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Myths About
Hormone Therapy (HT) |
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As a medical professional prescribing hormone therapy, you may need to combat the many
misconceptions about hormone therapy and menopause. You may find it helpful to share the
following information with your patients.
Below are just a few myths that you may be asked to clarify for your patients.
Myth #1: Hormone therapy should no longer be prescribed.
Answer: As with all medications, there are risks and benefits to hormone therapy, which
should be discussed with your patient on a case-by-case basis. Estrogen
encourages the growth of some breast cancers and may be a problem for women
with gallbladder or liver problems, blood clots or vaginal bleeding. However,
for some women the risks may be outweighed by relief of moderate to severe
menopausal symptoms.1
Myth #2: All hormone therapies are alike.
Answer: While all hormone therapies have similarities, there are differences in
dosage strength, delivery methods, administration, and frequency of dosing.
Some therapies include a combination of hormones, while others are estrogen
only.
Myth #3: Hormone therapy is going to take care of all my patients’ symptoms.
Answer: Hormone therapy may not relieve all of the moderate to severe menopause
symptoms. It is generally used to reduce moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms
associated with menopause, and moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and
vaginal atrophy associated with menopause.1 When prescribing hormone therapy soley for the treatment of symptoms of
vulvar and vaginal atrophy, topical vaginal products should be considered.
Myth #4: All menopausal women need the same combination of hormones.
Answer: Some women are fine without any therapy during menopause. Symptomatic, menopausal women
without a uterus would be prescribed estrogen only. Those symptomatic,
menopausal women who still have a uterus would likely be prescribed estrogen
plus progestin. Without this additional hormone in their hormone therapy, women
with a uterus are at higher risk for endometrial cancer.
Myth #5: Estrogen therapy (ET) causes weight gain.
Answer: Estrogen therapy does not cause permanent weight gain. Some women experience
temporary weight gain during menopause due to water retention. Increasing fluid intake, limiting
salt consumption and regular exercise help reduce water retention. A slowing
metabolism, common as people age, should be accounted for in reduced calorie
intake and regular exercise. Vivelle-Dot® is not indicated for the treatment of
weight loss.
Myth #6: Hormone therapy provides cardiovascular protection.
Answer: Hormone therapy does not provide cardiovascular protection.
Myth #7: Women should avoid sex after menopause because vaginal dryness will
make it uncomfortable.
Answer: Estrogen levels may be decreasing, but that doesn’t have to affect your
patient’s love life. Surprisingly, frequent sexual activity can be an effective
remedy for vaginal dryness. Studies show that women who are sexually active
during menopause are less likely to develop symptoms of vaginal dryness because
sexual activity increases blood flow to the vagina, keeping the tissue healthy.
When prescribing solely for the treatment of symptoms of vulvar and vaginal
atrophy, topical vaginal products should be considered.
Myth #8: Once patients start hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, they will
always be on it.
Answer: It is recommended that women who use hormone therapy to manage
menopause symptoms use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
Different solutions are right for different women, depending on each woman’s
health history, current symptoms and personal preferences.
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