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Questions
to Ask about Hormone Therapy
If you're
beginning the menopausal transition or recently reached menopause,
you probably have a lot of questions about hormone therapy.
Whether estrogen therapy alone, or estrogen plus progesterone
(prescribed for women who still have their uterus), the issues
around this commonly prescribed treatment for menopausal symptoms
have become much more complex in recent years.
Although
there are risks to hormone therapy, including a slightly increased
risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots,
most health care professionals agree that hormone therapy
is still appropriate for perimenopausal and recently menopausal
women with significant symptoms.
Plus,
the North American Menopause Society cautioned in 2003 that
the effects of hormone therapy on the risk for breast cancer
in perimenopausal women-the ones most likely to need
hormone therapy for symptoms relief-have not been established.
The key
is tailoring hormone therapy to your individual needs, and
using the lowest dose of hormones for the shortest time possible.
Today, with more than 20 varieties of hormone therapy on the
market, that's much easier to do.
Start
with your symptoms first, then determine with your health
care professional what type of hormone therapy or other treatment
might be right for you.
The first
step? A visit with your health care professional.
Discuss
your symptoms and questions you may have about hormone therapy
and your health with your health care professional. Here are
some suggested questions:
| 1.
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Am
I experiencing the onset of menopause? |
| 2. |
What
treatment options are available to me for perimenopausal
and postmenopausal health concerns, including hormone
therapy and other medical therapies? |
| 3. |
What
are the pros and cons of the different types of hormone
therapy? |
| 4. |
I
seem to have less interest in sex. Is that just to be
expected and accepted with age? Are there treatment options
that might help? |
| 5. |
Am
I at high risk for breast cancer? How does estrogen affect
my risk? |
| 6. |
What
kinds of side effects can I expect when taking estrogen?
|
| 7. |
How
long should I take hormone therapy? |
| 8. |
I
have some incontinence. Will hormone therapy help with
that? |
| 9. |
What
options are available besides estrogen for my condition?
What are the side effects of those products? |
| 10. |
Can
you discuss with me the most recent research about hormone
therapy and its safety? How do the benefits and risks
of the type of hormone therapy you're recommending apply
to my personal health needs? |
| 11. |
I
don't want to take any kind of supplemental hormones.
Are there other options? |
| 12. |
What's
the best way to stop hormone therapy when I'm ready? |
Write
your questions to ask here:
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