Demand for hormone replacement therapy (HRTs), used to provide relief for common menopause symptoms, is on the rise following the FDA’s removal of a black box warning last fall.
Some clinics have reported estrogen patch shortages, as prescriptions for women ages 50-65 have increased 86% since 2021, according to “Epic Research,” which shares data between healthcare professionals.
The removal follows updated science, suggesting the benefits outweigh the risks, particularly for women who take HRTs within 10 years of menopause onset.
The FDA said the warnings created unnecessary fear.
Jane Mawicke didn’t have any hesitation about starting HRTs a year ago to treat her postmenopausal symptoms.
“I had anxiety for the first time in my life, which is a symptom. My body started to change, like gaining some weight, not sleeping well, getting some hot flashes,” said Mawicke.
Initially, the 52-year-old wife and mother of three tried pellets, on the advice of a friend.
The rice-size implants deliver a constant, slow-release of hormones, but are not FDA approved. She didn’t notice much of a difference. Then, she had an irregular mammogram and stopped.
Mawicke, who works full time at a large consulting firm, was experiencing disruptive brain fog.
Her life changed when she connected with Dr. Kristi DeSapri at her gym, after she gave a talk on menopause.
“I use an estrogen gel,” said Mawicke. “I use a little bit of a testosterone cream. That, at least for me, has helped a lot with muscle tone. And then I also take a progesterone pill.”
“[My] anxiety is reduced, happiness is higher. I had gained like some menopause weight, lost it all,” said Mawicke.
Use of HRTs plummeted in the early 2000s following a controversial Women’s Health Initiative study that found combined hormone therapy increased risk for breast cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Many of the participants in the cohort were over the age of 60, and past the age of menopause.
“That got misunderstood and propagated as this huge, elevated risk, where the absolute risk was quite low,” said DeSapri, the founding physician at Bone & Body Women’s Health. “We need to share a consistent messaging [that] hormone therapy is safe and effective. It’s not for everyone. There are risk benefits, alternatives like every medicine.”
DeSapri also noted a change in newer methods.
“We use different hormone therapy now. We use bio-identical or body similar hormones, as opposed to the synthetic,” she said. “Primarily, we prescribe estradiol, which is a bio-identical or body-similar estrogen, similar to what was made in our ovaries during the reproductive years.”
Treatment, however, should be very individualized, according to DeSapri.
“You’re probably hearing, ‘hmm, I need to be seeing someone who understands these options before I just choose one or pick one out of the air,’” said DeSapri. “What I commonly see is patients say, ‘Well, my friend, you know, is taking the patch, so I think it’d be perfect for me.’ Well, it just depends.”
HRTs are the most common treatment for menopause symptoms. However, some women aren’t candidates for HRTs, including those with a history of hormone dependent cancers, blood clots or heart attack and stroke.
For women who aren’t candidates for HRTs, there are two, new, FDA-approved nonhormonal drug treatments, which “are called KNDy neuron or NK receptor antagonists, which help target the ‘hot flash center’ and the hypothalamus where those start,” said DeSapri.
“And then they can still use local vaginal estrogen, and [that] is also a big part of the updated label,” she added.
For Mawicke, HRTs and DeSapri’s guidance have been lifechanging.
She says she now feels empowered to advocate for her health, easing the discomfort of her midlife transition.
“I was in a boat without an oar, and I wish I had known what I know now,” said Mawicke.
Health 22 hours agoHow to make working through menopause symptoms more comfortable
Health & Wellness Mar 24Menopause and heart health: The change we're finally talking about
Health & Wellness Mar 23Menopause challenges impact millions of women, and many are sharing their stories
Hence then, the article about hormone replacement therapy and menopause what experts want you to know was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Hormone replacement therapy and menopause: What experts want you to know )
Also on site :