I know that estrogen in HRT reduces hot flashes, prevents bone loss, and may even improve memory but it raises the risk of blood clots and ovarian and breast cancer. What can be used instead to meet the demand for HRT without subjecting women to its risks?
2006-12-20 12:50:00 · 2 answers · asked by kira 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
To keep hot flashes to a minimum, I wear an estrogen patch. It delivers a tiny amount of estrogen, much less than the standard HRT pill. If you still have your uterus, you may have to take medroxyprogesterone (in a small amount) as well to keep from getting uterine tumors.
2006-12-20 16:18:20 · answer #1 · answered by azera221 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The patch is not a lower dose of hormones; it's just convenient for women who forget to take their pills daily. There are low dose options of HRT that work well for vasomotor symptoms, prevention of vaginal atrophy and prevention of osteoporosis. They have plenty of data to prove it. The risk of ovarian cancer was not studied; the risk of breast cancer was so low it was not statistically significant. The risk of blood clots was statistically significant, but it was minimal. Each woman should discuss the risks and benefits with her doctor to determine whether hormones are right for her.
2006-12-21 01:31:17 · answer #2 · answered by DrugRep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋