Hormone Replacement Therapy Q & A
Editor's Note: The first 11 Q and A's are directly from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So first a bit about the FDA as explained by the FDA.What does the FDA do? FDA ensures that the food we eat is safe and wholesome, that the cosmetics we use won't harm us and that medicines, medical devices, and radiation-emitting consumer products such as microwave ovens are safe and effective. FDA also oversees feed and drugs for pets and farm animals. Authorized by U.S. Congress to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and several other public health laws, the agency monitors the manufacture, import, transport, storage, and sale of $1 trillion worth of goods annually, at a cost to taxpayers of about $3 a person.
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menopause hormones Information and Services
Hormone Therapy for MenEncino, CA Physician Specializing in Natural Bioidentical Hormones.www.BodyLogicMD.com
- What is hormone therapy for menopause?
Hormone therapy for menopause has also been called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormones are needed for a woman's body to develop and for her to have children. One of these hormones is estrogen. Lower amounts of estrogen in menopause may lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness and thin bones. To help with these problems women are often given estrogen or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). Like all medicines, hormone therapy has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about hormones. If you decide to use hormones use them at the lowest dose that helps. Also use them for the shortest time that you need them. - Do I need treatment for symptoms of menopause?
For many women most of the changes will go away over time without treatment. Some women will still want treatment for their symptoms and to prevent bone loss. If you choose treatment estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still has her uterus or womb) can be used. - What are the benefits from using hormones?
Estrogen provides relief of hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Hormones reduce the chances of getting thin, weak bones and hip breaks (osteoporosis). Hormones also reduce the risk of colon cancer. - What are the risks of using hormones?
Hormone therapy may increase your chances of getting breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and gall bladder disease. For a woman with a uterus estrogen increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). Adding progestinlowers this risk. - Should hormone therapy be used to protect the heart or prevent strokes?
Do not use hormone therapy to prevent heart attacks or strokes. - Should hormone therapy be used to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease?
Do not use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease. - Do these hormones protect against aging and wrinkles?
Studies have not shown that hormone therapy works for these concerns. - How long should I use hormones for menopause?
You should talk to your Doctor, Nurse or Pharmacist. Again, hormones should be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time that you need them. - Does it make a difference what form of hormones I use for menopause?
The risks and benefits may be the same for all hormone products for menopause, such as pills, patches, vaginal creams, gels and rings. - Are herbs and other "natural" products useful in treating symptoms of menopause?
At this time, we do not know if herbs or other "natural" products are helpful. Studies are being done to learn about the benefits and risks. - Who should not take hormone therapy for menopause?
Women who ...
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Click on the links above to find out more about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Click on the links above to find out more about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
