HRT – benefits or danger?

It’s recently become an over-the-counter medication, which means that women don’t need to see a doctor for a prescription. Odd as it may sound, women are being encouraged to start HRT therapy long before any menopausal symptoms arise.

Suddenly the drug has been elevated to a therapy that can protect against Alzheimer and dementia, as well as the symptoms of menopause.

Menopause has become a dirty word. Celebrities are promoting HRT for everything from aiding wight loss to being better for the skin tone. You can’t turn the television without seeing a documentary , probably by Davina McCall, about how awful menopause can be and  how wonderful HRT is.

Before you start taking this, let’s see what is on the opposite side of the scales. 

Danger 1:  Blood clots.

Reports show that women who use HRT experience blood clots at a higher rate than those who don’t. This isn’t surprising as researchers have long discovered how artificially altering hormone levels increases the thickness of blood that tends to increase the clotting mechanism. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are the biggest risks.

Danger 2: Breast cancer.

The Women Health initiative study and others have found that taking HRT (oestrogen+progesterone) for 10-15 years increases the risk of breast cancer by 88%.   Another study has found that using oestrogen alone increases breast cancer risk by 22% when used for 10-15 years and by 43% when used for over 15 years. The study was presented in 2012 at the American Association for Cancer Research.

Danger 3: Ovarian Cancer.

Studies have discovered that HRT influences ovarian cancer growth once the cancer has already developed.

Danger 4: Stroke.

It has been the main concern for women taking HRT. Numerous trials have also supported the connection between NRT and stroke. The risk of developing stroke increases by 41% in women who is taking HRT.

Danger 5: Heart disease.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality among women. The risk of heart attack increases by 29% in women taking HRT.

It is really time to think before you start to consider taking HRT.