Mis-understanding HRT

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) has a bad reputation, long associated with a study that linked it to an increased risk in breast cancer. Once linked it’s been a hard thing to shake off (even though it’s since been disproved) but now is a good time to re- look at HRT with fresh eyes.

That’s exactly what Menopause Specialist Dr Louise Newson talks about at length on the podcast Maybe it’s Menopause with The Imperfects. She also has a website and an app called Balance aimed at helping woman understand perimenopause and menopause, track their symptoms and get a better understanding of treatment options.

Newson explains that Menopause is determined as low hormones, while Perimenopause is a period when hormones fluctuate (think happy one day, fit-to-kill the next!) As our hormones decrease, our risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and dementia all increase. HRT is the replacement of these declining hormones which can help to combat the risk of developing these conditions.

So, if everything is starting to feel like a whole lot of effort, you’re suffering from brain fog, memory loss or even waking up with night sweats, you might find a drop is hormones is the cause. Don’t suffer in silence. Go and talk to someone, track your symptoms and see if there is a solution that can make your life easier.  

Understanding is key to coping and finding a way to ease any symptoms you may be experiencing, so get reading and find out if there are options that can help you.

Dr Louise Newson is author of The Sunday Times bestselling books The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause and Preparing for the Perimenopause and Menopause