Several times per week, I encounter a patient who is suffering horribly from menopausal symptoms. Despite the 25 hot flashes a day, mood swings, lack of libido, decreased productivity at work, drenching night sweats (“I sleep on a towel!”), insomnia and not surprising complete exhaustion, she is not considering hormone replacement therapy (HT).
My philosophy is to empower women with knowledge and allow them to make educated decisions. Sadly, when it comes to menopause, many women are making decisions based on myths, fear, and false information from the media.
Let’s review the facts;
When hormone replacement is initiated within 10 years of menopause women benefit from
~ a reduction in all cause mortality (you live longer)
~ less, osteoporosis, heart disease ,and colon cancer
~ increased satisfaction with your sex life, resolution of hot flashes and night sweats (= you live happier)
~ decreased breast cancer risk (in hysterectomized women on estrogen therapy)
For further information check out these articles
1. The Data Contradict the Conclusions, Holly Thacker, MD
2. Menopausal hormone therapy and health outcomes during the intervention and extended poststopping phases of the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trials., JE Manson