having. I think it's working quite well."
3. What matters most to you? Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use hormone therapy
Reasons not to use hormone therapy
Other treatment hasn't helped me deal with my menopause symptoms.
I want to try other treatment before I try HT for my symptoms.
More important
Equally important
More important
The benefits of HT outweigh the risks for me.
I feel the risks of HT are too high for me.
More important
Equally important
More important
I don't mind taking medicines to help me manage my symptoms.
I don't want to take medicines if I can avoid them.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
4. Where are you leaning now? Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
5. What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts 1. Does taking HT raise your risk of health problems and disease?
You're right. HT may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and dementia.
2. Can HT help you deal with menopause?
You're right. HT can help you deal with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep problems.
3. Are there other treatments that can help with menopause symptoms?
You're right. Instead of HT, you might try other prescription medicines, cognitive-behaviouraltherapy, or a vaginal estrogen to help deal with symptoms.
Decide what's next 1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
Current as of: April 30, 2024
