Benefits of Hormone Therapy

The known benefits of hormone therapy can improve the quality of life for many women, by reducing uncomfortable hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. There also is evidence that hormone therapy helps prevent and treats osteoporosis, and preliminary evidence that it can help prevent other problems associated with age, including Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer and deterioration of eyesight. The addition of progestin to the treatment has dramatically reduced the risk of endometrial cancer. Family history of breast cancer, early age of the first menstrual period (menarche), late age of child bearing, high fat diet, obesity, increased breast density on mammograms, and certain benign breast lesions increase the underlying risk of developing a breast cancer. These factors need to be considered when deciding to take hormone therapy. If you are currently taking hormone therapy and have concerns, talk with your health care provider as soon as possible.