13 Responses for "If a woman suffers 30 yrs of hormonal/menstrual hell, why would she agree to take HRT?"

1. ucd_grad_2005 November 26th, 2006 at 10:55 pm 1

   these would be questions to ask your OB/GYN!
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2. zzhoundzz November 26th, 2006 at 10:55 pm 2

   Look into bio-identical hormone replacement.Iv been reading the book by Suzanne Somers called "The Sexy Years".Its very interesting.
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3. Johny0555 November 26th, 2006 at 11:07 pm 3

   Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a system of medical treatment for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, based on the assumption that it may prevent discomfort and health problems caused by diminished circulating estrogen hormones. The treatment involves a series of drugs designed to artificially boost hormone levels. The main types of hormones involved are estrogens, progesterone or progestins, and sometimes testosterone.

   HRT is also used by transgendered or transsexual people to aid them in attaining the secondary sex characteristics of their desired sex. See Hormone replacement therapy (trans). It is also given to some intersex people (depending on the precise intersex condition), either starting in childhood to confirm the gender they were assigned, or later, if this gender assignment has proven to be incorrect.

   HRT is available in various forms. It generally provides low dosages of one or more estrogens, and often also provides either progesterone or a chemical analogue, called a progestin. Testosterone may also be included. In women who have had a hysterectomy an estrogen compound is usually given without any progesterone, a therapy referred to as unopposed estrogen therapy. HRT may be by patches, tablets, creams, gels or, more rarely, by injection. Dosage is often varied cyclically, with estrogens taken daily and progesterone or progestins taken for about two weeks every month or two; a method called sequentially combined HRT or scHRT. An alternate method, a constant dosage with both types of hormones taken daily, is called continuous combined HRT or ccHRT, and is a more recent innovation. Sometimes an androgen, generally testosterone, is added to help reduce osteoporosis and to treat reduced energy and sexual desire (libido) after menopause.

   HRT is seen as either a short-term relief (often one or two years, usually less than five) from menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, irregular menstruation, fat redistribution etc.) or as a longer term treatment to reduce the risk of osteopenia leading to osteoporosis. Younger women with Premature ovarian failure or surgical menopause may use hormone replacement therapy for many years, until the age that natural menopause would be expected to occur.

   Historically the most commonly prescribed forms of HRT has been proprietary mixtures. These combinations have been composed of equine estrogens rather than bio-identical human estrogens, and have favored the use of progestins, rather than the human form of progesterone. With the passage of time, an increasing number of studies have shown that certain risks are associated with these combinations of progestins and equine estrogens.

   Apart from a few studies funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the overwhelming majority of research on hormone supplementation has been financed by manufacturers and has used their products combining progestins and equine estrogens. Bioidentical forms of human estrogen and progesterone have been very little studied. This distinction is important, because the adverse biological effects of xenoestrogens and progestins revealed by the studies do not necessarily generalize to supplementation with human forms of estrogen and progesterone. For example, a pilot study reported in JAMA. 2004;292:1581-1587, Vol. 292 No. 13, October 6, 2004 by Smith, Heckbert, et al. found clinical evidence that the adverse effects from oral conjugated equine estrogens were in fact not generalizable to the other estrogen compound tested in the same study. Conjugated equine estrogen, but not esterified estrogen, was associated with increased venous thrombotic risk. The study found that users of esterified estrogen had no increase in venous thrombotic risk, in sharp contrast to the users of equine estrogens. Nonetheless, it seems likely that the route of administration may be more important than the type of estrogen administered. For example, in a large study published in the Lancet Scarabin et al. compared effects of oral vs. transdermal (skin patch) estrogen (mainly estradiol-17 beta, the "bioidentical" human estrogen) and found that the oral route was associated with a 3-fold increase in risk of venous clotting disease (thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolus), whereas the skin patch produced no excess risk.

   Studies finding adverse health effects of equine estrogens and progestins have often been reported, inaccurately, as revealing effects of "estrogen" and "progesterone." It is important to keep this habitual inaccuracy in mind in reviewing press reports. The overwhelming majority of studies which have found adverse health effects were studies of equine estrogens and progestins which have nonetheless been uncritically reported in the media as studies of estrogen or progesterone in general. On the other hand, creams, gels, etc. containing "biodentical" hormones custom-prepared by compounding pharmacies are not subject to FDA monitoring or regulation, so that doses delivered and hormone blood levels produced are unpredictable and may be highly variable.

   It has become increasingly clear that oral progestin and equine estrogen pills can increase a number of risks, including the risks of exacerbation of existing liver or gallbladder problems and of dangerous blood clots. Long term use of equine estrogens probably also increases the risk of breast cancer. In women with a uterus, therapy with equine estrogen, unopposed by progesterone, is generally acknowledged to increase the risk of uterine cancers in women with intact uterine linings. This proprietary combination can also affect blood triglyceride levels and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Although HRT with progestins and equine estrogens was once widely thought to promote cadiovascular health in women, on February 4, 2004, the American Heart Association released guidelines stating that it should no longer be considered as an agent to increase heart health or to decrease the chances of cardiovascular disease.

   In 2006, results from the large ongoing observational Nurses' study showed that those taking a pill containing a combination of estrogen with methyltestosterone (a synthetic testosterone analogue) had higher risk of breast cancer than those not taking the methyltestosterone. Unfortunately, few or no studies have tested the safety or benefits of human bioidentical testosterone, or of low-dose non-pill administration of testosterone that avoids the first pass through the liver.

   Due to the risks and potential problems of progestins and equine estrogens, a number of alternative therapies have been developed, including lifestyle changes, non-hormone drug therapy, and bioidentical hormone replacement. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis without hormones, dietary changes that increase calcium uptake, exercise, and drugs such as biphosphates, selective estrogen receptor modulators or calcitonin have been tried. As the risks of equine estrogens and progestins have become more evident, interest has intensified in the use of HRT formulated to contain the three main naturally occurring human estrogens estradiol, estrone and estriol, as well as bioidentical human progesterone and sometimes testosterone. This method of HRT is often called bioidentical hormone replacement therapy(BHRT). BHRT is often delivered via topical administration of a cream or gel solution of the hormones to the skin, reducing concerns about adverse liver effects of oral medications.
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4. beccy_anne November 26th, 2006 at 11:09 pm 4

   There is a great book called 'fertility, cycles and nutrition' by Marilyn Shannon (available from http://www.ccli.org/store) which contains all kinds of advice relating to evey stage of a womans life. She recommends taking certain supplements rather then HRT as a way of coping with the change.
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5. honey lugs November 26th, 2006 at 11:11 pm 5

   Let me tell you, I couldn't get hold of HRT soon enough. My life was hell and within a few days of treatment the improvement was phenomenal.
   I am aware of the risks but am not going back th the wreck I was before.
   We all have to make our own choices, but for me it has worked and I'm happy with that.
   I know many women have hell at this time in their lives, but if relief can be found then go for it is what I would say.

   Try here http://www.menopausematters.co.uk
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6. nendlin November 26th, 2006 at 11:11 pm 6

   im going without.my mum was on them for years and when she came off them she went straight into the menpause coz the hormones replace the ones youre losing so as soon as you come off them it all happens again but at an older stage in your life.so i opt to go through it now rather than put it off coz thats all HRT doesits no worse than other things life throws at you
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7. puzzled? November 26th, 2006 at 11:13 pm 7

   menopause is a time when your hormones are all over the place hot flushes palpitations etc hrt can be very good for suppressing or controlling these symptoms, and afterwards life is a lot calmer
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8. buggeredmom November 27th, 2006 at 1:24 am 8

   I am taking HRT currently.

   I was afraid of it. Not only because of the problems that my own natural levels of hormones caused (PMS, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts…) But, the media also feeds into the fear of HRT…breast cancer, heart disease, stroke…

   Before my hysterectomy (both ovaries removed), I was hypertensive, had 'lumpy' breasts requiring yearly diagnostic mammograms, and my lipid profile sucked.

   Nothing has really changed in regards to my blood pressure and lipids except that physicians are more proactive in my care.

   My breast tissue is improving. I am counting on a screening mammo this year, no diagnostic mammo.

   PMS. That is a different issue. I never honestly addressed this with any physician. Hind sight allows me to realize that it was a much bigger issue than I was willing to give credit to. I didn't want to be labeled. I work in health-care. Complaints of depression, anger, etc negates everything, especially if you are a menstruating female.

   I still take medications since HRT. But, overall, things are more stablized. I allowed myself to experience a taste of menopause prior to starting HRT. I didn't like it.

   I'll wean myself off of the hormones in a decade or so. But, for now, I'll continue with my prescriptions. I am in my 30's. I have a family. I prefer the consistent levels of hormones I have now. I don't have the time and energy to address all the concerns and complaints of full-blown menopause at this point in my life.

   Good luck.

   Beccy (below) is right.

   I see an RE. A reproductive endocrinologist.
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9. BeccyRGN November 27th, 2006 at 1:30 am 9

   I am 25 and after having a hysterectomy last year am on HRT. If you take HRT it gives you an even dose of hormones so you are always on a level and you will feel much better. You get the mood swings etc when your hormones are all over the place and uncontrolled. If you are under 45 I would say it is a good idea to take it, it lowers the risk of weak bones, premature aging etc
   It is not a gynaecologist you need to see regards your hormone levels its an ENDOCRINE specialist. Ask your GP to refer you.
   If you get your hormone levels checked and get the best advise for you personally you will feel much better xxx
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10. zeroartmac November 27th, 2006 at 1:45 am 10

    Something that might help is Yaz. It and other pills shorten the period. Also Wild Yam which can be found in most vitamin stores and vitamin sections of drug stores. It has an ingredient that is similar to estrogen and helps to lessen monthly problems. The effects of both and any types of surgery can be researched on this web site http://www.webmd.com
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11. nessie November 27th, 2006 at 5:36 am 11

    HRT takes away all those problems, you can live again be care free
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12. ronibuni November 27th, 2006 at 10:22 am 12

    Go to:

    http://www.power-surge.com/educate/menoprimer.htm

    Look around it is free…I originally found my way to cyberspace 8 years ago because I was anticipating Menopause and I am still waiting. But I digress…I would NEVER use HRT. It has been proven to be a longitudinal study conducted on millions of women by the medical profession and drug companies. Almost everything they said it did FOR us turned out to be Wrong. AND it has been proven to be hugely detrimental to our health Not to mention what they do to mares and foals to manufacture the stuff(PREganant MARes uRINe-premarin) And to add insult to injury the same time you quit taking it is exactly when ALL the symptoms come back(as mentioned here already)
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13. foxylady November 27th, 2006 at 12:00 pm 13

    I'm just recovering from the after effects of HRT, not good for every woman,it caused me water retention, weight gain and high blood pressure. It did not improve my emotional life, no changes there,I still get anxiety attacks, anger and depression. Don't agree to take HRT until you are satisfied you have read about alternatives, the homeopathic ones, and discussed it with a well womens clinic. I am not going to bother with any of it, trying out vitamin supplements, nothing settled yet though.
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