2024-10-17 22:00:00
Advertiser
75% of postmenopausal women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, thinning skin, vaginal dryness or irritability1. These symptoms can be alleviated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment that really deserves more attention.
Before versus now
“I don’t want to take hormones, I don’t want breast cancer. » Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) arouses little enthusiasm among many women. Gynecologist Prof. Dr. Herman Depypere (UZ Gent) and author of the book “Hoe blijf ik gezond tijdens de menopause” (How to stay healthy during menopause) explains the origin of this concern. “Research conducted in 2002 by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) showed that hormone therapy increased the risk of thrombosis, blood clots and breast cancer2. This publication mainly concerns synthetic hormones in doses that are much too high, taken orally and at too old an age. Furthermore, HRT may be made up of bioidentical hormones, having the same molecular structure as the estradiol and progesterone produced by the body – the hormones which disappear at menopause. Today, these hormones can be taken not only orally, but also through the skin, in the form of a spray, patch or gel. One advantage is that the liver does not need to break them down since they are absorbed into the bloodstream and therefore go directly to the estrogen receptors in the body. »
Health benefits
Prof. Dr Depypere: “Women who opt for bioidentical HRT after the onset of menopause see their mortality risk reduced by around 30%3. Furthermore, the hormones also have a protective effect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases, according to a WHI follow-up study published earlier this year4. Regarding breast cancer, it is true that this disease is much more common than before, but this is largely due to the increase in life expectancy. Two generations ago, women lived on average to 46 years, compared to 83 today. » Whether or not we take hormones, we should try to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Exercising more, drinking less alcohol, aiming for optimal body weight, stopping smoking, especially during puberty, are essential to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Ask your GP for advice
Today, HRT is undoubtedly an effective treatment for experiencing menopause peacefully. “But menopause is not experienced in the same way by all women. The intensity of symptoms, the effect on daily life and the benefit-risk ratio must always be taken into consideration. Prof. Dr Depypere: “If I may give some good advice to readers, do not wait too long to consult your gynecologist, your general practitioner or a menopause consultant. Even at the slightest suspicion of menopause. The earlier HRT is introduced, the greater the long-term health benefits. »
Advertorial, with support from Gedeon Richter
2024-349, creation date 10-2024.
1 Peacock K et al. Menopause. [Updated 2023 Dec 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from:
2 Rossouw JE et al. JAMA. 2002 Jul 17;288(3):321-33. doi:10.1001/jama.288.3.321
3 Salpeter SR et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Jul;19(7):791-804. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.30281.x.
4 Manson JE et al. JAMA. 2024 May 28;331(20):1748-1760. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.6542
Last updated: October 2024
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