Hormone Therapy Side Effects

“Any side effects usually improve over time, so it’s a good idea to persevere with treatment for at least 3 months if possible”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy Side Effects Umbrella include?

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

  • Estrogen
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Side Effects
  • Hormone Therapy (HT) Side Effects
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) Side Effects
  • Oestrogen
  • Progestin/Progestogen

Side Effects or Not

Can hormone therapy (HT) have side effects?

Yes. In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects the (United Kingdom) NHS (National Health Service) elaborate on:

“Like any medicine, the hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can cause side effects.

Any side effects usually improve over time, so it’s a good idea to persevere with treatment for at least 3 months if possible.

Speak to a GP if you have severe side effects or they continue for longer than 3 months”.2

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Different Differences

Hormone Therapy Side EffectsHormone Therapy Side EffectsCan the main side effects associated with taking oestrogen be different from the main side effects associated with taking progestogen?

Yes. In Menopause: Medicines To Help You the (United States) Food and Drug Administration include side effects.
In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects the NHS include “the main side effects of taking oestrogen” and “the main side effects of taking progestogen”.

Side Effects

What are some HT side effects?

In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“A. Sometimes women have side effects from hormone therapy. If any of these symptoms occurs, discuss them with a healthcare provider:

  • Uterine bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Breast tenderness or pain
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Fluid retention in arms or legs
  • Blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Mood change”.3

Breakthrough Bleeding

Is there an association between breakthrough bleeding and HT?

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT: Break Through Bleeding the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

  • “Some women experience vaginal bleeding in the first six months after starting MHT. In most cases this can be helped by changing the dose or type of MHT”.4

In Bleeding – Perimenopausal, Postmenopausal and Breakthrough Bleeding on MHT/HRT the Australasian Menopause Society explain some different types of Bleeding In A Women Taking MHT.

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT: Breakthrough Bleeding the JH also note:

  • “Persistent, unexplained, unscheduled vaginal bleeding should be investigated”.5

Weight Gain

Is there an association between weight gain and HT?

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT: Weight Gain the JH explain:

  • “Most studies do not show a link between weight gain and use of MHT
  • In several studies, women who used MHT had less weight gain than those who did not use MHT
  • Women are prone to weight gain around the stomach in midlife (40s–50s); MHT may reduce this”.6

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects – Weight Gain and HRT the NHS note:

“Many women believe that taking HRT will make them put on weight, but there’s no evidence to support this claim.

You may gain some weight during the menopause, but this often happens regardless of whether you take HRT.

Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet should help you to lose any unwanted weight”.7

Temporary or Not

Are HT side effects temporary?

In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? the NAMS note:

“Many side effects are temporary, so unless they are severe or include bleeding, give hormone therapy 3 months to see whether the discomfort resolves. Lowering the dose or switching to another type of estrogen or progestogen may help reduce side effects”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I need help with my HT side effects?

If you need help with your HT side effects, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): How Long Do You Take MHT? the JH elaborate on:

“Dosages and methods of administration vary according to each woman’s needs and responses to MHT. Changes may be needed before a satisfactory method and dose is found for each woman, and such changes should be made under the close supervision of your doctor. It can sometimes take up to six months to find the right combination.

As a general rule when using MHT in midlife:

  • Start low
  • Go slow
  • Review often”.9

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): Should You Take MHT? the JH include:

  • “Jean Hailes recommends each woman discusses her decision about taking MHT with her doctor regularly and whenever there are any concerns”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Hormone Therapy Side Effects?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Links

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  1. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 1. Misunderstanding – MHT Will Make You Put on Weight
  2. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 6. Myth – Complementary Medicines and Therapies Are As Effective As MHT and Safer
  3. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 7. Myth – Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Is Safer Than Conventional MHT
  4. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  5. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  6. Bleeding – Perimenopausal, Postmenopausal and Breakthrough Bleeding on MHT/HRT
  7. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  8. Combined Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  9. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  11. Coping With the Menopause [Video]
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  13. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  14. Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
  15. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  16. Estrogen & Hormones: Postmenopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy
  17. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Vaginal Estrogen Therapy
  18. HRT
  19. HRT and Alternatives
  20. HRT and Bleeding Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  21. HRT: Benefits and Risks – What You Should Know
  22. Hormone Help Desk: ET, EPT, and More
  23. Hormone Replacement Therapy
  24. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  25. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  26. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives
  27. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Risks
  28. Hormone Replacement Therapy: Can It Cause Vaginal Bleeding?
  29. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  30. Index To Drug-Specific Information [United States]
  31. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  32. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  33. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  34. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  35. Making Choices At Menopause
  36. Menopause
  37. Menopause
  38. Menopause
  39. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  40. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy?
  41. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
  42. Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT
  43. Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Ways To Take MHT
  44. Menopause Matters
  45. Menopause – Oestrogen Only Therapy
  46. Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  47. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
  48. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  49. Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [Video Interview Stories]
  50. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  51. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  52. Menopause: Non-HRT and Lifestyle Options [Video Interview Stories]
  53. Menopause: Non-Hormonal Treatment & Relief for Hot Flashes
  54. Midlife Weight Gain: What’s Really Going On
  55. Midlife Weight Gain—Sound Familiar? You’re Not Alone
  56. NAMS 2017 Position Statement Updates Guidelines for Hormone Therapy Use
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  58. Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  59. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  60. Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  61. Practical Prescribing Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  62. Preventing Weight Gain In Women At Midlife
  63. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  64. Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
  65. Video Series-2020 – TSECs—A New Treatment for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  66. Weight Gain In Women At Midlife: Unique Issues In Management and the Role of Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  67. Weight Loss Strategies In Menopause: What’s New and What Works
  68. Weight Management and Healthy Ageing
  69. What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
  70. Women Can Breathe Sigh of Relief When Using Vaginal Estrogen To Treat Menopause Symptoms
  71. Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes Without Hormones

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects/ Accessed: 22 July 2020
  2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects/ Accessed: 22 July 2020
  3. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 July 2020
  4. Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT: Break Through Bleeding. Last Updated:  07 April 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 22 July 2020
  5. Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Possible Side Effects of MHT: Break Through Bleeding. Last Updated:  07 April 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 22 July 2020
  6. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects – Weight Gain and HRT. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects/#weight-gain-and-hrt Accessed: 22 July 2020
  7. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Side Effects – Weight Gain and HRT. Page Last Reviewed: 09 September 2019. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects/ Accessed: 22 July 2020
  8. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. Are there any side effects from hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 July 2020
  9. Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – How Long Do You Take MHT? Last Updated:  07 April 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 22 July 2020
  10. Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – Should You Take MHT? Last Updated: 07 April 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management Accessed: 22 July 2020

Topic Last Updated: 22 July 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 July 2020
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