The following is according to the article published recently on June 21, 2017 in the Menopause Journal titled, Don’t Be Nervous About Hormone Therapy for Menopause.
Hormone replacement in postmenopausal women started early and monitored properly can be very safe. This is a very important statement by the North American Menopause Society.
The route of administration is critical; hormones can be taken by mouth which is the route that carries the highest risk. Hormones can also be administered via transdermal approach through the skin, such as with patches and creams and this form of administration carries the least risks.
Estrogen alone or combined with progesterone and testosterone can be very effective in improving symptoms of menopause but also preventing complications such as osteoporosis, muscle and genital atrophy and maintain cardiovascular health.
Hormone therapy is considered to be safer when started promptly following menopause. Maintaining the smallest effective dose should be the goal.
The duration of the hormone therapy regimen should be determined on the patient’s benefits and the risk factors and not just the age of the woman.
