Pros of Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy, used to treat menopausal symptoms, is medication that contains one or more female hormones. Hormone therapy combines estrogen and progestin or uses only estrogen for treatment of symptoms. At times, medication may contain testosterone. The American Cancer Society says the hormone therapy referred to as androgen deprivation therapy, which contains the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, treats men with prostate cancer. The pros of hormone therapy outweigh many of the side effects.

Menopausal Symptoms

• Hormone therapy reduces numerous menopausal symptoms. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says women get relief from hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, mood swings and lack of sexual desire. Doctors prescribe hormone therapy for four to seven years to treat menopausal symptoms because this seems to be the safest amount of time to use this treatment. Each woman is different, but this seems to be the time range in which symptoms subside.

Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis is loss of bone density and thinning bones. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says researchers think that approximately one in five American women older than 50 suffer from osteoporosis. Menopause causes osteoporosis because of estrogen decline. Although women are more prone to osteoporosis, men develop this condition because of a decline in testosterone. Hormone therapy prevents the development of osteoporosis.

Heart and Cancer

• Hormone therapy decreases risks of colorectal cancer and heart disease when taken in early postmenopause. Mayo Clinic staff say random, controlled clinical trials are being conducted on the connection between the use of estrogen and heart disease in young postmenopausal women. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says hormone therapy protects against heart disease in certain circumstance and is safer for women younger than 60 years old. Heart disease benefits decrease in older women.

Prostate Cancer

• The American Cancer Society says hormone therapy treats cancer patients who would not benefit from surgery or radiation because cancer has spread out of the prostate gland. Doctors use hormones before surgery and radiation therapy to shrink cancer cells and slow cancer growth. Mayo Clinic staff say, unless the testicles are removed, normal hormone production resumes once therapy stops and side effects of hormone therapy goes away.

Side Effects

• The side effects of hormone therapy in women include water retention, bloating, nausea, tender breasts and headaches. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says you may experience irregular bleeding. Talk to your doctor about readjusting dosage to eliminate this side effect. Mayo Clinic staff say men receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer may experience hot flashes, breast enlargement, muscle and bone loss, impotence and loss of sex drive. Talk to your doctor about any side effects or negative reactions to hormone therapy.