Menopause Hormone Therapy

Postmenopausal women and physicians should no longer fear hormone. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) released yesterday its new clinical guidelines on menopause. According to the SOGC, took the hormone for less than five years are harmless and can instead help women get rid of troublesome symptoms such as hot flashes.

By publishing these guidelines, the SOGC has sought to silence the belief that hormones increase the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease in post menopausal women.


In 2001, a study conducted in the United States had shown that after four years of hormone therapy, breast cancer increased by 26% in postmenopausal women. With the publication of this study, more than 50% of Americans have stopped their treatment.


SOGC analyzed data available to determine whether the hormone is so harmful. "We have noticed that the 2001 study was conducted mainly on women aged 60 to 70 years. The average age was too high! Especially when we know that age is the main risk factor for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, "says the director of the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Queen's University, Dr. Robert Reid .

"We put women in front of exaggerated fears. Women were afraid, "says professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Laval University, Dr. Michel Fortier.

According to the SOGC, postmenopausal women who want to avoid bothersome symptoms should first change their lifestyle. Control weight, smoking and level of exercise is essential.

Dr Reid acknowledged that this method is beneficial for women with symptoms means. For those with strong symptoms, hormone therapy taken in the short term is a safe and viable option, "said Dr. Reid.

85% to 95% of women see their symptoms with reduced hormone. The risk of fractures related to osteoporosis as well as the risks of suffering from vaginal drying declining.

If the hormone is less than five years, the health risks are invalid, says the SOGC. If the treatment lasts for more than five years women see their risk of contracting breast cancer increased slightly. "The risk is greater for women who are obese or who smoke," said Dr. Reid.

Increased risk among women who gave birth after age 30

According to him, should be more concerned that mothers are becoming older. Studies have shown that mothers who had their first pregnancy after age 30 are more likely to suffer from breast cancer. A third of breast cancer could be eliminated if these factors were controlled.

As to the effects of hormone therapy on cardiovascular disease and stroke, the SOGC believes they are void. We know that the hormones slightly increased risk of clots in the legs. "But in this case, age is a risk factor even more important that the hormones," said Dr. Fortier.

As for the effect of hormones on memory, studies are contradictory. According to Dr. Fortier, only younger women will have their memory improve with treatment. "But we still can not recommend hormone therapy to treat Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Fortier.

Hormonal Treatment Of Menopause

Risks demonstrated ... in 2002, the publication of a U.S. study called WHI (for Women's Health Initiative) was the effect of a thunderclap in the sky for the treatment of menopause. Since European and French, study have prompted health authorities to revise on downwards the guidance of hormonal treatment of menopause. But specifically, what attitude to adopt towards treatment when a woman is experiencing menopause

Tailor the treatment

"Today, treatment are reserved primarily for women suffering from climacteric, ie hot flashes, joint pain, from vaginal dryness, etc.. They take "sometime", time disturbances, generally 4 to 5 years. And the ideal combination of hormones is an estrogen administered through the skin (patch or gel) that adding natural progesterone (Utrogestan or the one of its generic tablets). " Another proposal experts, the tibolone (Livial), a hormone replacement therapy for menopause alone to estrogen and progestin effects at the same time, effective bursts of heat and the bone without the disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy ( TSH) "classic" on the breast.

What is the real risk?

The Strategy of HRT is based on the results of a number of studies. Thus, hormones surrogates are taking a risk of phlebitis and / or pulmonary embolism which we know are due to estrogen take tablets. Then heart disease, which are linked to the type of progestin: "The molecule chosen by the Americans is very little used in France for example"

Finally, the third risk is breast cancer, confirmed by all studies. But it seems that the TSH reveals cancer rather than creates it, and ultimately, the mortality rate is the same as taking HRT or not. Perhaps it would be even better prognosis when receiving HRT because their breast cancers are different and / or they are better used on ... What is certain is that women who don ' have not received progestin, because their uterus was removed in the past did not have breast cancer. And two hormones, natural progesterone and tibolone, have proved so far without any disadvantage for the breast. The second is also tested for 3 years in the "worst" conditions, in women who have had breast cancer.

Finally, if we analyse all recent work, the treatment of menopause would have a positive effects when it is given just after menopause, not after 60 years, as was the case in the WHI study TSH which was administered to prevent the consequences of aging.

Why Libido Is Affected?

Menopause lead to a decrease in hormonal secretion, therefore sexual desire is affected.

In addition, menopause causes drying of the vaginal lining, a decrease of lubrication, and thus pain at the moment of penetration.

Given this, what should we do? Firstly, if you are affected, you must not hesitate to talk about it to your partner to avoid misunderstandings and frustration. You should also talk to your doctor, who may suggest medical solutions (hormonal creams).

In addition, it is possible that the decline of libido is not 100% related to the hormonal drop. You must therefore wonder about your mood in general. Stress or family conflict for example, can have negative consequences on the libido. In addition, it may also be accompanied by a more general disinterest in usual activities, and sometimes be a sign of depression.

Menopause Symptom Relief

The best menopause symptom relief is to keep things simple and natural.

Eat balanced, stay active and monitor your health are your best assets to prevent osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

• Power: the struggle continues!

More than ever to not make weight, you must monitor your plate as far as your balance. No way to live drastic rate regimes, especially as you metabolism changes with age.

After 60 years it is not the fat that melt when we lose weight, but muscles!

Eat balanced and beware of the hidden fats and sugars in fast pastries, cakes, biscuits, cakes and adjust the quantities of food to your physical activity.

• Move!

Your best weapon: physical activity. According to researchers, those who practice physical activity would have 10 to 30% of breast cancers and less.

They also highlighted an increase in BMD (bone mineral density) in women practicing an exercise over a hour three times a week.

At least 30 minutes of daily physical activity seems the right tempo.

• Activities to focus on

Swimming is recommended in case you have joint problem but is useless in the fight against osteoporosis. Moreover stretching, yoga, cycling and hiking are recommended to all.

Whatever your choice, talk to your doctor before any practice.

• Medical attention: a necessity

Even if you do not follow specific treatment, even if everything goes well, the end of your fertility should under no circumstances sound the death knell for your follow-up gynecologic!

A consultation, a cervical smear and mammograms are needed regularly.

Cancer of the endometrium (uterine inside the body), breast cancer, and osteoporosis are diseases whose frequency increases with menopause.

And remember screening allows better treatment.