Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy
October 1, 2009
Menopause is a natural phase in the life of women. During menopause, women encounter various physical and psychological changes. Symptoms of menopause, such as, hot flashes, poor libido and sleeping difficulties cause severe physical and mental discomfort.
Moreover, fall in the estrogen level in the body increase the risks of osteoporosis, depression, decline of cognitive function and heart diseases. Since hormone depletion is responsible for these uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, physicians believe that hormone replacement therapy could help women overcome the problems associated with menopause.
Studies have found that although short-term hormone replacement therapy could produce beneficial results, but continuation of the treatment for a prolonged period could produce harmful adverse side effects.
Benefits of hormone replacement therapy
Short-term hormone replacement therapy is usually considered safe for women. It is effective in treating symptoms of menopause. Short-term hormone replacement therapy could decrease hot flashes, night sweats, depression, mood swings and insomnia.
It could reduce the risk of osteoporosis or loss in bone density. Age related macular degeneration, which is a prominent cause of vision loss, could be prevented with hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy could also reduce the risk of colon cancer. It is believed that hormone replacement therapy could prevent memory loss with aging. It could perhaps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Cons of hormone replacement therapy
Despite the benefits of short-term hormone replacement therapy, long-term therapy could be hazardous for health. Long-term hormone replacement therapy could increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and gallbladder problems. It could cause endometrial cancer.
Combination hormone replacement therapy, which includes administration of both estrogen and progesterone, increases the risk of breast cancer. Researchers have also found that although hormone replacement therapy does not increase the risk of lung cancer, but if a woman undergoing HRT gets lung cancer, the severity of the disease increases significantly.
Hormone replacement therapy is usually not recommended for women with heart diseases and blood clots. Women who have a family history of breast cancer, heart diseases and blood clot should consult their physician about the safety of hormone replacement therapy, before going for the treatment.
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