This is one of the most common, and understandable, questions women ask about menopause care.
Much of the fear around HRT stems from headlines following the Women’s Health Initiative study in the early 2000s. What’s often missed is that the participants were, on average, older women starting HRT many years after menopause, using formulations we rarely prescribe today.
Modern HRT is very different.
For most healthy women who start HRT around the time of menopause, the benefits outweigh the risks. These benefits include improvement in hot flushes, sleep, mood, joint pain, quality of life, and in many cases, protection against osteoporosis.
The relationship between HRT and breast cancer is nuanced. Some forms carry a very small increased risk, others appear neutral. Other variables might also slightly increase your risk depending on your lifestyle, your genetics and your individual health.
HRT is not compulsory, and it isn’t for everyone. But decisions should be based on current evidence, personal risk factors and informed discussion, not outdated fear. Please get advice on this if it’s something that is worrying you.
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