HRT. is it now regarded as safe?

[percypineapple]

Are HRT tablets now safe, or is it regarded as safe because the risk factor is below a certain level? Our Doctors assistant, who is about 60 has been taking them for years and she said " no one is going to take them away from me!" when we asked about the risks.
What do you think?

[Old_Geezer]

Not sure about that. Shared the missus’ and it just gave me gynecomastia.

[Sqad]

Depends what you mean by "safe."

There is an increase in the incidence, minimal for the first 5 years of taking them of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Oestrogen combined with progesterone may have greater risk than oestrogen alone but whether giving progesterone cyclically or continuously affects risk is uncertain.

Do these small risks outweigh the benefits? That is the question that you need to ask yourself.

[rowanwitch]

Quality of life may now be factored in...
The recommendations are for 5 year or in the case of surgical menopause up to the time natural menopause would commonly occur but in this scenario it is oestrogen only and as it only repalces what is missing not giving extra it is safer than the contraceptive pill

Quality of life... reduction in hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, tiredness, etc etc

Also believed to confer some benefits in delaying osteoporosis but I think the jury is having a very long debate on that one

[percypineapple]

Very difficult decision, early menopause was brought on by chemo/radiotherapy
due to breast cancer treatment.

[Nibble]

when I went on to HRT patches, and stayed on them for a long time, I had a long discussion with my GP about risk factors. The tiny percentage risk of breast cancer had to be weighed against what I felt were the substantial benefits of not having menopausal symptoms. The patches come in several different strengths.
I can understand your concerns, given your history, but for me, I felt the same as your GP's assistant. However, after I'd had them about about 12 years (I started them after hysterectomy) m then GP advocated my coming off them slowly, and I didn't miss them. Still feel good.

[boxtops]

^^sorry percy, that was from me - I forgot to log nibble out - he's a bloke :-)

[tamirra]

Sqad, ive been taking HRT now for 22 years im now 47, have i got a very high chance of any cancers occuring as ive been on it for so long?

[rowanwitch]

Percy... you need to discuss with your oncologist I think for you it will be a no though as a lot of female cancers are hormone driven

[Sqad]

Depends:

If it is an oestrogen only HRT, then there are reputable studies showing that it may well prevent cancer of the breast.

If it is combined oestrogen/progesterone HRT then the incidence for some over 50yrs of age and had been taking it for more than 5 years is slightly raised.

It is always difficult to tell in the latter example if the woman would have developed breast cancer in any event.

if the advantages outweigh the very small debatable disadvantages, then continue with the HRT.

[tamirra]

Im taking Premarin ( i know there is a lot of stigma with this particular one, but its the only one ive found that suits me ) is this a combined one?

[Sqad]

From what i remember...Premarin is oestrogen only......so you should be fine.

[tamirra]

Thank you Sqad, you have put my mind at rest, as the doctors wouldn`t take me off, so now i need not worry.

[anneasquith]

LOL at nibble :)

[felly]

I took combined HRT for about 13 years to prevent hot flushes which I was unable to cope with. I tried to go off it a couple of times but the flushes made life unbearable so went back on it. After about 10 years of taking it I had an episode of abnormal vaginal bleeding. The consultant judged it to be because I was taking HRT but I was allowed to continue with it. However a couple of years later I had a second one which happened because my womb lining was very thickened and I was told I must stop taking HRT. My GP actually told me that if I had continued I would have eventually developed cancer of the womb. Two years since stopping HRT and still putting up with hot flushes I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and am having a mastectomy on Friday. As Sqad says I could have developed breast cancer anyway but I do wonder if the HRT has contributed. You have to make your own decision on the information available.

[anneasquith]

felly......... good luck on friday

[felly]

Thank you anneasquith - am getting very nervous. The worst bit will be waiting for what the pathologist finds afterwards as that will determine what grade of cancer it is and what other treatment I will require. I have to wait for a follow-up appointment to find that out - more waiting :(

[tamirra]

Really sorry to hear that felly, my use of HRT is due to having a total hsterectomy at the age of 25, so i dont have any chances of getting womb cancers fortunatly. Good luck on Friday im sure all our thoughts will be with you. x x

[anneasquith]

felly. your right , its the waiting that is the worst part! i could say dont worry, but that would be silly .

[felly]

Thank you both X

[anneasquith]

let us know how things go.