This article brings you the most up to date information on issues that are important to all of us women.
To all of my patients: You may not be having menopausal symptoms as of yet but I am sure you know someone close to you who is!
Over the years there have been misconceptions about hormones, mostly the fear of breast cancer. Over the last years many studies have been done that have not been recognized by the press and public.
Last year the International Menopause Society came together and created a new consensus statement. This statement reveals the many BENEFITS of Hormones when they are started during the EARLY menopausal years. Like other recent articles this new consensus statement is not being blown up by the press.
The statement reemphasis that Hormone Replacement Therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms (per hundreds of studies). It also enforces that early use during the perimenopausal and early menopausal years are BENEFICIAL and SAFE for the cardiovascular system, brain, and bones.”Increasing data indicate benefits for primary prevention of osteoporotic fractures and coronary artery disease and a reduction in all-cause mortality for women who initiate MHT around the time of menopause.”
Concerning breast cancer risk from hormones, the guidelines cite the increased risk for breast cancer attributable to hormones as less than 1 per 1000 women per year of use, which is a risk similar to or LOWER than the contribution of factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks a week).
The statement is even recommending that patients who are genetically predisposed to breast cancer can use hormones if needed because it will not increase their risk, per a large observational study.
Estrogen and Progesterone Benefits:
- Improves quality of life
- Improves sleep
- Improves moods: increase neurotransmitters such as norephinephrine, serotonin, GABA, and endorphins. Without hormones the level of these neurotransmitters decrease
- Improves Facial skin: increases skin thickening and tightening
- Improves Libido
- Improves the vaginal tissue
- Improves Memory: early use before complete loss may decrease dementia risks
- AND NO WEIGHT GAIN, you could actually lose weight because you feel better and have more energy