National Center of Health Research
Lower hormone levels in menopause may lead to hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and fragile bones.
What is Hormone Therapy for Menopause?
Like all medicines, hormone therapy has advantages and disadvantages. The evidence about risks and benefits is complicated, and some health professionals are more knowledgeable than others, so it’s important to read articles like this one before you talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about hormones.
What are the Symptoms of Menopause?
- Thinning of your bones, Bones become more fragile, which may lead to loss of height, and bones are more likely to break (osteoporosis)
What are the Benefits of Using Hormones for Menopause?
- Hormone therapy is the most effective FDA-approved medicine for the relief of hot flashes, night sweats, or vaginal dryness.
- While you are taking hormones, they may reduce your chances of your bones becoming fragile and more likely to break (osteoporosis). However, when you stop taking the hormones, your bones will become more fragile, so it is important to improve your bone health through diet (calcium) and exercise.
What are the Risks of Using Hormones for Menopause?
The risks of oral hormones (pills) for menopause tend to be greater for older women (over 60) than for women in their 50s, but regardless of age, on average, long-term hormone use tends to cause harm that outweighs the benefits. The more you know, the more likely you are to make the decision that is best for you. For example, combined hormone therapy has been found to increase the chances of dementia, while estrogen alone increases the chances of developing ovarian cancer and decreases the chances of developing breast cancer. For a woman with a uterus, taking estrogen alone increases her chances of developing endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining), while adding progestin to estrogen lowers the risk of endometrial cancer.
As you can see, the advantages and disadvantages vary depending on which hormones, your age, and your medical history.
Research on combined estrogen and progestin shows it probably can increase the chances of cognitive impairment (early Alzheimer’s or dementia) in women older than 65.
Will Hormone Therapy Protect the Heart and Prevent Strokes?
The evidence is mixed on heart disease, but hormones seem to increase the risk of strokes.
All articles are reviewed and approved by Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other senior staff.
The National Center for Health Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research, education, and advocacy organization that analyzes and explains the latest medical research and speaks out on policies and programs. We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers. Find out how you can support us here.