The truth about hormone therapy

Until recently, most women going through menopause were prescribed hormone therapy to minimize symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. But in July 2002 – thanks in part to research conducted at Hutzel Women’s Hospital – preliminary results of the Women’s Health Initiative showed that hormone therapy increased the risk of many deadly diseases and dementia.

While hormone therapy is still used to treat the most severe symptoms of menopause – it’s no longer called hormone replacement therapy since menopause is a normal part of aging and the hormones don’t need to be replaced – it is not routinely prescribed as it once was.

Hutzel physicians usually advise women to try healthy lifestyle changes which can minimize symptoms. Then, if the symptoms are still too severe, they might consider low-dose hormone therapy for a short period of time.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• Hormones should only be used to relieve moderate to severe menopause symptoms
• Women should take the lowest dose, for the shortest period of time
• Women should have annual breast exams performed by a health care provider, monthly self exams and periodic mammograms.

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