“Although cigarette smoking does not prohibit
hormone therapy use, smokers are urged
to stop smoking before beginning ET or EPT”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy and Smoking Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Estrogen Therapy (ET)
  • Estrogen Plus Progestogen Therapy (EPT)
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  • Smoking

Quit SmokingHormone Therapy and Smoking

What are smokers who choose to use HT urged to do?

The North American Menopause Society explain:

“Although cigarette smoking does not prohibit hormone therapy use, smokers are urged to stop smoking before beginning ET or EPT”.2

What is ET?

ET can be an abbreviation for Estrogen Therapy.

What is EPT?

EPT can be an abbreviation for Estrogen Plus Progestogen Therapy.

Hormone Therapy Options

What are HT options?

In Ask the Nurse: A 54 year old lady who has smoked for 25 years is on estradiol and progesterone for menopause. Can she take oral estradiol, or is estradiol patch a better choice? Also, is there any contradiction for HT for smokers? the (United States) Speaking of Women’s Health Nurse explains:

“A. …Hormone therapy in smokers can be given transdermally or orally. Transdermal is more recommended if the patient has a history of DVT or high Triglycerides, GI issues or high blood pressure. If she has a uterus, both estrogen AND progesterone/progestin are needed with hormone therapy.

There are many menopausal treatment options. Sometimes smokers metabolize estrogen faster and may not be able to use ultra low doses of estrogen if they have marked hot flashes”.3

What is DVT?

DVT can be an abbreviation for Deep Vein Thrombosis.

What is GI?

GI can be an abbreviation for Gastro Intestinal.

Quit Smoking Guide

Where may I find a quit smoking guide?

Your Country may have a quit smoking guide similar to the (United States) Smokefreewomen’s Quit Smoking, the (United Kingdom) NHS’s Quit Smoking or Australia’s Quit website.

Quit Smoking Apps

Where may I find a quit smoking app?

Your Country may have a quit smoking app similar to the Smokefreewomen’s Smokefree Apps and the NHS Quit Smoking app.

Health Care Provider

If I am a smoker and choose to use HT, what are my risks?

If you are a smoker and choose to use HT, it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page 785 in The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society: Conclusions published July 2022 and “endorsed by more than 20 well-respected international organizations”, one of the conclusions is:

  • “Risks of hormone therapy differ for women, depending on type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is needed. Treatment should be individualized using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation”.4

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy and Smoking?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Smoking?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. North American Menopause Society. Menopause Guidebook: 4 Do I Need Treatment? Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Hormone Therapy: Who Should Not Use Hormone Therapy? Smokers, 8th Edition, 2015:28
  2. North American Menopause Society. Menopause Guidebook: 4 Do I Need Treatment? Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Hormone Therapy: Who Should Not Use Hormone Therapy? Smokers, 8th Edition, 2015:28
  3. Ask the Nurse: A 54 year old lady who has smoked for 25 years is on estradiol and progesterone for menopause. Can she take oral estradiol, or is estradiol patch a better choice? Also, is there any contradiction for HT for smokers? 02 April 2019. Speaking of Women’s Health Nurse https://speakingofwomenshealth.com/askthenurse/smoking-and-hormone-therapy Accessed: 24 November 2023
  4. The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society: Conclusions. 2022: 785. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf Accessed: 24 November 2023
Topic Last Updated: 24 November 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 24 November 2023

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