For many women, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy far outweigh its risks. But it can increase the risk of several serious conditions, including:
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Breast cancer
- Heart disease
- Gallbladder disease
The type of estrogen taken and the age at which you begin hormone therapy are important factors when it comes to certain risks. For example, if you still have your uterus and take estrogen without progestogen, your risk of endometrial/uterine cancer rises — but that risk is ameliorated by taking estrogen with progestogen. If you start hormone therapy after mid-life, you may have an increased risk of dementia (but if you start it during mid-life, your risk of dementia is actually reduced). In addition, the risk of breast cancer is more significant with long-term use of hormones.
Your personal health history also plays a factor in the decision to pursue hormone replacement therapy. If you have a personal or family history of any of the serious conditions listed above, you may decide that hormone therapy is not a good choice. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits against each other.
Regardless of your personal risk, you should plan to take the lowest dosage of estrogen that you find helpful. Your doctor will want to check on you every three to six months to make sure that hormone replacement therapy is still appropriate.