its a question of balancing out what I know I feel like now against what any future risks are.
I'm currently reading through all the pros and cons, so as to be forearmed and prepared when HRT is offered to me. A lot of people just think oh it's menopause, therefore you
must take HRT, but it's not that simple is it?
for example, on osteoporosis:
Hormone therapy (HT) is
believed to be useful in preventing or alleviating osteoporosis*. It is generally recommended for postmenopausal women who:
- Undergo an early menopause
- Have a low bone mass, as measured by a bone-density test and menopausal symptoms
- Have
several other risk factors for osteoporosis, such as: a petite, thin frame; family history of osteoporosis, or a medical problem associated with osteoporosis
* osteoporosis can also be prevented by exercising, not smoking, drinking only moderately, eating enough calcium, avoiding fizzy drinks, getting enough sunshine (vit D). Myself, I'll always prefer to get my goodness from food & a healthy lifestyle rather than pills, but maybe that's just me
While
all of the risks associated with HT are
not yet known, studies have shown that some types of HT may increase your risk of developing:
Breast cancer
Gallbladder disease
Blood clots
High blood pressure
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/menopause/hic_menopause_and_osteoporosis.aspx~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
plus, 80% of cardiovascular (heart) disease can be prevented by good diet and lifestyle (stopping smoking, drinking moderately, taking enough exercise)
There's no real history of osteoporosis in my family & I've always been healthy & athletic. There is a history of heart disease, but that's been down almost exclusively to smoking, and I don't. Therefore I don't feel that HRT is for me ... I'm going to do my best to have a 'natural' change, as much as possible. Of course, if things change or symptoms worsen, then my attitude may have to change too
