Post Menopause Hormones

When you have not had a period in a year, you are considered postmenopausal. Your ovaries produce significantly less estrogen than during child-bearing years, and no longer produce progesterone at all.

The Facts

• Post menopause hormones may be recommended by your doctor. You may be treated with estrogen by itself or in combination with progestin to make up for the decrease in natural hormones that occurs at menopause.

Types

• Hormone therapy is available in a variety of forms. Estrogen is available as pills, tablets, nasal spray, skin patches, and vaginal creams or tablets. Progestin is available as a pill, skin patch, or vaginal cream.

Benefits

• There is evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer. Short-term symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, mood swings, sleeplessness, and irritable bladder symptoms improve with treatment.

Risks

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, recent research shows that the risks may outweigh the benefits of using HRT to prevent heart disease. Post-menopausal use of HRT may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including blood clots and stroke. There may also be increased risk of endometrial cancer when estrogen is taken without progestin. Short term use of five years or less appears to be safe for most women.

Considerations

• It is important to review your complete medical history with your doctor. HRT is not recommended if you have history of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, gall bladder disease, or active liver disease.