Many people believe that by taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) you will increase your chances of developing breast cancer. This is a highly controversial issue in medicine today. Many studies show no increase risk, yet conversely some studies show an increased risk of between thirty and fifty percent with long term (eight to ten year) use of estrogen. If the worst case is true, you could increase your chances of developing breast cancer by thirty to fifty percent. However, by taking HRT you lower your chances of heart disease and hip fracture by fifty percent. What should you do?
You could try to figure out what your personal risk is using your family history and current health status. If, based on family history, you have a high risk of breast cancer and a low risk of heart disease and hip fracture, perhaps you should not be taking estrogen. However, if you have a high risks of heart disease, based on your blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and a low risk of breast cancer than estrogen may play a role in increasing your life expectancy.
BLOOD CLOTS
HRT can make some blood diseases worse, causing blood clots to form. HRT will NOT cause these diseases. If you have a problem with blood clots, you should discuss with your health care provider.
VARICOSE VEINS
Varicose veins do NOT result from blood clots. They have no relation to blood clots and are usually an inherited disorder. Varicose veins are not related to HRT.
HIGH BL0OD PRESSURE
High blood pressure contributes to heart disease. If you have high blood pressure you probably should be on HRT. High doses of estrogen can make blood pressure worse. If you are on HRT or are thinking about it, a dose of 1 mg. of estrogen should be sufficient. If you need a higher dose, than any blood pressure changes should be evaluated and considered.
GALLBLADDER DISEASE
Estrogen taken by mouth (in pill form) can increase the chance of you developing gallbladder disease. This problem can be overcome by using an estrogen patch.
Disclaimer - Menopause-Online is not intended as medical advice. Its intent is solely informational and educational. The information is not a substitute for talking with your health professional.
