What Are the Risks of Hormone Therapy?

As you probably know, there are always risks and benefits to consider when you are thinking of taking any medication. That's why it is important to talk with your healthcare professional. Together, you can decide if hormone therapy is right for you. Because of some of the risks of hormone therapy, you and your healthcare professional should talk regularly to determine your best treatment option.

Estrogen increases the risk for cancer of the uterus. If you experience persistent or recurring vaginal bleeding while taking estrogen, let your healthcare professional know right away, as this could be a warning sign for cancer of the uterus. Your healthcare professional should check for the cause of any unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause.

If you have not had a hysterectomy (which means you still have your uterus), your healthcare professional may also prescribe a second hormone, called progestin. The progestin prevents an overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus. This type of overgrowth can increase your risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer. A combination estrogen-progestin therapy can help reduce the risks for endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus.

Estrogens with progestin may increase your risk of dementia.

Hormone therapy isn't right for every woman. Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) may increase the risk for cancer of the uterus, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, blood clots, and dementia. Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. For a woman with a uterus, estrogen increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). Adding progestin lowers this risk.

Because of these risks, estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest period of time. And because every woman is unique, it's important to have a discussion with your healthcare professional about the benefits, risks, and side effects of any therapy you choose.

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