What Are The Side Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy, also called HRT, can be very beneficial during the menopausal years. When women start to experience menopause, she may feel confused with all of the options and talk surrounding hormone replacement therapy. It is true that hormone therapy can help lessen the intensity and frequency of unwanted side effects of menopause, but HRT has side effects, too.

Many women may feel frightened by the possible side effects of taking hormone replacement therapy. Most doctors, though, feel that prescribing hormones can be beneficial if they are prescribed for a short amount to time and in a low dosage. Usually, these replacement hormones are not given for more than about five years. Doctors that prescribe replacement hormones will want to closely monitor women for signs of possible side effects. But, what are the side effects of HRT and should women be concerned?

There are both proven short and long-term side effects to women taking hormone replacement therapy. Some women report short-term effects after taking hormones for only a few weeks. Some of these side effects include nausea, headaches and migraines, unwanted hair growth. Other side effects can include irregular bleeding and fluid retention. As the ovaries begin to stop working, taking hormone replacements can actually make the monthly bleeding heavier and more irregular. Women who experience irregular bleeding from taking HRT usually experience this for about six months after starting hormone medications.

Also, fluid retention is also commonly reported with taking hormone replacement. HRT can cause bloating, especially in the evenings, as well as cause ankle swelling, swelling in the face, headaches and leg discomfort. Premenstrual-like symptoms are also commonly reported while taking hormone replacement therapy. Some forms of hormone replacement may cause more of these short-term side effects than others. Most doctors agree that women experiencing these side effects for more than three months should check into other forms of hormone replacement therapy. Most women a tolerate hormones with little short-term effects.

Long-term side effects are also associated with taking hormone replacement therapy. These side effect can include increased risks for breast cancer and uterine or endometrial cancer. Some research shows that only women with a family history of breast cancer are at an increased risk of breast cancer. Many doctors feel that women should not take hormone replacement therapy for a long period of time because not enough is known about these risks. Also, women who have had uterine cancer in the past are usually urged not to take replacement hormones. Weight gain is another long-term side effect of taking hormones. Some women report steady weight gain as they take the medications over several years. However, some research shows that the increased weight is not from the medication, but from the metabolism slowing down as the woman ages. Either way, this is a side effect that should be considered when taking hormone replacement therapy. A doctor can look at each individual woman and her health history and help her decide if replacement hormones are right for her or if the risks are too great.

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