How Long is Too Long for Hormone Therapy?

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative stopped their study on the risks and benefits of hormone therapy because of the increased risk of breast cancer in some study participants. 

Since that time, abundant research has supported hormone therapy as the gold standard for the treatment of menopause symptoms. 

So, science confirms that HT is safe. What hasn’t been confirmed is how long a woman should stay on HT. 

One recent research (Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women's health outcomes by types, routes, and doses by Seo Baik, Fitsum Baye, Clement McDonald) paper has concluded that the risk profile is different for different types of HT (estrogen only, estrogen + progesterone, and estrogen + progestin) and for different doses and routes of administration (pills, patches, gels, vaginal creams). 

In general, using HT after age 65 is safe and the risk is lowest for all-cause mortality, cancers, cardiovascular diseases and dementia when:

• Lower doses of HT are used
• Vaginal or transdermal patches or creams are used instead of pills (oral)
• Bioidentical estrogen is used instead of conjugated estrogen

Any hormone therapy at any age has risks that can only be properly assessed in discussion with your healthcare provider!

If you would like to read the whole paper and assess the different risks and benefits of HT after age 65, CLICK HERE!