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Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy or HRT has become a controversial issue in the past few years.
Beginning in the 1960s estrogen was touted as the "wonder drug" to allow women to age more slowly.
By the mid 1970s conjugated equine estrogen which was marketed under the name premarin was the most often prescribed drug in the U.S.
The drug is derived from the urine of pregnant mares and animal rights advocates have for many years tried to promote public awareness of the cruelty to these animals and their offspring in the production of premarin source National Women's Health Network 1995
In 1975 two studies showed an increase in the rate of uterine cancer in women taking estrogen replacement. As more women became aware of these studies the use of estrogen declined in the US.
Later studies showed that combining estrogen and progesterone reduced these risks in women with a uterus and seemed to protect them from the rapid bone loss which occurs after menopause.
A study was started in the 1990s to determine if HRT was effective at reducing heart disease on post menopausal women. (The women's health initiative or WHI)The study was supposed to last for 9 years but was halted in 2002 (after 5 years) because of the increased risk for invasive breast cancer and heart disease among participants. It was concluded at that time that the risks out weighed the benefits to continue the study.
After various studies it was concluded that for short term relief of menopausal symptoms (1-4 years) HRT benefits outweighed the risks.
The decision to continue long term HRT is one that the patient and her physician should decide based on the woman's history and risk factors. The woman should be given all the information required to make an informed decision.
At this time new drugs and no hormonal therapies are being tested. The benefits of exercise, diet and the properties of some herbs are being studied as awareness increases.
With more and more of the baby boom generation entering menopause other cultures are being looked at more closely, where women generally have a lower incidence of heart disease and breast cancer and also experience far fewer symptoms of menopause.
In conclusion Menopause is not a disease but a natural and inevitable part of the aging process. The experiences and research generated by the baby boom generation may well lead to later generations of women having much more information and understanding of the changes taking place in their bodies and help them to be more proactive in making the decisions which will affect their health into old age.
By Nurse Margie
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Nurse Margie is an RN licensed in the state of Texas. Practise areas include OB/Gyn and neonatal care.
Visit the website and discussion forums http://nursemargie.com