Pros and Cons of Hormone Therapy: Making an Informed Decision
Introduction
Why Hormone Therapy May or May Not be Prescribed
Learning About Hormone Therapy
Know the Risks
Alternatives/Complimentary Approaches
Making an Informed Decision about Hormone Therapy
If You Decide to Take the Hormones
Growing Older, Growing Wiser
Women's Health Clinic
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Pros and Cons of Hormone Therapy:
Making an Informed Decision
MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT HORMONE THERAPY
- Come prepared to talk with your doctor. Seek out reliable information and resources through librarians, health and women's resource centres (many will mail resources), pharmacists and other practitioners. There are excellent sites on the internet. Get together with friends to review and share what you've found.
- Review the risk factors for heart disease, osteoporosis and breast cancer and see how these may apply to your own situation. Are you at high or average risk for any of these diseases? These can be assessed through a family and personal medical history, your lifestyle patterns such as diet, exercise, and whether you smoke. Talk with your doctor about tests you may need to determine your risks.
- Keep track of your symptoms of menopause. Are they severe enough to affect your sleep and general quality of life? Have you tried other, non-hormonal ways to deal with them?
- Are there reasons for you not to take HT?
- Identify the benefits you might gain from HT.
- Based on what you know, assess how important each of these benefits and risks are to you personally:
- Reducing risk of osteoporosis
- Relief from menopausal symptoms
- Extra risk of breast cancer
- Side effects
- Review any other concerns you may have. Do you mind taking medications on a long-term basis? Do you worry about some diseases or possible effects more than others?
- Evaluate what you are doing and willing to do to reduce your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and breast cancer for example:
- A healthy diet
- Do not smoke or willing to quit
- Regular exercise
- Are there other questions that need answering before you decide? If so, how can you get that information?
- Decide whether you will take hormones, put off the decision until you have more information or do not wish to take hormones. The most important thing is to feel comfortable with your decision. Recognize that if your situation changes or as further research becomes available, you may reconsider your decision.
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