You should not take HRT if you: have had breast cancer, or womb cancer, have had blood clots in your legs or lungs, or have untreated high blood pressure.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help ease discomfort during menopause by reducing symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and low sex drive.
However, HRT is not suitable for everyone. Women who have certain health conditions or personal preferences may not be able to take HRT.
In this blog post, we will explain who cannot take HRT and what alternatives they can try instead. If you are considering hormone replacement therapy near me, it’s important to read on to determine if it’s the right option for you.
What Is HRT and How Does It Work?
HRT is a medication that contains female hormones: estrogen and progesterone (or progestin). These hormones are naturally produced by your ovaries before menopause.
This drop in hormone levels can cause unpleasant changes in your body and mind. HRT works by replacing some of the missing hormones and restoring balance to your system.
There Are Different Types of HRT Available:
Systemic HRT
This type of HRT delivers hormones to your whole body through pills, patches, gels, creams, or sprays. It can treat most menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss.
Low-Dose Vaginal HRT
Low-dose vaginal HRT delivers hormones only to your vagina through creams, tablets, or rings. It can treat vaginal dryness and urinary problems.
Who Cannot Take HRT?
HRT has many benefits but it also has some risks. Some types of HRT can increase your chance of getting breast cancer, blood clots, heart disease, or stroke.
These risks vary depending on:
Your Age
Women who start HRT after 60 years old or more than 10 years after menopause have higher risks than younger women or those who start sooner.
The Type of HRT
The risks are higher with systemic than with vaginal HRT; with combined than with estrogen-only; with oral than with transdermal (skin) forms; and with certain types of progestin than others.
Your Health History
The risks are higher if you have had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, womb cancer, blood clots, or liver disease; if you smoke; if you are overweight; if you have high blood pressure; or if you have a family history of these conditions.
Therefore, some women cannot take HRT because it would be too risky for them.
You should not take HRT if you:
- Have had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or womb cancer
- Have had blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Have untreated high blood pressure
- Have liver disease
- Are pregnant
You should also talk to your doctor before taking HRT if you:
- Have diabetes
- Have heart disease
- Have kidney disease
- Have migraine headaches
- Have endometriosis
- Have fibroids
- Have gallstones
What Are the Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy?
If you cannot take hormone replacement therapy because it’s too risky for you – don’t worry! There are other ways to cope with menopause without using hormones.
Some alternatives include:
Lifestyle Changes
Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can help reduce some menopausal symptoms and improve your overall health.
For example:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits,
- vegetables,
- whole grains,
- lean protein,
- calcium
- healthy fats
- Drink plenty of water
Non-Hormonal Medications
Several non-hormonal medications can help relieve menopausal symptoms, such as:
- Antidepressants: Some types of antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help reduce hot flashes and mood swings.
- Gabapentin: This medication is typically used to treat seizures, but it can also help reduce hot flashes.
- Clonidine: This medication is typically used to treat high blood pressure, but it can also help reduce hot flashes.
