Risk Factors of Hormone Replacement Therapy: Breast Cancer, heart disease, stroke

Menopausal women experience a significant decline in hormones and as a consequence lose the benefits that hormones provide. Estrogen for example, is found throughout the body and is implicated in the health of many systems including the reproductive, cardiovascular and urinary tract. Hormones also provide protection for women’s bones. In the absence of adequate estrogen women are more vulnerable to bone loss and perhaps carry a higher risk of hip fractures. In addition Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been used for years to treat symptoms in menopausal woman such as hot flashes and night sweats. While there are some benefits to HRT there are also some significant risk factors for hormone replacement therapy as well.

A study conducted by The National Institute of Health of the benefits and risk factors for Hormone replacement therapy was halted in 2002 because the risks to participants appeared to outweigh the benefits of continuing the study. Women who were taking an estrogen and progesterone combination showed a greater risk of invasive breast cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In addition there was an elevated risk of developing blood clots. Women who took estrogen by itself did not show an increased risk for breast cancer or heart disease, but they did have a higher risk of having a stroke. Further, estrogen alone therapy appears to increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

The risk factors for hormone replacement therapy may be minimized somewhat by a few factors. For instance, hormone replacement therapy taken in the early years of menopause may not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is only in women over 60 that this risk factor is significant (Mayo Clinic). Low doses for a short duration may provide relief from menopause symptoms without adding a significant health risk. Women considering beginning HRT should discuss the all of risk factors of hormone replacement with their physicians.

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