For many years, I always told myself, from my ignorance, that I would never take hormone replacement therapy.
I always heard from other women that it was terrible, that it caused breast cancer, and instead of educating myself, I listened.
In November of 2023 officially I became menopausal, exactly one year without my period.
Unfortunately, all my intentions of not using HRT failed. I tried everything natural that they recommend: magnesium for sleep, ashwagandha for night sweats, tea for this, tea for that, but nothing. Even though this may somewhat alleviate some symptoms.
WHO SHOULD NOT USE IT
Since 2002, due to the famous study known as The Women's Health Initiative, there has been a shift in the narrative stating that HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) was dangerous for health. Specifically, it was believed to put women at risk of developing breast cancer and heart diseases.
It was a multimillion-dollar study conducted on hundreds of women who were divided into two groups: those receiving HRT in the form of estrogen and progesterone and those receiving a placebo, if they had a uterus. If a woman had undergone a hysterectomy and did not have a uterus, she would only receive estrogen without progesterone. Currently, it is mandatory for patients with a uterus to receive both estrogen and progesterone to protect the endometrial lining.
It was the first study focused on women and menopause, so when selecting the ages of the patients, the study's outcome was not breast cancer but rather cardiovascular disease.
But the average age of the women in the study was 63 years old, so indeed, there could have been a confounding factor at play. At that age, many of those women may already have had a predisposition to cardiovascular disease. It's important to consider the overall context and individual factors when analyzing the results of any study.
And they also found that women who had been given combined estrogen/progesterone therapy had a relative risk increase in breast cancer development of about 25%.
So, some of the authors, not all, decided to stop the study and hold a press conference at the Watergate Hotel, where they invited the entire national press, stating that... estrogen cause breast cancer. To make matters worse, not all the authors had the opportunity to review the data and confirm these conclusions.
According to Dr. Heaver you should NOT take HRT if there is:
- Suspicion of Breast cancer
- Vaginal bleeding unusual
- Recent heart attack or stroke
- Recent or current condition of blood clots in the veins or lungs.
- Suspected pregnancy
- Diseases of the liver
- Allergic reactions to the components
Please remember that this blog is meant for informational/educational purposes, and this information was extracted from the new book by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, "The New Menopause," who currently runs a clinic in Texas specifically dedicated to treating symptoms caused by menopause.
You can follow her on YouTube, but please note that this information is specifically available in English.
Learn more so you can have better knowledge and to understand your options when deciding on the hormone replacement.
BY THAT I DECIDED TO USE HRT.
“Hay que Calor,” I would say, as J Balvin would put it, that's what I feel every night, along with the super uncomfortable night sweats. My sleep pattern is completely out of control.
I got this information from my health app on my Apple Watch. In 2023, I used to have 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, but now I sleep a little over 5 hours, and this year it's been 4 hours and 30 minutes interrupted by night sweats or hot flashes.
Con tan pocas horas de sueño, y entre mis cinco días laborales y de entrenamiento estaba entrando en un etapa de total agotamiento mental y físico.
Just thinking about how a woman, married with children, and going through menopause must feel, earns my respect, as well as the respect of her bosses, children, and spouses... and all the men around her.
Unfortunately, most men around these wonderful women have no clue about what they are going through.
It is essential that we foster open and educational communication between men and women in our family and friend circles to encourage mutual understanding and provide support during the transition of menopause. By openly discussing the changes and challenges that women face during this period, men can show greater empathy, understanding, and support to their partners, family members, and friends.
According to Dr. Haver, hormone replacement are designed to specifically handle these two uncomfortable symptoms, the famous hot flashes and night sweats.
During this stage, my body experienced a decline in three key hormone groups: estrogen, progesterone, and androgens. This translates into all these associated symptoms that I am feeling.
According to Dr. Haver, if we have symptoms, we can start hormonal replacement therapy at any time during the menopause process, including perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. And the earlier, the better. This way, we can experience all the benefits before our periods stop.
My gynecologist never gave me this option. Elevated heart rate at night, hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods started over a year before my period stopped, and this treatment would have helped me. I know this is an inevitable and natural process, but there's nothing wrong with seeking quality of life during it.
My Doc. approved therapy since April 2024, Combipatch 0.05 – 0.25 mg / 24hr.. and today June 10 I'm still fighting with my insurance to get it.
This is another battle, with the health care system here in the United States, as you'll see, that ends this novel.
Of course, taking into consideration that HRT in each individual should be analyzed so that the benefits outweigh the risks. And you should work with your doctor to determine if you are a candidate for this type of treatment.
Indeed, the doctor clearly states that if you have a uterus, the standard for reducing the risk is to take progesterone at the same time as estrogen. If your doctor does not support this combined therapy, it is better to seek another doctor immediately.
The topic is truly extensive, so I invite you to seek information and educate yourself.
SOURCES
The New Menopause. Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD
The Dr. Gabriel Lyon Show. Podcast . The Real Truth About Menopause Treatments. Episode 81