Facts About Estrogen – Healthy Women

1. Hormone treatment will cause you to gain weight.

Hormone therapy does not cause significant weight gain, says Barbra Hanna, MSCP, FACOG, DO, of Wheaton, Illinois.

Although many women notice weight gain and body changes as they age, Hanna explained that midlife weight gain is more likely to be caused by age-related metabolic changes rather than hormone treatment itself.

On the other hand, Barb DePree, MD, FACOG, NCMP, MMM, director of women’s health at Holland Hospital and a member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Committee (WHAC), notes that while no studies have yet clearly linked estrogen (increase or decrease) to body weight, hormone therapy may be helpful for those struggling with hormone-related symptoms that impact their lifestyle.

“Hormonal therapy can help you maintain weight. Sleeping better can help you feel better, reduce joint pain…all of which can help you make better choices about your lifestyle, which in turn can improve weight management.”

2. Estrogen increases cancer risk in women.

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The myth that estrogen increases cancer risk is one of the most prominent and persistent myths, but it is also wrong. This myth stems from a 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study that aimed to examine the risks and benefits of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.

The study found a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer in women. But DePree said there are two key things women need to know about these results.

• The increased risk has only been found with certain types of estrogens given along with synthetic versions of progestins.
• In clinical trials, women who took only estrogen actually less The incidence of breast cancer is higher than with placebo.

Despite the key fact that estrogen does not cause breast cancer, this study created much frenzy and continued fear. Fortunately, these results have been superseded by better data.

Today, DePree explained, doctors “don’t view hormone therapy as a serious risk for breast cancer.”

However, factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer include breast density, family history, genetic mutations, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, diet, and smoking.

Read: Additional research shows vaginal estrogen is safe for people with a history of breast cancer >>

3. Estrogen increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Estrogen may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, but that’s problematic, DePree said. The risk depends entirely on how the dose is delivered. Oral estrogens, such as those found in birth control pills, may increase the risk, but transdermal (through the skin) patches or vaginal estrogens do not.

She explained that oral estrogen is processed through the liver and slightly changes blood clotting proteins enough to increase the risk of blood clots. However, almost all HT is delivered in patches or other non-pill forms, which means that the risks of oral estrogen are not present.

Of course, people with cardiovascular disease or at risk for stroke should always discuss their risk with their health care provider (HCP).

4. Wait until your symptoms get really bad before starting hormone treatment.

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This is categorically false, according to Mary Jane Minkin, MD, co-director of the Sexuality, Intimacy and Menopause Program for Cancer Survivors at Yale Medical Center’s Smilow Cancer Hospital and a WHAC member of HealthyWomen.

“I tell women that once they have symptoms, they can start hormone therapy,” she said.

Hanna puts even more emphasis on when to start HT. “Let me be clear here,” she said. “Women who still have periods but are experiencing symptoms can safely begin hormone therapy. No one should be left to suffer from symptoms until they have been without a period for a year. Perimenopausal hormonal disruption is real and women deserve management options.”

Not only can hormone therapy relieve symptoms in some women, but studies have shown that the closer to the start of menopause the closer HT begins, the lower the risks associated with its use, DePree added.

5. Natural remedies are safer than hormonal treatments.

Hanna is also very passionate about dispelling these myths. This is especially true for doctors who sell complex “natural” hormones to women, which are not covered by insurance and are expensive.

“Combined hormones are not FDA-approved, lack standardization, and may pose unknown risks,” she said. “FDA-approved bioidentical HT options exist and are safer than unregulated combination versions.”

Additionally, FDA-approved HT is covered by health insurance.

6. Hormone therapy can only be taken for a few years.

“The use of (HT) has no age-related shelf life,” Hanna said.

The Menopause Association’s official position is that women can safely use HT until age 65, after which they can discuss individualized risks/benefits with their HCP when discontinuing or continuing.

The bottom line, according to DePree, is that female hormones are nothing to be afraid of. Especially considering the fact that most women never question female hormones when they are produced naturally in their own bodies. “For about 40 years, our ovaries have been very efficient at producing hormones. No one has ever questioned the safety or validity of exposure to female hormones,” she said.

“So is there something about hormones at age 52, 55, 45 that is undesirable and shouldn’t be considered? I think the answer is no.”